At a Glance
Understanding the Causes of Internal Refrigerator Leaks
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Best Refrigerator Replacements for Quality and Value
Why Trust East Coast Appliance
No one wants their appliances to break, but it can be especially stressful if you discover your refrigerator leaking water inside.
The leaks can drive up your utility bills and potentially damage your floors if the water spills out into your kitchen. Even if you want to address the problem quickly, it can be hard to learn how to fix a leaking refrigerator if you aren’t familiar with appliance repair.
This guide breaks down why your fridge might be leaking, how to fix it, and the best refrigerator replacement options if repairs aren’t enough.
Understanding the Causes of Internal Refrigerator Leaks
The first step is to answer, “Why is my refrigerator leaking water?” If you can get to the source of the issue, you can take steps to address it.
There are several reasons why your refrigerator might start leaking, which means there are multiple places to check. Here are a few potential sources to consider.
- Clogged Defrost Drain: Food debris and ice can clog the drain, causing water to pool inside. Eventually, the water could spill over and cause a leak.
- Damaged or Blocked Drain Pan: The drain pan is located underneath the refrigerator and often has a little water in it. When the drain pan is damaged, water flows through the cracks or spills over into your home.
- Faulty Door Gasket: A worn gasket can allow warm air inside, causing condensation and melting ice. Make sure your door closes and seals correctly.
- Improper Temperature Settings: The problem could be as simple as incorrect temperature settings that are causing excess condensation. A power outage also could cause ice to melt and leak through your refrigerator.
- Broken Water Filter or Water Line: If your refrigerator has an ice maker, a cracked or loose filter or water line can cause leaks. You might not notice the problem until your refrigerator water leaking starts to flow out of the appliance.
You can see how asking, “Why is my fridge leaking water inside?” can lead you to various solutions. The repair could be as easy as adjusting the temperature settings and replacing the drain pan or requiring a more complex water line replacement.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
When you first notice your refrigerator leaking water inside, don’t assume the worst. You might not have a complex repair project or expensive fix to deal with. Follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue, starting with the most simple problems first.
- Check the Temperature: Ensure the temperature settings haven't been altered and verify that the interior temperature matches the set level.
- Inspect the Door Seals: Confirm that the refrigerator door closes completely and that the seals are intact to maintain proper insulation.
- Examine the Drain Pan: Remove the drain pan and inspect it for cracks or damage that could lead to leaks.
- Turn Off the Water and Ice Maker: Stop the water supply to the ice maker and dispenser. If water continues to leak inside, the ice maker isn’t the cause of the issue.
- Check the Drain Lines: Ensure that all drain lines are clear and functioning properly to allow excess water to flow out of the refrigerator.
If you aren’t sure how to follow these steps to get to the source of your refrigerator leaking water inside, turn to your user manual. It can walk you through each system to confirm that it’s in working order.
➜ Learn More: Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining? Common Problems
Additional Preventive Maintenance Tips
Once you repair your refrigerator leaking water inside, you can take steps to keep your appliance running at its best. Here are a few good habits you can get into:
- Clean the defrost drain every six months to prevent clogs and leaks.
- Check the door gasket monthly to confirm that it isn’t wearing out.
- Make sure the internal temperature aligns with what you set. Otherwise, you could have a broken thermostat.
- Clean your refrigerator monthly to prevent ice build-up and remove stray food particles that could cause clogs.
- Prevent ice from over-accumulating. Remove stale ice that is unsanitary to consume.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time on refrigerator maintenance and instead can pick up daily habits to keep your appliance running. The best leak is one that never starts.
➜ Learn More: How To Get Rid of Smell In Fridge: Fridge Deodorizer
When to Call a Professional
There are several reasons to call a professional if you notice your refrigerator leaking water inside. Bring in a repair expert if you try to address the issue itself, but the problem persists.
You can also call someone if the inside of fridge leaking water is near electrical elements. You do not want to handle any electrical elements alone – especially if they have water flowing around them.
