My frigidaire refrigerator water dispenser is not working

Cold, filtered water from your refrigerator—it's delicious, refreshing, and incredibly convenient. So it's incredibly frustrating when your fridge stops dispensing it. Don't worry though, Asurion Experts are certified, trained and have experience with every major home appliance, so they can help. Here's their guide to why water isn't coming out of your refrigerator and how to fix it.

Why is my fridge water dispenser not working?

The first step to fixing any appliance is to figure out what the issue is. If the water dispenser isn't working on your fridge, these are the common causes and how to get things flowing again. If at any point you get stumped or it seems like you need an advanced repair, contact an Asurion Expert for help.

A clogged or dirty water filter

A dirty or clogged water filter means less water can flow through the system. The good news: Replacing it is usually a straightforward process. Check your refrigerator's manual (it's usually available online) for instructions on how to replace your filter, including which replacement you'll need and how often to change it to prevent further issues. A dirty or clogged water filter can also cause a clog in your water supply lines—so after cleaning the filter, be sure to clean the water line.

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A blocked, kinked, or frozen water line

Water can stop flowing from the fridge dispenser when supply lines become frozen, clogged, or kinked. Some water lines run through the freezer, so if the temperature is set too low, the water line will become frozen. If there is ice in the line, allow it to defrost. Follow the steps in our guide to cleaning your refrigerator water line to help determine if a clog is your issue.

You should also check for kinks or bends in water lines that could slow the flow of water, and make sure there is ample space behind your refrigerator for the lines.

A damaged water inlet valve

The water inlet valve connects your fridge to your home's main water supply. It can become clogged or broken over time. To check the water inlet valve, unplug the refrigerator, turn off the water supply, and remove the rear panel. Check the valve and connected lines for any leaks or damage.

An issue with a water inlet valve can also stem from power not reaching it effectively. If you have electrical skills, you can test the power supply using a multimeter (if not, we recommend you book a repair with an Asurion Expert). With the water line still disconnected and the power still off, locate the valve's solenoid coils. Disconnect the two wires from the terminals located on the coil. Use a multimeter to test the solenoid and see if it is running electricity steadily. If it isn't, it may need to be replaced.

Other causes of a broken refrigerator water dispenser

If there are no issues with the water supply system, you may need to take a look at a few other components. Malfunctions involving a faulty pressure switch, a water dispenser actuator, a refrigerator door switch, or a control board could be among your problems. You can inspect these components visually for damage or shorts or test the circuits with a multimeter. We recommend you reach out to an Asurion appliance repair expert to help you diagnose these problems and repair or replace these components.

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The convenience of having a water dispenser on your Frigidaire refrigerator model FFSS2314QE is often overlooked, that is, until the handy component stops working. Unfortunately, a non-functioning dispenser can be caused by a couple different malfunctioning parts. If you’re wondering what’s behind your water dispenser malfunction, don’t worry, the guide provided below will help you figure out which part is the possible culprit, and how you can fix it.

To avoid electrocution, unplug your refrigerator from the wall and turn off the water running to your appliance. It is strongly recommended you wear work gloves and safety goggles to protect your hands and eyes from sharp objects as you repair your fridge.

The Water Dispenser Actuator

The mechanism you press your glass against to activate your refrigerator’s water dispenser is called a water dispenser actuator. Depressing the actuator triggers the dispenser switch, also known as a micro switch, which then delivers power to the solenoid on the water inlet valve. A faulty water dispenser actuator will not connect properly to the micro switch, meaning the switch will not send power to the inlet valve, and your dispenser will not fill your glass with water.

