Has your refrigerator ice maker has stopped producing or dispensing ice cubes? Most automatic ice makers on all refrigerators work using the same principles. Fixing the ice maker on your fridge is not usually a difficult task. Most of the problems can be fixed and repaired by you instead of calling a professional. There are a few obvious things you need to check first and foremost. These fix-it solutions apply to side-by-side and top and bottom new and old style refrigerators. The ice maker repair tips will work on all Kenmore, GE, LG, Samsung, Frigidaire, Whirlpool and Kitchen Aide Refrigerators and Freezers.
This Ice Maker Parts Identification Illustration can be used with the old and new style ice makers.
Both side-by-side and top and bottom refrigerators use the same ice making principles.
Is the ice maker in the “ON” position? On some ice makers there is an on/off switch located on the ice maker itself. Make sure this is in the on position.
Is the water filter clogged? There is a water filter in or behind your refrigerator that all water going to the ice maker passes through. If this filter is clogged then your ice maker will stop making ice cubes. Consult your refrigerator user manual or see how to change your refrigerator water filter.
Is the ice maker “shutoff arm’ in the up position? There is a plastic or metal arm the senses when your ice cube canister is full. When full the arm moves in the “up” position and shuts off the ice maker. Make sure the “feeler arm” is in the DOWN position and nothing is blocking it.
Are the water lines behind your refrigerator pinched? Sometimes moving your refrigerator around can pinch or crimp the water lines in the rear of the fridge. Pull the refrigerator out about 12 inches and using a flashlight, check the water line for crimps or being pinched.
Is the ice bin completely full? If the ice bin is completely full then your ice maker won’t keep making ice. This is because the ice arm is in the up position therefore pressing a micro-switch that turn the ice maker fully off.
Is your freezer not getting cold enough? If your freezer is not at freezing temperature, the ice maker cannot work properly to make ice cubes. Check using a temperature gauge and or turn the temp for the freezer down meaning to get it colder as close to 32 degrees as you can or colder. Usually an ice maker won’t function if the temp is 4 to 6 degrees above freezing. This means the temperature is too warm in the freezer to make ice cubes.
Is the ice maker paddle or ejector blades blocked? There is a spinning ice paddle inside of your ice maker that turns to push the ice cubes out. Make sure this paddle is not stuck or blocked thus preventing ice from being dispensed.
Is the water pressure too low? Sometimes the water pressure is so low it cannot be fed into the ice maker to make ice. This could be from a blocked water line or blocked filter. Check to be sure there are no blocked lines by removing them and blowing air through them. The only way to test the water filter is to just replace it.
Is the water valve behind your refrigerator turned off? The water valve behind your fridge can be turned off when replacing the water filter. It is possible you just changed the water filter and someone has forgotten to turn the water back on. Turn the valve on so water can flow to the ice maker.
Is the ice maker solenoid valve (water inlet valve) disconnected or has failed? The ice maker has a small solenoid valve that controls water flow. This solenoid is usually located in the back bottom of the refrigerator. It is possible an electrical connector has fallen off or the solenoid valve is faulty. Safely test the valve with a multimeter and confirm it is working properly.
This ice maker installed in a side-by-side works exactly the same as the old style ice makers.
If none of the above suggestions has solved your problem, type your refrigerator manufacturer and model number into a search engine for more specific help and solutions.
Jeff,
LG does not list how to open that up in the support database. Is the water valve fully open? Make sure the water line is not kinked, crimped, or clogged. Possibly replace the water line with new to be sure there is no issue with the water line itself. If this is not satisfactory, remove the ice maker and troubleshoot.
Regarding with temperature settings -4°F (-20°C)… is the minimum recommended temperature setting of the freezer compartment for normal ice production. If the freezer temperature is set at a warmer temperature, then the ice will produce at a slower rate. If the temp was higher than -4, lower the temperature setting to improve ice production.
-RR
Model# LG LTCS20220S Frig is about 1.5 yrs old and we hooked up the ice maker about 1 year ago. From day one, it only made 3 to 4 perfectly sized cubes per cycle which drop perfectly and freeze time is normal. There is nothing blocking the tray and there is no frozen water in the fill tube. With good water pressure, my next thought is that the supply water time needs to be extended since basically, the unit is operating fine. However, I don’t seem to be able to remove the cover to see if there is a water adjuster in there. (like my whirlpool has) I’m sure I can take the whole unit out and figure it out from there but, I don’t believe that should be necessary.
Lesley,
There is a small motor/timer that drops the ice. If it is not working properly, the ice will not drop. You may need to remove the ice maker and test the electrical and motor/timer with a meter. There may also be large chunks of ice because of temp variations that block the ice from dropping also. Did this issue just start happening or has it been a constant issue? How old is your Samsung fridge?
-RR
Jeff,
Have you inspected the inside of the ice maker to see if there is something obvious causing the ice maker to produce only 3 or 4 ice cubes? Is it getting the proper amount of water? What is the model number of your LG refrigerator?
-RR
Top mount LG icemaker only makes 3 or 4 cubes of ice at a time. Good water pressure, Temp is 0 degrees. Whirlpools cover comes off very easy and has an adjustment to extend the water flow time. Since I have been unable to get the icemaker cover off the LG, I don’t know if LG has this adjustment. The dealer and manufacturer won’t tell me if it does or doesn’t have one. There is a tab on the bottom that looks like a clip you would push up to unclick and remove the cover but, it will not come off. Ive looked on youtube but can not find any video for the top mount style LG uses. Any help appreciated.
I have a Samsung side by side fridge model SRS702GDHSS the ice maker makes ice but won’t drop the ice . Can you please help us in fixing the problem. I have read many reviews about this fridge with regards to the ice maker and the rust problems and having paid nearly $3000 for the fridge I am not impressed with Samsung.
Robert,
You may have a component in the ice maker that is bad. Timer, sensor, or other. Take out ice maker and test components with a meter. If you find a bad part, remove and replace. Sometimes makes more financial sense to replace the complete ice maker assembly. It just depends on cost and what you are willing to replace concerning time and patience.
-RR
I have a Samsung rfg298 series. Top ice maker and water dispenser works great. Bottom ice maker is not getting water. Ice maker is turned on, tried reset and I checked to ensure I had no pinched lines. Ice maker will try to dump but there is nothing there. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the quick response. I’ll have to look into that option. I wasn’t able to find any such part for an LG, so I don’t even know if that even exists. Another possibility I’m checking is if the defroster is built into the icemaker mechanism itself. Not sure how that would keep the water line from freezing though. Thanks again.
Richard Allen,
This part does seem to be unavailable. You could try to insulate the water line with some foam tubing that will prevent the water line from freezing. Other refrigerator makers like GE do make this part (Dispenser Water Tube Heater for Refrigerator) but we do not see one for LG. If insulating the water line is not applicable you could try buying one for another refrigerator and adapting it to fit your LG.
-RR