What does it mean when a fridge is leaking water?
It means defrost water, condensation or supply water has left its normal path. Defrost water should run down a drain to a drip tray near the compressor, where it evaporates.
Fridge leaking water inside
Water under the crisper drawers means the drain hole in the back wall is blocked.
Fridge leaking water inside from the top
On a top-freezer model, drips from the fridge ceiling mean the freezer defrost drain is blocked or frozen.
Fridge leaking water at the back
Water behind the fridge means the drip tray is cracked or displaced, or a supply pipe is leaking.
Fridge leaking water underneath or on the floor
Water under the fridge has run out past the door or dripped from the drip tray.
Common causes of a fridge leaking water
The most common cause is a blocked defrost drain.
At a glance
| Cause | Typical sign | Who fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked drain hole | Water under the crisper drawers | You can check this |
| Fridge leaning forward | Water at the front of the shelves | You can check this |
| Leaking door seal | Droplets on the walls | You can check this |
| Drip tray cracked or displaced | Puddle at the back | You can check this |
| Leaking water tank or pipe | Clean water at the door | You can check this |
| Frozen freezer defrost drain | Ice on the freezer floor | Technician |
- 1
The defrost drain hole is blocked
You can check thisThe drain hole sits at the bottom of the back wall inside the fridge. Food scraps and slime block it, and defrost water overflows. The sign is water or ice under the crisper drawers.
- 2
The fridge is not level
You can check thisA fridge should lean slightly backwards so that water runs to the drain. The sign of a forward lean is water at the front of the shelves.
- 3
The door seal is leaking or the door stays ajar
You can check thisWarm, damp air enters and condenses on the cold surfaces. The fridge then makes more water than the drain can handle. The sign is droplets on the walls, worst in humid weather.
- 4
The drip tray is cracked, displaced or overflowing
You can check thisThe drip tray sits above the compressor at the back, or under the fridge on some models. The sign is a puddle at the back. Water there can reach the wiring and cause a fridge tripping the earth leakage.
- 5
The water tank or dispenser pipe is leaking
You can check thisA fridge with a water dispenser has a tank in the door or a plumbed supply pipe. A loose tank, a worn seal or a leaking pipe joint drips clean water. Reseat the tank, or close the supply tap.
- 6
The freezer defrost drain is frozen
TechnicianOn a frost-free fridge the defrost drain starts behind the freezer back panel. The sign of a frozen drain is a sheet of ice on the freezer floor. Clearing it is a fridge repair for a technician.
What you can safely check yourself
You can trace most leaks without opening any panel. Switch off and unplug at the wall before touching anything.
- Find the sourceWipe up all the water. Check after a few hours to see where it first appears.
- Clear the drain holeClean the hole at the bottom of the back wall with a cotton bud or pipe cleaner. Flush it with warm water.
- Check the levelRaise the front feet until the fridge leans slightly backwards.
- Check the drip trayThe tray must be seated and uncracked, with the drain tube ending inside it. The compressor beside it can be hot.
When to stop and call a technician
Stop and call a technician if water has reached the plug point or the wiring. Stop if the fridge trips the power, if you smell burning or if the liquid is oily. Stop if the leak returns after the drain is cleared. Do not open the control board, mains wiring or the sealed refrigeration system.
Still having trouble with your fridge?
Our technician comes to your home, usually the same day. The R450 call-out falls away if you go ahead, and you get a fixed price in writing before any work starts.
How a technician diagnoses a leaking fridge
- Traces the waterThe technician follows the water from the puddle back to its source.
- Clears the drainsThe drain hole, drain tube and drip tray are cleaned and flushed.
- Tests the defrost partsA drain that keeps freezing points to a defrost fault, so the heater and defrost thermostat are tested.
- Checks seals, level and supplyDoor seals, levelling and any water tank or supply pipe are checked.
Is my fridge leaking gas?
A fridge leaking gas does not leave a puddle, because refrigerant does not drip as water. The signs of a gas leak are a compressor that runs constantly, an oily mark at a pipe joint and a fridge that is not cooling. Many modern fridges use a flammable refrigerant. Ventilate the room, keep flames away and call a technician.
Why is my fridge leaking brown liquid?
Brown liquid is usually defrost water that has picked up dirt, rust or food residue. Clean the drip tray, the drain hole and the crisper area. An oily brown liquid near the compressor can be compressor oil from a sealed-system leak, which needs a technician.
Is a leaking fridge worth repairing?
Repair usually makes sense when
- The leak comes from a drain, drip tray or door seal
- The fridge still cools and freezes normally
- The cabinet and liner are in good condition
Replacement is worth considering when
- The inner liner is cracked and water is entering the insulation
- The base of the cabinet is rusted through
- Refrigerant is leaking inside the cabinet wall