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.
Lucy,
Try and reset it. Move the actuator on the ice maker to be sure it is working properly. Does your fridge dispense water?
-RR
I have a Fridgidare model number FRT18IS6CWB. IT stopped making ice for about 6 months then all of a sudden started making ice again for over a year, Now it just stopped again. Can’t live without ice but can’t really afford A repair man. Can you help?
It was not making ice before I changed the filter. I can get water from the fridge and when I depress the fridge does make noise like it was trying to dispense ice but without dispensing any because there is no ice and n the bucket.
Julie,
Did your Samsung refrigerator stop making ice cubes after putting in a new water filter? Does the fridge dispense water? Do you hear a noise when you depress the ice dispenser lever?
-RR
I have a French door Samsung, bought in 2014, I have reset the ice maker put the a new filter, checked the temperature, and still no ice. Is there any thing else I can do before making a service call?
Samsung RF266ABBP/XAA freezer ice maker is only dispensing ice when the test/reset button is pressed. This happens intermittently since I replaced a broken ice tray a month ago. Ice maker will dispense ice normally for a few days and then stops and will only dispense ice by pressing the reset button.
Samsung RF266ABBP/XAA freezer ice maker is only dispensing ice when the test/reset button is pressed. This happens intermittently since I replaced a broken ice tray a month ago. Ice maker will dispense ice normally for a few days and then stops and will only dispense ice by pressing the reset button.
I have a Frigidaire refrigerator that quit making ice. Before it made howling noises when making ice. It quit making the noise but quit making ice too
Glenn,
If the ice maker in your Samsung French Door Refrigerator stops producing ice, the lever of the ice maker may have gotten stuck. Check to see that it can move freely and nothing is blocking it. Here is a Samsung page that may assist you with your ice maker issues. Samsung refrigerator french door ice maker reset. If nothing solves your issue, let us know and we can assist further.
-RR
I have a Samsung French doors RF267AEBP. My ice maker is not working properly. Recently the freezer door was left open a little bit and the vents froze so the freezer wouldn’t get down to temp. Unplugged the fridge for a day to thaw out. Turn back on after all thawed and whipped back on. Freezer is working properly. But now the ice maker won’t work properly. I will press the reset button for the ice maker, hear the ding, and put tray back in and close the door. About 10 seconds later I would hear the ice dispense and the hear the water fill the tray. Then the ding sound again to say it’s working properly. But it doesn’t dispense the ice it made till I reset the ice maker. Then do the process all over again. Please help!