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.
I have an LG LFX25950 French door Refrigerator. I recently moved and i didn’t have it plugged into the water for 2 years. I got everything connected and my ice maker is making a clicking noise and i hear it dropping ice but looks like its melting i have had it running for three days and it wont hold more than 10 cubes.
Lyndsey,
LG says the ice maker works best with the freezer set at -4 degrees F. At this temp, everything should work properly. Turn the temp in your freezer either up or down to get to -4 degrees F. Once at that temp, if the problem persists, let us know and we can assist further.
Also, every now and then, take the ice unit out and stir up the ice. There may be large ice clumps that keep the ice from dispensing, therefore blocking its own path out.
-RR
I have an LG side by side refrigerator freezer. My freezer can make ice, but it does not drop the cubes, unless I hit the reset button. At which point it drops the ice and refills with water. Any ideas please?
I have a Samsung RF26VABBP french door fridge, freezer drawer in bottom, ice maker top left in the refrigerator compartment. However the ice maker compartment is not getting cold enough to freeze water. The freezer is set at and maintains a temp of -6F, the refrigerator is set at 34 and is maintaining at 38-40. I have hit ice maker reset. Have unplugged and pulled out both ice maker assemblies followed by unplugging power to refrigerator for an hour to hope for reset or thaw. How does freezer air get to the ice maker compartment – is there a baffle that might have gotten stuck?
Tammy,
Most likely the water dispenser switch is faulty (the switch the lever touches to dispense water). If not that, possibly the solenoid at back is on the fritz.
-RR
My side by side samsung ice maker flap keeps opening and closing by itself. I came home and the water dispenser was dispensing water all over the floor! The dispenser light was on as if someone was pushing the lever to dispense the water but no one had been home. Now the dispenser light is staying on. I have turned the water supply off but the refrigerator keeps making noise like the dispenser us trying to work. A repairman won’t be coming for 5 more days!!!! Help!!!
I have a Samsung RFG298AARS. The ice maker in the refrigerator stopped working. I’ve tried the reset button several times. After reading different posts and watching YouTube video’s it sounded like the entire ice maker itself was bad. I purchased a new one today (ka-ching), installed it, held the reset button, which one video said you needed to do, and have not heard any water run to start making ice. I do get water from the door dispenser just fine, so I’m pretty sure there is no blockage. I also toggled from Crushed to Cubed as the sticker on the ice maker housing said to do. One other thing I saw that could be the cause is if the door switch was faulty, but I think it’s okay. If the door is open you can’t fill up a glass of water, but when the door is closed you can. That would lead me to believe the switch does work. I really don’t want to have a repair person come out…but not sure if there is anything else a DIY’er can do. Already out close to $200 after tax on the ice maker I bought. Should have bought a cheaper one off eBay, but was afraid I’d get the wrong model and be stuck with it…I now know the ones I saw on eBay were the right ones, for half the price. Heavy sigh. I’d appreciate any help you can provide. – Dane O
I have a Samsung R237 French door, just over the warranty, 14 months, go figure. The ice maker isn’t making and ice anymore, did the ice reset, the ice off botton isn’t on, water works just fine. Just not a single cube. all lines are kinked. What do you recommend before I have to paid $100’s of dollars… Thanks!
I have a samsung refrigerator with a top and bottom icemaker. I am having an issue with the top icemaker that dispenses ice at the door. It was not making ice. I installed a new icemaker and I hear the water going in and on 2 separate occasions it has made 8 ice cubes and then nothing more. Each time I took it out and re-installed it. It is obviously getting water and making ice but again it only made 8 cubes and only twice and I should add that on a few occasions after I re-installed no cubes were made. Thank you.
Sharon,
The valve SHOULD be located in the back of the fridge/freezer. Access it from the back of the fridge.
Here are some ways to test or determine if a solenoid valve is working or not.
Solenoid Help 1 – Solenoid Help 2
This will also give you some info on how a solenoid works. USE CAUTION when testing or troubleshooting electrical issues with appliances.
-RR