Ice Maker Not Making Ice? Troubleshoot Before Calling for Service
Your refrigerator ice maker stopped producing ice. Here are the 6 most common causes ranked from easiest to hardest to fix.
Still stuck after this guide? You can ask an HVAC technician online — see pricing, expert credentials and common questions first.
Check 1: Is the Ice Maker Turned On?
This sounds obvious but is the cause about 15 percent of the time. Most ice makers have a wire arm or switch that turns them on and off. If the arm is raised or the switch is in the off position, the ice maker is disabled. Push the arm down or flip the switch. On Samsung fridges, check the control panel for an Ice Off indicator. On some models, the control panel accidentally gets bumped to Ice Off when items are placed in the freezer door.
Check 2: Water Supply Line
The ice maker needs a water supply line connected to your home plumbing. Pull the fridge out slightly and check the water line at the back. Make sure the shut-off valve where the line connects to the wall is fully open (turn counter-clockwise). Check the line for kinks that could restrict water flow. If the line is frozen (common in fridges that are pushed too close to the wall), unplug the fridge and let the line thaw for a few hours.
Check 3: Water Filter
A clogged water filter restricts water flow to the ice maker. If you have not changed the filter in more than 6 months, this is likely contributing to the problem. Replace the filter and allow 24 hours for the ice maker to resume production. After installing a new filter, dispense about 3 gallons of water through the dispenser to flush the new filter before making ice.
Check 4: Freezer Temperature
The ice maker requires the freezer to be at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 Celsius) to function properly. If the freezer is too warm, ice will not form. Check the temperature setting and verify with a thermometer. If the freezer is not reaching the correct temperature, you may have a separate cooling issue such as dirty condenser coils, a faulty evaporator fan, or a defrost system problem.
Check 5: Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve controls water flow into the ice maker. If it fails electrically or becomes clogged with mineral deposits, no water reaches the ice maker. With the fridge plugged in, listen for a buzzing or clicking sound when the ice maker tries to fill — that is the valve activating. If you hear nothing, the valve may need replacement. Water inlet valves cost 15 to 40 dollars and require basic plumbing connections to replace.
