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.
Justin,
This is not the exact thermo you may be having issues with, but here is a video Defrost Thermostat – How to Test and How they Work that can show you how to test it. Are you having any issues in the fridge compartment or is the issue ONLY in the freezer section?
-RR
Hi RR,
It’s the complete ice maker that’s freezing up – the ice builds up slowly on the bottom and sides of it until there’s no room for the ice cubes to make it out of the ice maker to the ice bucket below.
Is there any way to check or test the defrost cycle for the ice maker?
-Justin
Pat Eakin,
Call Samsung and let them know of your issue as this is a common problem we get asked many times. They should send out new parts to fix the issue.
-RR
Justin,
Yes it could be an issue with the board and this causes the defrost cycle to be out of sync. Have you tried to wrap the water lines in insulation tape to prevent freezing? Is the complete ice maker freezing or the lines to it?
-RR
I have a Samsung RF25HMEDBSR French-door refrigerator that is 1.5 years old. The ice maker is in the upper (fridge) section of the refrigerator – it has worked OK for about 1 year, but now the ice maker freezes up about once a month. It works perfectly fine after I defrost the ice maker with a hair dryer, but eventually freezes up and stops working and I have to defrost it again with a hairdryer to get it working again. The water dispenser works fine. Is there some type of defrost cycle for the ice maker that may have stopped working?
I have a RS261MDPN Samsung Refrigerator Side by Side.. When I first started having problems, water ran all over my floor. I discovered my ice tray broke in my ice maker. So they sent me a replacement, I got it put in, reset and thought all was well. Then I started getting clumps of ice in my bucket, then I got a chunk the size of the whole tray. Seems too much water is running in. I reset and tried again, this time I looked in the new tray I installed is broke in half?? Could you help me what to check for? I really cant afford to hire a tech guy to come out.
Lori,
If the water freezes before it gets to the ice maker, try using a water tubing insulation foam or foil on the water tubing. Here are some products that may help you. Water tubing insulation.
-RR
There are no error codes. It seems that the water is freezing before it enters the ice maker. If I pull out the whole unit, I can remove a block of ice and it will occasionally make a full bucket of ice. I am pulling it apart every day to keep it from freezing and dripping.
Lori,
Do you get any error codes on the Samsung display panel? Is the water unable to get into the ice maker? Is something blocking it? There may be a piece of water line insulation missing and therefore the water freezes before it gets to the ice maker. Have a look at your Samsung fridge manual to see if there is a piece missing. Let us know what you find.
-RR
Our Samsung ice maker in our French door refrigerator is not working properly. The water comes into the ice maker and freezes right in the water intake. It does not drain into the area where ice cubes are made. I have replaced the ice maker and checked for clogs and there are none. I tried pulling out, unplugging, and turning off the water source. The water just continues to drain under the ice box and freeze there causing the drawer to freeze. The model number for the ice maker is da9707365g. Any help would be appreciated.