Leaking problems are one of the most common problems that affect refrigerators. And while it may be annoying, fixing it does not often require professional assistance. In this article, we will look at ways you can fix the problem of your Kitchenaid refrigerator leaking.
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Kitchenaid Refrigerator Leaking Water – Why and Solutions
This section will discuss the most common reasons Kitchenaid refrigerators leak water and how to solve them.
1. Frozen or Clogged Defrost Drain
The defrost drain is responsible for sending the water melted during defrosting to the drain pan. The drain can get clogged or frozen, and this will cause the water to overflow and spew out of the refrigerator.
In this case, the defrost drain has to be thawed or unclogged. Defrost the refrigerator to remove the ice in the drain; this article is a quick guide on how to defrost your Kitchenaid refrigerator.
To remove clogs in the drain, do the following:
i. Check inside the refrigerator for the entrance of the defrost drain. It is mostly located at the rear end wall of the freezer, but this may vary with models.
ii. Next, use a damp cloth to clean off the drain’s entrance. Most times, food particles and other debris gather at the entrance and cause the drain to clog. So, sometimes, cleaning the drain hole is all you need to solve the problem.
iii. Finally, make a mixture of warm water and baking soda and flush it down the drain using a turkey baster. Stop doing this when you hear water dripping down to the drain pan. This would mean that the drain is clean and free of clogs.
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2. The Drain Pan is Leaking
The drain pan collects the water produced during the defrost cycle. If the drain pan is leaking, then it may be due to one of the following:
i. The drain pan is overflowing
Usually, the compressor evaporates the water in the drain pan by blowing warm air over the drain pan. However, the compressor may fail to do its duty, and this will cause the pan to overflow.
The drain pan should be removed and manually emptied if this happens. Also, to prevent this from happening again, ensure the temperature of the refrigerator is set to an ideal degree. This is because the most common reason the compressor may fail to do this job is the temperature of the refrigerator being set too high.
However, if the drain pan keeps overflowing, it may indicate a more serious problem. In which case, we recommend you call a repair technician.
ii. The drain pan is not properly installed
If you have recently taken out the pan for maintenance, then there’s a possibility that it was not properly installed. So, check your user’s manual for how to install your drain pan. And then remove the pan and reinstall it properly.
iii. The drain pan has a crack
Inspect the pan for a crack or tear; you need to do this carefully as even a very little tear can cause a leak. If you find a crack, remove the defective pan and replace it with a new one.
3. The Water Line is Leaking
The water line supplies water from the inlet valve to the ice and water dispenser. Check the back of the refrigerator, where the water lines are held in place by some tabs. Inspect the lines for any leak or tear; replace the leaking water line if you find any.
This video will show you how to replace the water line of your Kitchenaid refrigerator.
Kitchenaid Refrigerator Leaking Water from Dispenser –How to Fix
Try out the following fixes to stop your Kitchenaid refrigerator from leaking water out of the dispenser.
1. Empty the Dispenser Tray
If the dispenser tray is full, water will spill and leak out the front of the refrigerator. Inside the dispenser drip tray is a removable insert. To empty the tray, push down the insert’s edge and pull out the dispenser tray.
2. Clean the Ice Chute
The ice chute may have pieces of ice shavings, which can get into the chute. And these ice shavings may then melt and go down the dispenser. To solve this problem, the ice chute should be cleaned. To do this, dispense about 8 ice cubes.
3. Flush the Water System
Air can get trapped in the water line after a filter change. As a result of the trapped air, pressure will build and cause water to spill out of the dispenser.
The air must be released from the water line to solve this. To release the trapped air, press the dispenser trigger and dispense about 3 gallons of water.
4. Replace the Water Line
If the water line is bent or has a tear, it will begin to leak. In this case, the leak may appear like it is coming from the dispenser. A video in the section above gives detailed instructions on replacing your Kitchenaide water line. For more information about Kitchenaid refrigerator dispenser problems, read this article.
5. Level the Refrigerator
If the refrigerator is not properly leveled, water may drip out of the dispenser periodically. The front part of the fridge is meant to be slightly higher than the rear part.
So, use a level to check if the fridge is properly leveled. If it is not, do the following steps to level the refrigerator:
Step 1: Remove the grille at the bottom of the refrigerator. Some models do not have a grille, so skip this step if yours does not.
Step 2: The leveling legs will be visible with the grille removed. Adjust the legs with the nuts. Turn the nuts clockwise to raise the legs and counterclockwise to lower them.
Step 3: Adjust the legs until the required slight tilt is achieved.
Step 4: Finally, use the level to confirm that the refrigerator is properly leveled.
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Kitchenaid Refrigerator Ice Maker Leaking – What to Check
Check the following parts if your Kitchenaid refrigerator ice maker is leaking water:
1. Fill Tube
The ice maker assembly must first be removed to inspect the fill tube. Do the following to remove the ice maker assembly and assess the fill tube:
i. Unplug the refrigerator to avoid electrocution and shut off the water supply.
ii. Locate the ice maker in the freezer compartment and remove the nut holding it in place.
iii. Gently pull out the ice maker to access the fill tube.
