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.
I have a LG Model LSC26905TT side by side. My ice maker works great but when I place my glass against the dispenser button, the ice falls into the shoot but the rubber door will not open and let the ice fall into the glass. What controls that round rubber door.
Earleen,
Here is a step by step guide to get your ice maker to dispense ice for you Samsung refrigerator – How To Reset Samsung Ice Maker
-RR
I have the Samsung side by side it makes ice but will not dispense
Jimbo,
The motor is most likely not functioning properly. You can test with a meter to be sure, change the motor, or buy a complete new ice maker assy.
-RR
MR,
If you replaced the ice maker and exact same thing is happening then you may have an issue with a wire harness to the ice maker. Have you checked that the ice maker gets power? You say it is receiving water, so it must not be getting power. It could be the wire harness or where it plugs in on the opposite side of the ice maker. Check with a meter to find out.
-RR
I have a whirlpool frig model gd5phaxms11 ice maker won’t make ice but water dispenser works replaced ice maker with a new one tested inlet valve no pinched water lines good water flow. Still will not make ice. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the quick response. Where is the solenoid? The first ice maker was under warranty. Cant remember the reason, but it may have been the motor. I woke this am and the teeth in the dispenser were in the up position and water was in the ice mold. I hit the reset and the teeth reset and arm went down and a couple hours later ice. But nothing since and arm is the up full position. I am assuming that the motor is mucked up again, but this maker is only 2.5 years old, as was the first. the fridge is only 5 years old.
Jimbo,
You may have an issue with the wire harness that connects to the ice maker if this is the second ice maker you have had to replace. It could also be an issue with the dispenser motor. You may need to test the power going to the ice maker. If you have a meter, test the solenoid. Is the water always received by the ice maker but the ice maker for some reason will only make 2 loads of ice then stop working? If it receives power and water, then there is a problem in the ice maker or possibly the control board is confusing the ice maker to stop. When you replaced the second ice maker, how long did it work correctly? Was the first problem the exact same as the second ice maker? Even though it is the second one you have replaced, there may be a fault in the motor/timer which tells the ice maker to dispense ice. Here is a list of parts for the ice maker in your Samsung refrigerator.
-RR
Samsung Refrigerator RSG257 side-by-side will make ice and go thru 2 cycles but then stops. This is only after I have reset the maker. The arm goes up and stays in the up position after the two cycles. Water is available at the dispenser. Freezer is set at -4. Ice button is in the on position at the controls. Why will it not continue to produce ice? This is the second ice maker and it replaced the original.
Micheleric,
If you are not getting the proper voltage to the solenoid that provides water for ice, you may have a bad wire harness or there is a component that is not letting power get to the solenoid. Have you traced it back to see if the components and wire harnesses are secure and working?
-RR