Samsung Refrigerator Water Dispenser Not Working After Replacing Filter? (do this)

If you replaced the filter in your Samsung refrigerator after the filter indicator light turned red, but the dispenser won’t work, you’ve found the right article. There are a number of possible reasons for the water dispenser to fail to work after changing the filter.

From incorrectly fitting the new filter, fitting the wrong type of filter, or something like trapped air or a faulty switch. In this article we take you through all of the possibilities that might have caused the water dispenser on your Samsung refrigerator to have stopped working. Identify the problems and offer solutions to those issues.

Samsung recommends troubleshooting before contacting them with these types of problems and this article covers all of the areas where troubleshooting might help.

Why Is The Water Dispenser Not Working After Replacing The Filter On My Samsung Refrigerator?

There are several possible causes for the water dispenser to fail to work after the filter has been replaced which include;

Probable Cause	Solution
Incorrect Filter Installation	Always follow installation instructions correctly
Wrong Type Of Filter Fitted	Always match the replacement filter with the original
Fake Filter Fitted	Only ever buy genuine Samsung water filters, beware of cheap imitations
Faulty Filter	Try replacing with another new filter
Control Panel Locked	Check to see if the child lock, control lock or dispenser lock have been activated
Air Trapped In The Water Line	Clear the water line with running water
Water Tank Frozen	Thaw the water tank and reset the freezer temperature to -5 to -16o C
Water Supply Blocked	Check the water supply for blockage or supply failure
Defective Dispenser Switch	Inspect and replace dispenser switch if necessary

Let’s look at each of these problems in more detail;

Incorrect Filter Installation

If you don’t fit the replacement filter in correctly, there’s a good chance that it might fail to work. Which could cause the dispenser to not work either.

If the filter is fitted incorrectly the control board will detect that something’s wrong and the dispenser will not work. You should consult your user manual to find the correct way to install the filter into your particular appliance.

In the absence of a user manual, you can try these general tips;

1. Press the old water filter in, and turn the cap anti-clockwise to loosen it
2. Once loose, pull the old filter out
3. Carefully insert the new filter and press it in
4. Turn the cap clockwise to secure it into position
5. Run the water to flush the system and test the dispenser
6. Finish the installation by pressing the reset button to reset the water filter light

Wrong Type Of Filter Fitted

There are 3 types of water filters made by Samsung for their refrigerator water dispensers which are;

1. HAF-QIN
2. HAF-CIN
3. HAFCU1

These 3 filters are designed for different Samsung refrigerators and all look different. It’s important that you replace your old filter with an identical new one.

Fitting an incorrect filter will result in the dispenser failing to work. Always double check the filter before fitting.

Fake Filter Fitted

There’s an old saying that says “If it seems to be too good to be true, then it is too good to be true”. And that was never more accurate than when it applies to these filters.

You can often find cheap Samsung water dispenser filters on sale for incredibly low prices. This is often because they are fake parts. Sometimes, they work fine but usually, they cause some sort of a problem.

Check your old filter to see if it looks like the new one, if not, it could be a counterfeit filter. You should always check the model number and always purchase genuine replacement parts if you want your Samsung refrigerator water and ice dispenser to work properly.

Faulty Filter

It is easy to damage the water filter when installing it especially if you are too heavy handed. If you use too much force, you’re likely to damage the valve stem or the cap.

This would mean the filter won’t be able to allow water to pass through as it should. You will need to check the filter housing, check that the filter is seated correctly and that the valve stem or cap aren’t damaged.

If there is any damage to the filter, it will need to be replaced.

Control Panel Locked

Samsung refrigerators have safety features designed to prevent damage. These features include one or more of the following;

• Control Lock
  The control lock automatically locks the control panel after 1 minute if the panel isn’t used. If the control lock is on, which will be indicated by the control lock light, the dispenser will not work.
• Child Lock
  The child lock works in the same way as the control lock and is designed to prevent children from tampering with the settings on the refrigerator. If the child lock is activated, the dispenser will not work. 
• Dispenser Lock
  Certain Samsung models have a dispenser lock which only locks the dispenser and allows the rest of the controls to be used. 

You will need to consult your user manual to find out which control panel lock (if any) your model has. Typically these locks can be removed by;

• Holding the door alarm switch to deactivate the control lock.
• Holding the ice maker off button to deactivate the child lock.
• Open settings on your family hub control panel to remove the dispenser lock.

Air Trapped In The Water Line

In some cases, air can get trapped in the water line when you’re replacing the filter. This can cause a blockage which prevents water from flowing properly.

You should always flush air from the water line every time you change the filter. This can be cleared by holding a cup or container at the water dispenser and pressing the dispense button for 60 to 90 seconds. The water may start to splutter as it clears the air from the system.

You may need to wait for a few minutes, but, as long as the filter isn’t faulty, it will eventually flow.

Water Tank Frozen

If the temperature level is set too low, the water tank can freeze. If the water tank does freeze, the dispenser cannot work because it isn’t receiving any water.

Check the freezer’s temperature which should ideally be around -5 to -16^o C. Adjust the freezer temperature to somewhere around these parameters and allow the water tank to thaw naturally.

Water Supply Blocked

If the water supply is blocked for some reason it cannot flow through the dispenser. There are several things that could interrupt the water supply, which include;

Water Supply Disconnected

You will need to check the water supply line to see if it is turned on. If not, turn it on to ensure a steady supply of water to the dispenser.

Water Tube Frozen

If the temperature in the freezer drops below -17^o C, the water tube will freeze. This will prevent any water flowing to the water dispenser. 

You can thaw the water tube by disconnecting the fridge or aiming a hairdryer at the tube. Once the tube is thawed out, set the freezer to somewhere between -5 to -16^o C.

Defective Water Inlet Valve

All of the water that enters your refrigerator does so via the inlet valve. If it is defective there will be insufficient water supplied to the dispenser, if any at all.

You should check the inlet valve for continuity with a multimeter and replace it if it is found to be defective.

Low Water Pressure

The pressure of the water supplied to your refrigerator needs to be at least 20 psi. You can use a water pressure gauge to check the pressure level.

If it is less than 20 psi, you will need to increase it. If it turns out that the mains water pressure to your home is inadequate, you will need to contact your local water authority.

Defective Dispenser Switch

The dispenser switch or door switch are important parts that are needed for the proper running of the water dispenser. If either of these switches becomes defective or develops a fault, the water dispenser will not operate.

You will need to check the dispenser switch and door switch for continuity using a multimeter. If either of these switches proves to be defective, they will need to be replaced.

SEE ALSO: Loud Samsung Refrigerator Fan Noise? (just do this)

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