Samsung refrigerator leaking water

Common reasons your Samsung refrigerator is leaking water

The most common reasons your Samsung refrigerator is leaking water are a clogged defrost drain, cracked dispenser water tubing or a damaged evaporator.

  • 68%

    68% of the time it's the
    Defrost Drain

  • 17%

    17% of the time it's the
    Dispenser Water Tubing

  • 8%

    8% of the time it's the
    Evaporator

  • 7%

    7% of the time it's the
    Something else

Schedule your refrigerator repair now!

We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 400,000 Samsung refrigerators. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.

Call (646) 440-2692 or schedule online now.
Chat

Most common repairs needed to fix a Samsung refrigerator

Defrost Drain Replacement

When the defrost drain is clogged, frost and ice melting from the evaporator fins during the defrost cycle won’t be able to drain away, causing an overflow of water in the drain pan and leading to water leaking underneath the refrigerator. To prevent potential damage to the floor and refrigerator if leaks are noticed, have a Sears Home Services professional inspect the refrigerator to address and rectify the clogged defrost drain promptly.

Dispenser Water Tubing Replacement

Cracked refrigerator dispenser water tubing will result in water leaking around the dispenser area, leading to puddles or moisture accumulation on the exterior of the refrigerator. This leakage can result in decreased water flow to the dispenser. You might also notice water dripping from the dispenser nozzle or pooling in the dispenser tray. In some cases, a crack in the tubing can introduce contaminants or compromise the water's purity, affecting its taste and odor. Promptly addressing a cracked water tube with a Sears Home Services professional is crucial in preventing possible water damage.

Evaporator Replacement

A damaged refrigerator evaporator causes a decrease in overall cooling performance, leading to elevated temperatures in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments. These higher temperatures can result in food spoilage and less effective preservation of frozen items. Frost or ice buildup on the evaporator coils may hinder their ability to absorb heat efficiently. Excessive condensation inside the refrigerator can lead to leaks. Additionally, a damaged evaporator may cause unusual noises, such as hissing or gurgling sounds, during the refrigeration cycle.

What to expect when you experience a Samsung refrigerator leaking water issue

How is the leaking water problem fixed?

Correcting most leaking water problems usually involves replacing the defrost drain, dispenser water tubing or evaporator. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a refrigerator that is leaking water

When the refrigerator is leaking water it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. We provide Samsung refrigerator repair near you, and our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of refrigerator failures.

What to look out for with a refrigerator leaking water diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your refrigerator problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

Samsung Refrigerator is Leaking Water

When your Samsung refrigerator is leaking water, check the water line behind the refrigerator. Tighten the water line connections if they’re leaking. Replace the water line if it’s damaged and leaking.

If water is leaking inside the freezer from the bottom of the evaporator cover, the defrost drain tube could have a freeze plug. The automatic defrost system melts frost and ice from the evaporator fins every 4 to 8 hours in the fridge to keep the air passages through the evaporator fins clear. Defrost condensate water drips down into a drain pan below the evaporator and then drains through a tube to a drain pan by the compressor where that water evaporates before the next automatic defrost cycle begins. If the defrost drain tube freezes up, water leaks into the freezer or onto the floor under the fridge. Schedule refrigerator repair service to have a service technician examine the fridge and fix this type of problem.

Samsung Ice Maker Leaking

When you find your Samsung ice maker leaking, check to see if the ice mold is overfilling. If it is, adjust the water fill level as described in the owner’s manual for your fridge. Reducing the fill level may fix the leaking problem.

If the ice maker still leaks after adjusting the water fill level, a leaking water valve could be causing the problem. Schedule refrigerator repair to have a service technician examine the fridge and replace the water valve if it’s leaking.

A cracked water line can also cause the ice maker to leak in your Samsung refrigerator. Have a service technician replace the water supply line if it leaks.

Samsung Leaking at the Water Dispenser

If the water dispenser is dripping just after replacing the water filter, air in the water lines going to the dispenser may be causing the leak. Purge 1 gallon of water through the water dispenser as constantly as possible to eliminate air from the water line and stop this type of leak. Remember to purge water through the dispenser each time you replace the water filter in your Samsung refrigerator.

A leaking water valve can also cause water to drip from the water dispenser. Shut off the water supply going to the fridge to see if the leaking stops. If it does, then you’ll likely need to have a service technician replace the leaking water valve.

