Troubleshooting An In-Door Refrigerator Water Dispenser
Having an in-door water dispenser can be quite the convenience -- until it stops working. Luckily, most of the problems that arise with an in-door water dispenser can be fixed with a little time and effort. Here are some of the most common problems you'll run into.
Check the Water Line for Kinks
The water line of the in-door dispenser often runs around the bottom and the back of the refrigerator. If you've moved anything recently, you may have put a kink in the line -- the water may not be getting to the refrigerator at all. You may also want to check under the sink, as the line may run through your cabinetry as well. Even a relatively gentle bend in the line could result in low water pressure.
Try to Turn Off the Ice Maker
Sometimes emptying and turning off the ice maker can help. A water line can become frozen during ordinary use if the freezer is too full -- usually, the fuller the freezer is, the colder it's going to run. If this works, you may want to set your freezer down to a warmer temperature.
Defrost the Door
If turning off the ice maker doesn't work, you may need to actually defrost the door. This can be done by opening the door and gently running a hair dryer over it. The lines that are actually within the door could have frosted and may not be allowing water through. Of course, you can also choose to defrost the entire freezer. Most side-by-side refrigerators let you turn off one side and not the other.
Replace the Water Filter
Finally, you could have a very easy fix on your hands: it's possible that you just need to replace the actual water filter. If the water filter is older or has not been in use for a while, materials can harden inside of it. When this happens, the filter itself is going to collect water but not pass it on. Most water filters need to be replaced approximately every three to six months.
If you still can't fix your refrigerator dispenser, it may be time to call a professional appliance repair company. For the most part, water issues aren't going to be overly complicated to fix; they often just require checking the line. It's also possible that the pump itself may need to be replaced; if your refrigerator is more than 10 years old, this is likely.
For more information, you will want to contact a company such as A-1 Appliance Service.
