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.
Yes, I do have a multimeter. Does that solenoid on the water valve or is it somewhere else?
Sharon,
If the same exact problem is happening with the new ice maker, it is most likely a solenoid valve or wiring issue. If you replaced exactly this Samsung Bottom Ice Maker, then yes, a solenoid is most likely bad. This Solenoid Valve for Samsung Refrigerator MAY be the part you need. To be sure you will need to get behind the fridge and do some troubleshooting. Do you own a multimeter?
-RR
I replaced it with part# DA97-07603B. I replaced the whole bottom ice maker. The bottom freezer does freeze. No water coming to the maker on the bottom, and after pressing the test switch the new ice maker will not cycle. The new one does not seem to be working at all. Would a bad solenoid on the water valve cause the whole thing not to cycle? Same issues with the old one as well.
Sharon,
Can you tell us the exact part number you replaced?
If there is water going to the top ice maker and not the bottom, yes, a solenoid MIGHT have malfunctioned and it is not opening the valve to let the water into the bottom ice maker. However…
Your bottom freezer is freezing, correct? The original issue was the ice maker would not spit out the ice cubes so you replaced the complete ice maker, right?
If now your issue is the ice maker will not work at all, then you may not have it installed incorrectly. Make sure it is getting power. Does the new ice maker move at all? Or is it just not getting water supplied to it?
Do a test to see if the new ice maker is bad and reinstall the old one. Are the results the same? Let us know the answers to our questions and we can troubleshoot further.
-RR
I have a Samsung RFG298AARS/XAA with top and bottom ice makers. The bottom one stopped working rotating to dump ice already made. The top ice make works just fine. So I replaced the bottom ice maker with a brand new one and pressed the test switch and it won’t cycle at all. All I can think of is maybe the water valve in the back of the frig. Would a bad water valve still send water to the top ice maker and not the bottom? What else could be the issue? I have replaced the water filter as well.
Josh,
We would recommend to inspect all components in the fridge including the compressor, start capacitor/relay, and fans. A fan may be out therefore not letting the air flow properly. Also be sure the coils on back of fridge are clean and free of dust and or pet hair. Also, when you moved it to -4, did it have any affect whatsoever?
-RR
I have not had a chance to put a thermometer inside. The noise sounded like a rattle possibly a compressor? Between the bottom freezer and the refrigerator. I can say the top ice maker is as warm as the fridge. The recommended setting for freezer is -2 by Samsung I moved it to -4 last night. The extended warranty went out 3 months after this issue and the unit is 5 years old.
Josh,
Have you put a thermometer in there to see what temp it is at? Where did the noise come from and what did it sound like? How old is your Samsung? Is -2 the correct setting? Have you tried moving the temp control to see if the temp changed? Check all obvious things first, from there we can help you troubleshoot the problem once you answer the above questions.
-RR
I have a Samsung RF268ABRS. I heard a noise form the unit and two days later ice started to melt in the top ice maker. The bottom ice maker has no issue. The temp is set to -2 but now no ice is being made in the top ice maker. I pressed the reset button for 8 seconds and heard a beep, but the top ice maker is still doing nothing. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Laura,
How old is refrigerator? Have you unplugged fridge for about 10 minutes or so to possibly reset ice maker? Try that and see if it rectifies the issue.
-RR