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.
More about Keith →
I removed the filter and was disconnected the water line that supplies the dispenser from the valve. I blew into that line easily, and water came out of the dispenser. So, I removed the water supply line and tried to blow into it, but nothing happened. It hit me that this line goes directly to the filter housing. If must have a shut off mechanism or a bypass mechanism in the filter housing; if it did not, then every time I replace a water filter, water would come shooting out of the filter housing.
So, I don’t think I know what the filter element is. Can you clarify? I did a Google search for Kenmore Elite 106.57799700 water filter element and came up empty.
Michael,
Could mean you have a bad water inlet valve. Try what we suggested before and if that does not work, take a look at the valve and be sure the water lines are secure as sometimes when water if pumped into the water lines, the water lines will hit the side of the fridge in rapid succession and create that weird knocking and rattling noise. Get some plastic cable ties and secure the water lines to the frame of the fridge so the rattling stops.
-RR
Thank you, I will try this tonight, once I can figure out where the filter element is. I did notice a small amount of black gunk that came out when I removed the new filter.
I have noticed that, when I release the dispenser button from having received water, I hear a rattle, lasting 1-2 seconds, coming from the back of the refrigerator, where the water intake, valve and solenoid are located. Would that be consistent with your conclusion or might it mean something different?
Michael,
Sounds like you have a pressure build up in the water lines. There may be gunk in the line somewhere. Shut the water off, remove the filter element, and blow air in the water dispenser. If that doesn’t fix it then remove the line after the shut off, and blow air in it before the filter. This should fix the issue and water should flow from the dispenser as normal. If this does not help, let us know and we can go from there.
-RR
Roger,
It may be possible that you have a mechanical failure inside the water valve. You may want to replace it or test it to see if that is causing your problem. Also, if the water filter is partially blocking the water flow the fluctuating water flow can cause the tubing to move and rattle against the parts in the refrigerator causing the chattering sound. Something like this might be happening in your refrigerator. It is uncommon for a blockage to occur inside the water tubing. The water valve opens and lets the water pressure of the house plumbing push the water through the tubing to the dispenser. A new or different brand of water filter might solve your problem. Try removing the water filter and with the filter removed the water should bypass the filter and flow at the normal pressure. Do some troubleshooting to see if it may be a combination of the water valve and the filter.
-RR
I have Kitchenaid Refrigerator (bottom freezer) that started making a loud chattering sound when dispensing water. Amount of water coming out is greatly reduced. A new filter fixed this once for a few months. 3 more filters have not. Different brands tried. It makes ice just fine, no chattering. I turned water supply valve to about 1/2 and it stopped chattering but water dispenses slowly. Still chatters 50% of the time now. Someone said the filter head needed replacing. I know ice makers use a restricting orifice to limit water fill amount. What is your idea, please?
I have a Kenmore Elite model 106.57799700. I changed the filter as scheduled using an OEM filter. According to the directions, I began to drain 4 gallons of water, one gallon at a time. As I was draining the 4th gallon, water ceased to flow through the dispenser, but the volume counter on the dispenser display continued to count up. I stopped pressing on the control and tried pressing again. I heard a click coming from somewhere in the refrigerator, and no water would flow. I heard no other sound. I tried again later that evening, and water began to flow. Even later that evening, I tried using the water dispenser, but no water would come out, and I kept hearing the clicking sound.
The next morning, I tried again with no flow and the same click sound. Thinking the filter might be defective, I put the old filter back in, and tested immediately, but no water came out. I tried again 20 minutes later, and the water started flowing. I tested the dispenser repeatedly through the day, and water was flowing. That evening, I tried to fill a glass, and no water would come out. 30 minutes later, I tested again, and the water was flowing.
Each time that water did not come out, the only sound I would hear was the click as I pressed on the dispenser control, and the volume counter would count up.
Do you know what the problem would be?