If our fridge water dispenser seems blocked or is spraying water at the dispensing point, the most likely cause is a clogged water line or tube. We need to check the entire line for damage, a clog, or a bend in the line. If the line is bent, we should try to straighten it.
Locate the Water Line: The water line is usually in the back of your fridge. If you're unsure where it is, check your refrigerator's manual. Use a Turkey Baster or Funnel: Fill a turkey baster or small funnel with warm water and white vinegar. Insert it into the water line and gently squeeze.
Research says that you should do some intense maintenance every six to 12 months on your water line. If you don't, this can cause a buildup of bacteria. Sometimes even a gradual buildup of calcium in your water dispenser. This can slow down the flow of water and make it less cooling.
Disconnect the refrigerator once more and turn on the water supply valve to let water out of the cold water pipe. If the water won't come out of the pipe, could be the result of a blockage inside the pipe. If your home has hard water, a calcified lump inside the pipe could be blocking the flow.
You Hear a Gurgling Sound When Water is Flowing
The most prominent sign that your pipes are clogged is a reduced flow rate. Whether it is your shower pipe, faucet, or drain if you see that the water does not flow as fast as it should then you're most probably dealing with some sort of blockage in the pipes.
Once the line is disconnected, pour 3-4 cups of vinegar with a small funnel into the line and let it soak for 5-10 minutes, clipping shut the open end of the line to avoid the vinegar from draining out. Rinse out the line with clean water before reconnecting the dispenser and ice maker.
You can flush out the drain hole with a solution made of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 2 cups of hot tap water. Use a meat/turkey (bulb) baster to squeeze the solution into the drain hole and flush out the drain tube. When clear, you will hear water running down into the drain pan below.
One of the most frustrating yet common issues homeowners encounter is a clogged drain tube in their refrigerator. This problem can lead to water pooling inside the fridge, causing unpleasant odors, food spoilage, and reduced efficiency.
Find out if the inside water filter on your refrigerator is properly installed. If the water filter is not connected or inserted well, the water dispenser may not work. Make sure the water filter is locked in place properly. A clogged water filter is often a culprit of poor water pressure.
To ensure you achieve clean water lines in the fridge, you must flush them. Using a small funnel, slowly pour two to three cups of distilled white vinegar into the tube that leads to the water dispenser. Let the vinegar sit in the reservoir for five to ten minutes to thoroughly clean the system.
Keep Tabs on Your Lines
Experts claim that you should also replace your refrigerator water line hose at least every three to five years. That's because, over time, your hose can slowly fill with bacteria and calcium, leading not only to sanitary issues, but also to blockages and — you guessed it — burst pipes.
If the refrigerator water dispenser is not working but the ice maker is, your water pressure could be to blame. Your fridge needs less pressure to make ice than it does to dispense water. Check your refrigerator's manual to see the necessary water psi for both to function.
As refrigerators age, the components within them, including the water line, may begin to wear out or degrade, increasing the likelihood of malfunctions or failures. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial for identifying potential issues before they escalate into costly repairs or replacements.
Slower Water Flow: If your water is taking longer to dispense than usual or the ice maker isn't keeping up, it's likely your filter is clogging. Cloudy Ice or Murky Water: If your ice cubes look cloudy or your water seems discolored, that's a strong sign your filter isn't removing particles as effectively as it should.
Remove the food and any crisper drawers. Mop up any excess water and remove the drain hole cover if yours has one. Use the unblock tool that came with your fridge (or else a pipe cleaner, straw or cotton bud) to remove the food and debris build-up. Replace the cover and turn your fridge back on.
Take a look at the defrost drain hose. This tube might be located underneath the freezer compartment, below the produce bin, or behind the unit. Food particles and other debris can clog the drain hose. Eventually, a blockage will cause melted condensation to leak on the floor.
It is just up from where the floor slopes up to the back wall, in the center. In some models it is behind a plastic panel along the back wall which is held in place by a screw. You can remove the screw and panel and the drain hole will be visible.
If your refrigerator isn't producing quality water or ice, there's likely something wrong with your water line. Dirty water lines can cause foul tastes, build-ups, and blockages, which may prevent your refrigerator from operating the way it should.
Most refrigerators are designed to last between 10 and 20 years. If you're having any other problems on this list and the fridge is over ten years old, you'll probably save more money in the long run by simply replacing it. Otherwise, you could sink money into repairs for a fridge already on its way out.
Some indicators may include odd tasting ice or water, slowly dispensed water, black specks in water or ice and, of course, limited to no ice production.