Samsung refrigerators have a few common water dispenser issues, including dripping and slow dispensing. However, in some instances, a Samsung refrigerator may not dispense water at all. So, you must detect the cause of your refrigerator not dispensing water to fix the issue.
Here are the top 11 causes for a Samsung refrigerator not dispensing water:
- The control or child lock is on.
- The water supply valve is shut.
- The hose is kinked or blocked.
- The supply line has no water.
- The water tank is frozen.
- The water line has an airlock.
- The filter cartridge is clogged.
- The water filter is misaligned.
- The tube is incorrectly fitted.
- The refrigerator door is open.
- The water inlet valve is broken.
In this article, I explain all the common causes for Samsung refrigerators not dispensing water and the recommended solutions. You can resolve most of these issues without professional assistance, but a few problems may call for a technician or plumber. Keep reading.
Table of Contents
1. The Control or Child Lock Is On
Almost all contemporary Samsung refrigerators have a child lock feature. The child lock function disables the control panel, including the ice and water dispensers. Hence, you need to check if this child lock feature is on, whether it was activated inadvertently or intentionally.
How To Fix
You must disable the child lock to enable your Samsung refrigerator to dispense water. If you have a touchscreen display or control panel, press and hold the ‘Ice Off’ option for 3 seconds to deactivate the child or control lock. Also, ensure you have the ‘Water’ mode on instead of ‘Ice.’
2. The Water Supply Valve Is Shut
Every Samsung refrigerator with a water dispenser and ice maker has a supply valve, which is the first regulator for the line to the fridge. This valve should be open for the line connected to the fridge to supply water. So, you need to check whether the water supply valve is open or shut.
How To Fix
The location of the water supply valve depends on your installation. The shut off valve could be under your kitchen sink or elsewhere. Track the water line from behind the Samsung refrigerator if you aren’t sure. Ensure that the main water supply valve is open, unclogged, and working.
3. The Hose Is Kinked or Blocked
A kinked or blocked hose can interrupt the water supply to your Samsung refrigerator. Subject to your installation, the hose may have a relatively long and winding run from the fridge to the main supply. If the hose has a sharp bend or is crushed anywhere, there will be no water going to the dispenser.
How To Fix
Inspect the hose all the way from behind the Samsung refrigerator to the main supply valve. Fix any kinks or blockages you find. Also, check if the hose is alright after you push the refrigerator back towards the wall or in the cabinet. Don’t let the fridge itself kink or crush the hose.
4. The Supply Line Has No Water
This problem is rare, but you should still check if the supply is steady. A hose with blockages inside may prevent sustained water flow. Impurities in the water supply, fluctuating pressure due to a purifier or filter installed in your house, and other such issues may also cause problems.
How To Fix
The solution depends on what you find. If the hose is severely clogged and beyond remedy, you need a new supply line. Likewise, if the water pressure is low, you can crank up the supply at the main valve. However, if there are other plumbing problems, you will have to consult a pro.
5. The Water Tank Is Frozen
Samsung refrigerators with ice and water dispensers have a water tank too. If the water in this tank is frozen, you won’t get anything out of the dispenser. This problem is unlikely if your fridge is set to an optimum temperature.The water in the tank is the same temperature as the fridge.
How To Fix
Check the Samsung refrigerator temperature on the display panel. If it is too low, increase it by a few degrees. It is always better to select the temperature recommended by Samsung, which is 38°F (3.3°C) for the refrigerator (cooling mode) and -2°F (-18.9°C) for the freezer.
6. The Water Line Has an Airlock
A running Samsung refrigerator shouldn’t have an airlock in the water line, especially if you use the dispenser regularly. However, an airlock may form when you change the filter cartridge, work on the water line, or install a new refrigerator. The airlock can block the water line or dispenser.
How To Fix
Press and hold the water dispenser lever for ~2 minutes to purge the air. Sometimes, an airlock is severe, so you have to repeat this ‘press & hold’ process for a few glasses. You may hear a sputtering noise as the trapped air escapes. Repeat until the water line is totally clear of air.
