Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Dispenser Ice or Water Troubleshooting

Is your Whirlpool-built refrigerator refusing to dispense ice or water? We’ll help you figure out why and get it working again with expert troubleshooting tips!

If you need any replacement parts for your Whirlpool-built refrigerator, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you need

• ¼” nut driver
• 5/32” nut driver

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, always keep safety first to avoid personal injury or damage to the appliance or its parts. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it. 
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.

How to troubleshoot a Whirlpool-built refrigerator that won’t dispense ice or water

Follow these steps to diagnose and fix a Whirlpool-built refrigerator that does not dispense ice or water.

Step 1. Enter diagnostic mode

1. Press and hold the two left-most buttons on the refrigerator’s user interface.
2. Wait for a countdown to appear on the display, followed by a flashing “1” or “01.”
3. Press and release the fifth button from the left to scroll upward through the test numbers.
4. Stop at Test #9, which should briefly illuminate before the display goes blank.
5. If the test number is skipped, press the fourth button from the left to go back.
6. Press the affected ice or water dispenser pad.
7. Check the display for a response. If “1” appears, the ice pad is detected. If “2” appears, the water pad is detected. If “3” appears, both pads are detected or it is a single pad model.
8. If no number appears on the display, the dispenser pad or its switch is faulty and must be replaced.
9. Press and hold the first two buttons on the left to exit diagnostic mode.
10. Disconnect the refrigerator from power if necessary to exit diagnostics.

Step 2. Replace the dispenser pad

1. Disconnect power to the refrigerator by unplugging the power cord or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Remove the drip tray and grate from the bottom of the dispenser housing.
3. If screws are present underneath the interface, remove them.
4. If no screws are present, grasp the bottom of the interface and pull outward. It may feel like it is breaking, but this is the correct removal method.
5. Take pictures of the wiring connections before disconnecting any wires.
6. Disconnect all wiring from the user interface and set it aside.
7. Remove the two 5/32” screws from each upper corner of the dispenser assembly.
8. Remove the two ¼” screws exposed after removing the drip tray.
9. Release the catches holding the dispenser assembly and pull it out slightly to make space.
10. Work the disconnected pad harnesses through the dispenser assembly until they are free.
11. Starting at the top, carefully pry the dispenser housing free. It may bend and make noise, but this is expected.
12. Angle the user interface to remove the dispenser housing completely.
13. Locate the hooks securing the dispenser pads.
14. Apply upward pressure at the bottom of the switch while working it back and forth to release it.
15. Remove the faulty dispenser pad.

Step 3. Install the new dispenser pad

1. Thread the harness and connector through the hole in the dispenser housing.
2. Align the tabs or hooks on the back of the pad.
3. Press down on the top of the pad until it snaps into place.
4. Thread the pad harnesses through the dispenser assembly.
5. Angle the user interface to fit it back through the housing opening.
6. Reinstall the dispenser assembly and position the bottom of the housing into the enclosure.
7. Press and manipulate the housing until it snaps securely into place.
8. Reconnect the dispenser pad harnesses to the user interface.
9. Reinstall the top and bottom screws in the housing.
10. Align the top tabs of the user interface with the slots in the door and slide them into place.
11. Firmly press the bottom of the interface until it snaps into place.
12. Reinstall the drip tray and grate.
13. Restore power by plugging the refrigerator back in or turning the breaker on.

Let us help

We appreciate you stopping by! Hopefully this guide helped you get your Whirlpool-built refrigerator back in shape. For help with other repairs, you can check out our large collection of troubleshooting guides and videos. Need parts? Just grab that model number and get on over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a tech, read our blog, and more. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram to see our latest tutorials!