If the fill tube is defective, then it should be replaced.
How to Replace the Fill Tube of a Kitchenaid Refrigerator Ice Maker
Do the following to replace the fill tube of your Kitchenaide refrigerator ice maker:
Step 1: To access the fill tube, follow the steps above to remove the ice maker assembly.
Step 2: Use a Phillips screwdriver and unthread the screws holding the back access panel in place.
Step 3: Locate the water line connected to the fill tube and disconnect it.
Step 4: Open the refrigerator and remove the fill tube. Take out the gasket on the tube and place it on the new fill tube.
Step 5: Install the new fill tube.
Step 6: Go to the back of the refrigerator and reconnect the water lines to the new fill tube.
Step 7: Screw the back access panel in place.
Step 8: Put the ice maker back and tighten the nuts to hold it back in place.
2. Water Line
The water line may be loosely connected to the ice maker. Check the line to see if it is properly secured. If it is not, then tighten it. If the line has a leak or tear, it should be replaced. Watch the instructional video on how to do this in the first section.
3. Defrost Drain
A leak from a clogged defrost drain may cause the problem. In this case, the drain has to be unclogged. A section of this article discusses how to unclog your Kitchenaid refrigerator defrost drain.
If the problem persists, you may have to replace the entire ice maker assembly. Follow the instructions given on how to remove the ice maker assembly. Once you remove the ice maker, get the new one and install it by doing the steps in reverse order.
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Kitchenaid Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Leaking – Solved
If the water inlet is leaking, it must be replaced because it is most likely stuck open. As the main water supply source of the refrigerator, a leak from the inlet valve may be serious.
How to Replace Kitchenaid Refrigerator Water Inlet
To replace a defective water inlet on your Kitchenaid refrigerator, do the following steps:
Step 1: This repair may involve water spillage, so unplug the refrigerator and shut off the water supply.
Step 2: Adjust the refrigerator, so you have full access to the back of the appliance.
Step 3: Take the water lines off the back access panel by releasing the tabs holding them in place.
Step 4: Unthread the screws holding the back access panel in place and take it off.
Step 5: Next, locate the water inlet valve. Remove the water line connected to it.
Step 6: Unthread the screws holding the mounting brackets to remove the inlet valve.
Step 7: Now disconnect the remaining water line connected to the valve so the valve can be completely free.
Step 8: Reattach the water lines and bracket to the new inlet valve in the same order it was removed.
Step 9: Screw the access panel back on and adjust the refrigerator to its original position.
Check out these other articles…
Hotpoint Refrigerator Dispenser Problems [Solutions]
Kenmore Refrigerator Leaking [How to Fix]
Samsung Ice Maker Not Working [How to Fix]
Maytag Refrigerator Leaking [Solution]
Bosch Refrigerator Leaking [Quick Fix]
Kitchenaid Refrigerator Leaking from Water Filter – Why and Solution
The following are the most common potential reason your Kitchenaid refrigerator is leaking from the water filter and how to solve them:
1. Damaged Filter Head
If the water filter head is damaged, the seal is either missing or torn. Remove the water filter and inspect the head. If the seal is missing or torn, the filter should be replaced.
2. The Water Filter is not Compatible With your Refrigerator
If you buy an off-brand filter, chances are it may not be compatible with your refrigerator. The size may differ, and water may spill out of the gap between the filter and the filter housing.
Replace the water filter with one compatible with your refrigerator model number.
3. The Water Filter was not Installed Properly
It might not have been installed properly if the filter was recently changed. Remove the filter head and reinstall it; ensure it is properly installed this time. You may check your user’s manual or this article for a detailed water filter installation guide.
4. There is a Crack in the Water Filter Housing
Remove the water filter and inspect the filter housing for cracks. The filter housing should be replaced if any crack is found, regardless of how little it is.
How to Replace Kitchenaid Refrigerator Water Filter Housing
These easy-to-follow steps below will guide you through replacing the water filter housing of your Kitchenaid refrigerator
Step 1: Unplug the refrigerator to ensure safety and turn off the water supply.
Step 2: Turn the water filter counterclockwise and take it out.
Step 3: Next, unthread the screw holding the water filter housing in place. Gently pull it forward to release the locking tab.
Step 4: Adjust the refrigerator to access the back of the appliance.
Step 5: Remove the tabs holding the water line to the back of the refrigerator. And then, use a Philip screwdriver to unthread the screws holding the back access panel in place.
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Step 6: After taking off the back panel, disconnect the water lines from the valves using an open-end wrench.
Step 7: Open the refrigerator and pull out the filter housing.
Step 8: Remove the water lines from the old filter housing and connect them to the new one.
Step 9: Feed the water lines inside the holes you removed them from and screw the filter housing in place.
Step 10: Go to the back of the refrigerator and pull out the water lines. Once the lines are out, connect them to the valves.
Step 11: Finally, put the access panel back in place and thread the screws holding it.
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