Your Whirlpool refrigerator leaking is not a problem that is uncommon as there are a lot of things that can cause this problem. And while you can fix some of these issues, others may require the service of a repair technician. We will discuss these issues and give solutions to those you can handle by yourself.
These solutions cut across all Whirlpool refrigerator model types. So, whether you have a side-by-side, French door, or top/bottom freezer model, these solutions will work for you.
Table of Contents
How to Fix a Leaking Whirlpool Refrigerator
The following are ways to fix your leaking Whirlpool refrigerator
1. Level the Refrigerator
The leveling legs which the refrigerator is mounted on help to properly level the fridge. When the refrigerator is not leveled properly, it can result in some issues like the refrigerator leaking water.
Hence, the first step to take if your Whirlpool refrigerator keeps leaking water is to level the refrigerator.
How to Level a Whirlpool Refrigerator
Do the following steps to level your Whirlpool refrigerator
Step 1: The leveling legs are beneath the appliance and some models have a grille that covers them. If yours has this grille, the first step is to take the grille off.
Step 2: After you have taken off the grille, locate the leveling nuts. The side-by-side and top freezer models have one leveling nut on both sides. While most freezer-drawer models come with two nuts on both sides.
Step 3: On the freezer-drawer model, the top nut controls the back of the refrigerator. And the bottom nut controls the front of the refrigerator. While on the side-by-side and top freezer model, the nut works for both the back and front of the refrigerator. To lower the legs, move the nut counterclockwise and to raise the legs, turn the nuts clockwise.
Step 4: Adjust the nuts until you have the desired leveling at both the back and front of the refrigerator. The proper leveling will ensure that the appliance does not rock forth and back.
Step 5: Next, use a level to ensure the appliance is properly leveled. Put the bottom grille back in place.
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2. Unclog the Defrost Drain
A clogged defrost drain is one of the most common reasons for refrigerators’ leaks. The defrost drain is a tube that transfers the water produced during the defrost cycle to the drain pan.
If the defrost drain gets clogged, the water that is meant to go through it will move back up the drain and leak out of the refrigerator.
So, the solution to this problem is to unclog the drain.
How to Unclog the Defrost Drain of a Whirlpool Refrigerator
The following are steps for how to unclog your Whirlpool refrigerator defrost drain
Step one: The first step is to locate the defrost drain as its location is based on the model of your fridge. However, most models have their defrost drain on the rear end wall of the appliance.
Step two: Once you find the defrost drain, first clean off its entrance. Sometimes, that is all you need to solve the problem as the debris at the entrance may be the cause of the clog.
Step three: Next, make a mixture of warm water and baking soda and flush it down the drain with a turkey baster.
Step four: Keep flushing the mixture down the drain until the drain is clean. You will know the drain is clean when you hear water running into the drain pan.
3. Check the Water Tank
The water tank may be the origin of the leak if there is a crack or tear on it. Because of the plastic material the tank is made of, it cannot be repaired and so it has to be replaced.
How to Replace a Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Tank
Do these steps to replace your Whirlpool refrigerator water tank
1. Unplug the Appliance and Shut Off the Water Supply to the Fridge
The appliance has to be disconnected to prevent electrocution. And because the repair has to do with the water system, the water supply to the refrigerator should be turned off as well.
2. Remove the Water Tank
Open the refrigerator and take out the first shelving to make more workspace. To remove the water tank, the access panel at the middle of the refrigerator first has to be removed. There are four holes around the panel.
Next, put a flathead screwdriver into all four holes and depress the locks. Remove the access panel to get to the water tank.
Pull out the water tank and then remove the water supply line connected to it.
3. Install the New Water Tank
Get the new water tank and reconnect the water supply line to it. Finally, put the access panel back in place and turn the refrigerator back on.
4. Check the Drain Pan
The drain pan collects the water that is melted during the defrost cycle, hence, it may be the cause of the leak. Check to see if it is, if yes, the following are the three possible reasons why the drain pan is leaking:
i. The drain pan is overflowing
The compressor dries off the water in the drain pan by blowing warm over the pan. Because the water evaporates, there is no need to manually empty the pan.
However, in some cases, the compressor may fail to evaporate the water in the drain pan. This is often because the temperature of the fridge is set too low. When this happens, the drain pan will overflow and leak out of the fridge.
To solve this, take out the drain pan and empty it.
To prevent the drain pan from overflowing again, ensure the temperature is always set to the ideal degree. However, if the drain pan keeps overflowing, it may be an indication of a more serious problem, and we advise you call a technician.
ii. The drain pan is not sitting properly
If you have removed the pan for maintenance, then you may not have placed it back properly.
