Why won't my GE refrigerator dispense water?

My water line was also frozen, so I set the freezer temperature one setting warmer (6 to 5), and used a hair dryer on the center back of freezer door. Now my water dispenser works again.

Just my two cents, GE refrigerator water line freezing in the freezer door is not uncommon. It sounds like the valves are working since you say you can hear it trying to dispense. Pull the toekick off, find the water line connection, and disconnect it. Close the freezer door and turn on the dispenser to see if water squirts out the water line. Have bowl handy to catch the water. If water comes out then you have a frozen water line in the dispenser area. GE makes a heater kit to fix this. ...don't know the part no. off-hand.

Rich

A flaw in the design of these units causes door insulation or seal to deteriorate over time and as a result freezes the water line inside the door by the H2O discharge area. You can order the heater kit and install it or you can try the following fix that cured it for me and cost almost nothing. I used a styrofoam crawlspace winter vent cover and affixed it to the inside of door directly behind the water/ice outlet using two-sided tape. I also removed the front assembly to the H2O/ice dispenser and stuffed a short piece of round foam insulation in the problem area. The pictures will explain it better. I am not sure what method of the two worked. You could start with the easier, crawlspace (or any styrofoam) mounted to the inside door.

This worked for me with the SAME PROBLEM: open the freezer door and push the freezer door switch (with door open) and start pumping water form the water dispenser (don't let go freezer door switch) push water dispenser for 5 to 30 seconds, then let go, then push dispenser again for 5-30 seconds, then let go, and so on, for 2 minutes, after that, water should start flowing/dispensing, you will run and throw away about/aproximately 2.5 gallons water to get clean water and good flow. ALSO, make sure you have replased your filter on time for clean and proper water dispensing.

HOPE IT HELPS :)

Thanks everyone for all the advice. The water was not dispensing from my GE fridge even though the ice maker was working fine. Followed the advice above and ruled out a filter (switching the filter to the bypass tool) and water flow issue. I disconnected the water supply line and water was flowing fine. Then I disconnected the tube under the fridge and once again water was flowing fine. So at this point I was pretty sure it was a frozen line in the door. So I used a windshield reflector to keep the cold air in the freezer and left the door open and used a hair dryer to warm up the inside of the door. After a while a small piece of ice came out and water started flowing again. Be patient, it works!!!!! As long as you ruled out it is not a valve or water supply issue.

The water stopped flowing rather suddenly on my door dispenser - even with regular, daily use. I used the hair dryer on the inside and outside of the door for 10 minutes (with insulation placed inside the freezer to keep the frozen items frozen. The water ran out with full force - at least once I realized that I needed to close the door for the pump to work! You could also push the lever inside the freezer with your hand. Thanks for posting the problem since I didn't see it mentioned anywhere on the GE site.

OK….we have success here. The idea of getting buckets, etc., wasn't appealing for a first attempt. So I tried the hairdryer and heater method, and became discouraged when nothing was happening. What seem to do the trick, not sure if in combination, was to slightly jiggle the aforementioned hose exposed in the bottom right corner of the freezer door. With the water dispenser front door lever held down by a big ol' plastic cup with a stone in it, I opened and closed the freezer door ever so slightly which began to pump squirts of water out….I'm assuming like a primer or loosening whatever was in the line. Water began to flow just fine.

On my GE Profile refrigerator the water is controlled by a cluster of little solenoid operated valves at the lower left hand side as you face the backside. Whether you are asking for drinking water or your ice maker is asking for ice cube water, the primary water valve must supply the water in both cases. So, I don't think the primary valve is at fault since it works for ice making. Secondary valves direct the water to the ice maker or the water dispenser. I would guess that the secondary valve that directs the water to the dispenser could be at fault. Check its electrical connector. The system is more complicated that I imply but can be figured out by removing tubing from the valves one at a time and observing water flow when you push the dispenser lever, etc. (You'll need an assistant.) The tubes are released at the valves by pressing the ring at their connection toward the valve and pulling on the tubing. When replacing the tubing simply push it into the valve as far as it will go and pull it away again to seat the tube. It's fun to figure these things out. Draw a diagram as you discover things. Observe where each tube goes when it leaves the valve. Home Depot carries tubing and reusable couplers if you need to repair tubing.