How to Replace the Water Dispenser Actuator in Your Frigidaire Refrigerator

1. Start the repair process by pulling off the dispenser’s bottom tray. Then, using a Phillips screwdriver, unthread the screws securing the front panel of the dispenser to the refrigerator. After the screws are loose, lower the panel and disconnect the wire harness running from the control assembly to the front panel.
2. Once again with a Phillips screwdriver, take out the screws that hold the dispenser control assembly in place. Carefully tilt the control assembly forward to gain access to the wire harness connected to the back of the component. Separate the wire harness, and then locate the water tube attached to the assembly and gently pull it off the part.
3. Now that the dispenser control assembly is free from your refrigerator, you can access the back of it to remove the actuator. To do so, unthread the screws holding the two retaining plates to the top of the actuator. Once you’ve taken the plates off, you can separate the faulty actuator from the water dispenser control assembly.
4. Install the new water dispenser actuator by snapping it into place on the dispenser control assembly. Then, situate the tension spring in the notch on the actuator lever. Once that is done, reattach the retaining plates to the top of the actuator. Before reinstall the control assembly, push the new dispenser actuator back and forth and listen for a soft clicking sound. If you hear the sound, the actuator was attached correctly.
5. With the new actuator in place, you can reinstall the water dispenser control assembly. First, reconnect the wire harness you separated earlier. After that, reattach the water tube. Make sure you press the tube firmly in place; otherwise, you could end up with a leak. Next, realign the water dispenser assembly with the opening on the freezer door, and reinstall the retaining screws you took out earlier.
6. Retrieve the front panel of the dispenser, and reconnect its wire harness to the wire harness running out of the control assembly. Then, line the panel up with the control assembly and rethread the panel screws to secure the part to the freezer door. To finish up your repair, replace the dispenser’s bottom tray.
7. Plug-in your appliance and turn the water supply back on. Grab a glass and use it to depress the new actuator to ensure the part fixed your no water issue.

The Dispenser Switch

As stated above, the dispenser switch, also known as a micro switch, is activated when the water dispenser actuator is pressed down. The switch then sends power to the solenoid on the water inlet valve, which opens the valve to provide a flow of water to the refrigerator’s water dispenser. If the micro switch is faulty, your water dispenser will not work.

How to Replace the Dispenser Switch in Your Frigidaire Refrigerator

1. To begin your repair, simply follow steps 1 and 2 found in the actuator repair guide above. Once you have removed the water dispenser control assembly from your freezer door, you can get to work on taking the faulty dispenser switch off the assembly.
2. Before you can fully access the switch, you’ll need to detach the light bulb and light shield found next to it. To do so, unscrew the bulb from the light socket, and then turn the control assembly over to detach the wires running to the terminals on the back of the socket. Next, release the light shield locking tabs and the locking tab on the light socket. Once all three tabs are free, you can pull the shield and socket off the control assembly.
3. Using a screwdriver, unthread the two screws securing the dispenser switch to the control assembly. Then, disconnect the wires running to the side terminal and the bottom terminal of the component.
4. Now it’s time to install the new dispenser switch. However, before you begin, compare the position of the old switch terminals to the new switch terminals. If they are not at the same angle, bend the terminals on the new part to match the ones on the old part. After you have repositioned the terminals, you can attach the wires in the dispenser control assembly to the micro switch. Then, secure the switch to the assembly with the two screws you removed earlier.
5. Reinstall the light shield and light socket and connect the wires to the terminals on the back of the socket. Next, screw-in the dispenser light bulb.
6. Once the water dispenser control assembly is reassembled, place it on the freezer door, and reconnect its wire harness. Next, reattach the dispenser water tube, and secure the assembly to the door with retaining screws.
7. To complete your repair project, replace the dispenser’s front panel and insert the bottom tray. Then, plug-in your refrigerator and turn on its water supply.

Other Possible Malfunctions

The Water Inlet Valve controls the flow of water entering your refrigerator. If the valve is malfunctioning, water will not reach your dispenser. Unfortunately, replacing the inlet valve is the only way to resolve the problem.

A Clogged Water Filter is another potential culprit. If you don’t change the filter at least twice a year, debris can cause an obstruction, which will reduce the water flow to your dispenser. If you haven’t switched out the water filter in your refrigerator for over 6 months, we suggest doing it as soon as possible.

If the water dispenser in your Frigidaire refrigerator is no longer working or the stream of water coming out is noticeably reduced and you can’t figure out why, please contact us today and we’ll be happy to diagnose and repair the malfunctioning component.

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