There are several factors that may affect the ice/water dispenser functionality. It could be the water filter, damaged water line or clogged inlet valve. You may follow the steps below to determine the problem.
Checking and replacing a water filter
1. Turn off the water, unplug the refrigerator and pull it away from the wall. 2. Locate the water filter, if your ice maker has one. It will look like a canister or cylinder and will be attached to the water-supply line. 3. Using the adjustable wrench, disconnect the end of the filter that runs to the refrigerator while leaving the other end of the filter attached to the water-supply line. 4. Hold the filter over a bucket and ask a helper to turn on the water-supply valve. If water flows freely, the filter is good. If water dribbles or doesn't flow at all, the filter needs to be replaced. 5. Turn off the water-supply valve and disconnect the filter from the water-supply line, using your adjustable wrench. 6. Buy a replacement filter at your appliance store and install it. Tighten the connections firmly to prevent leaks.
Dealing with a damaged water line
1. Pull the refrigerator out from the wall and unplug it. 2. Turn off the water-supply valve. The valve may be under the kitchen sink or connected to a cold-water pipe in your basement. 3. Inspect the water-supply line that runs to the refrigerator, looking for crimps or kinks. 4. Carefully straighten any problem areas you find, using just hand pressure. If you can't remove the crimps and kinks, replace the water line. 5. Disconnect the line from the refrigerator and from the water-supply valve, using an adjustable wrench. 6. Buy a replacement line at your appliance store and install it, tightening the connections firmly to prevent leaks.
Cleaning a clogged inlet valve
1. Turn off the water, unplug the refrigerator and pull it away from the wall. 2. Remove the bottom access panel on the back of the refrigerator, using a screwdriver or a nut driver and socket. 3. Remove the water inlet valve using the nut driver and socket. 4. Disassemble the valve and clean the screen.
Hi and welcome to FixYa, I am kelly Check the door / light switch. Sometimes they get tired or the plastic recesses just a bit where the switch is mounted. Tape a piece of cardboard over the area where the switch plunger strikes the door and see if your intermittent problem goes away. If it does the switch is failing. If it makes no difference I would be troubleshooting in the form of inspecting the door wires in the hinge area for chaffing / bare spots. (This is more common than you might think) Also.. take a knife blade and release the door switch from the cabinet (Tab on one side only to unlock). Look at the condition of the 3 wires and terminals on the door switch. If they are corroded or show signs of being hot... clean them with the unit UNPLUGGED. The switch will have 3 markings C (pwr) NO and NC. If you use a meter the switch will read between C and one of the other terminals plunger extended and C an the remaining terminal with the plunger depressed. To reinstall the door switch just press it back into the cabinet and the tab will lock
If none of the above resolves your problem respond here and there is more troubleshooting that can be done.
Answers & Comments
Hi aseawell,
There are several factors that may affect the ice/water dispenser functionality. It could be the water filter, damaged water line or clogged inlet valve. You may follow the steps below to determine the problem.
Checking and replacing a water filter
1. Turn off the water, unplug the refrigerator and pull it away from the wall.
2. Locate the water filter, if your ice maker has one. It will look like a canister or cylinder and will be attached to the water-supply line.
3. Using the adjustable wrench, disconnect the end of the filter that runs to the refrigerator while leaving the other end of the filter attached to the water-supply line.
4. Hold the filter over a bucket and ask a helper to turn on the water-supply valve. If water flows freely, the filter is good. If water dribbles or doesn't flow at all, the filter needs to be replaced.
5. Turn off the water-supply valve and disconnect the filter from the water-supply line, using your adjustable wrench.
6. Buy a replacement filter at your appliance store and install it. Tighten the connections firmly to prevent leaks.
Dealing with a damaged water line
1. Pull the refrigerator out from the wall and unplug it.
2. Turn off the water-supply valve. The valve may be under the kitchen sink or connected to a cold-water pipe in your basement.
3. Inspect the water-supply line that runs to the refrigerator, looking for crimps or kinks.
4. Carefully straighten any problem areas you find, using just hand pressure. If you can't remove the crimps and kinks, replace the water line.
5. Disconnect the line from the refrigerator and from the water-supply valve, using an adjustable wrench.
6. Buy a replacement line at your appliance store and install it, tightening the connections firmly to prevent leaks.
Cleaning a clogged inlet valve
1. Turn off the water, unplug the refrigerator and pull it away from the wall.
2. Remove the bottom access panel on the back of the refrigerator, using a screwdriver or a nut driver and socket.
3. Remove the water inlet valve using the nut driver and socket.
4. Disassemble the valve and clean the screen.
Hope it helps.
Thank you for using Fixya.
Hi and welcome to FixYa, I am kelly
Check the door / light switch. Sometimes they get tired or the plastic recesses just a bit where the switch is mounted. Tape a piece of cardboard over the area where the switch plunger strikes the door and see if your intermittent problem goes away. If it does the switch is failing. If it makes no difference I would be troubleshooting in the form of inspecting the door wires in the hinge area for chaffing / bare spots. (This is more common than you might think) Also.. take a knife blade and release the door switch from the cabinet (Tab on one side only to unlock). Look at the condition of the 3 wires and terminals on the door switch. If they are corroded or show signs of being hot... clean them with the unit UNPLUGGED. The switch will have 3 markings C (pwr) NO and NC. If you use a meter the switch will read between C and one of the other terminals plunger extended and C an the remaining terminal with the plunger depressed. To reinstall the door switch just press it back into the cabinet and the tab will lock
If none of the above resolves your problem respond here and there is more troubleshooting that can be done.
Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly