The water dispensers on your Kenmore Elite refrigerator are convenient and space-saving. However, these features can also pose a risk if you have small children in your home.
If you’re concerned about them as a parent or guardian, you can lock the water dispenser on your Kenmore Elite to prevent accidental spills and make it accessible only when you want it.
You may find the locking mechanism on your refrigerator slightly different from what is described here, since manufacturers often update their products with new features over time. Here is How to Lock Water Dispenser on Kenmore Elite: The Ultimate Guide.
How to Lock the Water Dispenser on a Kenmore Elite
To lock the water dispenser on a Kenmore Elite, locate the lock near the front of the fridge. The lock should be visible and easy to flip to lock or unlock the water dispenser.
Some Kenmore Elite models have a switch that toggles between locking and unlocking the dispenser. In this case, simply flip the switch to lock or unlock the dispenser. Other models have an actual lever that you must push to lock the dispenser.
When you lock the dispenser, you should see or hear a clicking or snapping sound from the locking mechanism. If you don’t see an obvious lock on your fridge, then you may have an older model.
In this case, check the manual for instructions on locking the dispenser.
To lock the hot water in a Kenmore Elite fridge, you may need to push a button on the dispenser. If there’s a button that you can push in, flip it to the “locked” position. If you can’t find a button, look for a lever on the dispenser.
In this case, push the lever to the “closed” position to lock the water dispenser. Once you’ve locked the hot water, the dispenser should be inoperable.
If the dispenser still spouts hot water, then you may have an older model. In this case, check the manual for instructions on locking the dispenser.
Step One: Find the Lock Switch
The lock button or switch on your water dispenser should be located near the front of the dispenser. It may be on the left or right side, or it may be in the middle.
If you can’t find the lock button, then check the manual for troubleshooting tips. Some water dispensers have an auto-lock feature that locks the dispenser after two minutes of non-use.
In this case, the dispenser may lock automatically. If you don’t want the dispenser to lock after a short period of time, you can manually lock the dispenser to keep it open.
To do so, push the locking lever to the “closed” position.
Step Two: Turn the Lock Switch On
If the lock button is in the off position, flip it to the “on” position. In some models, you may have to push the lever all the way to the “closed” position to lock the water dispenser.
If you’re having trouble activating the lock function on your Kenmore Elite, try flipping the switch or lever multiple times. The lock may not activate on the first try.
If you’re still having trouble locking and unlocking the dispenser, then check the manual for troubleshooting tips. Some water dispensers have an auto-lock feature that locks the dispenser after two minutes of non-use.
In this case, the dispenser should lock automatically. If you don’t want the dispenser to lock after a short period of time, you can manually lock the dispenser to keep it open.
To do so, push the locking lever to the “closed” position.
Step Three: Locking the Water Dispenser
To lock the water dispenser on your Kenmore Elite, simply flip the switch to the “on” position. If you have an older model, you may have to push the locking lever to the “closed” position.
The dispenser should lock, and you should hear or see a clicking or snapping sound from the locking mechanism. You may also see a red indicator light turn on when the dispenser is locked.
If you have an older model, you may have to push the locking lever to the “closed” position to lock the dispenser.
If the dispenser doesn’t seem to work properly, then check the manual for troubleshooting tips.
A Guide to Understanding How to Lock the Water Dispenser on Your Kenmore Elite
Some Kenmore Elite models have a lock switch that toggles between locking and unlocking the dispenser. In this case, simply flip the switch to lock or unlock the water dispenser.
Other models use a lever that you must push to lock the dispenser. When you lock the dispenser, you should see or hear a clicking or snapping sound from the locking mechanism.
You may also see a red indicator light turn on when the dispenser is locked. If you don’t see an obvious lock on your fridge, then you may have an older model. In this case, check the manual for instructions on locking the dispenser.
Some water dispensers have an auto-lock feature that locks the dispenser after two minutes of non-use. If this is the case with your Kenmore Elite, then the dispenser should lock automatically.
You can also manually lock the dispenser by following the instructions above.
What to Do If You Can’t Find the Lock or Unlock Button on Your Fridge
If you can’t find the lock or unlock button on your water dispenser, then you may have an older model. In this case, there may be a locking lever on the dispenser that you must push to lock the dispenser.
When you lock the dispenser, you should hear a clicking or snapping sound from the locking mechanism. You may also see a red indicator light turn on when the dispenser is locked.
If you have an older model, you may also have an auto-lock feature that locks the dispenser after two minutes of non-use.
In this case, the dispenser should lock automatically. If you don’t want the dispenser to lock after a short period of time, you can manually lock the dispenser to keep it open.
To do so, push the locking lever to the “closed” position.
Tips for Using the Lock Feature On your Kenmore Elite Fridge
If you’re having trouble activating the lock function on your Kenmore Elite, try flipping the switch or lever multiple times. The lock may not activate on the first try.
If you’re still having trouble locking and unlocking the dispenser, then check the manual for troubleshooting tips.
Many manufacturers have updated their appliances with new features over the years, and the manuals have been updated to reflect these changes.
If you have an older model, then you may have trouble locking and unlocking the dispenser.
In this case, check the manual for troubleshooting tips. Some water dispensers have an auto-lock feature that locks the dispenser after two minutes of non-use. In this case, the dispenser should lock automatically.
If you don’t want the dispenser to lock after a short period of time, you can manually lock the dispenser to keep it open. To do so, push the locking lever to the “closed” position.
How to Unlock the Water Dispenser
To unlock the water dispenser on your Kenmore Elite, simply flip the switch to the “off” position. If you have an older model, you may have to push the locking lever to the “open” position.
The dispenser should unlock, and you should hear or see a clicking or snapping sound from the locking mechanism. You may also see a red indicator light turn off when the dispenser
Related article: How to Unfreeze Water Dispenser.
FAQS
How do I lock the water dispenser on the Kenmore Elite refrigerator?
In order to lock the water dispenser on your Kenmore Elite refrigerator, you’ll need to turn it off. The first step is to open the water dispenser door and then depress the two levers until they click. This will prevent children from accessing it.
Conclusion
No matter what type of water dispenser you have, there are a few steps to take to keep it clean and in good shape.
Kenmore Elite has a few features which make it a little different from other water dispensers on the market. The first thing to know is that Kenmore Elite is compatible with refrigerators with freezer on top.
It also has a water filter, which we’ll talk about in more detail below.
Kenmore Elite has a 3 gallon storage capacity, so you’ll need to refill it often. It’s also important to know the dimensions of your fridge before purchasing the water dispenser.
The weight limit is 40 pounds, which includes the weight of the water dispenser and its contents.
