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what causes an ice maker to stop working

by Mrs. Nella Hand IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The most common reasons for ice maker problems are:

  • Pause feature enabled
  • Water line malfunction or setting
  • Clogged filter
  • Faulty water inlet valve
  • Thermostat set too low

What causes an ice maker to stop working? There are several reasons you may find your ice maker not working all of a sudden, including a blocked water dispenser, issues with your water supply line, or a clogged water filter.

Full Answer

What causes my ice maker to suddenly stop working?

When ice is not ejecting

  • Cause: When moving things around in the freezer, it's not uncommon to accidentally nudge the control arm into the off position, which halts production of ice.
  • Fix: This is an easy fix. ...
  • Cause: If the control arm is in the on (down) position and the mold is filled with ice, the problem likely lies with the motor, gearbox or electrical connection.

More items...

What to do if your ice maker stop working?

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. ...

Why is your ice maker running so slow?

Refrigerator - Slow Ice Production. If your icemaker is producing ice too slowly, the problem is likely caused by one of the following: Clogged Filter: On refrigerator models with a water filter, a clogged water filter will restrict water flow to the icemaker. Replace the filter and allow the icemaker to go through several cycles.

Why is my icemaker slow to make ice?

  • Clogged water filter
  • High freezer temperature
  • Frequent opening of freezer door
  • Improper food load
  • Low water pressure
  • Damaged water line or water valve

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How do I reset my 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.

What to check if ice maker stops working?

Ice Maker Not Making Enough IceCheck your refrigerator and make sure it's perfectly level.Check your ice maker unit and make sure it's level.Check the water supply line for damage, pinching, or kinks.Check the fill cup; make sure it's aligned correctly with the water funnel.

What do you do when your ice maker stops 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.

Why is my fridge not making ice?

Make sure that your refrigerator's water tank is full. A depleted water supply may be the reason your refrigerator is having problems making ice. Your refrigerator needs to keep the air inside the freezer at a certain temperature to be able to produce the proper amount of ice.

Where is the reset button on ice maker?

The reset button is usually located at the bottom of the ice maker unit or in some cases at the top or on the bottom of the ice tray. Once located, press the button down for a few seconds until you hear a beep sound. Once you hear the beep sound, let go of the button. Once reset, check if the problem has been solved.

Why did my refrigerator ice maker stop making ice?

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. Remember, smaller ice cubes or ice chips jamming in the ice maker may be a sign that your water filter needs changing.

Why does my water dispenser work but not my ice maker?

If the water inlet valve is defective, or if it has insufficient pressure, it won't allow water to flow through. As a result, the ice maker won't make ice. The valve requires at least 20 psi to function properly. Make sure that the water pressure to the valve is at least 20 psi.

How do I unclog my ice maker water line?

Pour 3 to 4 cups of white distilled vinegar into the ice-maker and dispenser lines with a small funnel and allow it to soak for five to 10 minutes to break down the lime. Clip the open end of the lines up with a clothespin so the vinegar doesn't drain out, if necessary.

How much does it cost to repair ice maker?

The national average cost range to repair an ice maker is $150 to $250. Most homeowners pay around $200 to fix a leaking, freestanding ice maker. The low cost for this project is $75 to replace a valve on a portable ice maker. The cost is $400 to replace the motor on a high-end, built-in ice maker.

Is there a reset button on a refrigerator 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.

Can a clogged water filter cause ice maker not to work?

Filter Clogs Anything that regulates water flows to the ice maker can stop it from creating ice, especially if it becomes clogged. You should typically replace your refrigerator's water filter about twice per year. Ignoring this maintenance step can cause problems with your water dispenser as well as your ice maker.

What are the four 4 most common problems with commercial ice machines?

Commercial Ice Machine Problems That Need RepairsWater Flow Issues. Perhaps the most common type of problem an ice machine can suffer from is with water flow. ... The Ice Machine Leaks Water. ... The Ice Machine Is Too Warm. ... The Ice Machine Needs Cleaning.

