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.
My LG refrigerator (model LSC26905TT) is not letting the ice freeze completely.. Sometimes it just tips the little ice cube maker while its still water, within seconds after filling it. The fridge temperature is working perfectly and it freezes anything pretty quick, but this ice tipper is making it leak when it just tips the water into the ice bucket.. Any suggestions?
Rick,
The water filter should be the filter for both the water and ice, so you can rule that out if the water dispenser is still working. If you have not replaced the water filter for over 6 months, then you should replace it as soon as you can for cleaner water. So, when you push a glass to the ice dispenser, do you hear the noise as if it is trying to dispense ice? Have you determined if water is entering the ice maker? If water is not entering the ice maker than obviously the ice maker cannot make ice. Check to be sure the water valve that opens to let water into the ice maker is working properly. It will usually be a solenoid valve and is controlled electrically. When you say the light does not work on the ice maker, it could just be a burned out light and have nothing to do with the ice maker not making ice. Usually the issue you are having is because of a kinked water line, frozen water line, or faulty water valve solenoid. It could also be the switch on the ice dispenser itself is bad. Check to see if there is ice in the ice maker, then let us know and we can help you further.
-RR
I have a Samsung RF267ABBP refrigerator. The ice maker has quit working. No ice at all. I can still get water from the dispenser, but no ice. The filter has not been replaced recently. Could that be the problem? It is no longer covered by warranty so i am hoping for an easy fix. The ice off light is not on. Once again water comes out fine, but no ice at all. Thanks….
You have been such a great help!
What a tremendous service you’ve provided.
Thank you again!
S2,
The way to test the solenoid valve is to apply voltage to it. There are two wires and the multimeter can be touched to these wires to test to see if it is working properly. If you do not want to mess around with a meter and testing… basically it sounds like the valve is bad and it is best to just replace it.
Your choices here are: Buy a new solenoid valve, or buy a new complete ice maker. Check prices on both and compare. Some online appliance companies are super over priced. Your best bet is to just buy the solenoid valve. Go on Amazon and type in “Kenmore Ice Maker Solenoid Valve” and you will see that most are around $20 dollars or less. If you need help to remove and replace the solenoid valve, go on YouTube and you will find someone filming themselves doing the procedure. Let us know what happens in your situation. If you have more questions, feel free to ask.
-RR
Thank your reply!
Model #363.50622000
Water does not automatically fill the tray.
How do I test the solenoid itself?
I tested the main valve leads but don’t know how to take it apart beyond that.
Or maybe you already know it’s bad anyway so it should all be replaced?
S2,
What is the model number of your Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator? We cannot fully troubleshoot your fridge as we don’t know the exact parts without model number… however…
Is water getting to the ice maker? If so then there is usually a small solenoid valve that electrically opens a valve to let water into your ice maker. If that valve is bad meaning either the solenoid or the valve is defective, the ice maker can’t get water. You may want to remove the solenoid valve and test it with a meter or if everything is working fine besides that, just buy a new valve and replace it as this is most likely your issue.
This is just general info on most side by sides, if we had model number we could be exact.
-RR
I have a Kenmore side-by-side where the ice maker just quit making ice. It makes ice if I fill the tray manually, let it freeze, and then kickstart the ice maker (taking off the faceplate) by turning the gear slightly with a wrench. Then it completes the cycle. But that’s all it will do. There are three settings where you can get ice or water through the door. The water comes out fine.
Here is what I have done so far to troubleshoot:
* Taken out the ice maker to thaw out and inspected for visible issues (it doesn’t)
* Put a hair dryer on the fill tube for 4 minutes to see if it had a frozen clog (it doesn’t)
* Checked the door switch to ensure it works (the light goes on when I open the door)
* Checked the pump assembly in the back for continuity on each plug (it has good continuity)
* Checked the hose lead from the pump to the ice unit for clogs (it seems to be fine)
* Checked the water lead from under the sink to the fridge for pressure (it is great)
* Checked the temperature of the freezer. It is set at the factory setting where it has been all along.
I don’t know if the solenoid is clogged with debris. I don’t know how to check for that.
I don’t know if there are other things to check on the ice maker itself.
I don’t know how to remove the water tubing from the water pump assembly connections.
I’ve watched the videos on youtube and don’t see a solution, other than just start spending randomly to replace pumps and other parts and guess. I don’t want to guess.
I like my ice. I need my ice. Please help me figure out how to get back my ice!
Temp in the fridge is 32 and the freezer is 1 degree.
Russ,
Get an external thermometer and see exactly what the temp in the freezer is. Is the food items in the freezer still frozen? Is the refrigerator area affected by issues? If the ice maker is filling with water but never freezes then obviously it is not getting to freezing temp and possibly there is an issue with the compressor or possibly a control board or other component. Check temp first and see what it reads. Send us the temp, as certain temps in a freezer can indicate certain issues.
-RR