Refrigerator leaking water? Find the source in 5 steps
By the technicians at Maximum Appliance Repair. Updated
Where the water shows up tells you a lot. Water inside the fridge usually means a drain problem. Water on the floor behind or under it usually means the water supply. Start by drying everything so you can see where new water appears.
Safety first: unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before you open panels, and shut off gas or water if you'll be near those lines.
1. Check the defrost drain
If water pools under the crisper drawers or ice forms on the freezer floor, the defrost drain is probably clogged. Find the drain opening (usually at the bottom of the freezer back wall or under the crispers) and flush it slowly with warm water from a turkey baster. Water should run down into the drain pan underneath.
2. Check the water filter
A filter that isn't fully locked, or a cracked filter housing, drips inside the fridge or down the front. Remove the filter, check the O-rings, and reinstall it until it clicks. Try a new filter if it's past its date.
3. Inspect the water supply line
Pull the fridge out carefully and look at the thin water line behind it and the shutoff valve on the wall. Plastic lines can crack and fittings can loosen. A slow drip here often shows up as water at the front of the fridge.
4. Look at the drain pan
Defrost water drains into a pan near the compressor, where it evaporates. If the pan is cracked or out of place, you'll see water under the fridge after each defrost cycle.
5. Check that it's level
Most refrigerators should tilt slightly back so the doors close on their own and water flows to the drain. If the front sits lower than the back, adjust the front leveling legs or rollers.
Leaks that run for weeks can ruin flooring and cabinets. If you see water you can't explain, shut off the water to the fridge and book a visit.
When to call a technician
Call us if you can't find the source, if the water inlet valve at the back is dripping, if the leak comes from the ice maker or dispenser, or if water keeps returning after you clear the drain. Shut off the water valve to the fridge until it's fixed.