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HomeRepair HelpGE Refrigerator RepairGE Refrigerator defrost drain clogged Repair

GE Refrigerator defrost drain clogged

If your GE refrigerator has a defrost drain clogged, you’ll usually notice water pooling in the bottom of the fresh-food section or ice building up in the drain tube. The most common cause listed here is a failing evaporator fan motor: if the fan isn’t running cold air can migrate to the drain and freeze, so check that the fan blade turns freely, listen for unusual noise, and test the motor windings for continuity. Next, a clogged or freezing defrost drain is likely; warm water from a turkey baster can thaw and flush a frozen drain and check the drain tube trap for obstructions. A missing or damaged drain strap that conducts heater heat into the drain, a mispositioned or faulty drain heater, and, less commonly, a defective main control board that stops the defrost cycle can also cause a clogged defrost drain. Test the defrost components before replacing the control board. Enter your refrigerator model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement parts that fit your unit.

01 - GE 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 - GE 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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04 - GE 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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05 - GE 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 - GE Refrigerator Temperature Sensor

A temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the evaporator coils. If the coils are below a set temperature, the sensor will alert the defrost control to allow power to flow to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. In the defrost cycle, the defrost heater melts away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the temperature sensor is defective, the defrost control will not be alerted to allow voltage to be sent to the defrost heater and the defrost drain may become clogged with ice. The sensor can be tested with a multimeter to determine if it is functioning properly when the air temperature... changes.
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07 - GE 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

Why is my refrigerator defrost drain clogged and how do I clear it?
Freezer is cold but fridge warm—could a clogged defrost drain or evaporator fan be the cause?
How can I tell if the defrost heater, drain heater, or drain strap are bad?
Could the main control board be causing the defrost drain to clog?
How do I enter my model number or part number at RepairClinic.com to find the right replacement part?