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HomeRepair HelpWhirlpool Refrigerator RepairWhirlpool Refrigerator defrost drain clogged Repair

Whirlpool Refrigerator defrost drain clogged

If your Whirlpool refrigerator has a clogged defrost drain, you’ll likely see water pooling in the bottom of the fresh food compartment, ice building in the drain trough, or water dripping onto the floor. The most common causes, in order, are a failed evaporator fan motor that lets cold air migrate and freeze the drain, a physically clogged or frozen defrost drain or drain tube, and a missing or damaged drain strap that conducts heat into the drain. Less common causes include a defective drain heater that fails to keep the drain from re-freezing and, rarely, a main control board that is not running the defrost cycle. Quick checks you can do right now: try spinning the evaporator fan blade by hand, inspect the drain trough and tube for ice or debris, and look for a copper or aluminum drain strap near the heater. Use warm water and a turkey baster to clear a frozen drain, and test defrost components before replacing the control board. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part for your refrigerator.

01 - Whirlpool 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 - Whirlpool 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 - Whirlpool 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 - Whirlpool 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 - Whirlpool 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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Less Common

Frequently Asked Questions

Defrost drain clogged — how do I clear it?
Fridge not cooling but freezer works — could a clogged defrost drain cause this?
Refrigerator not cooling — how can I tell if the evaporator fan motor is the problem?
Defrost drain location — where is it and what parts keep it from freezing?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic.com to find the right replacement part?

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