Senior has question on Samsung Bespoke fridge autofill water pitcher, water dispenser

[oldpops]

OK, we've got a Samsung Bespoke 3 door fridge (Model RF30BB6600QLAA) and it's got a few problems I need help with. It's had an ongoing problem with the ice cubes in the small/nugget tray freezing(getting wet - dripped on??) but the ice in the regular sized cube tray is fine. I came here before with that problem but haven't been able to get that issue resolved yet.

The problem we're having now is that the "inside-the-door" auto-fill water pitcher and the water dispenser are giving us problems. It started with the auto-fill pitcher, which would work sometimes, then only fill half-way, and now it pretty doesn't work at all. I've gotten it to fill a little a couple of times by taking the pitcher out and putting it back in a few times, but no success lately. The water dispenser occasionally will fill one glass, then won't work, or it works for a few ounces and shuts off.

I found a drain cap on the inside of the door and took it off but nothing came out. My (uneducated ) guess is that it's maybe a loose or bad switch, but I can't find any instructions or videos on how to take the thing apart to check. And maybe that's not the problem at all.

**I should mention that last October and then again this past February, I wound up in the ER dying of septic shock (Twice in four months). I only say this here because my mobility is limited and, now that our portion of my medical bills are coming in, finances are tight. I'm disabled and my wife and are are seniors so we're already on a fixed income, so we can't afford to have a repair man come out.

Hope folks here can help. Either way, thanks in advance to all who offer tips, advice, and suggestions.

Heck, I've almost died twice and got through that so I'm HAPPY to be alive and having to deal with a fridge issue (considering the alternative). So GOD Bless all here!

[machinist]

Hi there,

I’m really sorry you didn’t get the help you needed earlier with the ice issue. That must be frustrating. And thank you for sharing your story. It’s incredible that you’ve pulled through such serious health issues. Wishing you continued strength and recovery.

I don’t have direct experience working on this fridge, so please wait for more replies too. But here are some possible causes and things you can try:

Ice tray issue (nugget ice freezing or clumping):

• Make sure the door seal is tight and the rubber gasket is clean and not damaged. If warm air gets in, it can cause moisture and ice to clump.
• If there’s frost or ice buildup around the tray, try unplugging the fridge for a few hours to defrost it completely.
• Try not to leave the freezer door open for long periods, as warm air and moisture can affect the ice tray.
• If it keeps happening, the airflow fan or internal vent might not be working properly, which can affect cooling in that section.

Water pitcher and water dispenser issues:

• If you haven’t changed the water filter in the last 6 months, try replacing it. A clogged filter can slow or stop water flow to both the pitcher and dispenser.
• The water line inside the fridge might be frozen. You can unplug the fridge for 2 to 4 hours and leave the doors open to let it defrost.
• Take out the auto-fill pitcher and gently clean the contact points where it connects. A dirty sensor or weak connection might be causing it to stop working.
• Try unplugging the fridge for 5 minutes and then plugging it back in. This can reset the electronics and sensors.
• If water starts and then stops quickly at the dispenser, it could be a pressure issue or the inlet valve starting to fail.
• Also check the water supply line behind the fridge to make sure the shutoff valve is fully open and pressure is strong enough.

I hope some of these steps help. None of them require tools or taking the fridge apart. Hopefully others here who know this model better will add more suggestions.

[oldpops]

Thanks. I saw a video on YouTube (which of course I can't find now) of a guy checking some switch or something else. I will do all the things you mentioned. Anything else?

[machinist]

Let me look into this a bit more and see what I can find online. I’ll check if there are any helpful videos or info about the switch or sensor and get back to you soon.

[oldpops]

Great, thanks. Got to go take a bazillion pills now (I exaggerate - but only slightly) but i will check back later

[oldpops]

Just an update. We still can't get the auto-fill pitcher (inside the door) to work, but we can get about a 1/2 glass of water from the water dispenser and then it cuts off. ?? Is the current to the dispenser being cut? Anyone have any ideas?

[machinist]

Hey, I’ve been looking into this online a bit and still digging around for more info. Just curious, have you tried running the dispenser without the filter, to see if it makes any difference? Also, have you had a chance to check the water pressure or the supply line at the back of the fridge? Just trying to help narrow things down.

