Repairing Guides

how to repair ice maker

by Kamryn McDermott Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to troubleshoot an ice maker that isn’t making ice:

  • Make sure the bail wire above the ice tray is in the down position. When it’s up, it shuts off the ice maker.
  • Check the water supply line beneath or behind the refrigerator. Be sure it isn’t kinked and is supplying water.
  • Be sure the little fill tube that fills the ice tray isn’t frozen. If it is, melt the icy tube with a hair dryer.
  • Look for ice in the ice mold and make sure the motor that turns the ice ejection arm is working.
  • Check the tap valve that connects the supply tube to the water pipe.

Part of a video titled Ice Maker Repair - YouTube
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The two top screws that hang the icemaker to the freezer sidewall. The bottom screw if there is oneMoreThe two top screws that hang the icemaker to the freezer sidewall. The bottom screw if there is one must be removed completely allowing the ice maker to be lifted from the two top screws.

Full Answer

How do you troubleshoot an ice maker?

The media playback was aborted due to a corruption problem or because the media used features your browser did not support. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - Ice makers not working, food spoiling and people desperate to get help about their refrigerators that they call problematic.

What to do when your ice maker stops making ice?

What to Do When Your Ice Maker Stops Dropping Ice

  • Reset the Ice Maker. The first and best troubleshooting step is to power-cycle the ice maker. ...
  • Dump and Clean the Ice Bin. The next common possibility for why you’re not seeing ice down the chute is that it’s stuck in the bin.
  • Check the Freezer Temperature. ...
  • Unjam the Ice Tray. ...
  • Inspect the Water Line. ...
  • Replace the Water Filter. ...

How to troubleshooting an ice maker?

  • Inspect the ejector gear
  • Test the ejector motor
  • Test the holding switch
  • Test the thermostat
  • Test the ice mold heater

How do I Fix my ice maker?

Steps to follow:

  • Locate the ice maker and remove the bin.
  • Grasp the ice maker and shake it a couple of times up and down. Do this firmly but gently.
  • Replace the bin and power OFF the unit for 30 seconds ( i.e trip the breaker or unplug the unit).
  • Power the unit back ON.

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What causes an ice maker to stop working?

If your ice maker isn't producing ice at all or is producing crescents or cubes that are smaller than usual, it's typically indicative of a clog somewhere along the supply line. Cause: A common cause for a clog is frozen water in the line. Fix: To repair a frozen line, slide the refrigerator and unplug it.

How do I fix my refrigerator ice maker?

4:065:02Ice Maker Not Working? - Check these 6 Things first! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the water line you want to make sure it's not kinked it's not clogged. So how to do that is youMoreAnd the water line you want to make sure it's not kinked it's not clogged. So how to do that is you pull the fridge out make sure it's unplugged. Turn the water.

How do I reset my ice maker?

Unplug the machine and wait 10 seconds. Plug the machine back in and press the ON button. You should see a blue light appear, letting you know that the machine has been reset.

Why is my refrigerator not making ice?

If your ice maker isn't making ice or if the ice cubes are small or misshapen, the water fill tubes may be the problem. Check the fill cup and the tube at the back of the ice maker. If they are covered in ice, look for a blockage.

Will unplugging my fridge reset the ice maker?

Leave the refrigerator unplugged for 5 minutes. This will allow the ice system to reset. After 5 minutes, replug the refrigerator and turn the switch back on. This should cause the ice maker to start working again.

Where is the reset button on ice maker?

You can find the reset button at the bottom of the ice maker. Remove the ice tray to locate it. Remove the ice tray. The red button you see is the reset button.

How do I force my ice maker to cycle?

If your gear has a small notch in it, then you may need a flat-head screwdriver. Use it to turn your gear counterclockwise until you hear the mentioned click. In both situations, the click that is heard will force the ice maker to cycle.

Why did my Frigidaire ice maker stop working?

This usually is due to the water filter being clogged or a restricted water supply. It is recommended to change the water filter first but if the condition still occurs then you want to check for a saddle valve, a water valve not turned on all the way or a kinked water supply line.

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The ice maker itself is frozen

Determining the cause of a frozen ice maker can seem complicated when you have large chunks of ice blocking your line of sight. Luckily, the common...

How to fix a clogged ice maker?

