My Whirlpool WRX fridge ice maker makes ice cubes but the ice cubes are stuck. When I press the ice paddle to get ice, the motor makes a grinding noise but no ice falls out. If I open the door that the ice dispenser panel is located on, I can see the ice maker is making ice. However the ice cubes are jammed in the door. What can I do to unjam the ice maker?
Inspect ice chute to unjam ice maker
The ice in your refrigerator freezer can jam up in the dispenser “chute” area. There may have been a small temperature change and the ice cubes may have melted slightly. The ice cubes will clump together and cause a large blockage. If this happens the ice may jam up within the chute ice dispenser area. This is an easy fix but can cause ice cubes to scatter on the floor and make a mess so use caution.
Ice Dispenser Motor Makes Noise But No Ice
If you hear the ice dispenser motor running but no ice is dropped, this is an indication of an ice cube blockage. The ice cube dispenser motor will run and make grinding noises but no ice will dispense.
Ice Cubes Get Jammed From Icemaker To Dispenser
On most refrigerator/freezer models, the ice drops from the ice maker into a chute and down into the ice dispenser. The ice cubes may get stuck or jam within the chute. When this occurs, the ice cannot move down into the dispenser.
How To Fix Jammed Ice Cubes On Refrigerator
To fix the jammed ice dispenser first unplug the refrigerator from power. Open the fridge door the ice dispenser panel is located on. Locate the chute area where the ice cubes drops down into. This area is most likely jammed with ice cubes. Use something like a long wooden spoon to unjam the ice blockage. Carefully slide the wooden spoon down into the jammed ice cubes. Unjam the ice so there are no obstructions. Take out any ice cubes or frost build up that may be jamming the area.
Most common reason for NO ICE is a jammed chute
Reset The Icemaker
If your refrigerator has a display panel, press the ice maker button for 10 seconds to reset it. On some models you can reset by locating the on/off switch on the front of the board. Turn the switch to the Off position. Unplug the refrigerator for 5 minutes to do a hard reset. (Refer to your refrigerator manual for the exact method ice maker reset for your fridge)
Resetting the icemaker can fix NO ICE issue
Clean Out Ice Maker
Locate the icemaker and (depending on model) slide it out. Dump the ice cubes out in the sink. Make sure the ice maker is clean and free of any ice build up or frost. Slide the ice maker back into place. For ice makers that do not slide out, simply clean it off and remove any chunks of ice that may be hindering ice production.
Clean ice maker to fix NO ICE problem
Once the ice is removed and there are no obstructions. Be sure the area is clean and the ice maker is in place. Shut the refrigerator door and test the ice maker.
Ice Dispenser Not Dispensing
See if the ice maker dispenser motor is running. If the motor is operational and the “chute” is free from any blockages, there may be an issue with the ice maker itself.
If everything is operational but the ice maker is NOT making ice cubes see below for what can cause this.
Ice Maker Not Making Ice?
- Frozen Water Line – Thaw frozen water line to let water flow.
- Water Filter Clogged – Remove and replace the water filter to allow water to ice maker.
- Water Filter Not Installed Properly – Reinstall water filter to fit flush and securely to housing.
- Ice Maker Faulty – Troubleshoot ice maker and repair or replace if necessary.
A clogged water filter can cause “NO ICE”
Troubleshoot The Ice Maker
Some ice makers have an ejector arm. Inspect the ice maker to be sure this part is operational. This small ejector arm can get stuck and can be fixed by unjamming it. The ejector arm can also become damaged and will need to be replaced. The small parts on an ice maker can be removed and replaced, however a complete ice maker is relatively cheap nowadays. So compare pricing between a complete ice maker assembly and the small parts that can be replaced.
Broken ice maker? Replace with new assembly
Ice Maker Ejector Arm Issue
Check that the ice is not jamming up on the ejector arm of the icemaker. If so remove the ice from the ejector arm. Use a plastic object to not damage the ice maker. This will likely resolve the issue. The cold water can sometimes freeze on the stripper and cause an ice bridge. This ice bridge will cause the harvest fingers to jam
Ice Maker Not Dumping Ice
If the ice maker itself is jammed. You can try and thaw it out. The ice maker may not be allowing the auger to dump ice. Unplug the refrigerator and carefully use a hair dryer to thaw it out. After thawed, plug back in and see if the ice maker will cycle.
There may be a part on the ice maker that is faulty. Check the connection of the ice maker. Are any parts bent or stuck? Check all parts on the ice maker. If you find it to be faulty, you will need to remove and replace the complete icemaker.
If your refrigerator is still under warranty, please refer to your GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, Haier, Kenmore, Hotpoint, Sharp, Bosch, KitchenAid, Hamilton Beach, Frigidaire, Toshiba, or Panasonic refrigerator service manual or warranty manual.
Questions about ice jamming in your refrigerator? Leave your Refrigerator model number below and an explanation of your issue and we will get back to you with help. Other readers in the comment section may also participate in helping you with your issue.
Rod Brown,
This is a common issue on ice dispensers.
The ice can be melting as a result of warm air.
The heat from the inside has caused your ice to melt, resulting in ice clumps that the dispenser can’t handle.
OR
The flap that seals the chute from the ice dispenser should be checked.
If a clump of ice is present, it will likely prevent the flap from closing properly. If the flap is warped, then it will need to be replaced.
AND
Check the gasket around the freezer door. The gasket is a seal that keeps things the cool air inside. It’s the rubber component that seals your freezer door to your freezer in this situation.
-RR
Whirlpool side-by-side 2021 model, ice/water dispenser.
Ice cubes mode: a ice cube will stick in chute door flap, melt into tray, and overflow water onto floor.
What can be done?
Other than always do crushed ice or always open freezer door do check if a cube stuck in chute door.
After dispensing ice from the door on my Whirlpool refrigerator, sometimes (not always) a few cubes will jam the dispenser door open and will later melt onto the floor. The refrigerator is 6 years old and has just started to do this. I have to open the freezer door and check each time I dispense ice. What can be causing this?
I have a whirlpool gold conquest fridge. I replaced the ice maker 2 years ago. Since then, when the ice tray fills with water, too much water is going in the tray and the extra goes down the side of the ice bin, freezing the ice cubes together and jamming the mechanism. I have to remove the bin (sometimes frozen too hard to remove) and clean the frozen water/ice cubes out of the bottom about every 6 weeks or less. Is there a way to regulate the amount of water that goes into the ice tray part?
I have a 2018 Kenmore side by side refrigerator with water and ice in door. This week the ice maker stopped making ice. I did just replace filter for the second time also. Water in the door still works. I noticed the PLASTIC ICE STOP ARM was stuck in the up position which the manual states will stop ice production. I can not get it to come down. There is no obstructions around it like ice etc. I’m afraid of breaking it if forced. All ice has been removed from the bucket thru normal use. Can you help?.
I have a Kenmore cold spot.We had a power outage and now my ice dispenser motor will not run.It makes ice and the water dispenser works fine.Is there a reset button or a way I can tell what the problem is? The best I can tell,the model number is 106.58146801.Thank you .
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