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.
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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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Yes the fridge is cooling and you do hear the motor running when trying to dispense the water and ice. The water is turned on. I will try and remove the filter and insert the bypass plug next.
Sonja,
Is the fridge cooling? It may have gone into demo mode. When you press the dispenser to get water or ice, do you hear the motor running to try and dispense? Is the ice maker and the water dispenser getting water? The water is turned on and supplying the fridge, right? What is the model number of your GE fridge? There may be a simple way to get the fridge back to normal if it went into demo mode using the control panel and holding and pressing 2 of the buttons for 5 to 8 seconds. Have you tried removing the filter and inserting the bypass plug that came with your fridge?
-RR
Moved into a new house with a brand new GE side by side refrigerator. Refrigerator worked perfectly dispensing water and ice. Lost power to the house for 6 days and now the new fridge dispenses no ice or water and also does not make ice either. Could the power outage have done something to the filter?
Inno,
If the issue happened when you replaced the water filter, try using a BRAND NEW OEM Refrigerator water filter.
-RR
Thanks for those comments. I tried holding down the dispenser switch for 2 minutes. It’s humming away, like it tries to put water through but not a drop comes into the filter.
I don’t see a Lock or Lock Controls button on the control panel.
If I hear the dispenser hum, does that mean the switches are working and harness is secure?
This problem only started when we switched filters. This model tells you to switch filters by stopping the water flow somehow. Normally you put in a new filter and the water flows normally right away. Not this time.
Symptom:
“Ice Maker works fine but water is not dispensing”
I traced this same issue down in my Kenmore side by side. The issue I found was the line from the “fill tank” behind the crisper drawer leads directly under the freezers coldest part of the cabinet. It’s actually inside the cabinet frame of which can not been seen. This is where it freezes.
Problem: Frozen line exists somewhere in the line – may or may not be able to be seen.
To Test:
– Get a catch pan for water.
– Disconnect the clear plastic waterline coupling in the front of the refrigerator directly under the freezer door (again on a side-by-side) and put water collection pan in place to catch all water. Note water may actually feel ice cold… again a good indicator of a frozen line somewhere.
– Check for free water flow at this point (assuming water flow is on and fridge is plugged in)
– Press the Water dispenser lever. (pressing the lever will activate the water dispensing of the fridge)
– No Water is caused by the waterline frozen between the Fill tank that runs in the frame of the refrigerator. (Be careful not to try and run the water dispenser to much as it could apply to much pressure to the fill tank causing it to rupture leaking in the fridge itself).
Solution:
– Defrost the freezer or whole fridge if possible. The lines will warm and thaw easily.
– Test line in the above process until line flows.
– Then reconnect water lines and Enjoy!
I have a Kitchen-Aid with an “in the fridge” dispenser.
My dispenser stopped working, so I put in a new filter and still no water comes out. No water goes to the filter.
Have replaced several filters in the past with no problem.
I tried doing what the manual suggested: pressing the reset button for 3 seconds. That got the Reset light blinking, then it went out as it’s supposed to do. Also pressed the door light switch 5 times in 10 seconds.
Also, tried a second new filter. No difference. Also tried putting the old one back in. No water.
Also shut off house water and turned back on. Also, unplugged fridge and re-connected.
Still no water going into the filter. It was working 2 days ago. When it stopped working we assumed it just needed a new filter.
Anything else you can suggest aside from pulling it out and disconnecting the water supply? That is very tricky because of the way it is installed in an enclosure.