Is your Midea refrigerator leaking water? Then, read this article to find out ways to fix this problem.
Table of Contents
Midea Fridge Leaking Water – Why and Solutions
Below we will discuss the reasons your Midea refrigerator is leaking water, and how to solve them. Note that you can damage your unit while attempting some of these repairs. For this reason, if at any point you get confused with the repairs, pause and call a professional.
1. Level the Refrigerator
The refrigerator not being properly leveled is a major reason your Midea refrigerator is leaking water. So we recommend that you do this first before other repairs.
This is because; water formed during defrosting will not go down to the drip pan as it should. However, the refrigerator does not have to be completely leveled. As it is recommended that the front legs should be slightly higher than the back legs.
How to Level a Midea Refrigerator
Follow these steps to level your Midea refrigerator:
Step 1: The first step is to remove the kick plate. This is located at the front bottom of your refrigerator. If it is screwed in place, unthread the screws and take the kick plate out. If it is not, then remove it by simply pulling it forward.
Some models do not have a kick plate. If yours does not, simply skip this step.
Step 2: The leveling legs will be visible at this point. Use pliers or a wrench to adjust the legs. Turning them clockwise will raise the unit while turning them counterclockwise will lower them. You may ask someone to push the refrigerator backward to give easier access to the legs.
Step 3: Adjust the legs until you get the desired tilt. Check if the refrigerator is properly leveled with a carpenter’s level.
You can also open the refrigerator door and allow it to swing shut on its own. If it does, then the refrigerator is properly leveled. And if it doesn’t, readjust the legs to get the proper tilt.
Step 4: If you had taken off a kick plate, reattach it to the refrigerator.
2. Clean the Freezer Drain
The freezer drain is often found at the freezer’s back wall. The drain is the exit through which water produced during defrosting is taken out of the unit. The drain can get clogged with ice and food particles.
When this happens, there will be an ice build-up that will eventually melt and leak out of your unit.
To resolve this problem, the drain has to be unclogged. Luckily, you can do this yourself in the following steps:
Step 1: Transfer your food items to another freezer. And unplug the refrigerator to prevent electrocution.
Step 2: Defrost the refrigerator to see if it fixes the problem. If it doesn’t, then food particle rather than ice is the cause of the clog.
Step 3: In this case, locate the drain hole and clean it using a drain cleaning too. In the absence of this, you may use a straight thick wire to remove the clog.
Step 4: Finally, ensure the drain is completely free of the clog by flushing hot water down the drain. You may do this using a syringe or a turkey baster.
3. Check the Water Filter
If your Midea refrigerator has a water filter then the filter may be the cause of the leak if:
i. It is damaged
ii. It is old and clogged
iii. It is not compatible with the refrigerator
iv. It was not properly installed
Remove the filter and inspect it. If the seal is missing or torn, then it is damaged. Also, if the filter has been in use for longer than 6 months, then it is old and properly clogged.
The filter cannot be repaired and cleaning the clog will not solve the problem. Therefore, the filter should be replaced in this case. Ensure you replace your water filter as often as recommended to avoid this problem.
If you are using an off-brand filter, then chances are the filter is not the right size for your refrigerator. If this is the case, then the filter should be replaced. This time, be sure to get a filter that is the right fit for your refrigerator.
Finally, if the water filter is not damaged, old, or incompatible, then it most likely was installed incorrectly. To solve this, simply take out the filter and reinstall it. You may consult your user’s manual for how to properly install the refrigerator’s water filter.
4. Check the Water Filter Housing
If the problem persists after you do all of the above, then the water filter housing may have a crack. Remove the filter and inspect the housing. The filter housing should be replaced if cracked.
To replace the filter housing, do the following:
Step 1: For safety, unplug the refrigerator and turn off the water supply.
Step 2: Take out the water filter.
Step 3: Unthread the screws holding the water filter housing in place and pull the housing forward.
