Ice Maker Not Working – How to Troubleshoot Refrigerator Ice Cube Dispenser

Is your refrigerator ice maker not working or dispensing ice cubes? Here are 5 common reasons why the ice maker is not making or dispensing ice cubes. Troubleshoot ice makers for all refrigerator brands including Kenmore, Maytag, GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, KitchenAid, and Frigidaire refrigerator ice maker dispensers.

Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working 1Ice Maker Not Working – How To Troubleshoot?

  • Most common reason for ice maker not working? Jammed ice cubes.
  • What causes this? Ice cubes melt then refreeze causing clumped ice.
  • How do I fix this issue? Clear away all clumped or jammed ice cubes from the ice chute to get your ice maker working again.
    Not the problem? Find other reasons below…

Troubleshooting Common Ice Maker Problems:

  1. Clumped ice cubes in the ice chute?
  2. Ice maker is turned OFF?
  3. Clogged water filter needs to be replaced?
  4. Water supply to the refrigerator turned OFF?
  5. Water lines need to be purged of excess air?

1. JAMMED ICE CUBES IN THE CHUTE

UNJAM THE ICE MAKER CHUTE: Check that the ice cubes are not jammed in the chute. Check for clumping near the ice ejector arm or auger. Discard any ice in the area that is jamming up the chute. Test the ice maker dispenser about one hour after removing all the jammed ice cubes.

NOTE: JAMMED ICE is the usual reason an ice maker is NOT DISPENSING OR DUMPING ICE. Large clumps of ice can be created when ice cubes in the bin melt then refreeze. Clumped ice happens when the ice maker is not used often.

Ice Clumped In Ice ChuteRemove Clumped Ice In Chute

2. ICE MAKER IS TURNED OFF

TURN THE ICE MAKER ON: Is the ice maker power switch (or arm) in the OFF position? Check that the ice maker is turned ON. If the ice maker was turned OFF and now it is turned ON, give the ice maker some time to make ice cubes. Turn ice maker ON by lowering the wire shut off arm. Some ice makers vary and have a switch to turn the ice maker on or off.

NOTE: If the water line was not connected to the ice maker and the ice maker is turned ON and is attempting to make ice, this can cause a humming noise and sections inside the refrigerator may freeze.

Turn Ice Maker ON - Lower Wire ArmLower Wire Arm To Turn Ice Maker ON

3. WATER FILTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED

CORRECTLY REPLACE WATER FILTER: The water filter in your refrigerator can cause problems if installed incorrectly. If the water filter is clogged with hard water the water flow will be reduced. A faulty water filter causes low or no ice production.

NOTE: An incorrectly installed water filter can cause many issues including ICE NOT DISPENSING. When removing and replacing the water filter, be sure it fits securely into the filter housing.

Refrigerator Water Filter ReplacementReplace Refrigerator Water Filter

4. WATER SUPPLY VALVE IS OFF (CLOSED)

TURN WATER SUPPLY VALVE ON (FULLY OPEN): The water supply valve (or saddle valve) must be in the FULLY OPEN position. Check that the water supply valve is in good working order and that the valve is open to the refrigerator. Can the water supply valve fail? The water supply valve can become corroded, worn out, or simply stuck. If the water supply valve is open, check the water lines for kinks or bends that may impede the water flow to the ice maker.

NOTE: Make sure the fridge water supply is connected to a cold water supply.

Water Supply Valve - Turn ON To Make IceTurn Water Supply ON To Make Ice

5. AIR IN WATER SUPPLY LINES

FLUSH WATER LINES AFTER REPLACING WATER FILTER: Each time the water filter is replaced the water lines within the refrigerator should be flushed of excess air. Air in the water lines can cause water to drip from the dispenser and cause the ice maker to make hollow or small ice cubes.

NOTE: After you change the refrigerator water filter, it is recommended to purge air from the refrigerator water system by holding a cup at the water dispenser for 5 seconds on and 5 seconds off until water begins to flow from the dispenser.

Parts For Refrigerator Ice MakersIf the ice maker repair methods did not fix your ice maker, you may need a certain part to fix it…
Parts For Refrigerator Ice Makers


Whirlpool Kitchenaid Kenmore Troubleshooting Ice maker repair


Samsung LG Fridge / Refrigerator ice maker not working


GE Fridge Repair – Refrigerator Not Making Ice?

NOTE: All recommended methods to troubleshoot an ice maker will be sufficient on all refrigerators including the brands Electrolux, Kenmore, Hotpoint, Emerson, Maytag, Sharp, GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, Haier, Bosch, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, Toshiba, and Panasonic refrigerator ice makers.

