Ice Maker Not Working or Not Making Ice: Fixes

Most ice makers that stop making ice have one of four problems: the freezer is not cold enough, the ice maker is switched off, the water supply is restricted, or ice is jammed in the mechanism. Work through those first, since each takes only a few minutes. If the freezer is cold, water reaches the ice maker and it still makes nothing, a part such as the water inlet valve, motor or sensor has likely failed.

Safety first

• Unplug the refrigerator, or switch off its breaker, before reaching into the ice maker or removing any panel. Whirlpool's instructions call for disconnecting power before working on the ice maker or water line.
• Shut off the water supply valve before you touch the water line or filter housing.
• Never chip or pry ice with a knife, screwdriver or other sharp tool. Maytag says to clear ice jams with a plastic utensil only.

Step 1: Check the freezer temperature

An ice maker only works in a cold freezer. Whirlpool wants the freezer between 0°F and 5°F, and Maytag says its ice makers stop producing above about 5°F. LG's ice makers need the freezer below 19°F to make any ice and work best at -4°F or colder. Samsung asks for 0°F or colder.

Put an appliance thermometer near the ice maker. If the freezer is warm, the ice maker is not the real problem. See our guide to a freezer not freezing instead.

Step 2: Make sure the ice maker is on

Ice makers get switched off by accident all the time. Depending on the model, look for:

• A wire shutoff arm that should be in the down position. Maytag says the arm must be down for the ice maker to run.
• An on/off switch on the ice maker itself. LG notes some models have it on the left side of the ice maker.
• An Ice On/Off button on the control panel. Samsung says to make sure the Ice Off light is not lit, and LG says some panels must be unlocked first.

GE adds that clumped ice in the bin can hold the feeler arm up and make the ice maker think the bin is full. Empty the bin, break up any clumps and slide it fully back into place.

Step 3: Check the water supply

No water means no ice. With the water shut off and the refrigerator unplugged, pull the unit out carefully and look for a kinked, crushed or disconnected line. Whirlpool warns that pushing a refrigerator too far back can pinch the line.

• Valve: The household supply valve should be fully open.
• Pressure: Whirlpool's installation guide calls for 20 to 120 psi. Samsung notes that low pressure shows up as small or shattered cubes.
• Tubing: Whirlpool recommends copper or PEX, and says plastic tubing and piercing-type saddle valves restrict flow and clog more easily.
• Filter: Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Samsung all suggest replacing the filter about every six months. A filter that is not locked in place can stop water flow completely.

After a new filter, GE says to run about two gallons through the dispenser to purge air from the line.

Step 4: Look for ice jams and frozen fill tubes

If the tray is full of ice that never drops, or there is a block of ice around the ice maker, the cycle has stalled. Maytag says to clear an ice bridge on the stripper with a plastic utensil. A translucent plug of ice in the water line is another common culprit, and Whirlpool notes it can need the refrigerator unplugged long enough to thaw.

Some brands do not want owners defrosting the ice maker at all. Samsung says a sheet of ice over its ice maker, or a bucket frozen in place, calls for service.

Step 5: Reset and wait

Whirlpool says to press and hold the ice maker's reset button for a few seconds, or unplug the refrigerator for one minute if there is no button. Your owner's manual will show where the button is.

Then be patient. Frigidaire says a newly installed refrigerator may need up to 24 hours after it cools down before ice appears, and LG says to allow 24 hours after a temperature change.

Standalone and countertop ice makers

Separate ice machines have their own quirks. Whirlpool says its freestanding units can shut off if the room drops below 45°F, need the filter changed about every nine months, and lose output when the condenser gets dirty or the drain hose kinks. GE says its Opal nugget ice maker flushes water for about five minutes at startup and makes standard nuggets after roughly 30 minutes, and a blocked ice chute is a common cause of low output. Our ice machine repair directory lists technicians who service undercounter and countertop units.

Error codes that point to the ice maker

Some refrigerators display a code. A few examples from manufacturer support pages:

• GE: CI means check that the ice maker is working properly.
• Samsung: 14E is an ice maker sensor error, and 39E or 39C is an ice maker function error.
• LG: IS is an ice maker sensor fault and IF is an ice maker fan fault.

Codes vary by model, so confirm yours in the owner's manual. Brand-specific guides, like our Samsung ice maker guide and Whirlpool ice maker guide, go deeper.

What a technician tests

When the basics check out, a technician typically tests the water inlet valve for power and flow, checks the ice maker's motor and thermostat or sensor through a harvest cycle, and confirms the freezer temperature at the ice maker. Dispensing problems lead to the auger motor and drive blade. If the freezer itself is not holding temperature, the repair moves to the sealed system, which only an EPA Section 608 certified technician should open.

When to stop and call a pro

• The freezer is cold, water flows to the ice maker, and it still makes no ice after a reset and 24 hours.
• Water is leaking from the line or valve. Shut off the supply right away.
• The ice maker is frozen over and your brand says not to defrost it yourself.
• Your refrigerator shows an ice maker error code that returns after a reset.

For prices, see our ice maker repair cost guide. To find a technician, browse our ice maker repair directory, pick your state on the states page, or go straight to listings in Austin or Boston.