Water Cooler Not Cooling? Here’s 4 Things To Check

A water cooler is probably one of the most common appliances you use in your home. It can be incredibly frustrating if your water cooler is not cooling water appropriately. At the same time, there are a few areas you need to check if you want to figure out why your water cooler is not working properly.

There are a number of reasons why your water cooler might not be working as it should. For example, there could be a problem with the power source. Or, there could be an issue with the compressor or refrigerator. There might even be a problem with a dirty filter.

Even though you might be thinking about replacing your water cooler, you do not necessarily have to do this just yet. We have done a lot of research to figure out how water coolers work and why they develop issues. Then, we took it upon ourselves to put together a comprehensive guide you can follow to figure out how to get your water cooler working again.

Take a look at some of our research below, and remember to reach out to a professional if you ever have any questions or concerns.

4 Reasons Why Your Water Cooler Is Not Cooling

There are four common reasons why your water cooler might not be working properly. A few possible reasons include:

#1 A Power Issue

Of course, one of the first reasons why your water cooler might not be cooling properly is that it doesn’t have enough power. If your water cooler doesn’t have any power, it will have a difficult time cooling the water. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy issue to check. 

First, you should take a look at the power cord coming out of the back of the water cooler. Make sure it is plugged in appropriately. If the water cooler is not plugged in, this is probably the reason why it is not working properly.

If the water cooler is plugged in, make sure the circuit breaker has not been tripped. There is a chance that the circuit might be short-circuiting. As a result, there may not be any power to the outlet. If the circuit breaker has been tripped, flip it back the right way. Then, see if you can get the water cooler to turn on.

If the circuit breaker keeps tripping, do not use anything to hold it open. There is a reason why it is tripping, and you need to figure out what the problem is. The most common issue is that there is too much power being drawn from that single circuit, but you may want to reach out to an electrician who can fix this for you.

If the outlet has power and the water cooler is still not turning on, you may want to test the water cooler itself to make sure it has the right amount of voltage and power. You should take a look at the manual to see what type of power source it requires. Then, you may want to use a multimeter to test the internal components to make sure they are still working properly.

#2 A Compressor Issue

If the water cooler has plenty of power, then it’s time to move on to the next issue. There could be a problem with the compressor. The compressor is responsible for helping water move from one tank to the other. This is important for creating either hot or cold water. If the compressor is not working properly, your water cooler might have an issue removing heat from the water.

You like to take a look at the manual to see where the compressor is located. Then, after you have identified the compressor, make sure it is working properly. You may want to use a multimeter to test it.

If the compressor looks like it has completely rusted over, then there is a chance you will need to get a new part. You should use the manual to figure out what type of replacement part you need. That way, you can order the new one as quickly as possible.

Remember that you should compare the cost of the compressor to the cost of a new water cooler. If the cost of ordering a new compressor is going to be similar to the cost of replacing the entire water cooler, then you may want to replace the water cooler instead.

There is also a chance the water cooler might still be under warranty. If that is the case, you may want to simply bring the part back to the dealer and ask for a new one. They might even be willing to replace the water cooler entirely.

#3 A Refrigerant Issue

If you believe the compressor has plenty of life, the next thing to do is check the refrigerant. The refrigerant is a solution that is responsible for removing heat from the water, allowing it to cool properly. The refrigerant is typically not something you have to replace very often. It should flow through a circuit, continuing to do its job for a long time.

If the refrigerant level looks low, you will have to fill this up with more refrigerant. Fortunately, this should be something you can purchase at just about any convenience store. At the same time, you need to figure out why the refrigerant level is low. This is not something that should simply evaporate out of the water cooler.

Therefore, you need to check and make sure there is not a leak somewhere in the system. You may want to look under the water cooler and see if there is refrigerant on the floor. If there is, you need to figure out where the refrigerant is leaking from. You might be able to see something dripping out of the unit, which is a dead giveaway.

If you are having a difficult time identifying the source of the leak, you might want to reach out to a professional contractor who can help you. The sooner you can identify the source of the leak, the faster you can fix it.

There might be a chance that you need to replace one or more parts. If that is the case, you should figure out what the parts are and how expensive they are. Then, you can figure out if it would be worth it to replace the part. 

#4 A Dirty Filter

Finally, you should also check and make sure you do not have a dirty filter on your hands. A lot of water dispensers have been equipped for the filtration feature. Sometimes, they stop working if the filter has not been changed properly. 

The filter is responsible for removing dirt from the water before it lands in your glass. If the filter is completely full, the water cooler might not be working properly. You should take a look at the model of the filter you have so you can order the right replacement. This is something you should be able to find easily in your manual.

Keep in mind that not all water coolers have the same water filter. You need to make sure you use the right option. Typically, you can detect a dirty water filter when there is an unusual taste. Or, there might be a light that turns on, indicating it is time to replace the water filter.

You should make sure you replace your water filter regularly. Take a look at the manual and see how often you need to replace it. That way, you can prevent this issue from happening in the future.

If you need help figuring out how to deal with a water cooler that is not cooling, you should try the steps above. If they are not enough to fix the issue, you might want to reach out to a professional who can help you.

How To Prevent Problems from Happening with Your Water Cooler

Fortunately, a lot of these issues are relatively easy to address; however, you might want to prevent them from happening in the future. If you want to keep your water cooler working properly, what do you need to do?

First, you should unplug the water cooler when you are not using it. If you unplug the water cooler when you don’t need it, you can prevent it from burning out too soon. This can go a long way toward preventing future damage.

You also need to make sure you clean your water cooler regularly. Ideally, you should wipe down the inside and outside of the water cooler from time to time. That way, you don’t have to worry about excess water causing any of the internal parts to rust. This can also help you prevent future damage from happening with your water cooler.

Remember that you need to unplug the unit, switch it off, and remove the parts carefully. That way, you can prevent yourself from getting hurt. You should also make sure to use a manual or diagram that lets you know where all the parts go and how you need to take care of them.

Keep Your Water Cooler Working Properly

You count on your water cooler to work properly, and it can be frustrating when it does not do so. Fortunately, this is not something you have to deal with on your own. Even though you might be able to fix a lot of these issues by yourself, you should also reach out to a professional if you have any questions or concerns. This is important for safety purposes as well as for addressing the issue in a timely manner.

Remember to take a look at the compressor, the refrigerant, and the power source. These are some of the most common reasons why your water cooler might not be working. As long as you take good care of your water cooler, you should be able to prevent future problems from developing. That way, your water cooler will work properly for many years.