Take out the pan and put it back in, ensure you put it back in its proper position this time.
iii. The drain pan has a crack
If there is a crack on the pan, water can leak out of the crack. Inspect the pan and if any crack is found in it, remove the pan and replace it with a new one.
This drain pan replaces the refrigerator part numbers W10614158 and 1105523.
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Whirlpool Refrigerator Leaking At Water Filter – What to Do
If your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking from the water filter, then the water filter has to be replaced. This is because the water filter’s seal may be torn or missing.
Another possible reason for this problem is that the water filter is the wrong size for your refrigerator. In which case the water filter has to be replaced to solve the leak.
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Whirlpool Refrigerator Leaking After Filter Change – Why and Solution
The reason your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking after a filter change is because the water filter was not properly installed. To solve the problem, uninstall and reinstall the filter. Check out this article for how to properly install your water filter.
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Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter Housing Leaking – Solution
The water filter housing of your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking because there is a crack on the filter housing. Inspect the housing for cracks and if any is found, it should be replaced.
Watch this video for how to replace the water filter housing of your Whirlpool refrigerator
Whirlpool Refrigerator Leaking Water from Water Dispenser – Solved
The following are possible reasons your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking from the water dispenser and how to solve them:
i. Air is trapped in the water line
If air is trapped in the water line, pressure will build and cause water to come out of the dispenser opening. Press the water line, if it seems frigid, then there is air stuck in it. The air has to be released to solve the leak.
To release the air, do the following:
i. Place a bowl under the dispenser to collect the water that will leak out during this repair.
ii. Next, flush about two gallons of water down the water line to push the air out of it.
iii. Also, ensure you flush the water system after each filter change as if you do not, air can get trapped in the water line.
ii. There is a tear on the vinyl tubing
The vinyl tubing is prone to tear and when this happens, the tube will begin to leak. If the vinyl tubing is leaking, it will look like the water is coming from the dispenser.
Therefore, the tube has to be replaced to solve this problem.
iii. There is a loose connection somewhere
Inspect all the water connections in the fridge and ensure they fit tightly.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Leaking Water from Ice Maker – Solutions
To stop your Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker from leaking water, do the following:
1. Unclog the defrost drain
A clogged defrost drain leak may appear like the leak is coming from the ice maker. In this case, the drain has to be unclogged and we have discussed how to do this above.
2. Ensure the water line is properly secured
If the water line is loosely fitted, it may begin to leak from the gaps. Tighten the water line properly to stop the leak.
3. Replace leaking fill tube
If the fill tube is leaking, then it should be replaced.
How to Replace Whirlpool Refrigerator Ice Maker Fill Tube
Follow these steps to replace the fill tube of your Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker:
Step 1: Unplug the appliance and shut off the water supply to it.
Step 2: Open the freezer and take out the ice bin. With a ¼ inch nut driver remove the screws holding the ice maker in place.
Step 3: Remove the ice maker to access the fill tube. Remove the extension from the fill tube.
Step 4: Go to the back of the refrigerator and disconnect the water line from the fill tube.
Step 5: Remove the screw holding the tube to the refrigerator and take the tube out.
Step 6: Remove the gasket in the old fill tube and attach it to the new one.
Step 7: Do all the steps in reverse order to re-couple all the parts of the refrigerator.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Line Leaking – What to Do
If the water line of your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking then it has to be replaced. The leak is either because the water line has a tear or is bent. And the water line cannot be repaired.
How to Replace Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Line
These easy steps will guide you to replace your Whirlpool refrigerator water line in a few minutes
Step 1: Shut off the water supply to the appliance.
Step 2: The water line has a compression fitting on each end that keeps it in place. So use a wrench to detach the water line from the water supply and the dispenser.
Step 3: Attach the new water line and use the wrench to secure it in its place.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Leaking – What to Do
If the water inlet valve is leaking then there is a tear in it and so it has to be replaced as soon as possible.
The water inlet valve is responsible for supplying water from the water source to the entire refrigerator. And as the refrigerator’s major water source, it may result in a serious leaking problem. However, we advise you to call a service technician to do the repairs.
Whirlpool Fridge Sounds Like It’s Leaking – Why and Solution
Your fridge making a dripping sound is mostly normal. This is because, during the defrost cycle, water melts and drips into the drain pan.
However, if your Whirlpool refrigerator sounds like it is leaking and you find water on the floor or in the fridge then you have a leaking problem. Read the solutions for this problem in the above sections of this article.
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