How To Clean The Refrigerator Defrost Drain Tube

Help to find the location of freezer drain hole. Water on the floor leaking from the refrigerator. On a side by side fridge, water leaking is usually caused by a clogged defrost drain tube or drain hole.

Refrigerator drain hole location

Most modern refrigerators that have auto defrost use a tube that drains out water. When the defrost cycle in your refrigerator turns on the water drips down into the drain tube and down into the drain pan and evaporates. If this drain tube is clogged or blocked, water can be found leaking under the refrigerator and cause a puddle.

If water is found on the floor under the refrigerator, you can assume the drain tube is clogged. To find out if this is the case, you may find ice under the drawer at the bottom of the freezer. To know for sure, you will find ice under the freezer drawer and a puddle of water under the refrigerator. If both occur, you most likely have a clogged defrost drain tube and or a blocked drain hole.

Where is this drain hole or drain tube located?

On most refrigerators the defrost drain tube and drain hole is located inside the freezer at the bottom back. Look in the freezer near the bottom and locate the drain tube and the drain hole. There may be a panel made from plastic that covers the drain tube and hole. Remove the panel with a screwdriver if applicable. You should now see the drain tube and drain hole. If you cannot find the drain hole, your refrigerator may not have it located in this area. See more info to find the drain hole to stop the water leaking from the refrigerator.

What causes the drain tube to clog and leak?

If anything blocks the drain hole, water cannot flow into the tube and water will leak to the bottom of the refrigerator and cause a puddle on the floor. There may be food particles that have fallen into the drain hole. The drain tube and or drain hole can also freeze. If the drain hole is freezing up, running hot water through it can help to defrost it and let the water run down freely. Inspect to see if the drain hole or the drain tube is clogged or frozen.

How to clear the drain hole in refrigerator?

Remove anything that is blocking the drain hole or the drain tube. You may not be able to tell if the drain hole is internally clogged from a visual inspection. You can use hot water to clear out the drain line that is clogged or blocked. Use a turkey baster full of hot water and direct it into the drain hole. Continue running hot water through the drain hole until you hear water dripping down into the drain pan. The water that drips down into the drain pan should evaporate but if too much water spills down, remove it with a towel or something to absorb it. Once the drain hole is cleared the issue is fixed.

If you do not have access to a turkey baster, you can use compressed air to attempt to clear the drain hole. Clearing the drain hole prevents the water from leaking water on the floor.

What can I use to help unclog the drain hole?

You can use hot water mixed with baking soda to help unclog the drain hole or tube. The drain hole may clog up at times and using a solution of baking soda mixed with water can keep it clean and unclogged. Use 1 tablespoon of baking soda with approx 2 or 3 cups of hot water. Doing this a few times a year can help to stop refrigerator water leaks on the floor.

Refrigerator Troubleshooting: How to Unclog a Defrost Line

This refrigerator drain tube/drain hole location and clearing method can be used on all side by side refrigerators and freezers such as Bosch, Frigidaire, GE, Haier, Hotpoint, Kenmore, KitchenAid, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Toshiba, and Whirlpool.

(Remember all refrigerators are unique and the drain tube may not be located in the area we have suggested, if you cannot find the drain tube or drain hole, we suggest to find your refrigerator manual and search for the location – Refrigerator manuals can be found here)

Do you have questions about locating or clearing a clogged drain hole or drain tube on your refrigerator? Please leave your refrigerator model number with your detailed problem below in the comments and we can help.

Allen is a Home Maintenance/Appliance Tech and the author/creator of this website. He has 33 years of experience troubleshooting and repairing all types of appliances. Contact here