I’ve been using a KitchenAid Bottom-Mount Refrigerator for just over two years. Last week, I encountered a problem where the cold water dispenser located inside the refrigerator stopped dispensing cold water. I pulled out the refrigerator and took a look and nothing seemed out of order. I knew the dispenser itself was “working” because I could hear it attempt to pump water whenever I pressed the button.
So, after much searching around, I finally was able to locate the cold water tank behind the two crisper bins. Seriously, the owner’s manual should tell people to check the water tank within “The water dispenser will not operate properly” section of the troubleshooting guide. Even though the refrigerator says it is 38°, I know for a fact that certain parts of the refrigerator are colder than others. For example, leaving a gallon of milk on the top shelf by the blower will cause the milk to freeze. Anyways, a thin layer of ice had formed in the water dispenser tank. I didn’t even need to heat up the tank. Just tilting it back and forth caused the ice to break up. When I pressed the water dispenser button again, it started pumping out cold water (with a few ice crystals here and there.)
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8 responses so far ↓
1 Matt // Aug 25, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Thank you so much!!!! You save me a repairman house call!!!!
2 Pablo // Dec 20, 2009 at 5:43 pm
This is the same problem I have–exact same. Unfortunately, the suggestion here is only a temporary solution –I used a hair dryer. In the first year of the warranty, KitchenAid paid for multiple visits and no one fixed it. After working for a while, the dispenser went kaput again. Today, I noticed one thing that might explain the problem–the plastic tank rests against the metal shelf bracket, which gets very cold. My theory is that the cold bracket freezes part of the water tank. I think a bit of rubber between the bracket and the plastic tank might cure the problem. Also, opening the crisper vent allows air to circulate more.
3 Jack // Sep 8, 2010 at 3:19 pm
I will try that, although I am not quite sure what a bottom mount means. Mine is a side by side but i can hear a noise like it is trying to pump the water. Do all refrigerators have a water tank ?
4 Ken // Sep 8, 2010 at 5:33 pm
By bottom mount, I meant that the freezer is on the bottom. If your refrigerator dispenses cold water, it should have a water tank. The alternative would mean that it is chilling water on demand. Checking your manual or searching around the refrigerator should tell you how it is configured.
5 larry // Dec 29, 2010 at 9:02 am
Thanks! went snowboarding for 3 days and came home to a not working kitchen aid water dispenser. I have a side by side Superba it dosen’t have a resoivoir it has a length of 1/4 inch plastic tubing that froze (behind 3 meat and crisper drawers) took out the drawers blew dry the tubing 5 mins later water back in business
Thanks for the tip God bless you! no repair bills tip put frig on holiday mode next time you go away!
6 Marque // May 14, 2011 at 4:12 am
I had the same problem – only worse! Was able warm up the tank and water lines by holding them with my hands to melt the ice. Thanks for the tip as it must have saved me over a $100 on a service call!
7 Bob // Jul 12, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Waterflow is very slow. It takes minutes to fill a glass???
8 Ken // Jul 20, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@Bob. I think you need to back track. If the water line isn’t frozen, I would check the filter.
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