Why does my fridge sound like it's leaking water?

Question

Every once in a while I will be sitting in the quiet and all the sudden I will hear this dripping. It sounds like something spilled in my fridge and it's leaking down the shelfs.

I open it up and there is nothing wrong.

I look all around it no water!

It's a brand new fridge... and there is the option to make ice but we didn't hook that up yet.

The doors are nice and tight so no air is leaking in... what could this be?

Answer 1

It`s probably your automatic defroster. The freezer will actually melt any ice build-up, and the water will run down a hose installed in the back of your freezer. It runs down the back (usually outside, just behind the coils), to the bottom where an evaporator tray is mounted above your compressor. When the compressor runs, the heat generated will evaporate the water. So, actually, you ARE hearing water run in your fridge.

Answer 2

Various fridges make a range of noises.  The compression/expansion cycle they work on often makes dripping water noises but the dripping is inside the frige system and is sealed.

If the fridge noises are bothering you complain to the maker or supplier and get a different fridge that is known for being quiet.

Answer 3

mine does that sometimes too. Dont know what it is but i just guessed it was something to do with the gasses.

Answer 4

Yes this is refrigerant circulating through the system and is normal.

The designs and refrigerant types that are used today make a different sound than units in the past.

Answer 5

Yes, it is your defrost water draining. Most newer refrigerators have a control board that defrosts the coils less often, to save energy. Old ones would do every 12 hours. That means when the new ones defrost there is more ice, thus water there, so you are more likely to hear it.

Read your manual under "normal sounds".

Answer 6

As the refrig tech said, it is the water draining to the drain pan during defrost cycle. It is then evaporated. Nothing to worry about.