Ok I finally found an easy fix. The water feeds from the bottom of the refrigerators, freezer door, then through the door hinge, you can see the tubing in a small elbow at the bottom.

I placed a small heater facing the bottom of the door and left it running for about 10 minutes. The was water was flowing right away. I decided to let the heater continue to run. This was much easier than using a hair dryer.

Thank you for your response. I purchased a Water Line Buddy, which is a syringe with a long tube, that can be used to squirt hot water into the dispenser tube. This melts the portion that is frozen thus releasing the water flow.

All of you guys are right, you can have water going to the ice maker and continue to make ice while you dispenser will not give water because of a frozen water line. The only problem is that the person with the complaint about the fridge also reported water leaking in the fridge. I have seen this issue before while fixing the same exact issue in customers houses. What happens is if you are getting freezing in the water tank and thawing and freezing again the water tank in the back of the fridge will get a crack and start to leak. This will cause both issues, you will start to see leaking in the fridge and you will not have water making it to the water dispenser. I have seen this issue when people have replaced the water filters, probably finally cracks the tank when there is the rush of pressure from the new filter. I would check you water tank if I was you, you most likely see a huge crack or anything like that. The crack will be small and will probably be in the seem or in a corner.

I had the original problem of no water at the dispenser and water on the floor at the back right corner of the fridge. Problem was broken water tubing at the solenoid valve. The repair person told me replacing the tubing was not a big deal, but the cause of the brittle tubing was. Turns out that the circuit on control board that controls the fan blowing on the compressor had failed, therefore the fan ran very slowly (almost no breeze at all), the compressor ran hotter (a longer term issue if not fixed) and the water tubing that was near the compressor became brittle and broke. So, both a control board and new tubing was the solution for me.

Guys, the tube continues to freeze, you will probably find the same @Monique.

Use the weed eater line to feed into the tube, we have been using it for months now, costs nothing and is sooo easy! Beats blowdryers - mine had to be done multiple times of the day towards the end.

Watch the vid and be done with this issue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52OfpE8z...

My water line has frozen up a few times recently. I figured that a life of frequent defrosting wasn't going to work for me. After Further investigation I found that the ice flapper was slightly open freezing the protruding water line. The rubber flapper actually came off its holder slightly. After watching a you tube video on how to remove the front panel (simple) to gain access to the "flapper" I was able to reset the flapper on its holder. I'm certain that my frozen water line is solved until the next time someone jams an object in the Ice chute in an attempt to free the stuck ice. So before you go and rewire and purchase heating kits I would suggest checking or changing the "flapper".

The heater isn't helping mine out... I'm done with it. I bought a Brita filter. Ice maker works. I'm Ok with that...

Just had this problem on my GE Side-by-side model # PFSS6PKXCSS and was able to fix it successfully. My symptoms were no water out the dispenser and reduced production of ice from the ice maker. I first removed the filter assuming that water was not getting through and installed the bypass with no improvement. I then checked the water supply line from the house by disconnecting it, I had good pressure and flow. I then accessed the water valve unit on the refrigerator and disconnected the line that feeds water to it from the filter I then reconnected the water line from the house and turned the water back on and got just a small trickle of water out of the feed line to the water valve. The blockage was between the house water line and the refrigerator water valve unit. The part that was faulty is called the water filter head (it is what the water filter attaches to). When I went to get a replacement I found GE had discontinued the original part number and released a new, revised and improved part number. That is GE part number: WR17X12512 and includes the water filter head and the lines in from the house and out to the water valve unit. I purchased and installed this updated part and now the water is again dispensing and ice is being made normally. Hope this helps.

