The answer to 'why is my water softener making gurgling noise' is that a gurgling sound is often a sign of an issue with the water softener's brine tank or the water flow through the system. This can be caused by a few common problems, such as a clogged drain line, a problem with the brine tank float, or air being drawn into the system.
The gurgling noise indicates that there is an obstruction or disruption in the normal water flow through the softener. This could be due to a buildup of minerals or debris in the drain line, an issue with the float valve that controls the brine tank water level, or even a problem with the softener's internal valves or seals. If left unchecked, these issues can lead to further problems like reduced water pressure or even a complete softener failure.