For safety, unplug the refrigerator. It may help to slide your refrigerator away from the wall a few feet to give you more room to work. Because the process to unclog the drain tube may be lengthy, be sure to remove any frozen foods from the freezer and safely keep them in a cooler through the process.
Step 2: Locate the Drain Tube
Every refrigerator manufacturer will have the drain tube for the defrost cycle in a different location. Some common places to find the drain tube include below the fruit and vegetable bins, the back of the refrigerator, or the bottom of the fridge’s freezer portion. Sometimes, finding your owner’s manual or looking the model up online will help you locate the drain more quickly.
Step 3: Free the Drain Tube
Visually inspect the drain tube and identify any food debris or ice causing the drain to clog. If you notice ice, you can use a hairdryer set to a low heat temperature to melt the ice and free the clog. Run the hairdryer along the drain tube line evenly to prevent overheating and possible damage to the drain tube.
Step 4: Manually Clear the Tube
If there are food particles or stubborn ice pieces stuck in the tube, you can gently use a screwdriver or a small piece of 1/4 inch hose to push the debris through the drain. Insert the screwdriver or the flexible hose and gently push the debris until it exits the drain at the defrost pan. Be sure only gently to apply force. The drain tube can be punctured, leading to leaks, if you push the screwdriver too forcefully through the delicate drain.
Step 5: Clean the Drain
Using a mixture of hot water and diluted bleach, clean the drain. You can use a large plastic syringe or even a turkey baster for this process. Flushing the drain will remove any debris or build-up you could not see with your initial visual inspection.
Step 6: Empty the Pan
Because the refrigerator has not been draining sufficiently for some time, and you have just flushed the hot water mixture through the drain tube, the chances are high that your drip pan is quite full. To prevent leaks, empty your drip pan located at the bottom of your refrigerator.
After you locate the clogged drain tube, make a solution of hot water and bleach and try to pour some in the opening of the drain in the refrig. If that is unsuccessful, take an extra long pipe cleaner and put it into the drain hole and try to push/pull motion to loosen the blockage. Keep this up until it opens. It will drain into the drain pan under the refrig, make sure that is cleaned as well.
The easiest way to do this is to get some plastic tubing, attach it to the end of a funnel and place the tubing into the drain hole. Boil some water and pour it into the funnel. You will hear the ice crack and then hear water dripping out of the drain. It is not hard and takes about 20 minutes. I have to do this about once a year.
This link may help:
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/unplug-drain-refrigerator-21433.html
Hi Kelly I'm not sure what kind of drain you're trying to unclog but I home this article will help! https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-unclog-a-drain-2718779
Here's an article that might help:
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/unplug-drain-refrigerator-21433.html
My husband "blew" ours out with his air compressor.
Step 1: Unplug the Refrigerator
For safety, unplug the refrigerator. It may help to slide your refrigerator away from the wall a few feet to give you more room to work. Because the process to unclog the drain tube may be lengthy, be sure to remove any frozen foods from the freezer and safely keep them in a cooler through the process.
Step 2: Locate the Drain TubeEvery refrigerator manufacturer will have the drain tube for the defrost cycle in a different location. Some common places to find the drain tube include below the fruit and vegetable bins, the back of the refrigerator, or the bottom of the fridge’s freezer portion. Sometimes, finding your owner’s manual or looking the model up online will help you locate the drain more quickly.
Step 3: Free the Drain TubeVisually inspect the drain tube and identify any food debris or ice causing the drain to clog. If you notice ice, you can use a hairdryer set to a low heat temperature to melt the ice and free the clog. Run the hairdryer along the drain tube line evenly to prevent overheating and possible damage to the drain tube.
Step 4: Manually Clear the TubeIf there are food particles or stubborn ice pieces stuck in the tube, you can gently use a screwdriver or a small piece of 1/4 inch hose to push the debris through the drain. Insert the screwdriver or the flexible hose and gently push the debris until it exits the drain at the defrost pan. Be sure only gently to apply force. The drain tube can be punctured, leading to leaks, if you push the screwdriver too forcefully through the delicate drain.
Step 5: Clean the DrainUsing a mixture of hot water and diluted bleach, clean the drain. You can use a large plastic syringe or even a turkey baster for this process. Flushing the drain will remove any debris or build-up you could not see with your initial visual inspection.
Step 6: Empty the PanBecause the refrigerator has not been draining sufficiently for some time, and you have just flushed the hot water mixture through the drain tube, the chances are high that your drip pan is quite full. To prevent leaks, empty your drip pan located at the bottom of your refrigerator.
After you locate the clogged drain tube, make a solution of hot water and bleach and try to pour some in the opening of the drain in the refrig. If that is unsuccessful, take an extra long pipe cleaner and put it into the drain hole and try to push/pull motion to loosen the blockage. Keep this up until it opens. It will drain into the drain pan under the refrig, make sure that is cleaned as well.
I found this, which should help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDn-bbuZ0LE
This post may help you https://homeguides.sfgate.com/unclog-freezer-drain-25827.html
Hi! Check your owner's manual for the safest method that doesn't void your warranty. Good luck!
Hello. I’d call your customer support line for your manufacturer and see if they might off solutions if your original manual is missing.
The easiest way to do this is to get some plastic tubing, attach it to the end of a funnel and place the tubing into the drain hole. Boil some water and pour it into the funnel. You will hear the ice crack and then hear water dripping out of the drain. It is not hard and takes about 20 minutes. I have to do this about once a year.
Here's a post that might help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcsOB9XltbI
My neighbor had this problem until we got some freezer defrosting solution and applied it with an eye dropper into the opening. Alcohol also worked.