If your refrigerator water dispenser is dispensing either no or slow water, here is what to check to fix it. (No or Slow Water from Dispenser) If your refrigerator is newly installed, make sure you push the water dispenser lever down for 3 minutes to get the water reservoir to fill up completely. Usually the water reservoir is located inside the fresh food section. Top mount refrigerator models do not apply because there is no water reservoir.
On most refrigerator dispensers whether it be a Whirlpool refrigerator, Frigidaire refrigerator, Samsung refrigerator, KitchenAid refrigerator, Haier refrigerator, Jennair refrigerator, GE refrigerator, LG refrigerator, Kenmore Elite refrigerator, or Maytag refrigerator, it should take on average 8 seconds to fill an 8 ounce glass of water.
If your refrigerator has no lights on the control panel and no water or ice, check power to the refrigerator.
If all of a sudden your fridge is not dispensing water:
Be sure the water line valve in the wall to the refrigerator is turned on or open. Usually a saddle valve or similar will be used to connect the fridge water supply line to your home water supply. This valve needs to be completely open so the refrigerator receives water. You should also check the water inlet valve on the back of your fridge. This is electrically operated and can be tested with a volt meter to see if it is working properly. Also be sure that the water line behind the refrigerator is not kinked or bent. If you recently pulled the fridge out, you may have bent the water supply line when you pushed the fridge back in place. It is also possible that a water line has become frozen inside the fridge and that is why the water flow is restricted. Check all water lines for ice and or restricted sections.
NEED FRIDGE DISPENSER PARTS? Here is a Replacement Dual Water Valve Kit = Quality Replacement Dual Water Valve Kit for Refrigerators with Water Dispenser and Ice Maker. Fits Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Norge, Roper. (Installation Instructions Included in Kit).
Troubleshooting Why the Refrigerator Water Dispenser Is Not Working
You may also have a clogged water filter. This filter is either built into your refrigerator or it is “inline” of the water line behind your refrigerator. A clogged water filter will cause no water at all or very slow water dripping from the dispenser. Change the water filter and this will most likely solve your issue. Refrigerator water filters need to be changed every 6 months. Once you have replaced the water filter, test the dispenser. If the water flows as it should, then you have fixed the problem.
If the water dispenser is not working, but you know it is being supplied with water and has power, then a defective switch in the dispenser is most likely to blame. You may need to take the dispenser apart and troubleshoot the valve and or switches in the dispenser. You may hear a clicking noise or a humming noise if a switch or valve is defective.
If the water dispenser drips water constantly then you have a water valve problem. You can look up your refrigerator model online and find the switch or valve that you need to replace and DIY.
If there is a slight dribble of a few drops of water after using the dispenser, this is normal and due to a delay in the system.
If the water dripping from the dispenser is a big problem, you can purge the complete water tank and water line system. Use a large cup and press down on the dispenser for 3 minutes. This will remove trapped air that can cause the water dispenser dribble. You should also empty the recess grill (water catch) and clean out underneath it to prevent water dripping out and making a puddle on the floor.
Common refrigerator water & ice dispenser parts breakdown
NOTE: The water and ice dispenser in the door will not work if the refrigerator door is open.
Remember, when troubleshooting a water no flow issue with your refrigerator, disconnect power and turn off the water supply for safety reasons.
If you know of other reasons a refrigerator stops dispensing water or ice, please leave a comment below to assist our other readers.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
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Update Replaced diode on water inlet valve. Problem solved
Gretchen,
It sounds like there may be a pressure issue in the water line… Air may be trapped in the water system. Press and hold the water dispenser arm for 2 minutes.
OR… Dispenser is LOCKED. Press and hold the LOCK or LOCK CONTROLS pad for 3 seconds.
If these are not the issues, you will need to trace the water line back and troubleshoot what is causing the water to not flow through the refrigerator to the dispenser.
Have you taken apart the dispenser to make sure the wire harness is secure and that the switches are working?
-RR
We have a GE Profile side-by-side, model PSCS3RGXSS. When running gallon 4 after changing the filter, the water suddenly stopped dispensing. When the dispenser lever is pressed, it no longer makes the humming noise it used to when dispensing water.
Some troubleshooting we’ve done:
Checked that the saddle-type shutoff valve on the water line connection (in the basement) was open all the way (turned all the way counter-clockwise). Closed and re-opened it (in case sediment was in the way at this connection).
Verified that the line to the refrigerator is not kinked.
The ice-maker is still working. Ice cubes are of the expected size.
We have the water filter bypass plug in, but still no water at the dispenser.
When we disconnected the connection under the freezer door, no water comes out of the line when the dispenser lever is pushed. (We thought we’d be lucky and have a frozen line in the freezer like most other posters, but no such luck – water is not getting this far).
When we remove the bypass plug, there is an audible pressure release, and some residual water in the plug and that connection area.
It seems that the water is getting to the filter/plug location.
When we press the dispenser, there are 2 audible clicks – one at the dispenser and one lower down on the freezer door – but again, there used to be a mechanical, humming type sound when the lever was pressed that we are not hearing anymore.
We could use some help with next steps.
We have a KitchenAid side by side with bottom freezer. All of a sudden, water and ice aren’t being dispensed. Connections under hinge in door look ok, water line is clear. Also, periodically, for no reason at all, the light and alarm telling us a door is open will go off when all doors are closed. Switch maybe, or bigger problem? We just put $400 into this thing a few months ago because their faulty design was causing ice build up around the ice maker. Their stuff is junk & I’m so frustrated.
Heather,
It should just slide off, you may need to twist it to remove it as it may be on tight. Does it have a clamp?
-RR
Trying to replace my water reservoir in my whirlpool fridge. So far so good, but the hose refuses to come out of the inlet valve in back. How can I free it.
A little more information. Looks like both the ice maker and water dispenser are working together no matter which one is activated. Kenmore Elite 25344383402