Water in base of fridge
Finding water in the base of a fridge is a common problem and usually has a simple cause – a blocked defrost drain hole. Understanding how the drain system works makes it much easier to identify and fix the issue.
Water in the base of a fridge is almost always caused by a blockage in the drain hole at the back of the fridge interior. Defrost water that cannot drain away spills into the base instead. In most cases, clearing the drain hole – using the plastic tool supplied with the fridge or a suitable thin implement – resolves the problem.
How the Fridge Drain System Works
During normal operation, the back wall of a fridge interior builds up a layer of ice or frost. The fridge periodically runs an automatic defrost cycle that gently warms the back wall, melting this ice. The resulting water needs to go somewhere.
At the back and bottom of the fridge interior there is a sloping channel – sometimes two smaller channels leading into one – that collects this defrost water and directs it through a drain hole. The water then runs through to the back of the appliance, where it drops into a small evaporation tray sitting on top of the compressor. The heat generated by the compressor gradually evaporates this water away during normal operation.
When the drain hole becomes blocked, the defrost water cannot escape through the channel. Instead it overflows the channel and runs into the base of the fridge, where it pools.
Clearing the Drain Hole
Many fridges are supplied with a small plastic tool specifically for maintaining the drain hole. Its purpose is to keep the hole clear of debris, ice, and the build-up that naturally accumulates over time.
If the plastic tool is already sitting inside the drain hole, it has been placed there by design as a permanent insert that helps keep the hole open. Remove it occasionally, push it up and down inside the hole to clear any build-up, clean it, and replace it.
If the tool was supplied in a bag with the fridge accessories, keep it somewhere accessible. Use it periodically – every few months – to push into the drain hole and clear any accumulation before it causes a blockage. Check the user manual for specific guidance on your model.
A thin piece of flexible plastic or a pipe cleaner can be used to clear the drain hole carefully. Avoid anything rigid or sharp that might damage the channel or the hole.
Where to Find the Drain Hole
The drain hole is located at the back and bottom of the fridge interior – right at the base of the back wall where the sloping channel terminates. On most fridges it is straightforward to find once you know to look for it.
On some models, however, the drain channel and hole are partially or fully hidden. A common arrangement is for the hole to sit underneath a plastic shelf that covers the salad or crisper compartment at the bottom of the fridge. Sliding or lifting this shelf forward reveals the sloping channels leading down to the drain hole underneath. Check the user manual if the hole is not immediately visible.
What If the Blockage Is Ice?
Sometimes the drain hole is blocked by a plug of solid ice rather than accumulated debris. Pouring a small amount of warm water into the hole can melt through the ice blockage and restore drainage.
If the blockage is ice and it clears successfully but then returns again quickly, something is causing the water to freeze before it can drain – which should not happen under normal operation. This indicates an underlying fault that requires investigation by an engineer. See: icing up in a fridge or freezer.
Recurring blockages suggest a fault in the defrost system or refrigeration circuit. Continued use without addressing the underlying cause may lead to more extensive damage.
Related fridge and freezer guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there water in the bottom of my fridge?
The most common cause is a blocked drain hole at the back of the fridge interior. During the automatic defrost cycle, ice on the back wall melts and the water is meant to drain through a hole at the base of the back wall into an evaporation tray outside the fridge. If this hole is blocked, the water cannot escape and collects in the base instead.
Where is the drain hole in a fridge?
At the back and bottom of the fridge interior, at the base of the sloping defrost channel. On most fridges it is visible at the lowest point of the back wall inside. On some models it is hidden underneath a plastic shelf covering the crisper or salad compartment – sliding this shelf forward reveals the channel and hole beneath. Check the user manual if it cannot be located.
What is the small plastic tool that came with my fridge?
It is a drain clearing tool designed specifically for the drain hole. Some fridges have it fitted inside the hole as a permanent insert; others supply it separately in an accessories bag. Its purpose is to keep the drain hole clear of the build-up that naturally accumulates over time. Use it periodically to push into the hole and clear any debris. If it was supplied separately, keep it somewhere accessible.
The drain hole is blocked with ice – what should I do?
Pour a small amount of warm water into the hole to melt through the ice blockage. Once cleared, check that water drains freely. If the ice blockage returns quickly, something is causing water to freeze before it can drain – this indicates an underlying fault and an engineer should be called. See: icing up in a fridge or freezer.