It’s also okay to call a repair technician if you simply don’t want to address the issue by yourself. Tell an expert that you notice the refrigerator leaking water inside and they can go through the troubleshooting and repair steps for you.
Calling an expert can ensure your repairs last, further extending the life of your refrigerator. It is better than applying a temporary fix that causes your refrigerator to break again in a few weeks.
➜ Learn More: Refrigerator Replacement Parts to Fix Your Fridge
Best Refrigerator Replacements for Quality and Value
Homeowners can often fix a leaking fridge themselves or call a professional for help. However, persistent issues that affect performance may signal it’s time for a replacement.
If repairs aren’t enough, consider upgrading to one of these four models—your leaking fridge might be a sign it’s time for something new.
Frigidaire Professional 36 in. 22.6 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
Shop Frigidaire 36 in. French Door Refrigerator
The Frigidaire counter depth refrigerator is an excellent choice to kick off your appliance search.
Its CrispSeal® drawers maintain optimal humidity levels, keeping your food fresher for longer.
Meanwhile, the SpaceWise® design ensures everything—down to the leftovers tucked in the back—is easy to find and access.
⭐Featured Frigidaire Refrigerator #PRFC2383AF Review:
"So incredibly happy with our new fridge, has all the space that we need to accommodate everything we use. The doors are slow and self-closing which is nice with kids as well as smudge resistant. The double ice maker is definitely a bonus!"
GE 36 in. 21.9 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth Side By Side Refrigerator
Shop GE 36 in. Counter Depth Side By Side Refrigerator
Another top option is this GE side-by-side refrigerator which has an external water and ice dispenser.
The soft LED lighting makes it easy to identify the right items inside, while the spillproof shelves are ideal for messy kids.
If you have forgetful family members, you will enjoy the door alarm that sounds when the refrigerator has been left open for too long.
⭐Featured GE Refrigerator #GZS22DSJSS Review:
"It has exceeded all expectations! Quiet, excellent interior design that maximizes space, deep humidifier drawer for vegetables, convenient slide-out shelves, and soft lights."
Café 36 in. 22.3 Cu. Ft. Platinum Glass Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
Shop Café 36 in. French Door Refrigerator
A broken refrigerator could be a great opportunity to upgrade your kitchen with a replacement, and this Café counter-depth refrigerator is a great choice.
The extra drawer can be controlled separately from the refrigerator and freezer, allowing you to perfectly chill wine or hold a charcuterie board ahead of a party.
The water dispenser also comes with a hands-free AutoFill feature, so you don’t have to stand by your refrigerator the whole time.
⭐Featured Café Refrigerator #GZS22DSJSS Review:
"I love the backlight inside the fridge and the auto water fill. It's truly fingerprint-resistant and has ample space. It also has great features, and I couldn’t be happier."
LG 30 in. 21.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
Shop LG 30 in. French Door Refrigerator
Rounding out the list of top replacement options is this LG French door refrigerator.
It is a smart appliance that connects to Wi-Fi and allows you to adjust the temperature settings from your phone.
There are two crisper drawers that can help you reduce food waste by keeping produce fresh.
⭐Featured LG Refrigerator #LFCS22520S Review:
"It is working great, runs so quietly. I like the internal layout for storage. It is handy being able to use two doors to store smaller items like ketchup and mustard. I like the bottom drawer for cheese and lunch meat storage."
Address Your Refrigerator Leak Immediately
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is ignoring leaks, whether they come from your sink, washing machine, or refrigerator.
As soon as you notice your fridge dripping water, take steps to either identify the issue and either fix it yourself or call a professional. You can prevent wasted water and additional problems get fixing the problem fast.
If your refrigerator is beyond repair, your next step is to visit East Coast Appliance. We can help you find a suitable fridge replacement that meets your budget and capacity needs. Our team can make the purchase process low-stress so you feel confident in your choice.
A working refrigerator is in your future, whether it means repairing your current one or getting the replacement you need.
Why Trust East Coast Appliance
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Shop Quality Refrigerators at East Coast Appliances
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop refrigerators online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you find the best refrigerator replacement for your kitchen, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!