So turn off the household supply to this valve and remove the input tubing to check to see if it has a little debris screen on it that may have gotten clogged. If so, clean the screen to allow water back into the ice machine. Check the inlet tubing for blockage, and make sure the manual water shut-off valve is clean and clear on the inside. If the ice maker fill tube has iced over, it could be that you need greater household water pressure to keep water flowing into the icemaker, or it could be that there’s dirt or a defect in the water inlet valve. Before you decide to replace the water valve, check to ensure power is reaching it properly. To check the electrical function of the water inlet valve, unplug the refrigerator and shut off the water supply to it. Remove the back panel and trace the water tube from the ice machine to the valve, to discover the solenoid inlet valve responsible for switching on the water flow. Test that solenoid with a multi-meter to determine if it has continuity. The electricity that runs to this solenoid originates in the ice maker control.

How to check if ice maker is working?

If the ice is absent or too small, the next stop is the fill system for the water: the fill cup and the tube at the back of the icemaker. If they are iced over, check for a blockage in the tube that could be keeping water from flowing into the fill cup the way it is supposed to. Is the inlet valve clear of blockage? Is the water pressure normal? Barring those malfunctions, the problem could be solved by unplugging the fridge, removing the outlet tube that runs between the fill valve and the ice maker and clearing or replacing that tube.

How to check water inlet valve?

To check the electrical function of the water inlet valve, unplug the refrigerator and shut off the water supply to it. Remove the back panel and trace the water tube from the ice machine to the valve, to discover the solenoid inlet valve responsible for switching on the water flow. Test that solenoid with a multi-meter to determine ...

Why isn't my ice maker putting out ice?

Should your refrigerator be the type that offers filtered water for drinking or for ice, it could be that your ice machine isn’t putting out ice like it used to because the filter’s gotten clogged up. A dirty filter reduces the amount of water that gets into the ice machine, so replace that filter twice a year, or more often if your area has hard water. Check the owner’s manual under “Maintenance” to find the location of the filter in your particular fridge; it’s usually somewhere easy to get to, in the open area of the fridge that stores food.

How to check if ice is iced over?

If they are iced over, check for a blockage in the tube that could be keeping water from flowing into the fill cup the way it is supposed to.

Why does my ice maker fill tube ice over?

If the ice maker fill tube has iced over, it could be that you need greater household water pressure to keep water flowing into the icemaker, or it could be that there’s dirt or a defect in the water inlet valve. Before you decide to replace the water valve, check to ensure power is reaching it properly. To check the electrical function of the ...

What is the Fix app?

With the Fix app, you can quickly and easily find information on your appliance, along with videos and articles to help you fix it.

How to fix a broken ice maker?

Fortunately, this fix is easy. Turn off your ice maker (flip up the fill bar) and use a pitcher to gently cover the ice maker tray in warm water. The warm water will melt away the stuck ice bits without adding any chemicals to your ice tray – making it safe to immediately begin making ice again in the maker assembly. Be sure to clean out the ice bin so that no liquid water or fractured ice remains when your tray is clear.

What to do when your ice maker stops working?

When your ice maker stops working, the first step is to identify the problem before you can enact repairs.

What happens if your ice maker doesn't hang?

If your ice maker does not hang level inside the fridge, the ice will not be level in the mold and even the ejector assembly may not function correctly. First make sure the fridge is level. Use a bubble level and test it on the bottom level of the fridge and the floor of the freezer.

Why is my ice maker stuck in the mold?

Ice Stuck in the Mold. One of the most common problems with an ice maker is misshapen ice, fractured ice, and fluffily frosted ice. This is all caused by ice bits being stuck in the ice mold. If an entire batch of ice gets stuck, no new ice can be formed ant the water line might be creating a problem as well since it cannot fill the try.

Why does my ice maker stop making ice?

The ice maker is not obvious when it turns off, and there are sometimes two or three different ways to pause or stop your ice maker. One member of the household could easily have accidentally switched your ice maker into an off state so that it stops making ice entirely.

How to tell if ice maker is off?

If you have a digital display, you might access the ice maker controls through this panel. Press the ice maker or power buttons, press and hold to be sure, to discover if your ice maker was turned off electronically.

Why is my ice maker leaking water?

The water line to your ice maker is essential to making quality ice. If the water line is clogged, water can’t come out and your ice doesn’t get made. Or the lines have something unsavory forming the clog and the ice you get may smell poorly. Leaking water lines are just as bad, if not worse, If a water line is cracked or a seal is broken, then leaks can occur which can form a wet or frozen mess.

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