Step 4: Disconnect the water line from the old housing and attach it to the new filter housing.
Step 5: Screw the new filter housing in place. Inspect the housing to ensure it is properly installed. Put the filter back in place and plug the refrigerator back in.
5. Replace the Drip Pan
The drip pan is located at the back or front bottom of your unit. The water produced during the defrosting process is usually sent to the drip pan. Where the water is subsequently evaporated by the condenser fan.
If the pan gets damaged, then the water in it will spill underneath the refrigerator. The pan has to be removed for you to access it to see if it is damaged.
To remove the pan, do the following:
i. Unplug the refrigerator from the power source.
ii. The pan is more often than not at the back of the appliance. If this is the case with yours, adjust the refrigerator so the back is accessible.
iii. Unthread the screws holding your unit’s back access panel in place and take it off.
iv. Locate the drain pan and pull it out.
The pan should be replaced if it has a crack, regardless of how little the crack is.
6. Check the Water Tank
The water tank may be the cause of the leak if it has a tear or leak. The tank is often made with plastic so repairing it is not possible. Due to this, the tank should be replaced if any leak is found on it.
However, we recommend that you call a repair technician for this repair.
Check out these other articles…
Beko Refrigerator Leaking [Solved]
Hotpoint Refrigerator Leaking [How to Fix]
Miele Refrigerator Leaking [Solved]
Thermador Refrigerator Leaking [How to Fix]
Daewoo Refrigerator Leaking [Solved]
7. Flush the Water System
If your Midea refrigerator keeps leaking water then you should flush the water system. This is because air may get stuck in the system after a filter change. When this happens, pressure will build up in the water line and cause water to spill out of it.
To flush the system, place a bucket under the dispenser. And then, dispense about 3 gallons of water. This should remove the air from the water line and stop the leak.
Ensure to flush the water system after each filter change to prevent the reoccurrence of this problem.
8. Check the Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve opens and closes to supply water to the refrigerator. The valve may refuse to shut off properly if the valve is defective or the water pressure is too low.
Check the water pressure with a water pressure regulator, the pressure should be a minimum of 20 psi.
Alternatively, you may do the following:
i. Turn off the water supply and then remove the water line from the valve.
ii. Next, hold the line over a bucket and then switch the water supply back on.
iii. Observe the water flow from the line. If it is strong, the water pressure is okay. And a weak water flow means a low water pressure.
If the pressure is low, then the water line or the water source is the cause of the problem. Replace the water line and if that doesn’t solve the problem, then change the water source.
In case the problem persists, then the inlet valve is defective and should be replaced.
Do not attempt this repair if you do not have ample technical skills.
How to Replace a Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve
Do the following to replace the water inlet valve of your refrigerator:
Step 1: Unplug the refrigerator to avoid electrocution and shut off the water supply.
Step 2: Turn the refrigerator from the wall to have full access to the back of the appliance. Next, remove the water line off the back panel by releasing the tabs holding them in place.
Step 3: Unthread the screws holding the back access panel and take it off. Next, locate the inlet valve and disconnect the water line.
Step 4: To disconnect the remaining water line, the inlet valve has to be removed. So, unthread the screws holding the inlet valve and then take it out.
Step 5: Now, disconnect the water lines and wire harness connected to the valve. The valve should be completely free at this point.
Step 6: Connect the water lines to the new inlet valve. Put it in place and screw the valve back in place. Attach the last water line and screw the access panel back on.
Step 7: Turn on the water supply and the refrigerator and then access the valve to ensure it is properly fitted. If it is, replace the back access panel and then adjust the refrigerator to its original position.
Watch this video for further information on how to fix your Midea refrigerator leaking water
Get Instant Help — Ask An Experienced Verified Appliance Technician
Need expert help? Click here to use the chat box on this page to speak with a verified appliance technician right away. No need for expensive in-home service calls. No appointments. No waiting.
