You probably never think about your water dispenser until one day something goes wrong. You press your glass against the switch and nothing comes out. Or worse, the water just keeps flowing out and won’t stop. What’s going on?
Refrigerator water dispensers have many working parts, and if any of them malfunctions or becomes blocked, the water will either stop coming out or won’t stop flowing. Some common causes include a frozen supply tube, clogged water filter, defective inlet valve, broken dispenser switch, and faulty control board.
To figure out what’s wrong, first rule out two simple causes: an open door and inadequate water pressure.
Many water dispensers won’t operate if either the refrigerator or freezer door is open. Make sure there’s nothing inside that is preventing the doors from closing tightly.
Next, turn on the faucet in your sink to see if you have sufficient water pressure throughout your house. A water dispenser needs sufficient water pressure to function properly, and you want to make sure it’s not a system-wide problem.
Common Refrigerator Water Dispenser Problems
First, let’s take a look at problems that may prevent water from coming out of the dispenser.
A frozen supply tube can block the water flow. The water dispensing mechanism is located in the freezer door adjacent to the ice maker. That means the water supply tube can easily become frozen, thus clogging the tube and preventing the free flow of water.
To test whether the problem is an ice clog, try to insert a frozen plastic zip tie into the tube. If it stops before going all the way, your supply tube has an ice clog.
You can thaw a frozen supply tube yourself using a number of techniques. You can simply turn off or unplug your refrigerator until the tube thaws, which could take a couple of hours.
Some people suggest using a hairdryer to warm up the tube and thaw the clogged ice. Don’t lay the hairdryer down or leave it unattended; you must direct it by hand toward the tube for the entire time it takes to melt the ice, which is about 15 minutes.
Alternately, for about $10, you can purchase a frozen water line tool that resembles a needleless syringe on the end of a flexible tube. With this tool, you can squirt heated water directly into your supply tube and thaw the ice.
If a frozen water tube isn’t the problem, it might be a defective inlet valve. This valve controls the water supply to your water dispenser and your icemaker.
If it’s stuck closed, it can prevent the water from flowing to your water dispenser. On the other hand, if it gets stuck open, the water won’t stop flowing, and you will have a mess on your hands.
You can replace the valve with a new one on your own with simple tools like a screwdriver and wrench. The valve is located at the bottom and back of most refrigerators, so you’ll have to pull out the fridge to reach it. Unplug the refrigerator and shut off the water supply before doing anything.
There are several different kinds of inlet valves, so check your manual to see the model and make of your refrigerator for the size and type of valve to get.
A water filter blockage could also be the culprit. You can remove the water filter and clean it by soaking and rinsing, but since it’s recommended to change the filter every six months anyway, it might be simpler to just get a new filter.
Less commonly, it’s a broken switch that’s causing the problem. In most refrigerators, you press your glass or water bottle against a plastic flap or surface to start the water flowing. This pressure actually activates a switch that turns the water on and off.
For most refrigerator models, you can buy a new switch and replace it. It’s necessary to pry off the plastic face of the dispenser to locate the switch mechanism. Then, attach the new switch.
Finally, a bad control board may be the cause of your water dispenser’s problem. The control board is an electronic board that manages all functions of the water dispenser and ice maker. It is possible to replace it, though the steps are more complex.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Refrigerator’s Water Dispenser?
Once you’ve located the problem, you might be wondering whether it’s worth fixing yourself or calling a repair service. This choice will depend on a number of factors.
Most replacement parts used to fix a refrigerator’s water dispenser will cost under $100, though a control board can cost upwards of $400, depending on the model and make of your refrigerator. If you are handy, you may be able to perform the repair yourself, but if you have to call a repair service, add about $200 for a service call plus an hourly charge.
Exact costs vary according to make and model of refrigerator, regional costs of living, where you purchase it, and so on, but here are some average prices for replacement parts.
| Frozen water tube tool | $10-$15 |
| Inlet valve | $30-$80 |
| Water filter | $30-$50 |
| Water dispenser switch | $10-$30 |
| Control board | $100-$300 |
To purchase the correct part, you will need to know the exact name of the model and make of your refrigerator, as well as the model number, and sometimes the part number. The refrigerator model number will be listed on a label on the interior wall of your refrigerator.
If you no longer have your user manual, you may be able to find it by searching online.
Why Do Refrigerators Have Water Dispensers?
You might notice that not all refrigerators have water dispensers, but that if there is a water dispenser, there is also an ice dispenser. That’s because the two are closely related.
Water dispensers in consumer refrigerators developed directly from the inclusion of icemakers and through-the-door delivery of ice cubes. Icemakers have been available in refrigerators since the 1950s, and the first through-the-door dispenser appeared in 1965. Since built-in icemakers require a fresh water line, it made sense to also dispense ice-cold water through the door.
Both the water dispenser and icemaker use the same source of water. When the refrigerator is installed, it must be connected to a water line coming from the wall or floor. A 1/4-inch flexible tube is then attached to the water valve in the back of your fridge.
Since water is coming into the refrigerator for the icemaker, it was easy for refrigerator manufacturers to also add a water dispenser.
The first icemaking machine was patented in 1851 by John Gorrie, and his design continued to be improved on through the early 1900s. In 1929, Jurgen Hans invented the first ice machine that could produce edible ice.
Icemakers were used commercially for decades until consumer machines were invented in the 1950s. The first built-in icemakers were located entirely within the freezer portion of the refrigerator, and you took the ice out of the bin with your hands or a scoop.
The first refrigerator with an ice dispenser through the door was sold by Frigidaire in 1965, but it took a couple of decades to catch on. The first water dispensers came on the market in the 1980s, about the same time that side-by-side models became popular. The larger freezer space of the side-by-side allowed more room for the icemaker/water dispenser combination.
When French door refrigerators became popular in the late 1990s, they also included water and ice dispensers. However, due to the design, the dispensers are located in the door of the refrigerator section rather than the freezer section.
Icemakers tend to have more problems in French door refrigerators than other types due to the complex design. However, water dispensers are not more prone to problems.