In my fridge, I have a water and ice dispenser -the ice is not working,the water is. The ice compartment is turned on.What else do I need to look for?

Hi Norm,

Most fridges don't need a motor to run in order to dispense water. A simple on / off solenoid on the water line (same for the ice maker) that makes a click when changing from off to on and on to off is usually all anyone hears (the ice maker makes rumbling sounds and you can hear ice falling into the bin - too).

Check for ice. If it has a maker and it is making ice, the problem could be a defective water dispenser switch, solenoid or other circuit component or wire. If no ice, I'd suspect a filter or water supply issue.

Make sure the filter is fully inserted and twisted into place. Many filters have marks to align when 1) inserting and 2) to let you know when it is installed correctly. When sure it is installed correctly - try to dispense water again. Many fridges will dispense water without a filter. Check your manual before trying this though! If not working still, remove the filter and try to dispense water. If you're able to dispense water, the problem is either the installation of the filter or the filter itself. Try to re-install it correctly. Try to dispense water again.

If it still doesn't work - call the plumber back and ask why there's no water. Or - try this yourself:

Locate the point of attachment to the domestic water supply that the plumber used. There should be a valve to turn the water on and off. If off, turn ON. Try to dispense water again.

If that doesn't work - check to see if the fridge has pinched, kinked or crushed the water supply line. You may need to move the fridge forward to gain access to the water line and connection point on the fridge. Repair or replace the line as needed and route in such a way that moving the fridge in or out will not cause it to damage the line again.

Good luck!

Without knowing what make / model fridge it is nearly impossible to say , however, most domestic fridge have a water tank in the base of the food compartment which stores the water before going into the freezer dispenser. Have a look behind the crisper drawers for it. If the food compartment is too cold, this tank can freeze up and stop water from going into the dispenser. Is it still making ice? If so, the water valve which is normally 2 parts (1 for ice making and the other for water dispensing) may have failed.

Check / replace the filter. Many fridges have a filter readily accessible from the fresh food compartment. The filter should be changed at regular intervals for best performance. A filter that is never changed will reduce and eventually stop water flow through it.

Check the temperature of the fresh food compartment near the filter. It may be "flirting" with the 32 degree mark. If it is this low, water has turned to ice - and will stop water from flowing. Bump the temperature up a tad to see if it solves the problem.

Lastly, the water supply solenoid may have failed. You didn't provide the model fridge - so I can't give specific info about it - but many fridges have one or two solenoids at the rear of the fridge for water supply and ice makers. You should hear a clicking sound from the rear of the fridge on many models when dispensing water or when the ice maker cycles on. If one has failed, you may expect to pay about $15 to $50 for a replacement - depending model.


Typical GE Refrigerator Single Solenoid Water Inlet Valve "WR57X10033"

Solenoid valve replacement is pretty straight forward. Usually all the is needed are some simple hand tools and a rag to pick up spilled water. Make sure the water supply is shut off and unplug the fridge before attempting.

If my answer was helpful - please rate it. Thanks & good luck!

order a new icemaker, about 100.00 from parts company, heat element not working to help release ice. Its an easy fix and will save you a service call for 150 additional bucks. Its a matter of taking out old one. First turn off water valve to fridge. Take out old icemaker and remove electrical supply, just a squeeze and the clip should come out. Place new electrical connection, connect water supply line, turn on water line to fridge fridge, the compartment should fill and then ice in about an hour or 90 min.

"Prepare for the worst" This is a problem i'm currently dealing with at the moment, ice maker thaw'd and refroze the ice as a block, binding the crusher turbine till it quit working. then water dispenser started spitting till it quit working, but anyway i disconnected the ice maker and water dispenser power hookup, because when i tried to use it it was drawing off the power of the fridge. now i'm to the point where fridge clicks like the relay is going out. in the back of the freezer below the ice maker tray i removed the clip or screw to where when it clicks i can hand spin the cooling fan on the click, and fridge starts up and runs, but don't remove this panel because having it on helps the air push into fridge compartment and keeps cooling elements from turning to a block of ice, " so long story short " its either your cooling fan or relay on chip board that starts cooling fan, i'm no expert but this is where i'm at hope it helps.

The plastic water resivoir in the fridge compartment is frozen. Need to locate the resivoir which is at the bottom of the fridge and by using a hairdrier, warm the plastic resivoir for about 6 minuites. Suggest you turn the fridge off while doing this. retry and dispence water.

there is a chance that the bottle that holds your water in the fridge compartment.could be broken or a line maybe disconnected this would cause water to leak in the fridge compartment.this bottle is designed to hold the water and get it cold before dispensing to your glass

If the little green lites show up , you do not need a circuit board . If you get a hum or buzzing noise when pushing for CRUSHED ice , then the auger motor is frozen up . Remove the ice bin and use a hair dryer directly on the forks which turn the dispensor . The heat will transfer into the motor , defrosting the armature . Try closing the freezer door ocassionally and pushing the arm to test if forks turn .

There can be many reasons for no water supply. Line feeding the refrigerator is clogged or blocked. The water control valve that turns water to ice maker and dispenser is defective or the water filter located inside your refrigerator is in need of change. I will be here to help you go through the steps. Let me know when you are ready, Thanks, Sea Breeze

Look up through the ice despencer on the front door of the freezer. Is the flapper door open? If so it needs to be fixed. If its not then try leaving the freezer door open for 3+ hours to defrost the frozen line in the door. If that doesnt work, the water valve must be changed.(located behind fridge, take off back cord board panel at bottom, the valve is blue)... GOODLUCK!