Samsung Water Dispenser Not Working After Replacing Filter? (Try This Fix)
It is becoming more and more common for refrigerators to have a water dispenser built right into the door. It makes getting a glass of ice water more convenient than ever before.
If your Samsung water dispenser isn’t working after replacing the filter, chances are the filter is installed improperly, whether it be a loosely installed filter or too tight of an installation. It could also be a potential backup or air trapped in the line or a misaligned gasket or seal.
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Why Do I Need to Replace My Filter?
There are a couple of reasons that you would want to replace your old water filter with a new one. Firstly, you should be doing this every few months or so to ensure that your filter is working at optimal efficiency.
The main reason is to prevent the consumption of pollutants and particles. There are more than a few of these that travel through your pipes and the filter disperses them before they get to you. When your filter is old, it does a less efficient job of capturing those contaminants.
Secondly, changing out the filter can help to prevent deposit buildup and scaling. When minerals are allowed to build within the components of your fridge, you run the risk of damage to those components of your refrigerator.
Why is My Samsung Refrigerator Water Dispenser Not Working?
So, you have swapped out filters and now you find that your water dispenser is not working anymore. But it was just working before you replaced the filter? Here are some of the most common reasons why your water dispenser may not be working anymore.
Improperly Installed Filter
Sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one. If the refrigerator water dispenser worked before you changed out the filter, go back and re-traced your steps. Perhaps the best bet is to start from scratch with your installation.
Improperly installing your water filter can lead to issues with water flow. When installed improperly, you simply should go back and try the installation again. If you test the filter again and water flow is normal, you can be certain that the issue was with the initial installation.
A Cheap Filter
Of course, it may not be the installation that is so much the problem as the filter that was used. If you buy an aftermarket water filter on the cheap, you may run into problems. There is a reason why manufacturers state you should only use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts.
It might be a bit more expensive to purchase an OEM part, but don’t skimp out. For one, it will install easily and you may even be covered under a part warranty if one is attached. Cheap filters are just that and will have you needing to replace the filter again in short order.
Might not be Properly Seated
Another issue that is quite common is that the filter is not properly seated into the housing of the filter. When this happens, you may see a trickle or low flow. Sometimes it can be as simple as tig down the appropriate screws.
Make sure that you take out the new filter and give everything a once-over to ensure that it is properly installed. You can even perform the installation again, ensuring that everything has been adequately tightened along the way.
A Potential Back Up
You checked to ensure that your filter is threaded but you still find that the water filter is not properly working. So, when the filter doesn’t work but you can’t find any other symptom, the most likely clue is that there is a backup somewhere in the line.
When a blockage happens within your pipes, then there is no space for water to flow. When installing, make sure that the new filter is both clean and completely free of contaminants. Finish by installing and giving it a go.
Water Filter May be Loosely Installed
There is one reasonable leap of faith that we can make here. Most of the time when your new water filter stops working, there is a problem with installation. In this instance, it could be that the screws are either too loose or not fully screwed into the housing can come loose, causing the filter to fail.
When you are going back through your steps, ensure that you properly and securely tighten all of the connections. The last thing that you want to have to do is go back a few steps just to tighten a housing connection. Most of the time, that will resolve the issue and restore the flow of water.
Gasket or Seal
Of course, there is the chance that something may not be working properly. When you took off the old filter and replaced it, you may have accidentally moved the gasket or seal. That can present a problem with your new installation.
The seal makes it so that the filter is so tight as to prevent the flow of air. If you are lucky, the gasket or seal will not have been damaged. In that event, you can install it relatively simply the component. Just make sure that the rubber gasket or water seal is properly seated and aligned. If the rubber gasket is not properly seated, then it can’t seat the filter, which in turn leaves the filter runnable to perform.
A Connection is Too Tight
You will be noticing that the installation of the water filter is vital to its performance. When improperly installed, you will face any one of a number of potential issues. That means be careful when tightening the water filter into place.
If your connection is either too loose or too tight, then you may notice issues dispensing water. Depending on the model of filter, it might require a specific level of tightness within the housing to properly dispense water. If your fridge’s manual is easily accessible then consulting it may be the best option. Generally speaking, though, tighten the necessary connections until they are snug. Overtightening may result in the filter not working after installation.
Air Trapped in the Lines
When you install your new water filter, you might notice a hammering sound when the filter is in use. The air in the lines can create a pressure o gap issue within, which then causes the water to either trickle out or stop flowing entirely.
Find the bypass plug on your fridge and install it. Let the water run for a few minutes in order to clean out any pressure or air issues that may be in the water lines. When the water flows properly again, wet your new filter and then install it again. Test it out to ensure that there is no longer a blockage in the pipes.
Didn’t Wet the Filter
Believe it or not, the issue could be as simple as not wetting down the filter before installing it. Depending on the filter that you use, the water pressure may have somewhat of a difficult time when soaking the inside of the new filter.
When you get the filter wet before you do the installation, you are helping the filter through saturation. Try soaking the new filter first and then reinstalling it to see if that alleviates the issue.
The Cartridge Needs Replacing
It could also be that the water filter cartridge requires replacing. Check to ensure that the cartridge is properly installed and that it is in good condition. Like the filter itself, you may find that it is improperly seated, which could lead to issues.
Water Tank Inside of the Fridge is Frozen
With both the water lines and the tank on the inside of the refrigerator, you run the risk of freezing. It is not terribly common but it is not terribly uncommon, either. The good news is that lines and tanks can be thawed out.
Thaw out your lines using a hair dryer or heat gun from a safe distance. Likewise, you can defrost the tank by simply pulling it out and letting it thaw. Replace and see if that resolves the issue.
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How To Reset a Samsung Refrigerator After Changing the Filter?
Depending on the model of Samsung refrigerator that you have, you may have to reset the fridge after replacing the filter. The good news is that you can reset the refrigerator pretty easily.
First, find your control panel. You should see that there is a “filter reset” button available on most Samsung models from the last few years. For the most part, it is a secondary function to another button. When you find it, touch and hold the button down for at least 3 seconds until the light resets.
If it doesn’t work the first time that you do it, you may have to try again. Resetting the fridge may also be the key to getting your water dispenser to work once again after the new filter installation.
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Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.
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