Fridge Water Dispenser Not Working
Technically Reviewed by Oleg Chudnovski, CEO on Feb 26, 2024 | Written by Fix Appliances CA Editorial Contributors
Is your fridge dispensing water? If not, don’t give up. This article will give you information that will help you easily troubleshoot your fridge. Understandably, when your fridge is not dispensing water, you may become upset and want to give up, especially if you don’t know what to do.
However, before you give up, if at all you want to, try the following and see if the problem will be solved.
Fixing A Fridge That Is Not Dispensing Water
Various parts of a fridge may cause it to stop dispensing water. So before you contact a fridge repair service provider, you need first to know what part you need to repair. The problem may have been caused by just one part or more. Thus, it’s advisable to do a thorough check-up.
The Water And Ice Filter
If it’s equipped well, the water and ice filter removes contaminants and any debris from the water which might have remained even after doing a local water treatment. The majority of these filters are made of carbon and contain fabric filters. After some time, the filter may be restricted, stopping or reducing the amount of water flowing into the dispenser. Although many manufacturers suggest that a replacement should be done at least once every six months, local water conditions may necessitate frequent replacements. The filter is normally situated in the fresh food compartment of the fridge.
The Water Inlet Valve
A solenoid operates this valve, supplying water to the dispenser when activated. It’s located at the rear end of the access panel at the bottom rear side of the fridge. When you select water at the dispenser control panel, a line voltage is provided to the water inlet valve solenoid to allow water to flow. Ensure there is enough pressure in the valve that there are no restrictions in the outlet or inlet tubing, and the inlet screen is not plugged in. Use a multimeter to investigate the power in the solenoid terminals. A qualified person should conduct this because it’s done on live voltage.
Actuator Of The Water Dispenser
This is a mechanical part whose function is to activate the micro switch of the dispenser. It’s usually a lever made of plastic which pivots when depressed by your glass of water. It can also be covered using a soft plastic pad. To be sure the actuator performs its work properly, remove the cover of the control panel. Check the actuator pivot, housing bracket, and switch mounting bracket. If any of these parts are not working properly, you will need to undertake fridge repairs by replacing the faulty parts.
The Micro Switch
The work of this part is to supply power to the water inlet valve solenoid. To access the switch, you will need to disconnect the fridge from power and remove the cover of the control panel.
The Dispenser Control Board
Several refrigerator models have an electronic control which supplies power to the valve. If you have found that the water inlet valve is not receiving power and the actuator and the switch are functioning properly, then you may need to contact a fridge repair technician for the defective electronic control.
Date of page creation: September 26, 2017
Page update date: February 26, 2024
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