GE Side-by-Side Refrigerator Water Dispenser Not Working?

Side-by-side refrigerators are excellent appliances, that offer a lot of options. Having the water dispenser, and ice maker, at your fingertips, may have become an essential part of your kitchen. So, what happens when your water dispenser is not working? We’ve put together some fixes, that should help you find the solution.

Your GE refrigerator’s water dispenser may not work properly if there is a clogged water filter, a broken inlet valve, or not enough water pressure. There could also be more serious problems, like a frozen water line, or a faulty dispenser control board.

It can be frustrating, when you go to get water from your refrigerator, only to find out that there is something broken. Appliances can be expensive, and even the best brands can have problems.

If you are wondering what could be wrong, we have created a list of common problems, fixes for those problems, and a guide on how to troubleshoot your GE side-by-side refrigerator. Have patience when testing, and troubleshooting, and chances are you may find that it is something easy to fix.

Finding the correct solution to any appliance repair starts with troubleshooting and testing. If your GE side-by-side refrigerator‘s water dispenser is not working, then you will need to make a list of some of the common problems. Start with the easiest to fix problems first, and work your way down the list.

This type of troubleshooting, allows you to cover all of the easy fixes first. This may keep you from replacing expensive parts, that were never broken in the first place. I like to write out a checklist, and check each thing off as I go.

You will also need some tools, for working on your GE refrigerator and doing some testing. You should have access to a set of screwdrivers, a socket set, and a multimeter. Consider using a pair of work gloves, as well.

Sometimes you may find, that the fix is as easy as hitting the reset button on the water dispenser. You may need to reset your water dispenser, after replacing the water filter, or after the refrigerator has become unplugged.

Step 1: Locate the ice and water buttons on your GE side-by-side refrigerator.

Step 2: Press both of these buttons together, and hold them for 3 seconds or longer. There should be a green light that blinks, once it has reset.

Step 3: Run water from your dispenser for a few minutes, so that any sediment or debris can clear out from the waterline.

Step 4: You are now ready to use your water dispenser.

You can also force the ice maker, and water dispenser, to reset, by unplugging the refrigerator for 3 minutes, and then plugging it back in. In some cases, you will need to unplug the refrigerator and plug it back in, then reset the water dispenser again with these instructions.

Sometimes a water dispenser will not work correctly if there is not enough water pressure in the water line. If you find that you are not getting 20-22 PSI for water pressure, then you may need to make some adjustments.

You should get at least 20 PSI, and no more than 165 PSI. Too little, will not let the water dispenser work, and too much can cause problems with the appliances. If you do not have enough water pressure, and no adjustments are helping, you may have to get a water pressure booster installed.

A dirty, or clogged water filter, can cause the water dispenser to not dispense water. You can remove your water filter, and clean it out by running hot water through it. If there is a blockage, you can try cleaning it with vinegar and scrubbing it with a pipe cleaner.

You can clean your water filter a few times, but after about 6 months, you should replace your filter with a new one. You should check your user’s manual for the correct part number. Only use hot water, or a solution like vinegar, that will evaporate to avoid any bad tastes.

You may also need to reset the water dispenser, after you clean a filter, or install a new one. Follow the steps in this article for resetting your GE side-by-side water dispenser.

The dispenser has a couple of switches, that sends voltage to the water dispenser, to turn it on. If one of the dispenser switches becomes defective, it will not dispense the water. You will need to check these switches with your multimeter.

Use your multimeter on each of the switches, and make sure they are getting continuity. If they are not, you will need to replace one or more of the switches. If you are going to replace one, you may as well replace all of them. They usually come in a multipack.

The inlet valve, on a GE side-by-side refrigerator, is electronic. This valve opens and shuts, allowing water to flow through the water dispenser. If this filter becomes clogged or breaks, it will not allow the water dispenser to work correctly.

You will need to locate the inlet valve and inspect it for any blockages. If there are blockages, you can scrub it with a soft brush, to remove any debris. You may need to use a cleaning solution, such as vinegar, to help break up some of the deposits.

If the problem is with the inlet valve, you will need to test it for continuity, with a multimeter. If there is no continuity in the inlet valve, you will need to replace the valve with a new one.

One of the more complicated problems is a faulty disperser control board. The disperser control board is what controls all of the parts in the water dispenser. If this part breaks, it will stop sending water to the dispenser.

You can start by testing each individual part in the control board for continuity. You may find that just one of those parts is to blame. If you test all of the parts, and there is still no functioning, then you may have a bad control board.

The board will need to be replaced. To do this you may need to call a service professional. You will have to work with electronic parts, to replace it. Always make sure that the refrigerator is unplugged when you are changing parts or testing.

The last common problem, on this list, is a frozen or clogged water line. A water line that is blocked, will not allow the dispenser to dispense the water. You will need to check the waterline, to make sure that it is not frozen.

If you find that it is frozen, you will need to defrost the refrigerator. You will have to store the contents in a temporary cooler with ice. The freezer should be defrosted once or twice a year, to avoid these types of problems.

If you find that the water line is blocked, and not frozen, then you may need to clean it. You can remove the waterline, after you have turned the water supply off, and unplugged the refrigerator. Blow through the water line to check for blockages.

If something is blocking it, use hot water, or vinegar, to remove the build-up and debris. Once you have it cleaned out, plug everything back in. You will need to wait up to 24 hours for the refrigerator to get back to the right temperature.

Related Questions

GE refrigerator water dispenser starts then stops

This can be caused by blockages in the line, a clogged filter, or not enough water pressure. Make sure that the water line is in working order. Check that the filter is clean. You need to also make sure that you have at least 20 PSI for water pressure.

GE refrigerator water dispenser not cold

Your water coolant may be low on freon. You can also try resetting your water dispenser, or unplugging the refrigerator and plugging it back in. Wait at least 24 hours, after refilling freon, or replacing parts, to turn it back on again.