A puddle under the fridge, or water pooling under the crisper drawers, is never a nice surprise. The good news is that a fridge leaking water almost always comes down to one of a few simple causes, and most of them you can fix in an afternoon with a towel, a cup of warm water and some patience.
Quick answer: if water is pooling inside the fridge, the defrost drain is probably blocked. If it’s on the floor, check the drain pan underneath and, if your fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser, the water supply line at the back.
Before you start
- Unplug the fridge before you remove panels or reach behind it.
- If your fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser, turn off the water supply. The shut-off valve is usually under the sink or behind the fridge.
- Put down towels and keep a shallow tray handy.
Inside or outside? Start here
- Water inside the fridge, under the crisper drawers or at the bottom of the fridge section: start with fixes 1 and 2.
- Water on the floor in front of or under the fridge: start with fixes 3 to 6.
- Water or ice in the freezer: check fix 1 and fix 7.
1. Clear the blocked defrost drain
This is the most common cause of water inside the fridge. Your fridge regularly melts frost off its cooling coils, and that water runs out through a small drain hole, usually at the back of the fridge or freezer compartment. When bits of food or ice block the hole, the water overflows into the fridge instead.
- Find the drain hole. It’s usually a small opening or channel at the back wall, below the cooling vents.
- Clear any visible food or debris.
- Use a turkey baster or a small funnel to flush the drain with warm water, a little at a time.
- If water flows through and drips into the pan underneath, the drain is clear.
💡 Tip: Warm water melts the ice that often forms inside the drain tube, but don’t use boiling water, which can damage plastic parts. Pour slowly and keep a towel ready, in case the drain is still partly blocked.
2. Check the fridge isn’t tilted forward
Most fridges are designed to lean very slightly backwards so that water runs towards the drain and the doors swing closed on their own. If the front is lower than the back, water can collect at the front of the shelves and spill out. Adjust the front leveling feet so the fridge tilts back a little.
3. Check the drain pan
Under the fridge, usually behind the bottom grille, there’s a shallow drain pan that collects defrost water so it can evaporate. If the pan is cracked, has slid out of place, or is overflowing because the fridge is defrosting more than usual, water ends up on the floor. Slide it out carefully, check it for cracks, clean it, and put it back properly.
4. Inspect the water supply line
If your fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser, a thin plastic or copper line runs to it from your home’s water supply. A loose fitting, a crack in the line or a kinked tube can drip slowly onto the floor, often without you noticing for days. Carefully pull the fridge out and check the line and its connections at the back. Tighten loose fittings by hand and replace a cracked line.
5. Check the water filter
A water filter that isn’t locked in properly, or one that’s the wrong type for your model, can leak, especially right after you’ve changed it. Remove the filter and reinstall it firmly, following the arrows or instructions on the filter housing.
6. Look at the door seals
Worn or dirty door seals let warm, humid air into the fridge. That extra moisture turns into condensation and frost, which means more water for the defrost system to deal with. Clean the seals with warm, soapy water, and replace any that are torn or no longer grip the door.
7. Ice building up in the freezer?
If you see a sheet of ice on the freezer floor or a lump of ice around the drain, the freezer’s drain line is likely frozen. Unplug the fridge, empty the freezer, and let the ice melt with the door open, with towels down. Then flush the drain with warm water as in fix 1.
While the fridge is off, keep an eye on your food. The USDA’s refrigeration guide explains how long food stays safe.
When to call a technician
- Water keeps coming back after you’ve cleared the drain.
- The leak is coming from inside the back panel or near electrical parts.
- You can’t find or reach the water supply line safely.
- The fridge also isn’t cooling properly.
Fridge leaking water: quick FAQ
Why is there water under my crisper drawers?
Almost always a blocked defrost drain. Flushing it with warm water usually fixes it.
Is a leaking fridge dangerous?
Water near electrical outlets can be, so unplug the fridge and dry the area before you work on it. Standing water can also damage your floor over time, so don’t ignore a slow leak.
How often should I clean the defrost drain?
Once or twice a year is usually enough, or whenever you notice water collecting inside the fridge.
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