How do I know if my ice machine is bad?

If you're concerned that your business may require ice machine repair in Delaware, here are some warning signs to look out for.Leaks. ... Half-frozen ice cubes. ... Diminished output. ... Bad taste. ... Louder-than-average noises. ... Get help with your ice machine.

Will ice maker stop working if filter needs to be changed?

Filter Clogs Anything that regulates water flows to the ice maker can stop it from creating ice, especially if it becomes clogged. You should typically replace your refrigerator's water filter about twice per year. Ignoring this maintenance step can cause problems with your water dispenser as well as your ice maker.

How do you test an ice maker motor?

Push on the ice dispensing lever as you watch the auger motor at the back of the freezer. If the motor jumps slightly, but fails to turn, chances are the motor is frozen from moisture, says Appliance-Repair-It.com.

Common Ice Maker Problems

An ice maker can stop working for a variety of reasons. Ice makers receive water through a small water supply line that runs from the refrigerator...

Ice Maker Stopped Working

Many ice makers have a control arm that activates a pause feature when the ice bin is full. The control arm may have inadvertently been moved, or p...

Water Line Is Turned Off or Clogged

Every ice maker has a water supply line. Check to make sure the water supply valve is not shut off or restricted by a bracket or fastener.

Clogged Filter

Clogged filters are a common problem if they are not maintained according to manufacturer specifications. Use the owner’s manual to locate the filt...

Clogged or broken water inlet valve

The location of the water inlet valve depends on the manufacturer but Kenmore ice maker and Whirlpool ice maker water inlet valves are typically lo...

Ice Maker Not Making Ice

A frozen water line may be the culprit. If you locate a frozen line, unplug the refrigerator and turn the water supply line off. You can defrost th...

Ice Maker Not Making Enough Ice

If you are still getting ice cubes but it’s not as much as before, your line may be in the beginning stages of freezing up. Check for a frozen line.

Ice Maker Leaking

Perhaps your ice maker is making ice but it’s leaking water in the freezer or leaking onto the floor. Check your refrigerator and make sure it’s pe...

Ice Maker Frozen

Check your thermostat setting and make sure it’s set to the manufacturer’s recommended temperature in the owner’s manual. If it’s set too low, wate...

What are some common ice maker problems and solutions?

Refrigerator ice maker problems can often be tied back to a handful of main components, including water valves and lines, the water filter, the ice...

Ice maker is not working or not making enough ice

An ice maker that doesn’t produce can feel like nothing more than a waste of precious refrigerator or freezer space. Browse some of the common caus...

Ice maker is making ice, but is not dispensing

A dispenser refusing to release cubes into your cup can be frustrating, especially when the ice bin is visibly full. Some of the most common causes...

The ice maker is making too much ice

Ice makers control ams are designed to sense a full ice bin and pause ice production at the right times, so an overflowing ice bin can be a sign th...

The ice has an odd taste

Strange-tasting ice in your favorite drink can be an unpleasant surprise, and may leave you wondering what’s wrong with your ice maker. Some common...

The ice maker is leaking

A leaky ice maker might drip into the ice bin and may cause ice clumps to form, or leak outside of the refrigerator or freezer and create a puddled...

The ice maker is making ice cubes that are too small

Ice cubes that are hollow or too small can usually be traced back to two main factors: water flow and temperature settings in the refrigerator or f...

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 defrost ice maker after thawing?

Always keep the hair dryer above the water source to avoid electrical shock. Once power is restored and the water line is turned on, you should be able to hear the water running into the ice maker after thawing.

How to check if ice maker is leaking?

Check your refrigerator and make sure it’s perfectly level. Check your ice maker unit and make sure it’s level. Check the water supply line for damage, pinching, or kinks. Check the fill cup ; make sure it’s aligned correctly with the water funnel. ...

What does pause do on an ice maker?

