my kitchenaid fridge is making a loud gurgling or bubbling noise that goes on for a long time, is it broken?

— asked by Morgan

Quick answer: That’s almost certainly the normal sound of refrigerant moving through the lines, but it’s way more noticeable in these French door models because of how the cooling system is routed. It’s not a sign of failure.

Diagnosis

That’s almost certainly the normal sound of refrigerant moving through the lines, but it’s way more noticeable in these French door models because of how the cooling system is routed. It’s not a sign of failure.

How to Fix It

This is more about managing the sound than fixing a fault. First, make sure the fridge is level. Get a small level and check it from front to back and side to side on the floor. If it’s off, you adjust it by turning the leveling legs at the front corners. A tilted fridge can make the system work harder and be noisier. If it’s already level, the sound is just the design. It often happens most after the compressor cycles on or during the defrost cycle.

If That Didn't Work

If the sound is more of a loud buzzing or rattling, not a liquid gurgle, check if anything inside (like bins or drawers) is vibrating against the walls. Take everything out of the doors and main cavity, run it empty for a bit, and see if the noise stops. Sometimes a loose shelf or a bottle touching the back wall is the real culprit.

Heads Up

The noise will probably be most noticeable in a quiet kitchen at night. It’s a common complaint, but the system is designed to run that way. If the cooling performance is still good, try to see if you can get used to it over a week—many people’s brains just tune it out after a while.

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