First thank you to those who have tried to help. As I previously stated - GE repair man had installed a water heater in the interior of the freezer door as the problem had occurred while under warranty. I checked everything else and found the water line had been frozen in the door. Just didn't know if I should buy another heater for the freezer. Turned out I just defrosted the refrigerator/freezer. Let it "warm up" then turned it on. Woolah! The water dispenser worked! The settings on the computer panel outside is set for "3" freezer and "8" for the refrigerator. Yes, the numbers are out of the usual setting range but for the time being - it works. Had read the freezer temp. should be between 0-10 degrees yet the purchased "refrigerator" thermometers state minus 10-0 freezer temp and 34-40 refrigerator temp. ***In regard to the filter, (if it is an exterior filter - outside the refrigerator)the instructions state when you change to a new filter - you need to let the water run through the new filter approx. 5 minutes to flush out any tiny metal fragments that are in the filter - before connecting the filter to the upper water connection line. So connect the bottom of the filter to the water line but flush out/let the water flow through the filter before connecting the top of the filter to the water line. Otherwise, tiny fragments could get caught and clog the water line. Yes, the new refrigerators have a filter inside but I would rather keep the filter outside as the outside filter only costs $15 versus the "inside" filter costs $55-65.

I used my air compressor. Waited till about 70-80 psi and shot couple short blasts into the white nozzle. It took about 2 blasts not more than 1-2 seconds. Water came flowing out.

I had the same issue. I fixed it by slightly turning it anticlockwise after turning it all the way to fit the filter.

I repeated it again and again successfully and this tells me that if you rotate the filter all the way, so that, filter is tight, water doesn't flow out. Slightly turn filter anticlockwise and verify if water flows out.

I've experienced the same issue (ice maker works without issue, dispenser not dispensing water), with GE model GSF251GXBBB side-by-side.

It began 2013. To confirm water is reaching refrigerator, I located the water line up to the blue quick disconnect at the bottom of the left door (freezer side), behind grill. I removed the water tube from the quick disconnect, activated the dispenser, and there was water flowing through the tube. I reinserted water tube back into the blue collar and activated the water dispenser, nothing! That means the feed tube to dispenser is possibly freezing up somewhere inside the door. I came across a post where someone posted, to leave the dispenser light on for approximately 24 hours, to defrost water line. I tried it and it worked! May be coincidence but worked.

It appears a Burlinton NJ resident was experiencing same issue of GE fridge dispenser not working, and after having tech visit, issue was not resolved. She decided to report issue to NBC News 10 and was reimbursed! The GE reply of "out of warranty" or "issue does not apply to your particular model", did not work this time;

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/busi...

Thought this may be helpful. Here is illustration showing where to hold blow dryer; http://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/...

Hi opiewho, are you referring to GE Filter Bypass & Tube Assembly that was replace? Was previous part number WR17X11920 (now WR17X12512)?

Have the same problem and de-freezing with hair dryer a few times a day is not my idea of a hobby. I had a working water dispensing system and suddenly one day it stops. I am trying to understand what changed to cause this failure. Something must have changed. Why should one need to add a heater where there was none previously?

I'm thinking of possible causes:

Is it possible that the controller circuit board behind the buttons or other airflow control mechanism to the freezer behind this dispenser has become so cold that it keeps freezing this water line through its door. I tried to set it to warmer setting to resolve this issue but the dispenser tube keeps freezing no matter how low a setting (higher temperature) I set the freezer to. So one possibility is that the controller circuit board behind those buttons may have stopped changing the freezer temperature. If it's not that then there must be something else. Maybe it is the actuator that adjusts cooling in the freezer as a signal is sent to it from the panel, maybe the insulation around the water tube has deteriorated.

In trying to repair anything, we first look for what caused it and that is what I'm attempting to do.

<rant>Granted that GE has recognized that its refrigerators develop this problem but rather than fixing their defect, they came up with the crutch of a heater to keep the tube from freezing. Doesn't reflect well on such a large corporation. </rant>

We have GEProfile Arctica Refrigerator. It just suddenly stopped dispensing water. It's due for water filter so it was changed but still not working. Noted freezer bottom has formed ice. It was removed. I unplugged the ref and placed portable heater on the floor in front of the freezer door. Make sure you do not overheat the area. Keep a good distance and test by touching. Do not leave heater unattended while doing this. After few minutes, placed the heater at an angle hitting the dispenser area. Do not overheat. I gently inserted a straightened paper clip in the dispenser opening to make sure it is not clog. Few minutes after,I saw drips of water from dispenser( good sign). After about 30 minutes, I plugged in ref and the water dispenser is working. So folks, it works for me. You may try this but again do not leave heater unattended and place a good distance between heater and the ref. Do not overheat. Good luck.

