Whirlpool Refrigerator Model ET17HKXMWR1
Customer complaint: I have to keep cleaning water up from underneath the refrigerator crisper drawers
Solution to the problem: Clean the refrigerator defrosts drain tube.
Every time the refrigerator goes into a defrost cycle (every 8-10 hrs) the water that is created should run down a tube to the bottom into a pan at the bottom of the refrigerator.
If the defrost drain tube gets plugged up then the water will back up and not be able to drain into the pan.
Sometimes the water will back up into the freezer making a sheet of ice on the freezer floor. Other times water will back up into the refrigerator section and run under the crisper drawers or drip from the ceiling of the refrigerator. It all depends on where the defrost drain tube is plugged up and how they run the tube on your model refrigerator.
On this example the water from the defrost cycle runs into a little cup behind the controls in the refrigerator.
First disconnect the power to the refrigerator.
Then remove the light cover and the two screws that hold the control cover in place.
Now you will be able to see were the black defrost drain tube comes down from the ceiling and drops into a cup. The water from the defrost cycle (on this model) runs into the cup and through the back wall of the refrigerator. From there is runs down the back wall of the refrigerator into the drain pan at the bottom.
Remove this cup by simply pulling it toward you. Many times I find that this cup is plugged up with junk/gunk. If so just clean it out.
In this case the cup was clean so we need to keep looking. When I looked into the tube on the back wall was I just removed the cup I could see water sitting in there. I should not be able to see what in there as it should be draining down the tube.
Now we need to get to the back of the refrigerator. On the back you will see a plastic elbow that goes though the back of the refrigerator wall.
Remove the defrost tube and the two screws and pull the elbow out of the wall.
Once I got the elbow out I could see that this is where the defrost drain tube was plugged.
Instead of the water draining like it should down the tube in the back of the refrigerator it would back up the cup we removed from inside the refrigerator. Then it would drain down the inside back wall and under the crisper drawers.
Take it to the kitchen sink and clean it out.
How To Fix A Leaking Refrigerator
WATER LEAKING FROM REFRIGERATOR OR INSIDE THE FREEZER OR FRESH FOOD SECTION
You have a blockage in your condensate defrost line or the pipe that fill the tray below the refrigerator is missing the condensate collector pan that uses the heat from the fan to evaporate the condensate back into the air inside your home. Or this sounds like you have a blockage in the drain tube, remove panel back of freezer...you may see ice build-up, melt ice with hair dryer, you will see a pan below evaporator, melt ice in pan, dry water up in pan with towel, now you should see drain hole in pan that leads to drain tube, pour some hot water in pan, wait a couple minutes, wipe up water and repeat this step 2-3 times, once you have done this use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to vacuum out the gunk or blockage in the drain line. Now it is cleaned out! Put back panel back and you are good to go. The reason you see water in the Freezer is because the water has been leaking into the freezer instead of running into the drain hole...If you need any further assistance please feel free to comment again. Good luck! PS Please don't forget to rate my solution Thanks! Sea Breeze
The bottom front of the refrigerator or freezer door
Self-defrosting refrigerators usually dispose of the water generated during the defrost cycle via a tube or channel that directs the water to a pan at the bottom of the refrigerator. From the pan, the water normally evaporates. (See a more detailed explanation of this in the How Things Work section of our website).
If the tube or channel is clogged or obstructed, the water backs up and leaks into the inside of the refrigerator compartment. Then the water builds up at the bottom, inside of the refrigerator. When the water has built up for a time it may spill out of the front of the door opening. To fix this problem, clear the drain tube or channel and allow the defrost water to flow down to the drain pan.
In some refrigerators, the defrost water is intentionally directed down the back wall of the refrigerator, where it then flows to the bottom of the refrigerator compartment and out to a small drain--usually located beneath one of the drawers at the bottom of the refrigerator. If the drain becomes clogged or blocked, the water may back up. To fix this problem, clear the obstruction.
Another cause may be the following. The refrigerator may have doorframe heaters to evaporate any condensation on the cabinet frame. If your refrigerator is equipped with a switch inside that says “energy saver” or something similar, while running in that mode the door heaters are disabled. Turn the switch to the opposite setting and wait 24 hours. If the condensation disappears the problem is solved.
The back of the Refrigerator
Water coming from the back of the refrigerator usually comes from either the ice maker water valve or line (if there is an ice maker), or from the defrost drain pan.
Here's what to do:
If the water is coming from the ice maker water valve, check to make sure the water tubes are attached properly and are fastened tightly.
If the water seems to be coming from any part of the valve itself, replace the valve.
If the water appears to be coming from the defrost drain pan, inspect for holes or cracks, and replace the pan if necessary.
The inside ceiling of the Refrigerator
Water accumulating on the ceiling of the refrigerator is usually caused by a clogged drain in the freezer section beneath the evaporator. The clogged drain will cause water from the self defrost cycle to leak into the divider between the freezer and refrigerator. This water may then freeze and cause condensation build-up on the refrigerator ceiling. The solution to this problem begins with unclogging the drain. It may also be necessary to remove the entire freezer/refrigerator divider to thoroughly dry the insulation in the divider. Occasionally the insulation needs to be replaced to prevent a recurrence of the problem. This can be a big job – you may want to hire a qualified appliance repair technician.
The inside back wall of the Refrigerator
In some refrigerators, the water from the defrost cycle is intentionally directed down the back wall of the refrigerator, where it then flows to the bottom of the refrigerator compartment and out to a small drain - usually located beneath one of the drawers at the bottom of the refrigerator. If the drain becomes clogged or blocked, the water may back up. To fix this problem, clear the obstruction.
Underneath the front of the Refrigerator
If the refrigerator is equipped with a water dispenser on the freezer door, check if the water line to the dispenser is leaking. Also, check the drip pan to be sure it isn’t out of place, broken or cracked.
