Quick answer
Start with where the water appears: an outdoor drain, a portable unit’s base, the indoor edge of a window unit, or a wall/ceiling unit. Those need different checks. Water from an intended outdoor outlet can be normal; an indoor puddle, spreading stain or recurring drip should not be ignored.
Stop using the AC if water approaches a socket, cord or electrical part, or is damaging the building. Do not touch wet plugs or stand in water to disconnect anything. Isolate power only from a safe, dry location; otherwise keep away and obtain qualified help. An electrical hazard takes priority over finding the leak.
Match the location to the next step
| Where or when you see water | What to check next |
|---|---|
| Outside a window unit during cooling | Check the model’s drainage design; retained water and outdoor dripping may be intentional. |
| Under a portable unit | After safe shutdown, check the floor level, visible cap/plug and the manual’s tank warning. |
| At a visible drain-hose joint | Look for a loose connection, kink or damaged hose; use only the manual’s permitted owner checks. |
| Inside below a window unit | Stop use and have its support, mounting angle and seal checked against the installation manual. |
| From a wall or ceiling unit | Stop cooling and contact the installer if the drain is concealed or access requires climbing. |
| After icing, or only during rain | Record that timing; it helps distinguish thaw water from an installation/weather-sealing issue. |
Portable unit: tank, cap and hose
Keep the unit on a stable, level surface. With power safely disconnected, visually inspect the accessible drain cap or stopper. Do not remove it until the manual identifies the correct port and drainage procedure for the operating mode. Place a suitable container as instructed before releasing any stored water.
For an approved gravity-drain hose, check that the visible route falls toward the drain, is not kinked and does not end underwater. Pumps have different requirements; do not convert a pumped route into a gravity setup based on this page. LG’s leak guidance covers level portable units, drain plugs and visible hose restrictions, with model-dependent exceptions.
If the cap is cracked, a warning remains after permitted draining, or a puddle returns, stop and request service. Do not bypass the tank sensor. Have the model and operating mode ready so support can identify the appropriate replacement or repair.
Window unit: outdoor water versus an indoor leak
Some window units retain condensate and use it to help cool the outdoor coil. GE explains why outdoor dripping can be normal. Do not drill a drainage hole or remove a plug just because you can hear water inside.
Indoor dripping is a different symptom. The GE indoor-water checklist includes filter condition and installation angle. Follow your model’s instructions: there is no universal tilt measurement for every chassis.
Do not loosen brackets, tip or pull out a mounted unit yourself to test drainage. Have the installer check its support, angle and perimeter seal against the installation manual.
Wall or ceiling unit: leave concealed drains to the installer
From a safe position, note whether the first visible water is at the outlet, pipe cover, drain joint or wall. Check only exposed, reachable parts. A stain on a wall does not identify the internal cause, and an apparently clear drain exit does not prove the entire line is clear.
Do not open the cabinet, climb to a ceiling unit or force chemicals, wire or compressed air into a concealed drain. A technician can check drainage, the pan and any pump without using the room as a trial-and-error test area. If leakage began after installation or relocation, report that to the installer.
Ice and rain change the diagnosis
If ice is visible, stop cooling and follow the manual’s thawing and filter-care instructions. Do not chip ice or heat the coil. Keep meltwater away from electrical parts; repeated icing needs service. See the icing guide and, for portable units, the poor-cooling checklist.
A leak that starts in rain while the AC is off may involve weather sealing or installation. Record whether the appliance was running, and ask the installer to inspect it. Do not block an exhaust or alter drainage simply to stop rain entering.
Before restarting or calling for repair
Restart only after the manual’s permitted correction is complete and there is no remaining electrical, mounting or property-damage concern. Stop again if the leak returns; repeated emptying is not proof of a repair.
For service, record the model, leak location, operating mode, any code, whether ice or rain was involved, and the checks already performed. Take photos from a safe position. The AI assistant can help organize those observations, but cannot certify that a wet appliance is safe.
Reviewed October 6, 2026 against the linked manufacturer guidance. Drainage arrangements differ by model; this checklist does not replace its manual or an installer assessment.