Water Is Leaking Into the Refrigerator From the Freezer

Fix your freezer immediately if you discover water in or around the appliance.

You should always take action if water appears around your freezer or in the refrigerator compartment -- it's a strong sign the freezer is too warm and your food is defrosting. You should move all food and ice cubes to another freezer, if possible, and check the power supply and thermostat settings. You could have accidentally cut the power to your freezer or adjusted the thermostat settings while loading the freezer. Fixing the simple problems first will reduce the risk of an unnecessary repair visit.

Instructions

1. Turn the thermostat up from "0" or "Off" -- it's easy to knock the dial while you are loading the freezer with food. Your freezer should be at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17 degrees Celsius) to keep food completely frozen and reduce the risk of spoilage. Use a freezer thermometer to reset your freezer if fitted with a dial thermostat.

2. Return the power cable to the outlet if it has worked loose. No light or sound from the refrigerator combined with ice melting from inside the freezer compartment indicate a power cut to the entire refrigerator/freezer appliance. Check the outlet is switched on, if necessary, and verify the outlet is receiving power by plugging in a lamp or other appliance.

3. Replace the fuse or reset the breaker protecting the freezer's circuit if the outlet isn't working. A blown fuse or tripped breaker will cut power to all appliances on its circuit and cause your refrigerator/freezer to defrost. Contact an electrician if you are unsure how to change a fuse or reset a breaker in your house.

4. Examine the contents of the freezer and ensure nothing is holding the door open. The door gaskets should make full contact with the freezer at all points around the door frame. The door can easily be held open when it is tightly packed with food. Don't freeze hot or warm items until they are at room temperature. Ensure any ice cube trays you may just put in the freezer are still upright.

5. Empty the defrost drainage pan down the sink, if possible. Ice melted from inside the freezer during a defrost cycle is collected in a drainage pan and evaporated into the air. Water can overflow the drainage pan during humid weather causing a leak into the refrigerator or onto the floor. Examine the defrost drain to be sure nothing is blocking it, such as small bits of food. Check your instruction manual for the exact location of your drainage pan.

6. Take a look at the ice maker inside your freezer, if one is fitted. Empty out any ice cubes or water in the bin and check for leaks. A dripping ice maker will leak water into the refrigerator if left unattended. Turn off the water supply at the shut-off valve behind the refrigerator to stop the leak while you investigate. Check for stuck ice cubes blocking the mechanism.

References

• General Electric: Upright Freezer Manual (PDF)
• AAA Appliance Parts: Freezer