If your ice maker isn’t working, a simple fix might get it going again. Always unplug your refrigerator and turn the water supply line off before troubleshooting.
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 to a water pipe, funnel, or a water filter. 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
Ice Maker Stopped Working
Control Arm Out of Position
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.
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 filter and check for debris.
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 located behind your refrigerator. Before checking on the valve, unplug the refrigerator and turn off the valve’s water supply. Once you’ve located the valve, check to see if the screen, or filter, is plugged with debris. Check the line feeding the valve to see if it’s bulging or restricted by a bracket.
Ice Maker Not Making Ice
When you’re sure that all the items listed above are not the cause, 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 the line with a hair dryer. 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. If you don’t hear water running or the water is discolored, it’s time to make a call for an ice maker repair service.
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.
New update of information as of July 8, 2022.
The ice maker won’t make as much ice if the freezer temperature is too high. A freezer temperature of 0 degrees is typically low enough to produce adequate ice for your daily needs.
Check the freezer temperature setting and set it at 0 degrees if it’s set higher than that. If the freezer temperature is set at 0 degrees but the freezer is actually warmer than 0 degrees, follow the troubleshooting steps on this page: Refrigerator: Why is my freezer not cold enough? Correcting a freezer cooling problem may help your ice maker produce the right amount of ice.
If your freezer is set to 0 degrees and maintaining that temperature properly, then considering setting the freezer temperature to -1 degrees so ice cubes will freeze faster.
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 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
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.
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, 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.
If you’ve tried all the tips above and your ice maker is still not working, plug your refrigerator back in and take advantage of Sears Home Services online flexible repair scheduling for your refrigerator repair. Our technicians have an average of 11 years’ experience and are ready to serve you.
Don’t let trouble with your ice maker give you brain freeze! Take a look at the easy steps to reset your ice maker in this article!
To reset any ice maker do the following
- Adjust the feeler arm
- Press and hold the reset button
- Unplug (or turn off) the refrigerator and wait 15 minutes before plugging it back in again
There’s nothing like an ice-cold drink on a hot day. But what if your ice maker has stopped playing ball? Then make sure you check out the extended instructions for resetting your ice maker coming up next!
1. Adjust the Feeler Arm
The first step to resetting your ice maker is for you to adjust the feeler arm. Now, I know what you’re thinking, the feeler what? What is that?
The feeler arm is the metal or plastic rod on the side of the ice maker. This rod moves up and down according to the level of ice in your ice maker. It stops it from making too much ice. If this rod is all the way up, that means that the ice maker will not make any more ice.
What can you do if your ice maker’s feeler arm is stopping it from working? Here are some simple instructions.
- If the feeler arm is stuck, push it down
- Once you push the arm down, water should start flowing to the ice maker’s water reservoir. If it does, you can stop here. If it doesn’t or if the feeler arm isn’t stuck, continue to the next section.
2. Press the Reset Button
Have you tried adjusting your ice maker’s feeler arm but had no success? Then you should press the reset button.
Holding the reset button down for 10 seconds is sufficient. Your ice maker should then reset. If it doesn’t, move on to the next section.
3. Restart the Refrigerator
When it comes to restarting your refrigerator, you have two easy options. They are the following.
- Turning the refrigerator off at the on/off button then turning it back on again
- Unplugging the refrigerator at the mains and then plugging it back in
Does your refrigerator have an on/off button? Then press the button to turn the fridge off. Leave it off for 15 minutes. The refrigerator should reset the ice maker during this time.
What if your refrigerator doesn’t have an on/off button? Then you should plug it out at the mains. Keep it plugged out for 15 minutes before plugging it back in. The refrigerator should reset the ice maker during this time.
But what if you don’t hear your ice maker immediately kick into gear? Then try pushing the feeler arm down a couple of times. This should force water into the ice maker and make it start working normally again.
Tips for Resetting Different Ice Maker Brands
Every ice maker is different. So you might need some more detailed instructions for resetting yours. Here are some tips for resetting the following ice maker brands:
- Manitowoc
- Whirlpool
- Samsung
- Frigidaire
- GE
Where to Find the Reset Button
If you want to reset your ice maker, it’s best to start with the reset button! But hang on, where is that located again? Of course, you could consult your manual to help you find the reset button. But…where on earth did you put the manual? Now, we’re just going around in circles.