Many ice makers have a control arm that activates a pause feature when the ice bin is full. The control arm may have inadvertently been moved, or possibly fallen off, which can pause ice maker functionality. Check the owner’s manual for information about the pause feature and make sure it’s not enabled.

Why does my ice maker stop working?

The most common reasons for ice maker problems are: Pause feature enabled. Water line malfunction or setting. Clogged filter.

What happens if you set your ice maker too low?

If it’s set too low, water will freeze before it gets to the mold. Whether you have a side-by-side refrigerator, an armoire-style refrigerator, or a standard freezer-on-top model, these ice maker troubleshooting tips may help you avoid that service call.

Where is the water inlet valve on a Whirlpool refrigerator?

The location of the water inlet valve depends on the manufacturer but Kenmore ice maker and Whirlpool ice maker water inlet valves are typically located behind your refrigerator. Before checking on the valve, unplug the refrigerator and turn off the valve’s water supply.

Can a refrigerator leak into a wall?

If those items check out, make a service call and we will troubleshoot your refrigerator and ice maker to find a solution. A small leak can turn into a much larger leak and damage flooring and surrounding walls.

Why is my ejector not dropping?

If there is ice in the mold, then it may just not be dropping. This could mean there are problems with the ejector arm or that it is simply blocked by something. It could also mean a problem with the defrost that helps it eject. If the mold is overflowing with ice, the cubes could be stuck and you may need to melt them out before trying a new batch.

What happens if your freezer is too warm?

If your freezer is too warm, you might think you would notice all your food defrosting, but that is not quite true. If your freezer is above 10 degrees F, your food will still be technically frozen, but your ice maker will struggle to make ice. It may even stop making ice all together above this temperature.

What to do if a valve fails?

If the actual valve has failed, you can remove the metal bracket that secures it to the appliance and test it with a multimeter to be sure.

What happens if your ice maker is empty?

When you find your ice maker empty, then you have a malfunction somewhere in your system that is preventing function. When it comes to troubleshooting a malfunctioning ice maker, if there are no other identifying symptoms, it is best to just work your way down the list of common problems until you find something that needs to be fixed. ...

Where is the defrost part of an ice maker?

It also provides power to the defrost in the ice maker that allows the ice cubes to be smoothly ejected. This part is located under the cover of the ice maker and can be easily tested with a multimeter.

Where to check for mold in refrigerator?

If you check your ice mold and find nothing in there at all, you will want to check to make sure it can get water. This can be done at the back of your refrigerator. You will notice the water line running from the wall to your appliance. The inlet it connects to on your appliance is the water inlet valve.

Can you pull ice out of a refrigerator?

Something pulled right out of your refrigerator is okay, but you want that crisp refreshing bite of an ice-cold drink that can only come from the addition of fresh ice cubes from your ice maker. Unfortunately, when you open your ice maker looking to find it flush with ready to use ice, it is empty without even a speck of ice anywhere to be found.

What causes an ice maker to stop working?

There are several reasons you may find your ice maker not working all of a sudden, including a blocked water dispenser, issues with your water supply line, or a clogged water filter.

How to check if ice maker is working?

To check if that may be the case, follow the steps below. Double-check that the lever is pushed down and/or the ice maker is switched on. Unplug your refrigerator. Cut off the water supply. Move your refrigerator to access the water line. Disconnect the water line and place it in a bucket or in your sink.

Why is my ice maker not dropping ice?

If your ice maker is not dropping ice, it could be that there’s a blockage in the ice tray, or an ice cube is jammed between the bin and the lever. If this happens, here are some things you can do:

Why does ice taste so small?

Ice that has a weird taste or ice cubes that come out too small could be caused by the water line, or food odors from your freezer being absorbed by the ice. Check your water line and look for any kinks, bulges or damage. If you see any, you’ll need a replacement.

Why does my water line stop flowing?

A frozen water line or a kink in the water line may cause the water flow to slow or stop altogether. Ensure the house water line is turned on and free of kinks as well.

