Quick answer
Water inside the fridge or on its floor is usually from a blocked defrost drain. Water under or behind the fridge usually comes from the water line, filter or valve connection on dispenser models. Close the supply tap first if the leak is ongoing.
Overview
A fridge has two main water sources: defrost water from frost melting off the evaporator, and drinking water feeding the dispenser and ice maker. Each follows a different path with different faults.
Defrost water should run down a drain into a pan above the compressor and evaporate with its heat. If the drain blocks with food debris or ice, water backs up into the fridge or freezes on the floor.
Likely causes
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1
Blocked defrost drain
The most common cause of water inside the fridge, under the crisper drawer, or ice on the freezer floor.
Related parts: Defrost drain
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2
Water line or fittings
A loose fitting or cracked tube behind the fridge on dispenser and ice-maker models.
Related parts: Water line & fittingsWater inlet valve
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3
Water filter
A badly seated filter or cracked housing can drip inside or behind the fridge.
Related parts: Water filter
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4
Drain pan
A cracked or displaced pan can’t hold defrost water, so it runs under the fridge.
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5
Condensation from the door
Humid air entering through a poorly sealing door condenses and pools on the floor.
Related parts: Door gasket
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6
Excess ice from a defrost fault
When a large amount of ice melts at once it can overflow the drain.
Related parts: Defrost heater
Safe checks before calling a technician
Unplug the fridge before cleaning the rear grille or moving it, and close the water supply tap if there’s a leak. Don’t remove inner panels or the compressor cover, and never chip ice with sharp tools — you could puncture the refrigerant tubing.
- Pinpoint where the water is: inside the fridge, freezer floor, under the front, or at the back.
- If the leak at the back is continuous, close the fridge’s water supply tap.
- Dry the floor and make sure the water isn’t from a nearby washer or dishwasher.
- Make sure the water filter is fully seated and its housing intact.
- Make sure the fridge tilts slightly backwards per your manual so doors close and water drains correctly.
- Unplug before pulling the fridge out or looking behind it, and keep hands away from the fan and compressor.
Parts involved
Defrost drain
Carries melted frost to a pan above the compressor to evaporate; a blockage causes water or ice at the bottom.
Water line & fittings
Tubing from the supply to the dispenser; can freeze, kink or leak.
Water filter
Filters dispenser and ice-maker water; an expired filter slows the flow.
Water inlet valve
Opens to supply the dispenser and ice maker.
Door gasket
Seals the door; damage lets in warm humid air, weakening cooling and forming frost.
Defrost heater
Periodically melts frost off the evaporator in No Frost systems; failure causes ice build-up and weak cooling.
When should you call a technician?
- Recurring water in the fridge or ice on the freezer floor.
- A leak from the water line or valve behind the fridge.
- Water under the fridge although the filter and visible fittings are dry.
- A leak together with weak cooling or ice build-up.
Need a Samsung repair technician?
Send us the model, the error code and a description of the fault — or book a technician visit in Amman, Zarqa, Salt, Madaba or Sahab.
Related error codes
Frequently asked questions
Why is there water under the crisper drawer?
Usually the defrost drain is partly blocked, so water backs up into the fridge instead of running to the pan.
Can I clear the defrost drain myself?
On some models the drain opening is visible and you can gently pour warm water into it, but on many No Frost models it sits behind inner panels and needs a technician.
Is a leak an electrical risk?
Water near the socket or compressor compartment is a hazard — unplug if water reaches there and have it inspected.