MORE HELP WITH REFRIGERATORS: Ice Maker Making NoiseRefrigerator Leaking WaterMini Fridge Stopped CoolingSamsung Refrigerator Ice MakerLG Refrigerator Ice MakerWater Filters For RefrigeratorsRefrigerator Dispenser Not Working After Filter ChangeFridge Water Dispenser Not Working8 Fixes For Fridge Water Dispenser

Have additional reasons why an ice maker would stop working? Please leave your proven suggestions below to assist others in fixing a refrigerator ice maker not working.

HELP: If this page has not assisted you in fixing your refrigerator ice maker, please leave a detailed description of your problem using the form below. Leave us your refrigerator model number to help us to find a solution to your issue. For extra help, find your appliance service manual here.

8 thoughts on “Ice Maker Not Working – How to Troubleshoot Refrigerator Ice Cube Dispenser”

  1. ALLEN VETTER - DIY Repair Assistant

    Biaggia Jean Crucilla,
    Most likely the ice maker is working perfectly but the ice is JAMMED in the chute.
    The motor is running and pushing the ice cubes to the dispenser, but there is a blockage.
    Open the freezer and check the chute where the ice cubes go through the door and into the dispenser.
    You will probably find the ice cubes have become stuck together and are too big to flow through the chute.
    Get a wooden cooking spoon and use the opposite end or similar and attempt to push the ice cubes through the chute to unblock it.
    Check this and let us know what you find.
    Should be a simple 5 minute fix.
    -RR

  2. Biaggia Jean Crucilla

    My ice machine began dispensing crushed ice out of the cubed ice selection and also out the crushed ice selection. Now it does not dispense anything and I can hear the motor running but nothing happens. It is a Kenmore side by side.

  3. ALLEN VETTER - DIY Repair Assistant

    Nancy S Carter,
    Kitchenaid French door freezer ice maker not making ice cubes but dispenses water:
    The water filter may be the issue, replace it and observe what happens.
    If the bottom of the refrigerator is covered in ice, it it most likely leaking down from a blockage or unsecure water lines.
    Can you give us the model number to help guide you further?
    -RR

  4. Our Kitchenaide French door freezer on bottom has 2 problems. The ice maker is not dispensing cubes, but is dispensing water. It is time to change the filter. Must order. Would it dispense water but not ice if filter is clogged? It is also gathering water at the bottom which freezes into a sheet of ice. I am not sure of how to access coils for cleaning or if there is a drain plug? Thanks!

  5. ALLEN VETTER - DIY Repair Assistant

    exWFB108,
    If your Samsung French Door Refrigerator (RF260BEAESR/AA-0005) is only making 4 to 5 ice cubes per harvest, this sounds to be a water quantity issue or other factor.

    Is the ice maker getting the correct quantity of water in the tray?
    Possibly, the water valve is not fully open?
    Check valve and be sure no water lines are crimped behind the refrigerator.

    Is the ice maker faulty and turning off the water before it has the correct amount?
    Test the ice maker to see if the valve is faulty and therefore only letting 50% of the water needed into the system.

    Is there a setting on the ice maker that controls the amount of ice?
    There is an ON and OFF button but nothing to control amount of ice that we know of at this time.

    Did you just replace the water filter?
    If so the ice maker may need to go through multiple cycles to get the amount of ice as designed.

    TIP: The temperature inside the freezer should be set to -2 Fahrenheit or colder.
    Press the Power Freeze button on the control panel to help speed the freezing process.

    -RR

  6. I have a Samsung French Door Refrigerator (RF260BEAESR/AA-0005) with freezer only ice maker – no dispenser. Everything works, temps appear to be at specs, and no error codes are shown. Ice maker seems to function as it should (reset was done) and after 24 hours, only produces 4-5 cubes with each harvest, instead of the 8 or 9 that it should (and used to). Is there an option setting to allow more water to fill the tray or something else that could be adjusted or checked? Thanks in advance.

  7. ALLEN VETTER - DIY Repair Assistant

    Roger C.,
    Before ordering repair kits for your Kenmore fridge, first simply try to turn the temp LOWER in the freezer.
    Try going 5 degrees colder and see if the ice cubes DROP out easier.
    If the freezer is not cold enough, the ice cubes can stick together and get CLOGGED when coming out of the dispenser.
    -RR

  8. 1/19/2020
    RE Kenmore refrigerator model 106.576701 SN: HRU1931747
    Ice maker making proper cubes, not frozen together. Dispensing auger working fine.
    PROBLEM: Ice “cubes” will not drop out through the door, they stay above dispensing door. When switched to “crushed” instead of “cubes” the ice seemed to come out OK.
    I see the dispenser repair kit W10823377 for sale but do not see a recommendation to use it for repair of this particular problem.
    Can you help with suggestions?

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