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 →
Fisher & Paykel fridge
RF610ADUX1 french doors with water
The water & ice stopped working from the fridge door, this all happened after a kitchen reno. The plumber hooked the water up he didn’t install a pressure reducing valve. This in turn overloaded the fridge solenoid valves, the fridge display showed water working but no flow. The F&P service man($170) installed a 600kpa Apex pressure reducing valve after the isolator and before the filter and now all ok. Bunnings also sell the new water filter for this fridge.
I have a Samsung RF31FMEDBWW Change the filter yesterday water and ice worked fine. Today water is intermittently working. Tried changing filter again still no difference.
We have a GE side by side refrigerator. The water dispenser just stopped working. ice maker works. I turned up the temp. to 1 for a day or so, but nothing has changed. I took a blow dryer to the tip of the dispenser for a bit, but still nothing. What else can we check before having to call somebody in?
We have a whirlpool refrigerator. It’s about 15 years old. Recently the water dispenser shoots water whenever the door is open. Dispenser works fine when door is closed so I don’t think it’s the switch. I can5 fin$ anyone else who has experienced this problem. When I jiggle the hose under the door I can mimic the problem. Any ideas?
Chris, did you ever solve the “continuously puts out water” , problem ?
I have a Maytag, Side-by-side that is doing the same thing.
Hi,
Our Fisher & Paykel water dispenser used to work before. Then recently, water stops coming out. I tired to check all the lines, filter, water inlet valve and all seems fine. Then all of a sudden water started to come out again. The next day, i tried dispensing water but no water again. Later, I tried it and all of a sudden water came out. But during the last week, no water came out again. I tried patiently to test it daily but it seems no water is coming out for good. I replace the filter with a genuine F&P filer hoping that water will come out. Unfortunately, the water dispenser is still not working.
However, the ice maker is working which means water is getting into the the fridge unless there is something else wrong. What could be the reason for this? Appreciate your help.
thanks and regards,
Carlo
Have the same issue with my Kitchenaid side by side. Just replaced the ice maker, now has the problem with dispensing water after ice maker dumps ice and refills. Did you find a solution?