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.
Sylvia,
If your LG fridge is not cooling but the fans and lights are on, then most likely you have a bad relay or capacitor. These 2 inexpensive parts are what help run and or start your compressor. Your compressor is what cools your fridge, so if the compressor is not running, your refrigerator will not cool. If possible test the cap and relay. If bad then remove and replace.
-RR
My LG no-frost 2 -door refrigerator doesn’t cool. It is just fan and light.
Stu,
Remove the ice bucket to access the ice maker. Locate the black rubber button (or white) on the underside of the Ice Tray Motor Housing. Press and hold the button until you hear the Ice Tray start to turn, then release it.
NOTE: Do not reset your ice maker more than once every 24 hours. This will result in the ice tray over filling and spilling into the ice bucket. If the ice bucket is frozen you will not be able to dispense ice. A frozen ice bucket can also lead to the ice maker itself freezing over. This will cause the ice maker to stop working. You will need to apply some pressure to the button in order to begin the test/reset process. When the ice tray is in motion, anything that is in it will come out. If ice is only dispensing when you press the test/reset button make sure the ice maker On/Off option is set to the “On” position. Then let the ice maker sit for at least 24 hours to allow it to work properly. If you do not have ice within 24 hours, let us know and we will assist further.
-RR
I have a Samsung RS265TD side by side and it stopped making ice after my girlfriend accidentally turned on the fast freeze. The freezer got down to -25 F before I noticed. I reset the ice maker. The ejector blades turned the full 360 degrees and the tray started filling with water. As soon as the water started flowing, the fridge beeped and the ice maker shut down. I reset it again and it did the same thing. The shutoff arm does not move and appears to stay in the up position.
I unplugged the fridge. Waited 10 minutes for the board to reset. Works now. Thank you.
Rich,
Depending on what part of the world you live in, there may be hard water clogging the filter but unlikely. To be sure, replace the filter first. If still no go then taking the ice maker out or testing the valve will be the next step. There may also be an issue with the ice maker itself. This video is not your EXACT fridge but will be able to guide you as to what to do and how your ice maker works. Video here.
-RR
Whirlpool French door bottom mount.
Wrf982sdam00. Model.
Stopped making ice. Beeps every once in a while. I unplugged the fridge for ten minutes. Sensor still works. Water pressure is good. No kinks in water line. Going to start with a new filter. Fridge is 1.5 yes old, never changed the filter. What next if that doesn’t work? Thank you in advance.
Rick,
If you are not sure if water is even going to the ice maker itself… (If you are unable to test the solenoid valve)
There should be a water line going into the back of the ice maker. Turn the water off on the back of the fridge wall, then remove water line on ice maker, then have someone turn the water back on (just a little bit) behind fridge and see if water comes out of the water line that goes to the ice maker. That is a simple way but there may be another valve that needs to turn on before water will get to the ice maker. Do some troubleshooting and check your service manual.
-RR
-RR,
When I push the ice dispenser it does make the noise as if it is trying to dispense ice. How do i check to see if the ice dispenser is getting water? The solenoid valve? I am getting water from the dispenser just no ice.
Alvin,
Sounds like a timing issue. If the ice maker tries to dispense before the water freezes into ice cubes, then there is a timer malfunctioning. There are several components in the control module of the ice maker that can fail and most are not sold separately. Your best bet is to remove and replace the ice maker. You can find your exact ice maker for around $100 dollars online.
-RR