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HomeRepair HelpRoper Refrigerator RepairRoper Refrigerator defrost drain clogged Repair

Roper Refrigerator defrost drain clogged

If your refrigerator’s defrost drain is clogged you’ll typically see water pooling on the bottom or ice building in the freezer compartment where meltwater can’t escape. The most likely causes, in order, are a failing evaporator fan motor that lets cold air migrate and freeze the drain, a clogged or frozen defrost drain or tube that needs flushing, a missing or mispositioned drain strap that should conduct heat into the drain, a defective drain heater that fails to keep the drain clear, and, less commonly, a main control board that is not running the defrost cycle. Start by checking the evaporator fan blade for free spin and test the motor windings with a multimeter if it won’t run. Use warm water or a turkey baster to clear a frozen drain and inspect the drain strap and heater for proper placement and continuity. Test defrost parts before replacing the control board. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part for your refrigerator and get step by step parts and repair guidance.

01 - Roper Refrigerator Fan Motor

If the refrigerator's defrost drain is clogged, it's possible the evaporator fan motor is not working. If the evaporator fan is not running, cold air from the evaporator can migrate to the defrost drain causing ice buildup in the drain. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, replace the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy, replace it. Finally, if the motor does not run at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor.
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02 - Clogged or Freezing Defrost Drain

The defrost drain might be clogged or frozen. If the defrost drain is frozen, the water will overflow the drain trough and drip down to the bottom of the compartment. You can use a turkey baster and warm water to help clear out a frozen defrost drain and tube. You should also make sure the drain tube trap is clear by the drain pan.
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03 - Roper Refrigerator Drain Strap

Some defrost drains are outfitted with a drain strap. The drain strap is a small piece of copper or aluminum that attaches to the defrost heater and extends partway into the defrost drain. When the defrost heater turns on, heat is conducted through the drain strap to melt away any ice that may have accumulated further down in the defrost drain. If the drain strap is not in place, the defrost drain may be more likely to freeze over.
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04 - Roper Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor

If the refrigerator's defrost drain is clogged, it's possible the evaporator fan motor is not working. If the evaporator fan is not running, cold air from the evaporator can migrate to the defrost drain causing ice buildup in the drain. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, replace the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy, replace it. Finally, if the motor does not run at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor.
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05 - Roper Refrigerator Drain Heater

Some refrigerators are equipped with drain heaters. Drain heaters prevent the water in the drain pan from re-freezing and clogging the defrost drain. If your drain heater is defective or is not in the proper position, the defrost drain might freeze over.
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06 - Roper Refrigerator Main Control Board

The main control board regulates the power supply to all of the refrigerator components, including the defrost system. If the main control board is defective, it may stop sending voltage to the defrost system which can lead to the defrost drain becoming clogged with ice. Control boards are frequently misdiagnosed—before replacing the main control, first test all of the defrost system components. If none of the defrost system components are defective, consider replacing the control board.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Refrigerator leaking water: Could a clogged defrost drain be the cause?
Fridge not cooling but freezer works: Could a bad evaporator fan motor be the problem?
How do I clear a clogged or frozen defrost drain?
What is a drain strap and why does it matter?
How do I find the right replacement part on RepairClinic.com for my refrigerator?

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