[machinist]

Hi oldpops,

Hope you are doing well. I’ve looked around online and found a few things you can try, and I hope it helps get things working again.

Auto-fill pitcher issue:

What might be going wrong:
The small magnet inside the pitcher lid might not be strong enough to trigger the sensor that tells the fridge the pitcher is in place.
Moisture or water in the auto-fill area (especially underneath the pitcher) can also stop it from working.
The contacts or sensor where the pitcher connects might be slightly dirty or not making proper contact.

What to try:
Dry the area around and under the pitcher thoroughly.
Try placing a small flat magnet on top of the pitcher lid. Some people said this helped activate the sensor more reliably.
Clean the contact points gently with a dry cloth.
You can also try unplugging the fridge for a few minutes to let it reset, then plug it back in and test the pitcher again.

Water dispenser stops after half a glass:

Possible causes:
There may be air trapped in the water line.
The water filter could be clogged or faulty.
The water pressure might be low or the water line inside the fridge could be frozen.
It could also be an issue with the water valve or sensor, but let’s rule out the simpler things first.

What to try:
Remove the water filter and then try using the dispenser. If the water flows better, the filter is likely the problem.
Make sure the shutoff valve behind the fridge is fully open and check that the water line isn’t kinked.
If you suspect the line is frozen, unplug the fridge and leave the doors open for a couple of hours to let it thaw.
After defrosting or removing the filter, plug the fridge back in and try again.

Let us know what happens after trying these steps. They are all safe to try at home and don’t involve taking anything apart. Hopefully one of these fixes it for you. You've already been through so much, and it would be great to help you sort this out without needing a repair call.

[oldpops]

Thanks machinist! No we haven't removed the filter but we just got a new one so we'll try running it with out the filter as you suggested (will it even work without the filter installed? I also came across a video where a service tech just replaced the whole unit - which I'm sure would be expensive - which we obviously can't afford. At the end of his video though he mentions removing the water/moisture sensor and drying it off (or leaving it unplugged) so that's something to explore. We will also pull the fridge out to see if there's a kink or something else going on.

I came across a website for a service manual (see: https://svcmanual.appliancemode.com/...service-manual/) and they want $14 bucks. I was thinking about getting it but then I cam across another website that had a service manual (see: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/35...page=40#manual ) and it shows a lot of stuff. I emailed & asked the company selling their service manual if it's the same manual - I told them I don't have the money to buy something I need if I can get it online for free. Once I asked them that - I haven't heard back - so maybe it's the same manual. So, once I get my son to come down to help me (he has much better vision and he's not wobbly on his legs) we're going to get in to this.

Let me know if you have any other suggestions and I will keep you posted on our progress

[machinist]

Hi oldpops,

Thanks for the detailed update. Good thinking on checking both manuals before paying for one. That Manualslib link does seem to have quite a bit of technical info, so hopefully it covers what you and your son need when you dig into it. Fingers crossed it saves you the $14!

Yes, this fridge is designed to bypass the filter when it is removed. In most cases, the dispenser and pitcher should still operate without it. Removing the filter is actually a good test. If water flows normally without it, then the filter is likely clogged or defective, even if it’s new.

[TinyTool]

Just wanted to share a few things that might help. Since both the auto-fill pitcher and water dispenser are having issues, the problem could be with something they both depend on, like the water filter, the supply line, or possibly a frozen line inside the fridge. Samsung mentions that the fridge should still let water flow even if the filter is removed, so trying it without the filter can help rule that out. If it works better without the filter, it likely means the filter is clogged or faulty, even if it's new. Also, check that the water line behind the fridge isn’t kinked and that the shutoff valve is fully open. Some users have found that moisture or weak contact at the auto-fill sensor can stop the pitcher from working. Try drying the area thoroughly and placing a small flat magnet on top of the pitcher lid to help trigger the sensor. If you suspect a frozen line inside the fridge, unplugging it for a couple of hours with the doors open can help thaw it. Hopefully one of these simple steps gets things working again. Let us know how it goes when you get a chance to try them.