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  1. Repair
  2. Frigidaire
  3. Frigidaire Refrigerator
  4. Refrigerator leaking water

Frigidaire refrigerator leaking water

Common reasons your Frigidaire refrigerator is leaking water

The most common reasons your Frigidaire refrigerator is leaking water are a clogged defrost drain, cracked dispenser water tubing or a damaged evaporator.

  • 39%

    39% of the time it's the
    Defrost Drain

  • 33%

    33% of the time it's the
    Dispenser Water Tubing

  • 8%

    8% of the time it's the
    Evaporator

  • 20%

    20% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a Frigidaire refrigerator

    Defrost Drain Replacement

    When the defrost drain is clogged, frost and ice melting from the evaporator fins during the defrost cycle won’t be able to drain away, causing an overflow of water in the drain pan and leading to water leaking underneath the refrigerator. To prevent potential damage to the floor and refrigerator if leaks are noticed, have a Sears Home Services professional inspect the refrigerator to address and rectify the clogged defrost drain promptly.


    Dispenser Water Tubing Replacement

    Cracked refrigerator dispenser water tubing will result in water leaking around the dispenser area, leading to puddles or moisture accumulation on the exterior of the refrigerator. This leakage can result in decreased water flow to the dispenser. You might also notice water dripping from the dispenser nozzle or pooling in the dispenser tray. In some cases, a crack in the tubing can introduce contaminants or compromise the water's purity, affecting its taste and odor. Promptly addressing a cracked water tube with a Sears Home Services professional is crucial in preventing possible water damage.

    Evaporator Replacement

    A damaged refrigerator evaporator causes a decrease in overall cooling performance, leading to elevated temperatures in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments. These higher temperatures can result in food spoilage and less effective preservation of frozen items. Frost or ice buildup on the evaporator coils may hinder their ability to absorb heat efficiently. Excessive condensation inside the refrigerator can lead to leaks. Additionally, a damaged evaporator may cause unusual noises, such as hissing or gurgling sounds, during the refrigeration cycle.

    What to expect when you experience a Frigidaire refrigerator leaking water issue

    How is the leaking water problem fixed?

    Correcting most leaking water problems usually involves replacing the defrost drain, dispenser water tubing or evaporator. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

    Sears Home Services recommendations for a refrigerator that is leaking water

    When the refrigerator is leaking water it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of refrigerator failures.

    What to look out for with a refrigerator leaking water diagnosis

    Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your refrigerator problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

    How to Fix a Frigidaire Fridge Leaking

    When your Frigidaire Fridge is leaking, check the water line connection on the back of the refrigerator. Tighten or replace the water line connection if you find the leak in that area.

    If the leak is coming from the ice and water dispenser, check for a piece of ice stuck in the ice chute and blocking the ice door from closing. Remove the ice so the ice door shuts fully to prevent that type of leak.

    Another cause of a Frigidaire fridge leaking is excessive frost that can cause the defrost drip pan at the bottom of the fridge by the compressor to overflow and leak. Check the door gaskets because an air leak through the door gaskets can allow warm, moist air to enter the fridge and cause excessive frost – resulting in the overflow of the defrost drip pan. Repair or replace any leaking door gasket that you find.

    If the defrost drain tube is frozen and clogged, defrost condensate water won’t flow down to the defrost drain pan. The water will leak into the bottom of the freezer and eventually out the bottom of the freezer door. If you see this problem, have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home to fix the fridge.

    What Causes a Frigidaire Leaking Inside

    The main causes of a Frigidaire leaking inside include a frozen defrost drain tube, a leaking water reservoir, leaky water filter housing, cracked water tube or leaking water tube connection.

    When the defrost drain tube is frozen, water will leak inside the freezer compartment. In a top-freezer Frigidaire fridge, the water fill often drip down into the refrigerator compartment and appear underneath the crisper drawers. A technician will unplug the fridge and remove the evaporator cover in the freezer compartment to access and melt the ice clogging the defrost drain tube to fix the problem. The tech will then determine the root cause of the problem and may install a heat probe under the evaporator that will prevent the problem from recurring. A heat probe is a piece of metal that connects to the defrost heater and extends down into the top of the defrost drain tube to prevent freezing.

    If the cause of your Frigidaire leaking inside is a leaking water reservoir, cracked water tube, leaky water filter housing or leaking water tube connection, the technician will find and fix the cause of the leak by tightening water fittings or replacing parts.

    Troubleshooting a Frigidaire Leaking Water on the Floor

    Causes of a Frigidaire leaking water on the floor include an overflowing defrost drain pan, a leaking water supply tube, a frozen defrost drain tube and a leaking water supply connection on the back of the fridge.
    If you see your Frigidaire leaking water on the floor from underneath the refrigerator every four or five hours, the defrost drain pan could be overflowing. Excessive frost from an air leak through a door gasket could be the root cause of this leak. Check the refrigerator and freezer door gaskets. Repair or replace a leaking door gasket if you find that problem and the leak may go away.

    Check the water supply line and its connection on the back of the fridge. Replace the water line if it leaks or if you tighten the water line connection and water still drips from the connection because the seal if bad.

    A frozen defrost drain tube will cause water to leak into the freezer and sometimes that water will leak out onto the floor. In a top-freezer Frigidaire refrigerator, the water will leak down under the crisper drawers in the refrigerator compartment and eventually out through the refrigerator door opening.

    When you’re unable to find and correct the cause of your Frigidaire leaking water on the floor yourself, schedule refrigerator repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem.

    Frigidaire Leaking Water Solutions

    Fixing problems for your Frigidaire leaking water can be challenging. You’ll need to find the cause of the leak in your fridge first. Common causes of a Frigidaire leaking water include an overflowing defrost drain pan, a clogged defrost drain tube, leaking water line or water line connection, water filter housing leak and a dispenser problem.

    When your see your Frigidaire leaking water from the dispenser and you just replaced the water filter, air in the water line going to the water dispenser could be causing the drip. Purge 1 gallon of water as constantly as possible through the water dispenser to fix that type of leak.

    Water leaks through the ice chute, check for a piece of ice stuck in the dispenser door that covers that ice chute. Remove the piece of ice to fix that cause of your Frigidaire leaking water.

    When you discover your Frigidaire leaking water from the back of the fridge, check the water supply connection. Tighten the water line fitting on the back of the fridge if water drips from that fitting. Replace the water line if tightening the fitting didn’t fix the leak or if the water line itself leaks.

    If water leaks from under the fridge every 4 to 5 hours, then the defrost drain pan could be overflowing. Have a Sears Home Services technician examine your fridge and fix that type of problem. You’ll also need a service technician to fix a problem with water leaking inside your fridge in most situations.

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    Glossary Terms

    A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.

    Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.

    R-12 refrigerant, also known as Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compound that was once widely used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and aerosol propellants before its phase-out due to environmental concerns.

    CFC certification refers to the credentialing process that qualifies HVAC technicians to handle chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other refrigerants in a manner that complies with environmental regulations. It is essential for professionals who install, maintain, or repair HVAC systems and refrigeration equipment.

    Additional possible Frigidaire refrigerator symptoms you may experience