Guys, do yourselves a favor and buy the Ice Surrender tool mentioned (by the inventor/seller) in one of the comments above. I'm not affiliated with him, but it just works -- it's the right tool for the job. IMHO, it's well worth the (small amount of) money to have a solution that fixes the problem with literally only seconds of effort. It's infinitely easier than most of the solutions described here. Heat water, suck it into the syringe/tube assembly, stick the tube up the dispenser tube till it stops, and then push out the hot water, pushing the tube further in as the ice blockage melts. In a few seconds, you'll have melted the whole thing.

Using a blow dryer was useless for me, though granted, I wasn't willing to spend 10 or 15 minutes or more doing it, as some here seem to describe.

On the recommendation of a GE tech, I had previously tried turning the freezer up from 0 to 5 degrees. Just got too soft ice cream, water line didn't stop freezing on me.

Now the temp is back down, ice cream is good, and the dispenser runs fine. When it freezes again, I know I'll be able to clear it very quickly, with the tool.

Use a hair dryer but be sure not to overstuff your freezer --- and make sure the very top shelf is completely clear of items and the problem likely will not re-occur as this has been my experience.

Given the many suggestions that the line was likely frozen inside the freezer door, I wanted to let the door warm up. I moved the contents of the freezer door shelves into the freezer and then taped a large piece of flat cardboard over the entire freezer box. I taped the door switch so it stayed depressed (so the freezer thought the door was closed and thus the fans started up and the water dispenser could be tested). I left to door open a while (maybe 30 min) and the water dispenser again worked. Others have indicated the typical spot of freezing is in the door just below the ice shoot (@AppGuy provided this diagram). I suspect my problem was too much stuff in the freezer box on the shelf adjacent to this spot on the door.

My tube was also frozen and I did something I don’t recommend, I stuck a toothpick up to try to release the ice and it broke off. Ow I have two problems, Any suggestions on how to get the toothpick out ?

I had the same issue, intermittent water and a “groaning” noise when no water (pump straining) came out. I knew water wasn’t frozen in the line inside the freezer door because I put a long 16” zip tie all the way up there, so I followed the path backwards and the issue was very simple in my case. The deflector that insulates the water lines inside the refrigerator from the vent that blows into the crisper drawer had become dislodged and the water in the water lines INSIDE the refrigerator was frozen.

I unplugged the fridge and used a hair dryer for about 5 mins to melt the frozen water inside the lines behind the crisper drawer and replaced the cover, making sure it snapped into place. Now water flows without issue.

I will update this post if any other issues develop, but thanks to John, and the rest of you, I have a clean ice cube flapper (tried that fix first) and water from my dispenser.

FWIW, I have both the fridge and freezer set to 5

Thank you for all the hints and tips posted here! I’ve had this problem before with our fridge, and have always been able to fix it by using a craft heat tool (hotter than a hair dryer). That didn’t work this time. So the idea of squirting hot water up the line seemed like a good one. I used a neti nose irrigation bottle, which has a spout that squirts. I filled it with the hottest water from my tap. After two bottles full and pumping the water dispenser, water finally came flying out! We promise to keep this fridge until it truly quits working, so I guess I just gained a bit more time with the beast! Ours moans and groans. We call it Frank (for Frankenstein).

Our GE side by side water dispenser worked wonderfully until about 4 years ago when the water line started freezing. Then it was once or twice a month and now it's every day. In the past, I would leave the freezer door open for a while and it would melt, but found I had to leave it open for longer periods. I finally found this answer board and read where the line was freezing. Thank you! The line was froze again today. So, after cursing it out, I took an old infant snot sucker, filled it with the hottest tap water I could stand, shot the hot water straight up into the dispenser until I no longer had to struggle to force it through. Line isn't frozen and water came out with a few flakes of mold. In the past I had forced hot water and vinegar up the line from the bottom and gotten mold as well. I hope this cheaper and quicker solution helps someone.

I put boiling hot water in a tall coffee mug in the dispenser tray & covered opening with a piece of paper held by magnets to trap in heat/steam. Repeated this twice for 5 minutes. Success!

Same here. Water Line Buddy has solved my problem as well as several friends and family with the frozen water dispenser issue.