How do I prevent water collecting in the base of my fridge?
Keep the drain hole clear by using the plastic clearing tool periodically – every few months is sufficient for most fridges. If the fridge came with a tool already inserted in the hole, remove and clean it occasionally. Refer to the user manual for model-specific maintenance recommendations. Regular maintenance of the drain hole takes only a minute and prevents the far more disruptive problem of water pooling in the base.
12 Comments
Grouped into 9 comment threads.
1 reply Do I leave drain plug in my fridge
1 reply Can u put hot water in ur drain hole
1 reply I have a Hotpoint future defrosting upright fridge freezer. Lately there has been ice forming in bottom of freezer and water coming out when door opened . I took plastic cover off at inside rear found channel with hole in middle( about 15 mm) iced over. Tried melting this but don't know how far this goes, couldn't get to bottom . Can this pipe be accessed from rear of freezer?? Cheers. Robert
I have a Hotpoint future defrosting upright fridge freezer. Lately there has been ice forming in bottom of freezer and water coming out when door opened . I took plastic cover off at inside rear found channel with hole in middle( about 15 mm) iced over.
Tried melting this but don’t know how far this goes, couldn’t get to bottom . Can this pipe be accessed from rear of freezer??
Cheers.
Robert
Likely replying to Robert Hannah
Hello Robert. There’s a link to a more appropriate article at the bottom of this article. Try this Ice in base of freezer
0 replies Hello Vicky. If by any chance the fridge is in the garage or outbuilding that may explain it not working properly. But if it's in a normal kitchen and on its lowest setting but freezing up then there is a fault that needs an engineer to fix. Possibly a sensor or PCB.
Hello Vicky. If by any chance the fridge is in the garage or outbuilding that may explain it not working properly. But if it’s in a normal kitchen and on its lowest setting but freezing up then there is a fault that needs an engineer to fix. Possibly a sensor or PCB.
0 replies My Hoover drip tray freezes up every few days. I've tried adjusting the temperature but it doesn't seem to make a difference. The drainage hole isn't blocked. Any suggestions?
My Hoover drip tray freezes up every few days. I’ve tried adjusting the temperature but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. The drainage hole isn’t blocked. Any suggestions?
0 replies Good question Christopher. The water in the evaporation tray literally evaporates. The water will just evaporate into the surrounding air. Even though it's built in there will still be air all around it at the back. If it's in a cold place it my condense onto surrounding cold areas but it's not an issue I'm aware that causes any problems.
Good question Christopher. The water in the evaporation tray literally evaporates. The water will just evaporate into the surrounding air. Even though it’s built in there will still be air all around it at the back. If it’s in a cold place it my condense onto surrounding cold areas but it’s not an issue I’m aware that causes any problems.
0 replies Hello, I have a built-in fridge and I understand that water will collect in the evaporation tray... My question is where does all that evaporation go afterwards, given that the fridge is sealed between the cupboards and the wall! If the evaporation just stays behind the fridge, then it would be reasonable to expect mould etc behind the fridge if I dare to slide it out.... Am I missing something? Thanks Christopher
Hello,
I have a built-in fridge and I understand that water will collect in the evaporation tray… My question is where does all that evaporation go afterwards, given that the fridge is sealed between the cupboards and the wall! If the evaporation just stays behind the fridge, then it would be reasonable to expect mould etc behind the fridge if I dare to slide it out…. Am I missing something?
Thanks
Christopher
0 replies Try pushing something different through the hole to make sure it's properly clear. If the hole is blocking with ice though and you have the stat set properly so that the fridge maintains 5 ° temperature there could be a fault that needs an engineer to fix.
Try pushing something different through the hole to make sure it’s properly clear. If the hole is blocking with ice though and you have the stat set properly so that the fridge maintains 5 ° temperature there could be a fault that needs an engineer to fix.
0 replies Could my water channel be unblocked on self defrost as it fils up regularly and have to suck out the plastic tool don't clear it. Thank you
Could my water channel be unblocked on self defrost as it fils up regularly and have to suck out the plastic tool don’t clear it. Thank you
Do I leave drain plug in my fridge
Likely replying to Sharon yarwood
Hello Sharon. If the drain plug is designed to live there that’s okay. To be sure I would double check on the instruction manual. But if the drain plug was inside the drain hole when you bought the fridge and you can clearly see that it does not block the hole then it should be fine.