Easy Fixes for Common Ice Maker Problems

Many people consider ice makers a somewhat useless addition to your refrigerator, but what can be more pleasant than a glass of ice-cold water during a hot summer day? Read this blog post to find easy tips for common ice maker problems and avoid having to get your ice maker repaired.

How Does an Ice Maker Work?

No matter what is the model of your refrigerator, ice makers tend to operate using the same principles. Your ice maker receives water via the water supply line, which is connected to the external water pipe. Keep in mind that some refrigerators also have a water filter which needs to be replaced regularly!

The water supply is regulated by the water valve, which in turn is controlled by the ice maker’s thermostat.

The ice itself is made in the ice mold. Once the water freezes the ice maker heats up the mold a little, to dislodge the ice cubes from the mold. Then the control arm frees the mold, ejecting the ice cube into the ice collection bin. Once the collection bin is full the ice maker sensor will shut the unit down, preventing the system from overfilling.

Common Ice Maker Problems

In this post, we will cover only the most common ice maker problems. Some kind of issues are relatively easy to fix without the help of an ice maker repair technician, and sometimes a simple small mechanical adjustment can fix the problem.

Ice Maker Makes No Ice

You have checked the ice maker mold, but it seems not to produce ice at all? These are the most common issues which could lead to this problem.

•    Temperature Is Too High

The temperature in the freezer has to reach at least 16 degrees F before the ice maker will be able to produce ice. Sometimes the temperature in the freezer might be too high. You may try to adjust the freezer temperature manually through the control panel. If the freezer is empty or nearly empty the air will quickly get replaced with the air from your kitchen every time you open the freezer door – which might raise the temperature significantly. On the other hand, too many items inside the freezer might obstruct the air flow which will prevent the items from cooling efficiently and might lead to the rise of the temperature inside the freezer overall. Unfortunately, there may be many other problems that lead to the increase in the temperature. We would recommend you to call a professional technician in case you have failed to find the problem on your own.

•    The water supply is obstructed

The water filter within your refrigerator has to be replaced every 6 months, otherwise, it may get clogged. Sometimes, an electrical issue might prevent the solenoid from opening the water valve or you may have other issues with the refrigerator’s waterline. Also, make sure to check if there is water in the water pipe connected to your refrigerator.

Ice Cubes Are Not Ejected

•    The control arm is misplaced

It is pretty common to accidentally nudge the metal control arm (that is sometimes called a shutoff arm) of your ice maker when you take items from the freezer. We would advise to have a closer look at it and make sure the control arm is positioned correctly.

•    The control arm is in a “down” position, and the ice mold is full.

In case the other parts of the ice maker seem to function correctly, but the mold doesn’t eject the ice the problem can be with the electrical motor connected to the mold or the wiring. Also, make sure the gearbox itself is not frozen over and the mold is capable of ejecting ice at all. There is a chance that the ice maker was moved and the electrical connections were disconnected. Unfortunately, you would likely have to diagnose your ice maker more carefully. You will have to remove the ice maker from the freezer first. Don’ forget to turn off the water valve and disconnect the power first!