Sometimes, water will drip down through the ice dispenser door and appear to be dripping from the water dispenser. Check the ice dispenser door for a cube or ice chips blocking the ice door from closing. Clear debris from the ice dispenser door and the dripping should stop.

If you’re not able find and fix the leaking from the water dispenser in your Samsung refrigerator, schedule refrigerator repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem.

Why is my Samsung refrigerator leaking water from the water filter?

An improperly installed water filter can cause leaks. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to properly install the water filter in your Samsung refrigerator.

Here are the instructions for installing a common type of water filter in a Samsung French door refrigerator:

how-to-install-a-water-filter-in-a-samsung-refrigerator

Don’t Use Third-Party Filters

Samsung recommends that you only use authentic Samsung brand water filters in your refrigerator.

Third-party filters can damage the water filter housing and leak. Damage caused by using third-party water filters won’t be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Defective Water Filter

Occasionally, a defective water filter can cause a leak in the water filter housing. Remove the filter and check the water filter seals and its body. Replace the water filter if its seals are bad or its body is cracked.

samsung-refrigerator-water-filter-housing

Damaged Water Filter Housing

A damaged water filter housing will leak water even though a Samsung water filter is properly installed.

Inspect the water filter housing and have it replaced if it leaks.

Schedule refrigerator repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and install a new water filter housing in your Samsung refrigerator.

How do I change the water filter in my Samsung refrigerator so it doesn’t leak?

Samsung refrigerators use 3 different types of water filters:

  • HAF-CIN
  • HAF-QIN
  • HAF-CU1

Refer to the owner’s manual for your Samsung fridge to determine which filter your model uses.

You’ll need to use similar procedures to remove all of these types of Samsung refrigerator filters:

  1. Twist the filter to the left to release it and pull it out of the housing.
  2. Align the new filter and push it into the housing.
  3. Twist the filter to the right to lock it in place.
  4. Purge 1 gallon of water as constantly as possible through the water dispenser to eliminate air in the refrigerator water lines and flush carbon dust and impurities from the filter.
  5. Reset the water filter replacement reminder light on the dispenser control panel if your model has that feature. You’ll find instructions to reset the reminder light in the owner’s manual.

Here’s a video that shows how to replace Samsung refrigerator water filter HAF-QIN:

The procedure for changing the Samsung refrigerator water filter HAF-CIN is the same. The process for replacing HAF-CU1 is similar but this filter is mounted vertically.

Follow these installation instructions and tips to install the water filter in your Samsung refrigerator so it won’t leak.

What our customers say about us

With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

Jake is a great person.

He did a great job, the problem is with the refrigerator.


Nancy V, Meridian, ID

Great job

Robert did a great job and was kind and courteous. He cleaned up everything. I would highly recommend using him.


Karen K, Mount Laurel, NJ

Service appointment

Joe was very professional and knowledgeable technician who quickly found and fixed the problem. I would recommend for service again


Tim R, Schaghticoke, NY

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Samsung refrigerator leaking onto the floor?
A clogged defrost drain, cracked water line, or improperly seated door gasket can lead to leaks.
How do I see if the defrost drain is obstructed?
Examine the drain hole in the freezer for ice buildup or debris and clear it with warm water.
Could a damaged water line cause pooling under my fridge?
Yes, a pinhole or crack in the line can drip water onto the floor.
What if the line is fine and the drain is clear but it still leaks?
Inspect the door gasket for poor sealing that may cause condensation and subsequent leakage.

Repair Refrigerator Resources

Banner image for blog article "Why is my Samsung Fridge not Cooling but the Freezer Works?"
4 min readMar. 28

Find out why your Samsung fridge is not cooling but the freezer section works. Get expert troubleshooting tips to fix the problem.

Banner image for blog article "Why the Fridge is not Cold but the Freezer Is,"
7 min readMar. 27

Find out why the fridge is not cool but the freezer is and learn how to troubleshoot the common problems that cause this failure.

Banner image for blog article "Why is my Refrigerator Working but the Freezer is not Freezing?"
4 min readMar. 25

Find out what to do when the freezer is not freezing but the fridge works fine. Fix the problem fast with our expert DIY troubleshooting tips.

Banner image for blog article "Why is my Whirlpool Fridge not Cooling but the Freezer Works?"
8 min readMar. 13

Find out why Whirlpool fridge is not cooling but the freezer works and learn how to troubleshoot the common problems that cause this failure.

Glossary Terms

A dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.

A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.

Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.

R-12 refrigerant, also known as Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compound that was once widely used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and aerosol propellants before its phase-out due to environmental concerns.