Most homeowners use ice makers for easy access to cold beverages, blended smoothies, and more.
Unfortunately, ice makers are not known to be foolproof, and it's pretty common to experience problems such as leaking water.
Fixing an issue like an ice maker leaking water has to be done quickly, not just to keep the appliance in good working condition but to prevent water damage in the home.
In this guide, we’ll cover all the common causes for leaking as well as a step-by-step tutorial on how to fix a leaking ice maker.
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Why Is Ice Maker Leaking Water? (Causes & General Fixes)
If you’re wondering what causes an ice maker to leak water, there are several different explanations. The steps to fix the issue depend on the cause of the leaking, so check out the most common causes of leaking ice makers and the general steps to fix them below:
Ice Maker Is Jammed
One of the most common causes of a refrigerator ice maker leaking water is a jammed ice maker. This happens when the ice cubes start to accumulate where they shouldn’t, like in the bin, chute, or ice tray.
How To Fix
The good news is that this fix is a relatively easy one. Start by placing a large bowl or bucket below the ice maker dispenser. Then, open the fridge/freezer door and locate the top of the ice maker’s chute.
Chances are, this is where the jam is located, so start pouring warm water down the chute to see if the ice melts and the jam becomes dislodged.
You may have to repeat this several times in order to thaw out the built-up ice, especially for larger jams.
Fridge Is Not Level
If your fridge is not level, then this can easily cause an ice maker to leak.
How To Fix
To check if your fridge is level, simply use a level reader. There are a few different types you can use, like a laser level or a bubble lever, and there’s a very good chance you already have one in your toolbox at home.
If you come to find that the fridge is tilted in one direction or the other, you should be able to extend the appliance’s feet to level it out, or you can use a piece of wood or other durable material to make it level.
Improperly Aligned (Ice Cube Fill Valve & Ice Fill Cup)
The fill valve of the ice maker is responsible for adding water to the appliance so that it can be frozen into ice cubes. When this piece is not properly aligned with the ice fill cup, leakage can occur.
How To Fix
This fix is easy. If the fill valve is not aligned as it should be, simply re-secure it into place. If this is the cause of the leak, the issue should be resolved as soon as these two components are properly lined up.
You should be able to find the exact location of the fill valve in your appliance’s user manual.
Learn More - Why Is My Ice Machine Making A Knocking Sound?
Clogged Condensation Drain
The condensation drain of an ice maker prevents condensation from building up, so if this is clogged, the excess condensation can result in a water leak.
How To Fix
You’ll be able to tell if the condensation drain is clogged by checking to see if there’s any ice build-up in this component. If there is, just pour hot water over the clog to melt the ice into water.
You can then soak up the liquid with a towel or cloth to prevent it from freezing and causing another blockage.
Faulty Or Leaking Water Supply Pipe
An ice maker’s water supply line is responsible for supplying water to the appliance so that it can convert that liquid into ice.
How To Fix
If you suspect that the water supply pipe is leaking or faulty, inspect it carefully to find the source of the damage.
There may be a kink or hole that is preventing water from being supplied to the ice maker. You can either seal the pipe on your own or call a professional plumber to replace it altogether.
Loosened Or Leaking Connections
That pipe we previously mentioned has to be connected to the ice maker’s main compartment, and if these connections are loose or improperly connected, a leak is likely.
How To Fix
After checking the water supply pipe for kinks or punctures, the next step is to examine the connection points.
These can become loose over time, so if that’s the case, all you have to do is tighten them. You’ll likely need an adjustable wrench to do this.
Water Filter Needs Checking Or Cleaned
There are many filters in your home that need to be replaced, and the fridge water filter is one of them [1]. The fridge water filter is responsible for filtering out harmful contaminants, not just from the water that is dispensed for drinking but also the water that is used to make ice.
How To Fix
If the built-in filter needs to be replaced (it should be changed every 6 months or so), it can cause water to leak from the filter's housing.
Try removing the old filter and replacing it with a new one that's compatible with your fridge model, but if it continues to leak, it’s best to call a plumber or technician.
Related Article - How To Clean Ice Makers
Leaking Ice Maker Fill Tube
The fill tube that adds water to the ice maker plays a big role in the production of ice. If the tube that delivers water into the freezing chamber is leaking, it could be that it’s obstructed by frozen ice and unable to pump water into the chamber.
This is likely the case if the ice maker line is leaking at connection points.
How To Fix
One solution for fixing this problem is to use a hairdryer to melt the ice that’s causing the obstruction. Just make sure to use it on low heat and move it evenly along the fill tube.
As the water melts, use a towel or cloth to soak up the excess liquid; this will prevent it from refreezing and causing another obstruction.
Another safety precaution that you should take is to unplug the fridge. We all know that the combination of water and electricity isn’t something to mess with [2].
Finding The Source – Common Trouble Areas Of A Fridge Ice Maker
Before you can follow the recommended steps above for fixing your ice maker, you first need to find the source of the leak. In other words, where is the water leaking?
There are several trouble areas that a leak can originate from, and the method for fixing depends on the source. Here’s a quick explanation on how to fix your leaking ice maker based on the leak’s location:
Read Also - How To Replace Ice Makers
How To Prevent An Ice Maker From Leaking?
Most people don’t realize that you can be proactive - rather than just reactive - when it comes to ice maker leaks. There are a few things you can do to prevent a leaky ice maker, like:
Ice Makers Big Brands & Leaking Issues
The best advice we can give you when dealing with ice maker leaks is to follow the manufacturer’s advice and specific steps to solve the issue.
Because not all ice makers are the same, it’s best to refer to your owner’s manual for proper guidance on how to fix the problem based on the appliance brand and model.
Need access to information on how to fix your brand name ice maker? Here are a few resources to help you along the way:
See Also - How To Reset Ice Maker
FAQs
How do you melt ice stuck in an ice maker?
There are a few different ways to melt ice that is obstructing the components of your ice maker. You can use a hairdryer on a low heat setting, or you can pour hot (not boiling) water over the built-up ice cubes.
Why is my ice maker not dumping ice?
This problem could be caused by a number of things, including:
How does an ice maker know when to dump the ice?
According to Lake Appliance Repair, here’s how an ice maker works [9]:
“At the beginning of the cycle, an electrical signal is sent to a water valve to fill the ice mold with water. Then, the freezer goes to work freezing the water...After the cubes have been created, a heating coil is activated to loosen them from the molds. The ice maker’s ejector blades are then used to push them out of the molds and are funneled into the collection tray. A shaft separates the tray from the dispenser at the front of the unit, which is opened when the lever or button (depending on the model) is pushed down.”
Do ice makers stop making ice when full?
Yes, most ice makers are designed to halt the ice-making process when the bin is full. They do this by either using an optical sensor or a mechanical arm to detect when ice has piled high enough.
Conclusion
Whether your ice maker is leaking water into the bin, into the refrigerator, into the freezer, or onto the floor, you now have all the answers on how to fix it. Remember, if water is leaking in or around the appliance, fix it as quickly as possible to prevent further damage.
If your fridge ice maker is leaking, make sure to check into your warranty policy. For major brands like Whirlpool, Maytag, or Samsung, there’s a very good chance that you’ll receive free replacement parts or repairs.
Ian Haynes is an expert writer who has successfully deployed over 500 plumbing pages and other related content. He has an excellent understanding of home plumbing issues and translates his experiences via Plumbing Lab so readers can have a better understanding of common household problems. Outside of his work, Ian likes exploring Brooklyn with his Labrador.