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  1. Repair
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  3. Refrigerator leaking water

Kenmore refrigerator leaking water

Common reasons your Kenmore refrigerator is leaking water

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

  • 68%

    68% of the time it's the
    Defrost Drain

  • 9%

    9% of the time it's the
    Dispenser Water Tubing

  • 8%

    8% of the time it's the
    Evaporator

  • 15%

    15% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore 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 Kenmore 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.

    Kenmore Fridge Water Dispenser Leaking Troubleshooting

    When your Kenmore fridge water dispenser is leaking and you just replace the water filter, purge 1 gallon of water as constantly as possible to eliminate air from the water lines and prevent water dripping from the water dispenser. Air trapped in the lines of the water dispenser system is the number one cause of water dripping from the water dispenser in a Kenmore fridge.

    Air can also enter the water dispenser water lines if you remove the refrigerator door to move or install the fridge. Follow the same troubleshooting step of purging 1 gallon of water through the water dispenser if you recently removed the door to move the fridge.

    If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help you fix the problem with your Kenmore fridge water dispenser leaking, schedule service to have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and fix the water leak. The technician may find a leaking water valve, defective electronic control board or faulty dispenser control.

    Troubleshooting a Kenmore Refrigerator Leaking Water from the Bottom

    Troubleshooting a Kenmore refrigerator leaking from the bottom can be challenging. If the fridge has an ice maker and/or water dispenser and the leak appears underneath the refrigerator, start by checking the water supply line connection on the back of the fridge.

    Use a helper to carefully pull the refrigerator forward to access the water supply line connection. Check the water line and the connection on the back of the refrigerator for leaks. Replace the water line if it’s leaking. Tighten the water supply line connection if you see water dripping from that fitting. If tightening the connection fitting doesn’t fix the leak, replace the water supply line.

    Another source of a Kenmore refrigerator leaking water from the bottom is an overflowing or cracked defrost drain pan. Unplug the fridge power cord and remove the machine compartment cover on the bottom of the outside back panel and check that drain pan to see if it is overflowing or damaged. Replace the defrost drain pan if it’s damaged. If the defrost drain pan is overflowing, use a towel to soak and remove the water from the pan and reinstall the machine compartment cover. Plug in the power cord and move the refrigerator back in place.

    Excessive frost and ice on the evaporator is likely the cause of the defrost drain overflowing. Check the door gaskets because a leak of warm, moist air into the refrigerator or freezer compartment will cause the excessive frost and defrost drain pan overflow. Repair or replace any leaking gasket.

    If your Kenmore refrigerator is also leaking water inside the freezer or refrigerator compartment, a frozen defrost drain tube is often the problem.

    When you’re unable to find and fix a problem with your Kenmore refrigerator leaking from the bottom, schedule fridge repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to resolve the issue.

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    Jake is a great person.

    He did a great job, the problem is with the refrigerator.


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    Great job

    Robert did a great job and was kind and courteous. He cleaned up everything. I would highly recommend using him.


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    Service appointment

    Joe was very professional and knowledgeable technician who quickly found and fixed the problem. I would recommend for service again


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    Additional possible Kenmore refrigerator symptoms you may experience

    • Kenmore refrigerator water dispenser not working
    • Kenmore refrigerator stopped working
    • Kenmore refrigerator not cooling
    • Kenmore refrigerator noisy
    • Kenmore refrigerator no water
    • Kenmore refrigerator light not working
    • Kenmore refrigerator fan not working
    • Kenmore refrigerator door not closing
    • Kenmore refrigerator compressor not running