Why Is Water Leaking from the Fridge? The Overlooked Reason You Should Know

If you’ve ever walked into your kitchen and found a mysterious puddle of water under your refrigerator, you’re not alone. Water leaking from a fridge is a surprisingly common issue — and it’s not always because of a major malfunction. In fact, there’s one reason behind fridge leaks that often goes unnoticed, yet it’s simple and easy to fix once you know what to look for.

The Most Overlooked Culprit: A Blocked Defrost Drain

Modern refrigerators go through regular defrost cycles to melt any ice that builds up on the evaporator coils. This melted water is supposed to flow down a small defrost drain, located inside the fridge or freezer compartment, and exit into a drain pan at the bottom of the unit. From there, it evaporates harmlessly.

However, over time, this tiny drain can become clogged with food particles, debris, or even mold. When the drain is blocked, water has nowhere to go during the defrost cycle and instead pools inside the fridge or leaks out onto the floor.

Because the drain is hidden inside the unit, most people don’t even realize it’s there — let alone check it. That’s why this simple problem often goes unnoticed until you see a water stain or puddle under your appliance.

Other Possible Causes of Fridge Leaks