How come my ice maker is not making ice?

Author: Miss Effie Howe DVM  |  Last update: Sunday, October 5, 2025

Your freezer temperature could be too high, the water inlet valve may not be functioning correctly, your home water pressure may be low, the refrigerator's water filter may be clogged, or the ice maker may need to be replaced.

How do you fix an ice maker that is not making ice?

Check the water fill tubes

If your ice maker isn't making ice or if the ice cubes are small or misshapen, the water fill tubes may be the problem. Check the fill cup and the tube at the back of the ice maker. If they are covered in ice, look for a blockage.

How do you reset the ice maker?

Unplug the machine and wait 10 seconds. Plug the machine back in and press the ON button. You should see a blue light appear, letting you know that the machine has been reset.

What caused the ice maker to stop making ice?

What causes an ice maker to stop working? There are several reasons your ice maker may suddenly stop working, including a blocked water dispenser, issues with your water supply line or a clogged water filter.

What triggers the ice maker to fill with water?

To begin the ice-making process, a timer triggers the water valve, which fills the ice mold with water.

Ice Maker Not Working? - Check these 6 Things first!

How do I know if my water line is clogged with an ice maker?

If your ice maker isn't producing ice at all or is producing crescents or cubes that are smaller than usual, it's typically indicative of a clog somewhere along the supply line. Cause: A common cause for a clog is frozen water in the line. Fix: To repair a frozen line, slide the refrigerator and unplug it.

Why is my ice maker not pushing ice out?

Check for ice that's lodged in the dispenser by bending over and carefully looking up into the chute. Solution: If you see a handful of loose cubes, jiggle them free to release them. If ice in the chute seems lodged or stuck, it's best to place a catch under the dispenser and give the ice time to melt on its own.

Why does my water work but not my ice maker?

The ice maker or dispenser could be jammed or broken, a dirty water filter or kinked water line could be blocking water flow or the water inlet valve could be clogged or faulty.

How to fix a frozen ice maker?

Remove the ice maker from the freezer. Unclog the water pipe with a hair dryer, and remove all the frozen bits from your ice maker by running hot water over it. Dry your ice maker with a rag. Reinstall and wait a few days to see if it happens again.

How long does it take for an ice maker to make ice after reset?

Be patient because it will take another 3-4 hours before your ice maker is full of ice again. If your ice maker still does not work after following these instructions, then it may have a mechanical problem. This will most likely require a new ice maker to be installed.

Will unplugging the fridge reset the ice maker?

If you don't hear a chime and there is no movement from the ice maker, unplug the fridge or turn it off at the circuit breaker for 2 minutes. Then, power it back up and try again.

How do I reset an ice maker?

Press Reset Button
  1. Flip the ice maker switch off for 5 seconds, then flip it on.
  2. Press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds.
  3. Cycle the feeler arm up and down several times.

How do I get my ice maker to work?

How to Get Your Ice Maker to Start Making Ice Again
  1. Break or Melt Ice Clogs. ...
  2. Lower the Control Arm. ...
  3. Change the Water Filter. ...
  4. Turn The Ice Maker Off and On Again. ...
  5. Reset the Ice Maker Settings. ...
  6. Rinse Out the Ice Molds. ...
  7. Secure Electrical Connections. ...
  8. Secure Plumbing Connections.

How to unfreeze an ice maker line?

Fill a bowl or container with warm water and pour it over the ice maker components, paying particular attention to the area where the ice is jammed. The warm water will help melt the ice blockage and free up the mechanism.

Why would my ice maker suddenly stopped making ice?

Your freezer temperature could be too high, the water inlet valve may not be functioning correctly, your home water pressure may be low, the refrigerator's water filter may be clogged, or the ice maker may need to be replaced.

What are the symptoms of a bad ice maker water valve?

As time passes, strange things may happen to the refrigerator's icemaking capability. The cubes may be small or there may be a solid chunk of ice instead of individual cubes. It's also possible that the icemaker will stop working. These are all signs of a malfunctioning water valve.

What makes an ice maker freeze up?

An ice maker freeze up happens when too much water is spread in and around your ice maker and freezes, resulting in damage to vital components. Luckily, there are warning signs and ways to identify when an ice maker freezes up.

Why is my ice maker running but no ice?

Replace the ice maker water inlet valve

The water inlet valve opens to fill the water reservoir when the ice maker first starts and to replace water the freezes on the evaporator plate. If the valve doesn't open or gets clogged with debris, replace the water inlet valve.

What tells the icemaker to fill with water?

First, the icemaker itself is what cycles and sends power to the valve once it cycles in order to fill the tray up with water. I see you replaced the valve already so disconnect the water line going to the icemaker from the valve and blow through it to make sure the water line isn't frozen up above the icemaker.

Why is my freezer not producing ice?

This usually is due to the water filter being clogged or a restricted water supply. It is recommended to change the water filter first but if the condition still occurs then you want to check for a saddle valve, a water valve not turned on all the way or a kinked water supply line.

How to tell if an ice maker motor is bad?

To determine if the auger motor is defective, pull out the ice bucket and turn the bucket auger by hand. If the auger turns freely, use a multimeter to test the auger motor for continuity.

How do I get my ice maker unstuck?

Ice Maker Gets Stuck

Remove the ice storage bin from the freezer and break clumped up ice with your hands. Dump any clumps you can't break up into the sink. Since inactivity causes ice clumps to form, the easiest long-term fix is to use the ice maker more frequently.

Why is my instant ice not working?

If you're not noticing results, try leaving the water bottle in the freezer a bit longer, or swap out for one of the extra water bottles that has remained in the freezer. What do you notice about the water as you pour over the ice cube? What do you notice about the original ice cube?

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