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Two “not so obvious” things to check that can stop all waterflow in your refrigerator.
Here are two easy things to check when your refrigerator has both malfunctions of no water and no ice. These fixes aren’t to the “broken parts” that we usually look for in the troubleshooting process. They are the icemaker supply line burst valve and the water filter. Either one of these items can stop all flow of water in the refrigerator without being “broken.” Other items can give these symptoms too, but these are quick and easy to check.
Icemaker Supply Line Burst Valve
The burst valve is an add-on item that may have been installed by a plumber or a refrigerator installer in the water line between the refrigerator and water shut off valve. Not every refrigerator installation will have one. The purpose of the burst valve is to stop the water flow in the event the water line bursts and begins to flood the house.
The burst valve will also stop the flow of water if the water is turned on too quickly at the shutoff valve. Some homeowners have inadvertently activated their burst valve when they shut the water off to change their water filter and then failed to open the shutoff valve slowly.
Resetting the Icemaker Supply Line Burst Valve
- Turn off the water at shutoff valve.
- Disconnect burst valve from shut off valve. This relieves the pressure.
- Reconnect the burst valve.
- Slowly turn on shut off valve.
- Test for water flow at water dispenser on door.
Refrigerator Water Filter
Most refrigerator manufacturers (Whirlpool, GE, Hotpoint, Frigidaire, Electrolux, LG, Samsung, KitchenAid, etc..) offer refrigerators with built-in water filters. There comes a point where water filters can stop up completely and cut off the water supply. Replacing the filter will eliminate it as a possible cause of the stoppage.
There you have it. Check these two “not so obvious” items before beginning systematic troubleshooting for no water flow in your refrigerator.
