How to Replace the Evaporator Drain Clip on a Samsung Refrigerator

The evaporator drain clip (part of the drain strap kit DA82-02367A) is Samsung's official fix for their most widespread refrigerator defect — the freezing defrost drain. This small copper or aluminum clip attaches to the defrost heater and extends into the drain opening, conducting enough heat to prevent condensation from refreezing at the drain entry point during each defrost cycle.

If you have experienced recurring ice buildup behind the rear freezer panel, water pooling under the crisper drawers, grinding noises from the evaporator fan hitting ice, or your Samsung ice maker freezing solid every few months, this drain clip is the permanent solution. Samsung released this fix after the issue affected millions of their French door refrigerators manufactured between 2014 and 2022.

Before You Start

• Tools needed: Phillips #2 screwdriver (Samsung uses Phillips exclusively), hair dryer or steamer, towels, turkey baster for flushing drain
• Parts needed: Samsung drain strap kit DA82-02367A (includes the copper clip and mounting hardware, typically $8-15)
• Time required: 45-60 minutes (including defrost time)
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Safety warning: Unplug the refrigerator completely. Ice and meltwater will be present during this repair. Lay multiple towels on the floor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Run a forced defrost cycle before beginning

While the refrigerator is still plugged in, activate Samsung's forced defrost mode by holding the Energy Saver and Fridge buttons simultaneously for 8 seconds. The display will go blank and you will hear a beep. Allow the defrost cycle to run for 20-30 minutes. This pre-melts the ice mass behind the panel, making removal dramatically easier.

Step 2: Unplug and prepare the work area

After the forced defrost completes, unplug the refrigerator. Remove all items from the freezer compartment — shelves, ice bucket, wire racks. Place towels on the floor below the freezer opening. You will encounter significant water during this repair.

Step 3: Remove the rear evaporator panel

Remove the 6-8 Phillips #2 screws securing the rear panel inside the freezer compartment. Some Samsung models hide 1-2 screws behind a wire shelf support at the top. Remove all screws and pull the panel straight forward. If the panel resists due to residual ice bonding it to the housing, use a hair dryer on the edges. Do not pry with metal tools as the panel is thin plastic and cracks easily.

Step 4: Fully clear all ice from the evaporator area

Behind the panel, clear any remaining ice from the evaporator coils and the drain trough below them. The drain hole is located at the bottom center of the evaporator housing — a small circular opening approximately 1/2 inch in diameter. This hole must be completely free of ice. Use a turkey baster with warm water to flush the drain tube until water flows freely through and into the drain pan beneath the refrigerator. If the tube is frozen solid, pour warm water into it repeatedly until flow is restored.

Step 5: Locate the defrost heater element

The glass-tube defrost heater element runs horizontally across the bottom portion of the evaporator assembly. Identify the point where the heater passes closest to the drain opening. This is where the drain clip will be attached, conducting residual heat from the heater directly to the drain entry to keep it above freezing.

Step 6: Attach the drain clip to the defrost heater

The DA82-02367A clip has a spring-loaded or friction-fit attachment that clamps onto the defrost heater tube. Position it on the heater at the point nearest the drain opening. The clip should make solid physical contact with the heater element housing. The lower extension of the clip should reach into the drain opening approximately 1/2 inch deep.

Step 7: Verify positioning and secure

Confirm the drain clip is firmly attached (will not slide along the heater tube) and the lower extension reaches into the drain hole without blocking it. The goal is thermal conduction, not physical blocking — water must still flow freely through the drain while the clip conducts heat to prevent freezing at the entry point.

Step 8: Reassemble and test the drain system

Reinstall the rear evaporator panel, seating the foam gasket evenly. Replace all Phillips screws. Pour a cup of water through the drain hole (with the panel off temporarily if needed to verify, or pour into the drain trough at the top if accessible) to confirm unrestricted flow. Reinstall shelves, ice bucket, and food. Plug in the refrigerator.

Step 9: Verify fix after one week

After 7 days of normal operation, remove the ice bucket and visually inspect the area around the ice maker for any new frost formation. If the area is clear and dry, the drain clip is working properly. Perform another check at one month. After that, the fix is permanent.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Ice forms again within days of installing clip: The clip is not making adequate thermal contact with the defrost heater. Remove the panel and reposition — the clip must be firmly clamped on the heater tube, not just resting against it
• Drain still freezes despite clip installation: The drain tube freezes further along its path (below the clip). Insulation wrap around the drain tube where it passes through the divider wall addresses this less common variant
• Water pools under crisper drawers after fix: The door gasket on Samsung French door models can develop gaps where the two doors meet at center. Even with the drain fixed, a gasket leak introduces humid air that creates excess frost. Check gasket seal
• Fan still grinding after defrost and clip install: The evaporator fan blade or motor was already damaged by the ice contact. Fan replacement (DA31-00146E or model-specific equivalent) may be needed
• Defrost cycle not activating automatically: If the defrost timer or control board is not initiating defrost cycles, the clip cannot conduct heat because the heater never turns on. Verify the defrost thermostat and heater both have continuity

When This Fix Will Not Work

Contact a professional if:

• The defrost heater element is burned out (no continuity on multimeter), meaning there is no heat source for the clip to conduct. Replace the heater first
• The evaporator shows uneven frost distribution (heavy on one section, bare on another), indicating a sealed-system refrigerant leak rather than a drain issue
• The drain tube itself is physically crushed or routed in a way that no amount of heat conduction at the entry will prevent freezing further downstream
• Your Samsung model predates 2014 and uses a different drain configuration that the DA82-02367A is not designed for

Cost Comparison: DIY vs Professional

Need Professional Help?

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• refrigerator repair cost guide

FAQ

Q: What exactly does the Samsung drain clip DA82-02367A do? A: It conducts residual heat from the defrost heater to the drain opening, keeping the drain entry above 32 degrees F so condensation flows through instead of refreezing. It costs under $15 and permanently fixes Samsung's most common refrigerator complaint.

Q: Which Samsung refrigerators need this drain clip? A: Most RF-series French door models from 2014-2022 with Twin Cooling Plus are affected. If you have experienced ice behind the rear freezer panel or water under the crisper drawers, your model needs it.

Q: Is this a Samsung-acknowledged defect? A: Yes. Samsung released the DA82-02367A kit as an official service bulletin fix. Some owners have received the repair free under goodwill extensions from Samsung, though this varies by region and purchase date.

Q: How long does the drain clip last once installed? A: The clip is a passive component with no moving parts or electronics. Once properly installed, it lasts the lifetime of the refrigerator. There is no maintenance or replacement interval.

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