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.
Carter Hall,
Yes try turning the temp in the freezer up so it is not as cold. As you said this should not be necessary. You can buy an add on small heater that is made to put on the water lines for a refrigerator that has issues with freezing water lines to the ice maker. You could also wrap that section of aluminum tubing with some sort of insulation to prevent freezing. Call Samsung and tell them your issue as this is more common then it should be. If they know this is a common issue they will usually send out a new part or something to help you fix the issue even if it is not under warranty.
-RR
I have a Samsung double door refrigerator with a bottom pull out draw model RF260BEAESP. The aluminum water line that comes into the freezer compartment right about the ice tray freezes up. I remove the ice maker and defrost the line with a hair dryer. about a 10 inch piece of ice comes out of the aluminum tubing. I reset ice maker and it works fine for about a week to ten days before it freezes up. I have been dealing with this for about two months. Any suggestions on why the line freezes. Freezer was set at 0 degrees F. I just set the temperature to 2 degrees to see if it helps but I should not have to do that.
We replaced the filter and now it will not make ice. Nothing is frozen any suggestions?
Shirley,
You most likely have a faulty switch on the dispenser. If there is no noise coming from the dispenser when you depress a cup or glass to it, and water IS getting to the dispenser, you need to take it apart and test the switch and motor inside the dispenser. You may also have a loose or damaged wire harness that is causing the problem. Also check to be sure it is getting power if you have a meter. Watch a few YouTube videos to show you how to disassemble and take it apart and troubleshoot it safely and correctly.
-RR
Thanks for getting back to me. Yes. All tests done and water is flowing good to tray and to water dispenser in front of frig. Test switch does not cause any movement or noise as I’ve seen in videos. Model # LFX28868ST.
Shirley,
Have you checked to see if it is a “water not getting to ice maker” or if it is a “no power to ice maker” issue? There are 2 ways to repair this so let us know if the ice maker is not getting power, or not getting water.
-RR
I have an LG top french door with bottom freezer with an indoor ice maker that all of a sudden stopped working. I pushed the test switch and nothing happens. I don’t have an exact model but it has this inverter compressor. I purchased this in January of this year. What do I do?
Ryan,
We would recommend to buy the complete assembly for your Whirlpool fridge. Instead of buying a few small parts, ordering the complete assembly will be cheaper and most likely fix your issue. Just be sure you have checked the mechanism with a multimeter to be sure the part is receiving power.
-RR
I asked a question on September 26th, about my whirlpool refrigerator not creating ice, you gave me a part to order, and after ordering it, i received it, and i don’t think its the right part. I then re-read your response and realized the part you recommended was for pushing the ice down the shoot. That works just fine, I need the mechanism that moves the arm to create the ice. I have to open the ice box every 20 minutes, and reset the little metal arm so it can cycle through and create more ice to put in the ice tray.
Whirlpool side by side
Model: ED5VHGXMB10
Thanks again for your help!
Ryan
Dennis,
We believe there is a small micro switch that is pressed and this opens the rubber door when you depress the glass or cup to the dispenser. You will need to take the back part of the dispenser off and test the switch and be sure it is working properly and there is nothing blocking it.
-RR