While Whirlpool Refrigerators offer a year-long warranty, during which they’ll pay for any broken or damaged parts, their durability is not the best in the market.
However, it is very common for refrigerators to leak or turn off. Even the most durable and sought-after refrigerators in the market experience leaks. If your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking water, it might not be the end of the world.
Key Takeaways
- The most common cause of your Whirpool refrigerator leaking water is a leaking water filter.
- Excess heat and temperature can also leak water at times.
- Consulting your user manual can quickly help you rule out most issues.
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10 Reasons Why Your Whirlpool Refrigerator Is Leaking Water
There can be numerous reasons why your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking water. Read ahead to see what these reasons might be.
1. Leaking Water Filter
Water filters are one of the best features of modern refrigerators. However, they are one of the biggest sources of refrigerator leaks. The leak might occur from the dispenser itself or from the interior filter compartment. This may cause puddling. Here are some things that contribute to a leaky water filter.
- Damage: Cracks or holes in the water filter may cause a leak. If inspection reveals that there is considerable damage to the water filter, it will need to be replaced as a repair isn’t possible.
- Incorrect Installation: By installing the filter incorrectly, there might be empty spaces that will contribute to the leaking of water from the fridge. If you need to re-install the filter, refer to the manual as this will help you understand what you need to do precisely.
- Wrong Filter Brand: Your water filter is made for your specific refrigerator. If you use any other basic brand, chances are the filter won’t fit as perfectly with the refrigerator as the original would.
2. Drain Pan Leaking
If your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking from the bottom, chances are the issue might lie in the drain pan. The condenser fan exists to evaporate any water left behind. However, if there are cracks, this water will most likely leak. This can also happen due to freezes.
Reason #3: Faulty Inlet Valve
If you are unable to fix the leaking problem and you’ve already adjusted the drain pan, chances are the culprit for the leak is the inlet valve. The inlet valve is responsible for bringing in your home’s water supply into the refrigerator.
If there are cracks, and holes, or if the inlet valve has taken major damage, it may cause your Whirlpool refrigerator to start leaking. If the search reveals that there is a fitting issue, that can easily be remedied. However, if the issue is a crack or a hole, the inlet will need to be entirely replaced.
4. Clogged Defrost Drain
The defrost drain transfers any residual water to the drain pan so it can evaporate. It can be found in the freezer’s rear wall. Considering where it is located, it is very likely that the defrost drain is victim to clogging due to ice and/or food particles.
These leaks turn into frost and can create issues with the performance of the refrigerator. This will make it so the freezer part of the fridge is unable to defrost. It may be remedied by pouring warm water over the clogged defrost drain.
5. Inappropriate Use
If you’re not using the refrigerator for the purpose it’s created for, chances are your Whirlpool refrigerator will start leaking or giving you issues. Always ensure you look at the user manual to know what does and doesn’t belong in the refrigerator.
6. Manufacturing Fault
One of the reasons for your Whirlpool refrigerator leaking could very possibly be a manufacturing fault. If your fridge is leaking almost as soon as you’ve purchased it, this is probably the case.
Sometimes the issue lies within the manufacturing rather than any fault of the user. Make sure to get your refrigerator inspected by a professional so they may inform you of where the fault lies.
7. Excess Heat/Temperature
It is also likely that, if you’ve set the temperature too high, your freezer will be unable to freeze any ice. This water will end up leaking from the bottom of the refrigerator. The temperature might need to be adjusted and a clean up required at most.
8. Uneven Fridge
Your refrigerator does not need to be perfectly even. Interestingly, it needs to be at a specific angle to ensure the coolant flows properly. If your refrigerator is uneven, the coolant won’t flow properly through the fridge and will cause condensation to form. This may cause puddles to show up and leak through the bottom of the fridge.
9. Unsealed Drinks
It is very possible that an unsealed drink that was previously placed into the fridge has toppled over and is now leaking from the bottom of the fridge. It could also be due to moist foods. It’s best to check and ensure none of these is the issue. It may sound basic, but this is a very common reason for Whirlpool refrigerators leaking water, just like any other.