Samsung recommends dispensing around 2 gallons (7.5 liters) of water to eliminate trapped air and flush out any impurities. You may or may not need to dispense so much. However, decide this based on your findings and the water flow.
7. The Filter Cartridge Is Clogged
A clogged water filter cartridge effectively blocks the supply line inside a Samsung refrigerator. So, the water dispenser won’t work, nor will the ice maker. Samsung recommends replacing the water filter once every 6 months.
Many models sport a water filter icon on the display panel. This icon will glow red when the water filter is no longer working as it should. If you find this icon illuminated on the display panel, you must replace the water filter.
How To Fix
Replacing the water filter isn’t difficult. Refer to the manual to check the location of the water filter, get a new one after matching the part number, and simply insert it into the tube. Make sure the water filter is inserted properly. The fit should be snug, and the filter will lock with the tube.
8. The Water Filter Is Misaligned
Like a clogged cartridge, a misaligned filter can be the cause for your Samsung refrigerator not dispensing water. This problem isn’t necessarily indicated by an error code on the display panel. Hence, you have to inspect how the water filter is installed to detect any anomalies.
How To Fix
The remedy is realigning the water filter in the tube or chamber so that it is perfectly inserted and locked. Generally, these filters are inserted and fitted in a clockwise movement. So, you can use an anticlockwise or clockwise rotation to fix any misalignment based on the current state.
Most Samsung refrigerators have ‘padlock’ and ‘unlock’ signs on the water filter tube. And the water filter cartridge has an indicator line or arrow. This arrow/ indicator line should be aligned with the padlock sign on the water filter tube after you insert and fit the cartridge.
9. The Tube Is Incorrectly Fitted
Many Samsung refrigerators have only one water line or hose. However, some models contain separate tube fittings or lines for the water dispenser and ice maker. So, the water dispenser may not work if its line is connected to the tube meant for the ice tray.
If the two tubes are incorrectly fitted or connected to the wrong line, your water dispenser will work when you press the ice lever. Similarly, pressing the water dispenser lever will load the ice maker or tray in the freezer instead of filling your glass with water.
How To Fix
Refer to your model number and manual to locate the two tubes. Some models, like in the RSG series, have these tubes in the freezer door. Inspect the tube fittings and interchange them if the lines are wrongly connected. If these tubes are fitted correctly, something else is the problem.
10. The Refrigerator Door Is Open
Samsung refrigerators with external water dispensers work only when the fridge door is closed. But if the fridge door doesn’t close completely or the refrigerator fails to detect it, your Samsung refrigerator may not dispense water. The problem could be the gaskets or reed switches.
Refrigerator door gaskets may get grimy, misaligned, and deformed with time. Hence, your fridge door may not close properly. Also, the magnets on your Samsung refrigerator door may fail to activate the reed switches. Furthermore, the reed switches on the door may be broken.
How To Fix
Inspect the gaskets and clean them if they are dirty. Worn out, deformed, and damaged gaskets need to be replaced. Likewise, you need new magnets if the ones on your refrigerator door are faulty. Similarly, you must replace the reed switches assembly if they don’t detect a closed door.
11. The Water Inlet Valve Is Broken
Samsung refrigerators have a water inlet valve, usually inside the rear access panel. This valve regulates the water flow to the dispenser and ice maker. If this valve fails or gets stuck, the line won’t have water flow into the dispenser. The ice maker or tray won’t have any water either.
How To Fix
A Samsung refrigerator’s water inlet valve is irreparable. So, you have to get a new one. Ensure to match the part number before buying.
Here’s how you can replace a Samsung refrigerator’s water inlet valve:
Author
Steve Rajeckas Steve Rajeckas is an HVAC hobbyist with an avid interest in learning innovative ways to keep rooms, buildings, and everything else at the optimal temperature. When he's not working on new posts for Temperature Master, he can be found reading books or exploring the outdoors. View all posts
