Why FRIGIDAIRE water dispenser not working- 4 causes and how to fix

Your Frigidaire water dispenser is not working because the fridge display is locked. Learn how to disable it and troubleshoot other problems like clogged filters or water lines.

The water dispenser on your Frigidaire refrigerator is designed to provide clean, drinkable water quickly. But when it stops working, that can be pretty frustrating. So, why does this happen?

The Frigidaire water dispenser may not be working because the fridge display is locked. Disabling it will fix the problem. If that doesn’t help, troubleshoot the appliance for an incorrectly installed

water filter, a clogged water filter, or a faulty water inlet valve.

Why Isn’t Water Coming Out Of My Frigidaire Refrigerator?

When you push the lever, but nothing comes out of your water dispenser, here are the parts you’ll need to troubleshoot:

Locked Fridge Display

About this part: Like many household appliances, your Frigidaire refrigerator has a lock feature on its display. The lock will disable most of the display’s buttons and controls, so other people can’t adjust the fridge settings.

Many people recognize the lock feature by the term ‘child lock’, as it’s often used to keep children from messing about with the appliance.

What’s wrong with it: As you read above, locking the fridge display will disable most of its controls. Unfortunately, it also disables the water dispenser from working.

That way, you won’t have to worry about anyone using the water dispenser without your knowledge, especially children.

In this case, you or someone else in the household might have enabled the lock and forgotten to turn it off.

So, nothing comes out when you use the water dispenser on your Frigidaire fridge.

How to fix it: You can fix this problem within seconds. Firstly, look at the display and identify the buttons responsible for the lock feature.

The buttons you’re looking for will have the word ‘lock’, an icon of a lock, or something similar to indicate its function.

Press and hold the button for a few seconds until the lock feature is disabled. When that happens, you can use the water dispenser normally again.

Read: Frigidaire Refrigerator – Ice Maker Not Making Enough Ice. How To Fix It?

Water Filter Installed Incorrectly

About this part: The water that flows into your Frigidaire refrigerator directly from the water line might not be perfectly safe to drink. That’s not a problem because the fridge has a built-in

water filter to clean it.

The filter works just like any other

water filter. As water passes through it, the filter removes impurities like dirt, dust, bacteria, and anything else that shouldn’t be there.

Then, the clean water flows to the reservoir, waiting to be dispensed when you use the water dispenser.

The

water filter must be installed correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. That way, the water flow remains smooth, and there won’t be any leaks.

What’s wrong with it: The

water filter in your Frigidaire refrigerator is pretty straightforward to install. However, it’s still possible to do it wrong.

When you install the filter incorrectly, water fails to flow through the filter towards the water dispenser.

As a result, the water will spill into the fridge instead of reaching the reservoir and dispenser.

How to fix it: You must fix this problem by reinstalling the

water filter correctly. Firstly, shut off the water supply to your fridge. Then, remove the water filter entirely.

Next, refer to the instruction manual for the fridge or the one that came with the

water filter. Then, follow the instructions on how to install the water filter.

Some filters require you to push them into the filter housing until you hear a click. Meanwhile, others need you to turn and screw them into place.

The manual will help you understand which method applies to your fridge and filter.

Read: Frigidaire Refrigerator – Ice Maker Not Working. How To Troubleshoot It?

Clogged Water Filter

About this part: As you read above, the

water filter removes all impurities from the fridge water supply. That means it’ll eventually become saturated with dirt, debris, sediment, and other contaminants from the water.

When the filter is in excellent condition, the water you get from the dispenser will be clean, odorless, and taste fine.

What’s wrong with it: The

water filter in your Frigidaire refrigerator will become saturated with impurities after an extended period. As that buildup worsens, the filter’s water flow will gradually become restricted.

If you leave your filter unchanged for too long, the water flow will stop completely. It will not flow to your water dispenser, so it stops working.

How to fix it: The solution to this problem is simple: replace the clogged

water filter. Be sure only to use genuine filters compatible with your Frigidaire fridge model.

That way, you can rest assured that it will fit and perform well throughout its useful lifespan.

Read: Frigidaire Refrigerator Beeping 5 Times – Troubleshooting Guide

Faulty Water Inlet Valve

About this part: The water inlet valve is like the gateway that the water passes through to enter your fridge. This valve connects to your household water supply. It controls how much water can flow into the refrigerator towards the water dispenser.

When the water reservoir in the refrigerator is empty, the valve will open to let the water into the appliance. 

Conversely, the valve will shut when there’s enough water to prevent overfilling.

What’s wrong with it: The water inlet valve is a mechanical component. That means it has moving parts that open and close to allow water to flow through.

Unfortunately, those moving parts can stop working. For example, the valve could be shut in the closed position, even when it should be opening.

As a result, the fridge has no incoming water, and your water dispenser won’t work when you use it.

How to fix it: Depending on the issue your water inlet valve is experiencing, it might not be repairable. For example, suppose it’s faulty because of a stuck foreign object or sediment buildup around the opening. In that case, you can fix it by cleaning the valve.

However, if the valve is defective or has suffered an electrical fault, you cannot repair it. Instead, you or a qualified technician will have to replace the valve with another one that works.

You can find replacement valves from third-party sellers online. However, it’s always best to buy genuine replacement parts directly from Frigidaire, even if it costs more. Those parts are designed to work with your fridge, so you’ll get a better product.

Read: Frigidaire Refrigerator – SY EF Error Code – How To Troubleshoot It?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Check out these additional questions to troubleshoot your Frigidaire refrigerator:

Why Is My Frigidaire Water Dispenser So Slow?

The water dispenser is slow because the water flow has become restricted. That could be because the fridge’s water line isn’t fully open or the

water filter is dirty.

Can I Use My Frigidaire Water Dispenser Without A Filter?

Yes, you can use the water dispenser without a filter if you have a bypass plug installed. However, remember that the water you drink is unfiltered and might not be as clean as it would be with a filter.

Read: 6 Reasons Why Frigidaire Refrigerator Is Not Cooling

How Long Should A Frigidaire Water Filter Last?

The

water filter in your Frigidaire fridge lasts about 6 months. However, it can get clogged sooner if your water supply is particularly unclean.

How Do I Know Which Frigidaire Filter I Need?

The best way to know which filter you need is to remove the one you already have. Then, you can see the filter model number and purchase an identical replacement. Alternatively, you can refer to the fridge user manual to know which filter is compatible with your unit.

How Does A Child Lock Work On A Fridge?

The child lock feature works by disabling most of the fridge controls. So, nothing will happen if a child presses those buttons or tries to change fridge settings.