Absolute Fridge Leaking Water? Causes and Fixes, Inside or Underneath
Where the water appears tells you most of what you need to know. Water inside the fridge and water on the floor usually have different causes. Here's how to find yours.
Updated
🔍 R350 call-out to inspect & diagnoseQuick answer
The most common reason a fridge leaks water is a blocked defrost drain: the small channel and hole at the back wall of the fridge gets clogged with food or ice, so defrost water overflows into the compartment and pools under the salad drawers or drips onto the floor. Other causes are a cracked or misplaced drip tray, a leaking water dispenser or ice-maker line, a poor door seal and a fridge that isn't level. Absolute Repairs fixes fridges on site across Gauteng for a R350 call-out.
Where is the water?
| Where you see it | Most likely cause |
|---|---|
| Under the salad drawers or on the bottom shelf | Blocked defrost drain |
| Ice on the back wall of the fridge | Blocked or frozen drain, or a defrost fault |
| On the floor, at the front | Blocked drain overflowing, or a fridge leaning forward |
| On the floor, at the back | Cracked or displaced drip tray, or a water line leak |
| Under the freezer drawers, or ice on the freezer floor | Frost-free defrost drain or heater fault |
| Near the water dispenser or ice maker | Water inlet valve, line or connector leak |
| Droplets along the door edge | Worn or dirty door seal letting in humid air |
How to clear a blocked defrost drain
- Find the drain hole: a small hole, usually in a channel at the bottom of the back wall inside the fridge, behind the drawers.
- Clean any food or slime away from the channel.
- Gently push a pipe cleaner, or the tool some fridges come with, into the hole to clear it.
- Use a turkey baster or syringe to flush a little warm (not boiling) water down the drain. It should run out into the drip tray at the back.
- If it's frozen solid, the defrost system may be faulty. That needs a technician.
Don't use a knife or a sharp object to chip away ice. Puncturing the gas line behind the back wall is a very expensive mistake.
Other common causes
Drip tray
The tray on top of the compressor at the back can crack or get knocked out of position when the fridge is moved.
Water dispenser line
Plumbed-in Samsung, LG and Hisense side-by-sides can leak at the inlet valve or a push-fit connector behind the fridge.
Door seal
A torn or dirty seal lets warm, humid air in. It condenses, freezes on the back wall and then overwhelms the drain.
Not level
Fridges should tilt very slightly backwards so the doors close and water flows to the drain. Adjust the front feet.
Defrost fault (frost-free)
If the defrost heater, sensor or timer fails, ice builds up on the evaporator and melts in a flood when it does defrost. Often comes with poor cooling.
If the fridge is also warm while the freezer is fine, see fridge not cooling but freezer fine.
Fridge repairs near you
We repair Samsung, LG, Defy, Hisense, KIC, Bosch and other fridges at home: Johannesburg, Pretoria and Krugersdorp.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there water under the drawers in my fridge?
Almost always a blocked defrost drain. The hole at the back of the fridge gets clogged, so water from the normal defrost cycle overflows into the compartment instead of draining to the tray at the back.
Why is my fridge leaking water onto the floor?
Usually a blocked defrost drain overflowing, a cracked or displaced drip tray at the back, or a leaking water line on a fridge with a dispenser.
Is a leaking fridge dangerous?
The water itself isn't usually dangerous, but keep it away from plugs and wall sockets, and wipe up the floor to avoid slipping. If water is near the plug, switch off at the wall first.
Can I fix a fridge leak myself?
Often yes. Clearing a blocked drain or levelling the fridge is a DIY job. Defrost system faults, water valve leaks and seal replacements are better left to a technician.
Why does my Samsung fridge leak water?
On Samsung frost-free fridges, the usual causes are an iced-up defrost drain or evaporator, a dispenser water line leak, or a door seal that isn't sealing.
Fridge still leaking?
WhatsApp us a photo of where the water is and the fridge's model number. Monday to Saturday, 07:30–17:30.