Why does kenmore side by side model 596.50004100 leak water from bottom?

no info generic answer leak in dispenser valve or line need to access the dispenser unit most models need to remove inside panel

U have a restriction in drain tube under evaporator coil. So every time it goes into a defrost instead of going down the drain tube it is running over and out the front of fridge

The drain in the freezer behind back lower panel
needs opening. You can see it at the bottom of the back panel
underneath the evaporator coils. (The cold coils)
Run Hot water in the drain until it clears or use a hairdryer.
When the defrost melts the water it goes down the drain
If the drain is clogged with Ice or ? The defrost water
overflows into the ref. or freezer or on floor
Run Hot water in the drain until it clears or use a hairdryer.
Also check fan undernearh Ref in the rear
Clean condenser coils underneath
.I'm including my article on Refrigerator Repair for your help and convenience.;
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http://www.fixya.com/support/r5816737-fix_refrigerator_psychologically
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Leo Ponder
imufo2
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The drain in the freezer behind back lower panel
needs opening. You can see it at the bottom of the back panel
underneath the evaporator coils. (The cold coils)
Run Hot water in the drain until it clears or use a hairdryer.
When the defrost melts the water it goes down the drain
If the drain is clogged with Ice or ? The defrost water
overflows into the ref. or freezer
Run Hot water in the drain until it clears or use a hairdryer.
Also check fan undernearh Ref in the rear
Clean condenser coils underneath
.I'm including my article on Refrigerator Repair for your help and convenience.;
Please click or copy and paste into browser for Article
http://www.fixya.com/support/r5816737-fix_refrigerator_psychologically
Thanks for using fixya
Leo Ponder
imufo2
Please VOTE FOR ME IF THIS WAS HELPFUL

Check all water lines and water selonoid.

There is a shroud at the back of the freeezer. (Mine was a GE) but under the shroud is the evaporator coils and also a heating element to defrost the coils during the defrost cycles. Mine had the gutter underneath misaligned and the water went into the freezer and froze instead of going down the drain. I thought it was a ice maker leak until we found that. The weird thing is we had the refrigerator for about 6 years before it started leaking like that.

It has worked fine for about a year since that "fix"

I guess it was water from drain lines, or leak from water lines.

I'm dealing with the same problem right now with the same refrigerator. The cold water tank (for the front dispenser) has a hole in it that leaks every time someone dispenses water from the front door. You will find the water tank behind the top slide-out drawer in the fridge. The leaked water flows down one of the water tubes through a hole in the bottom of the fridge and onto the floor. I'll bet you have the same problem. Good Luck.

Is this a self defrost refrig. if it is then it might be doing that, which then you might want to look for the drain that is suppose to drain into this pan. It might be missing the pan try that, let us know thanks.

dear ricurtsmith..
your fridge has a water trap pan underneath it to catch the water from the drain line when your fridge automatic defrost.
either the pan is not in place proper or the pan may not be underneath, period. or pan could be stopped up/need cleaning. or if pan is made of plastic, it could be cracked.
it is located at the bottom of fridge where you see something loos like a grilled vent. remove that bottom piece to get to the drain pan.(it just slides out!!) good luck & hope i was helpful.

brbharo....