A water dispenser that stops usually has a cause outside the dispenser itself. Work through the list below from top to bottom, because each step is cheaper than the next.
Step by step
- Check the shutoff. The small valve behind or under the refrigerator should be open, with the handle in line with the pipe.
- Check the line. Look at the tubing behind the refrigerator for kinks, especially if the unit was pushed back after cleaning.
- Check the filter. A filter that is overdue slows the flow to a trickle. Remove it and try the dispenser briefly; if flow returns, replace the filter.
- Check the door. A door left slightly ajar, or an active child lock, keeps the dispenser from running.
- Check for frost. If you see ice around the water line or a frozen fill tube at the back of the freezer, the water may be freezing before it arrives.
What the result tells you
- Water from the line at the back but not the dispenser points to the inside of the refrigerator, such as the inlet valve or a frozen tube.
- No water from the line suggests a supply problem at the shutoff or the home plumbing.
- Water leaks onto the floor are a separate issue; shut the supply and dry the area.
Limits
Do not force the dispenser lever or pour hot water into the tray. Do not use a hair dryer on a frozen line near wires. A very cold freezer causes ice in the line, but so does a failing seal, and the dispenser alone cannot separate the two, so we check the freezer temperature and the door seal while we are there.
If the dispenser is still dry after these steps, we will trace the water path from the valve to the door. Start on the refrigerator repair page; our service area lists the Houston counties, and you receive the price in writing with a 30-day warranty on the work.