It’s nice to have a refrigerator that makes ice— until it doesn’t. There are a few different reasons why your ice maker might not be making ice. We’re going to address a few ice maker issues you might run into and how to fix them. We’ll also answer some common questions about ice makers that we get too!
Here are a few common ice maker problems:
- Water line malfunction or setting
- Water inlet valve issue
- Clogged filter
- Thermostat is set too low
How to Fix a Fridge That’s Not Making Ice
Issue: Control Arm is out of Position
Fix: Sometimes the control arm may get bumped or fall off, make sure it’s in the correct and on position.
Issue: Ice Maker is Frozen
Fix: Sometimes your refrigerator’s thermostat can be set too low which can cause the water to freeze before it gets into the ice mold. Make sure your thermostat is set close to the recommended temperature for your fridge.
Issue: Water Fill Tubes
Fix: First, look at the ice mold for the ice maker. If you don’t see any ice or only see tiny pieces of ice, check the fill system for water. The filling system should be a fill cup and tube in the back of the ice maker. If these parts are iced over, check for a blockage in the fill tube. Most likely, these malfunctions can be fixed by unplugging your fridge, removing the outlet tube that’s between the fill valve and ice maker and either flushing it or replacing it with a new one.
Issue: Water Inlet Valve
Fix: Refrigerators get their water supply from the main supply for the house. If the inlet valve has a blockage, this could be why your fridge isn’t making ice. Turn off the water supply valve behind your fridge and check for debris in the input tubing. If the input tubing is clear, check to see if the inlet valve is clean and clear too. If the ice maker fill tube is iced over, this could mean that there’s an issue with your household’s water pressure. Before replacing the water valve, check the electrical function of the water inlet valve. To do this, turn the water inlet valve off, shut off the water supply, and unplug your refrigerator. Remove the back panel on your fridge and trace the water tube from the ice machine to the valve. Locate the solenoid inlet that’s responsible for switching on water flow. Test the solenoid with a mil-meter to test continuity. The electricity generated from the solenoid originates in the ice maker control.
Issue: Ice & Water Filter
Fix: Does your refrigerator require a water filter? If your fridge has stopped making ice suddenly, it could be that your fridge’s water filter is clogged. A dirty filter will reduce the amount of water getting to the ice machine, so make sure you’re replacing your filter at least twice a year.
Issue: Ice Maker Assembly & Replacement Ice Maker
Fix: Once you’ve ruled out the inlet valve, water valve, and water filter issue, it’s time to check your actual icemaker for issues. Most ice machines use heat to get cubes to drop into the tray. It is recommended that you hire a professional to perform a voltage test. If you confirm that there is electricity coming into the fridge, but it’s still not making ice, it might be time for a new ice maker.
How long does it take for the ice maker to make ice after the fridge filter has been installed?
It can take about 6 to 12 hours to start producing ice. It is recommended that you discard the first 3 batches of ice to ensure the purest ice.
What do I do when my fridge’s ice maker is not making ice?
First things first, make sure your ice maker has not been accidentally switched off.
Common troubleshooting tips you can try for your refrigerator:
- Make sure your refrigerator is connected to the water line and that the water valve is on.
- Check to see if the water supply line is kinked.
For models with refrigerator water filters:
- Make sure the water filter has sealed properly. Reinstall just to make sure. If reinstallation doesn’t work, your filter could be clogged.
- If it’s been over 6 months since you last installed a new filter, it might be time to replace it.
For models with dual ice makers:
- Check to see if the ice maker’s wire arm is allowed to go in the up or down position. Sometimes ice or other objects can cause the arm to not work properly. Also, make sure that the ice tray has been pushed to the rear of the shelf. Sometimes this can cause the arm to not operate properly.
- If ice cubes are clumping together, this may mean your ice is not used often or you have experienced an interruption in power. Defrost any ice clumps from the ice maker to prevent blockages in your ice machine.
- If your ice cubes are hollow this could mean that your refrigerator is not getting a steady supply of water. Check to make sure your water filter is clogged and that the water supply is unrestricted. If this doesn’t help, check your water supply line for kins and make sure the water supply is turned all the way on.
- The longer your water filter is in use, the dirtier it will become with contaminants. This can restrict water flow to your ice maker. Make sure you change your refrigerator water filter every 6 months for best results.
I installed a new refrigerator water filter and now my ice maker isn’t working. What do I do?
There are a few reasons why this might have happened:
- The fridge filter was installed incorrectly.
- The fridge filter is not sealed properly.
- You’ve installed a faulty filter.
Re-install your new refrigerator filter and make sure that it’s correctly installed and sealed properly. If your ice maker still is not working, it could be an issue with a valve or water line. If you think your refrigerator filter is defective, please reach out to the seller to request a replacement.
Ice maker issues can vary from brand to brand, so we recommend consulting your refrigerator owner’s manual for common ice maker issues associated with your refrigerator model.
If you’ve tried absolutely everything and your refrigerator still is not making ice, we recommend hiring a repairman to fix any ice maker issues you have.
Have an ice maker issue or troubleshooting tip we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments.
EcoBlueLife.com is a replacement water and air filter company located in the United States. The views and opinions contained herein are solely those of the original author and do not represent Eco Blue Life or its affiliates. This article was originally published on FiltersFast.com