10. Faulty Door Seal
If your door does not seal properly, the refrigerator might begin to leak. This could also simply happen if you’ve left the door open. The best thing to do is to ensure the door is closed every time you use the refrigerator and if there is an issue with the door, call a technician who may help you resolve the issue efficiently.
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How To Fix Whirlpool Refrigerator Leaking Water
We have now identified different reasons why your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking water. Now that we’ve recognized the causes, let’s look for the solutions.
1. Consult User Manual
One of the first things you should do when you run into a leak from the refrigerator is to grab the user manual. The user manual contains all of the instructions you need in order to troubleshoot your Whirlpool refrigerator.
If you’d like to check out the user manual for Whirlpool refrigerators, look no further. Follow this link https://www.whirlpool.com/services/manuals.html and get all of your issues sorted.
2. Rule Out Defrost Drain Blockage
If you see that your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking water from the bottom, you may want to rule out a blocked defrost drain. You will need to call a technician who will look at your defrost drain thoroughly and help you remove any debris from the drain pipe if necessary.
Once fixed and unclogged, ensure no food is covering the drain pipe in the freezer as to ensure it runs efficiently for the rest of its life.
3. Inspect Water Line
One of the first things you should do if your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking water is inspect the water line. You may do this by following these steps.
- Unplug Fridge
- Close Water Shut-Off Valve
- Use Replacement Supply Line
- Check for Tears in Water Line
- If Intact, Inspect Tubing For Blockage (possibly, due to ice)
- If Ice is found, Leave Fridge Unplugged for 2 Hours (letting the ice melt)
4. Check Leveling
Ensure that your refrigerator is sitting at the appropriate level. If the leveling is off, your Whirlpool refrigerator will leak water from the bottom. To understand how to adjust your fridge’s leveling, check the user manual for the instructions required.
5. Check for Faulty Inlet Valve
If the inlet valve is broken or loose, it can cause a leak from the bottom of the refrigerator. If you’d like to know how to remedy this potential issue, look at the following steps.
- Move Fridge Away from Wall
- Turn Off Water Supply
- Remove Rear Panel
- Inspect Inlet Valve
- If Loose, Tighten
- If Damaged, Call Professional
6. Balance Temperature/Heat
Check to see if the temperature setting for your refrigerator is low enough to keep the ice frozen and refrain from melting. If your temperature is too high, your ice will melt and your freezer might leak. However, if your temperature is too low, the ice might freeze too much and clog in the drains.
7. Inspect Ice Dispenser
Check the refrigerator’s ice dispenser for a leak. To do this, follow the next few steps.
- Unplug Refrigerator
- Remove Ice Maker
- Unscrew the Screws on Ice Maker
- Unplug Wiring Harness
- Use Hairdryer to Melt Ice till No Leaks
8. Check Evaporator Fan Motor
An evaporator fan motor that is faulty will cause issues for the freezer and not allow it to be as cold as it needs to be to form ice. It is easy for this motor to get clogged by dust or debris that falls behind it. This brings up condensation and gathers moisture causing a leak. This motor can easily be cleaned by using a long brush.
9. Fix Door Seal
If the door seal is damaged and requires fixing, you may need to get it replaced. The best way to know if a door seal is loose is to place a dollar bill in the door before closing it. If the bill moves from its position, chances are the door seal needs to be replaced. Do so by contacting a professional.
10. Call Technician
If all else fails, call in a professional whose job is to ensure your refrigerator is working efficiently. They will be able to locate a problem and fix it smoothly. Ensure your refrigerator is in the warranty period and keep the warranty card on hand. Call them and get your refrigerator back to perfect condition in no time!
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FAQs
Where is the defrost drain on a Whirlpool refrigerator?
The defrost drain can be found on the freezer’s rear wall. Sometimes this can get clogged and cause condensation to create excess moisture. This will make it so your freezer doesn’t defrost sufficiently.
How do you unclog the defrost drain on the Whirlpool refrigerator?
- To unclog your defrost drain, follow the next few steps.
- Pull Off Check Valve
- Clean Out Using Steamer and Hot Water
- Place Back Gently
Why does my Whirlpool refrigerator leak water from the bottom?
This is most likely due to a damaged drain pan. This is because holes or cracks will make it so that condensation cannot work and the moisture collects and leaks before it can evaporate.
