Refrigerator water and ice dispensers stop working for several distinct reasons, and most are diagnosed and repaired in a single visit. The most common cause is a clogged or expired water filter — filters should be replaced every 6 months, and San Diego's hard water (300+ ppm) clogs them faster than the manufacturer's timeline suggests.
If the filter is current, the water inlet valve is the next most likely cause. This valve opens to allow water flow when you press the dispenser paddle; when it fails electrically or its solenoid sticks, no water passes through. The dispenser switch and actuator bar can also fail independently of the valve.
For ice dispenser issues specifically — ice chute jams, auger motor failures, and frozen dispenser lines are common causes beyond the inlet valve. Our technician traces the full dispenser circuit to identify the specific failure.