Whirlpool Ice Maker Not Working: Causes and Fixes

A Whirlpool ice maker usually stops for one of a handful of reasons: it has been switched off, the freezer is warmer than 0 to 5°F, water is not reaching it, or the filter is clogged or not seated. Whirlpool's first fix after those checks is a reset, either with the ice maker's reset button or by unplugging the refrigerator for a minute. If ice still does not come, or the unit leaks or keeps freezing up, a technician needs to test the parts.

This site is an independent directory of repair companies and is not affiliated with Whirlpool. The steps below follow Whirlpool's own U.S. product help pages and manuals. Local technicians are listed on our Whirlpool ice maker and freezer repair page, and our brand-neutral guide to an ice maker not working covers the basics for any model.

First, confirm the ice maker is on

Whirlpool has used several ice maker styles, and each turns on differently. Some have a wire shutoff arm that has to be lowered to make ice. Others use an on/off switch on the ice maker or on the freezer wall, and digital models turn the ice maker on through the control panel menu. A raised arm or a switch bumped to off is one of the most common reasons a working ice maker sits idle. Some Whirlpool refrigerators store ice in the door instead of the freezer, and models with Dual Icemakers have a Fast Ice setting to speed things up.

Safe checks you can do yourself

Unplug the refrigerator or switch off its breaker before you put your hands near the ice maker. Shut off the water supply valve before you touch the water line or its connections. Then check:

1. Freezer temperature. Whirlpool wants the freezer between 0°F and 5°F for ice production. The FDA recommends an appliance thermometer at the front of the freezer as the most reliable way to check.
2. Water connection. Make sure the water line is connected, the supply valve is fully open and the line is not kinked behind the refrigerator.
3. Water filter. Replace it about every six months or when the indicator lights. Whirlpool notes that a clogged filter, or one that is not seated properly, can cut flow to the ice maker.
4. New installation. A newly installed refrigerator can take about three days to reach full ice output, so low production in the first days is normal.
5. Clumped ice. Break up clumps with a plastic utensil, clean the bin with water and a soft cloth, and dry it fully before putting it back. Also make sure nothing is keeping the freezer door gasket from sealing.

If the ice maker makes ice but none comes out of the dispenser, Whirlpool suggests unplugging the refrigerator for about a minute to reset it. Whirlpool also notes that a water line can develop a clear ice clog, which stops flow until the unit is unplugged long enough for it to thaw.

Reset the ice maker

If your ice maker has a reset button, press and hold it for a few seconds. If it does not, unplug the refrigerator for 1 minute and plug it back in. Give it several hours to cycle before deciding whether the reset worked, since the freezer has to bring a fresh tray of water down to temperature.

Check the water supply setup

Low or unsteady water supply causes small cubes, hollow cubes and slow production. Whirlpool's ice maker kit instructions call for household water pressure between 20 and 120 psi, a cold-water line of at least 1/2 inch with a quarter-turn shutoff valve, and copper or PEX tubing. Whirlpool advises against polyethylene tubing and piercing-type or small saddle valves because they restrict flow and clog more easily. After any work on the line, turn the water back on and check every connection for leaks.

If the ice maker is leaking, Whirlpool's first checks are a filter that is not installed correctly and a loose water connection at the back of the unit or near the hinge. Water pooling inside or under the freezer can also come from a clogged defrost drain at the bottom back of the freezer, which lets meltwater back up and leak past the bottom door seal.

Whirlpool built-in ice makers

Whirlpool's 15-inch built-in ice maker works differently from a refrigerator ice maker. It runs water over a freezing plate, drops the ice sheet onto a cutter grid, drains the leftover mineral-heavy water each cycle, and stores cubes in a bin that is not refrigerated, so some melting is normal. Whirlpool says these units need 30 to 120 psi of water pressure and a room above 45°F, and production drops when the room is over 90°F.

Thin or cloudy ice from a built-in unit usually means checking water pressure and the filter, making sure the drain cap on the water pan is tight, and running the cleaning cycle. Whirlpool calls for one 16-ounce bottle of ice machine cleaner when the cleaning light comes on, at least every 9 months, or every 6 months with hard water. Our ice machine repair directory lists technicians who work on standalone and undercounter units.

The PO code and your food

Whirlpool's PO alert means the power went out and the freezer warmed to about 18°F or higher. Check the food before you worry about ice. USDA guidance says a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours and a half-full one for about 24 hours if the door stays shut, and FoodSafety.gov says thawed food can be refrozen if it still has ice crystals or is at 40°F or below.

What a technician tests

• The water inlet valve, which opens to fill the tray and can fail electrically or clog.
• The fill tube, which can freeze shut when the valve drips or the freezer runs too cold.
• The ice maker module, including its motor, ejector and on/off controls.
• Freezer performance, since an ice maker cannot keep up if the freezer will not stay between 0°F and 5°F.
• The defrost drain and door gaskets when leaks or frost are part of the problem.

Never chip at a frozen ice maker or fill tube with a knife or sharp tool. If the freezer itself is not cooling, the cause may sit in the sealed refrigeration system, and that work is only for a technician with EPA Section 608 certification. Our freezer not freezing guide covers that side of the problem.

When to call a pro

• The reset does nothing and the ice maker is on, the freezer is cold and water is connected.
• The ice maker fills but leaks, or water keeps showing up under the freezer.
• The fill tube or ice maker keeps freezing over.
• The freezer will not hold between 0°F and 5°F.

Whirlpool ice maker repair costs

Cost guides give a national ballpark. Fixr puts a typical ice maker repair at $150 to $250, and HomeAdvisor's range for ice maker repair runs from $60 to $330.

HomeGuide suggests repairing an ice maker that is under five years old or has affordable parts, and replacing it when the repair costs more than a new assembly. See our ice maker repair cost guide for more detail.

Find Whirlpool ice maker repair near you

Browse ice maker repair companies by state, or check listings in cities such as Charlotte and Phoenix. Repair pros for other makes are on our brands page. Have your model number, the ice maker style and any code on the display ready when you call.