A locked refrigerator does not serve its purpose. The same is true if any of the parts are locked. This article explains how to unlock a Bosch refrigerator in easy steps.
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Bosch Refrigerator Water Dispenser Locked – How to Unlock
The first thing to check is the lock feature on the refrigerator’s dispenser panel. Most refrigerators, including the Bosch brand, have a lock feature that enables you to lock the dispenser panel functions.
It prevents accidental dispensing when cleaning the refrigerator or when children are around. If the lock is active, the water dispenser will not work. Most times, all you need to do to fix the problem is to locate the lock button, press and hold it for a few seconds.
However, every refrigerator model is not the same. So, consult the refrigerator’s user guide for the specific steps to unlock the water dispenser using the lock button. You may have to press and hold it for about 3 seconds to disable the lock feature.
On some models, locate the alarm button under the Fridge button and press it. Hold the button for about five seconds to unlock the water dispenser and/or ice dispenser.
1. Check the Door Switch
The Control Lock feature is not the only possible cause of a locked water dispenser on your Bosch refrigerator. So, if the lock is not active but the dispenser remains locked, check the door switch. It is usually on the edge of the interior door frame.
Open the door and press the switch to see if the interior lights respond. If the lights flicker, the door switch is in good working condition. But if there is no response, the switch may be defective. You can test it using a multimeter to check for continuity and replace it if there is none.
The door switch triggers the dispenser to turn off once you open the refrigerator doors. That means you cannot use the dispenser if the door is open. However, if the door switch becomes faulty, it can cause the sensor to detect the door as open, even if it is shut. Consequently, the dispenser stops working and will remain so as long as the refrigerator detects the door as open.
2. Check the Dispenser Switches
The dispenser switch enables electricity to flow to the dispenser. There are several switching working together as a unit. So, if one of them becomes faulty, it will affect how the others function and stop the dispenser from working. To you, it may appear locked.
Run a continuity test on the switches to find the defective ones. You will need a multimeter to test them. Replace the switch that produces no resistance or continuity. Then, test the dispenser to see if it works again.
Other Steps to Take
Ensure the water filter is not clogged and you have replaced it in the last six months. This is especially true if you regularly use the water dispenser or ice maker if applicable. A clogged water filter may affect the dispenser in more ways than one. So, use a new and compatible filter for your Bosch refrigerator.
Also, check the water inlet valve to ensure it still works. Mineral deposits can clog the valve or the solenoid may stop working due to electrical faults. The inlet valve provides water to the dispenser and ice maker, so it may affect their functionality if defective.
Try cleaning the valve to remove the deposits. If that does not work, wash the screen filter inside the inlet valve, but that means you must dismantle it. However, test the valve for continuity if cleaning it does not work. Replace the inlet valve if you find no continuity.
Additionally, check the dispenser control board if every other thing is in order. It may malfunction and cause the water dispenser to lock. However, it is not always easy to tell if the board is bad unless you know how to test it. So, it may be less stressful to replace it to see if the dispenser works.
If nothing else works, you may need professional assistance. Contact the Bosch Service Center to report the water dispenser issue and request service. Alternatively, use the services of a professional appliance technician to resolve the issue.
Important Notes
The same steps apply to unlocking the ice dispenser on your Bosch refrigerator. However, there are specific parts that may become faulty and stop the dispenser from working, even if the ice maker produces ice. This article on a Bosch refrigerator ice maker not working explains how to resolve the problem.
How to Unlock a Bosch Refrigerator
If your refrigerator is locked, check the control panel for the lock button. And if the lock is active, there should be an indicator showing beside the button. Press and hold the lock button on the panel for about three seconds.
On some models, you will hear the refrigerator beep three times before it chimes to indicate the appliance is unlocked. But if the lock button is not readily visible or there is no indication it is locked, unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet for about five to ten minutes.
This is a reset that corrects minor faults in the control board. If it malfunctions and locks the refrigerator, resetting it should fix the errors. Reconnect it back to the wall outlet and see if the refrigerator is unlocked. The same steps apply if a Bosch refrigerator control panel is locked or unresponsive.
You can try a hard reset if the first one does not resolve the issue. Disconnect the refrigerator from the electric power and leave it off for about thirty-five to forty-five minutes. This hard reset should fix deeper faults and errors that affect the unit. But if not, call for professional assistance.
How to Unlock a Bosch Refrigerator Ice Maker
The primary reason your ice maker locks is improper installation. If that is the case, the ice maker cannot detect the ice storage bin, so it automatically locks itself to keep from making ice because it has nowhere to store it.
If the problem started after installing the ice maker, it is best to remove and reinstall it. Ensure you correctly position the ice bin under the ice maker so that the sensor can detect it. This should fix the lock problem and get the machine working again.
Otherwise, check the user manual for the refrigerator for an ice maker lock button. Most ice makers do not have a lock button, but the child lock on the dispenser panel can disable the ice dispenser. So, even if the ice maker produces ice, the ice dispenser cannot dispense it.
The ice module may also be faulty, and you will need to test it. But before that, turn off the refrigerator, wait a few minutes, and turn it on again. This reset should fix ice maker issues and restart the machine. It usually fixes minor faults. However, replace the module or ice maker assembly if nothing else works, or call for professional assistance.
How to Unlock a Water Filter from a Bosch Refrigerator
Water filters do not need to be unlocked from a refrigerator. You install or uninstall them in quick and easy steps from the filter housing by following the instructions in the user manual. But a water filter can get stuck in the housing, making it difficult to remove it.
If that is the case, ensure you are trying to remove the filter in the correct order. Turning it in the wrong direction can cause it to stick. Different Bosch refrigerator models have filters located in different locations. Some are inside the unit, while others are at the bottom part.
If the filter is inside the refrigerator, open the door, pull down the filter cover, turn the filter cartridge counterclockwise or to the left, and gently pull it out.
To install a new one, you must line the notches on the head up in the filter housing and turn the cartridge clockwise or to the right to lock the filter. Twist the filter to the right until it stops moving before pushing it into place and closing the cover.
For the bottom filter, turn the filter cap to the left or counterclockwise to pull it out. Do this gently because it is usually easy to remove unless you incorrectly installed it. If it appears stuck, place a piece of cloth over the filter cap and use a pair of pliers to turn it.
Use gentle force so you do not damage the cap. Doing this should release the filter from the refrigerator, but ensure you correctly install it next time.
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