Here’s the easiest way. The following is a mini-guide that will help you find the reset button for your particular ice maker. Once you’ve located it, make sure you follow the reset instructions that are included in this article.
| Manitowoc | Some Manitowoc ice makers do not have a reset button. To reset one, try turning the ice maker off at the power source. |
| Whirlpool | You can find the reset button at the bottom of the ice maker. Remove the ice tray to locate it. |
| Samsung | Remove the ice tray. The red button you see is the reset button. |
| Frigidaire | The reset button is on the front of the ice maker, under the motor housing, past the front cover |
| GE | Some GE ice makers do not have a reset button. To reset one, try turning the ice maker off at the power source. |
How to Restart the Refrigerator
Do you have a kitchen with a built-in refrigerator? If so, then getting behind your refrigerator and pulling it out to unplug it may be more hassle than it’s worth. Refrigerators are bulky, and heavy, – especially ones with an ice maker. So, what can you do to save yourself (and your back) from pulling the refrigerator out of place to unplug it?
Most modern refrigerators come with an on/off button. Pressing this button makes it easier for you to restart your refrigerator. But how can you be sure if your refrigerator and ice maker come with an on/off button? Take a look at the following power button guide.
| Manitowoc | Yes | Press and hold the power button for 3 seconds to turn it off. WhirlpoolYesPress the button to operateSamsungYesSome Samsung refrigerators have a separate on/off button for the ice maker. This will allow you to turn the ice maker off without powering the refrigerator off. |
| Frigidaire | Yes | Some Frigidaire refrigerators have an on/off button for the ice maker alone. You can find it on the front control panel. Press to operate. |
| GE | Yes | Press the power button |
Tips for Resetting a Manitowoc Ice Maker
A Manitowoc ice maker doesn’t typically have a reset button. So, what can you do to reset yours? Here are some simple steps that are specific to these types of ice makers.
- Adjust the feeler arm. If water doesn’t immediately start filling in the reservoir, go to step 2.
- Press and hold the off button for 3 seconds.
- Keep the ice maker unplugged for 15 minutes
- Turn the machine back on. If a blue light appears, you have successfully reset it.
Tips for Resetting a Whirlpool Ice Maker
Some Whirlpool ice makers come with a reset button. This could be located in one of the following places
- Under the ice tray
- Under the ice tray and cover plate
Tips for Resetting a Samsung Ice Maker
Most Samsung ice makers have handy TEST buttons. These buttons allow you to make sure that your ice maker is working properly, and will prompt it to do so if it isn’t. You might find using this button easier than unplugging your Samsung refrigerator.
Are you keen to try out this method? Then here’s what you’ll need to do.
- Remove the ice bucket
- Press the “TEST” button. It might say “TEST” on it or have an arrow pointing at it.
- Press and hold the “TEST” button until you hear a chime
- Put the ice bucket back in the ice maker
Tips for Resetting a Frigidaire Ice Maker
Most Frigidaire ice makers have an on/off button for the ice maker compartment. Here are all the instructions you need to reset yours.
- Press the on/off switch until the LED light turns red
- Wait 15 minutes
- Press and hold the on/off button again until the LED light turns green
Tips for Resetting a GE Ice Maker
Some GE ice makers do not have a reset button. So, what can you do to reset yours? Take a look at the following steps.
- Adjust the feeler arm. If water doesn’t immediately start filling in the reservoir, go to step 2.
- Press the on/off button
- Keep the ice maker unplugged for 15 minutes
- Turn the ice maker back on
TIP! Is the red “Check Water” light flashing? Then that might indicate that there is a problem with the water supply, not the ice maker.
Have None Of These Tips Worked?
Unfortunately, sometimes internet guides just can’t solve an issue with a major appliance.
If you’re still stuck, we recommend getting in touch with an appliance repair professional. A small repair fee might save you the cost of a breakdown, or even a new ice maker. Fill in the form below to get a free repair quote from our partnered appliance repair experts.
Conclusion
If your ice maker stops making ice, you may wonder whether you’ll need to call a technician to come and look at it for you. But the truth is, simply resetting your ice maker might solve the problem! I’m sure this article has provided you with easy step-by-step instructions for you to reset yours.
Has this article been useful to you? Then make sure you check out some of our other free guides and articles on our website!
Have a great day!
-Craig
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