How to get ice out of a fridge?

Remove the ice bin to see if there’s ice accumulation. Remove any blocked ice by carefully chipping at it with a plastic knife. If the ice is too large, you may have to let the ice melt by defrosting your fridge. 2.

What to do if ice is too large?

If the ice is too large, you may have to let the ice melt by defrosting your fridge.

How to unclog a fridge fast?

The easiest solution for this is to simply unplug and defrost your fridge and freezer for a few hours.

How to melt ice in a fridge?

To do so, you’ll need to move your fridge away from the wall, turn off the water valve, and unplug it from its power outlet. Next, melt the ice manually with something warm, like a dryer or heat lamp, or by pouring hot water on it, and waiting until it’s all melted away.

How to check if ice maker is on?

Your ice maker should have an indication of this, either in the form of an ‘ice on’ icon, an on/off switch, or an adjustable arm to turn it off and on. Make sure that the ice maker is in fact turned on, and that the rest of the fridge has a connection to power, before proceeding with the following steps.

Why isn't my ice maker producing ice?

There’s No Ice Being Produced. If you’re finding that your ice maker isn’t producing any ice whatsoever, this could be due to blockage in the water supply line - this can happen due to a number of reasons, but the most frequent is that ice has gotten stuck inside. To resolve this issue and unclog it fast, you’ll need to melt that ice.

Why won't my ice dispenser come out?

The cause for this is could simply be due to a clog. One thing to keep in mind is that if you're trying to produce crushed ice (rather than ice cubes), ...

Is it bad if my ice maker is not working?

Yes, it’s not the end of the world, but it’s certainly inconvenient. Before you freeze up, try to remember that ice maker frustrations happen to everyone, ...

Can you eject crushed ice?

One thing to keep in mind is that if you're trying to produce crushed ice (rather than ice cubes), this process typically takes a bit longer to eject, as it's being crushed in real time while you wait. Thus, try to be patient and give it a little extra time to dispense - there could be no issue here whatsoever.

Why is my ice maker sticking?

Most likely, the ice is sticking because there is minor grime to stick to the ice mold surface. Therefore, the best way to unjam the ice tray is to clean it. Most DIY experts recommend pouring a cup of hot water into the frozen-up ice maker tray.

How does an ice maker work?

In concept, the ice maker is a very simple machine. A water line fills a mold with ice. The ice cubes freeze and the mold dumps the ice into your ice bin which then releases to the automated ice chute. But there are situations where your ice maker may do it’s best yet fail ...

How to reset a control panel ice maker?

For control-panel ice makers, there may be a simple reset button to press that will cycle the power and the default settings for your ice maker.

What happens if you unjam the ice tray?

Unjam the Ice Tray. The next possibility is that the ice is sticking to the tray. If you’ve ever used a manual ice tray that still had ice-bits stuck to it after breaking out the rest of the ice, you know this is something that happens. Sometimes, the ice just doesn’t want to let go of the mold.

What happens if your water filter is clogged?

But if the water filter is clogged, you may see a stoppage in the waterline and in ice production. A quick change-out of your water filter should be all you need to make it right. But you might want to reset the filter light and the ice maker once everything is correct and ready to go.

How long does it take for a fridge water filter to change?

Finally, check your fridge water filter. If it’s been more than 6 months since it was changed (or you only just noticed that your fridge has a water filter) then it’s time for a replacement. An old water filter, just like an old air filter, can get clogged. When this happens, water flow slows down significantly because all water must flow through the filter. This is supposed to keep your family safe, drinking only filtered water and using only filtered-water ice. But if the water filter is clogged, you may see a stoppage in the waterline and in ice production.

Why doesn't ice form in freezer?

Sometimes, ice doesn’t form because it never fully melts. This would be the result of a freezer that is not getting cold enough to achieve a real freeze. You can discover this problem with a free-standing thermometer placed in the freezer for a few hours. If your freezer is too warm, there are a few things you can do.

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