What do you do if your refrigerator ice maker is not making ice?

Author: Letitia Heathcote  |  Last update: Sunday, April 6, 2025

Check the fill cup and the tube at the back of the ice maker. If they are covered in ice, look for a blockage. If you see an obstruction, check out our guide on how to clean your refrigerator water line for detailed steps. If that doesn't work, consider replacing the water fill tubes.

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

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.

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.

How to reset refrigerator ice maker?

First, remove the ice bucket and the covering from the front of the ice maker. Some models have a button you will need to push to remove the ice tray and cover. Others will just require you to pull it off. Once the ice tray and covering have been removed, locate and press the ice maker reset button for about 3 seconds.

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

Some indicators may include odd tasting ice or water, slowly dispensed water, black specks in water or ice and, of course, limited to no ice production.

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

Does unplugging a refrigerator reset the ice maker?

If you don't hear a chime, but you can see movement from the ice maker, then the ice maker was reset. 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 you clear an ice maker water line?

Once the line is disconnected, pour 3-4 cups of vinegar with a small funnel into the line and let it soak for 5-10 minutes, clipping shut the open end of the line to avoid the vinegar from draining out. Rinse out the line with clean water before reconnecting the dispenser and ice maker.

How do I get my fridge 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 long do I unplug my fridge to reset it?

Reset your refrigerator: First, unplug it (or turn off the power at the circuit breaker), and then wait about five minutes for the electrical charge to clear out of it. Then, power it back on again.

Where is the Frigidaire ice maker reset button?

1. Locate the control panel on the front of the ice maker. 2. Look for a "Reset" button or a small hole labeled "Reset" near the control panel.

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

Once it has been reset, it can take up to 24 hours for the ice maker to start creating ice again. For exact reset steps check your user manual. Please note: do not press the button multiple times as doing so can cause water to overflow the ice tray or ice to jam and damage the ice maker.

How to tell if an ice maker is working?

Check If the Icemaker Itself Is Working
  1. If the icemaker mold is empty, you can manually pour about 4 ounces of water in the icemaker mold.
  2. Wait about 2 hours.
  3. If the icemaker has dropped ice cubes out from the mold, you know the icemaker itself is working.

Why did my fridge suddenly stop making ice?

The most common causes are: The water fill tubes are blocked. The water inlet valve is blocked or frozen. The water filter is dirty or clogged.

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.

Why is my Frigidaire refrigerator not making ice but water works?

The most common reasons your Frigidaire refrigerator icemaker is not making but water works are a malfunctioning icemaker assembly, faulty water valve or a defective electronic control board.

Do refrigerators have a reset button?

How do I reset my refrigerator compressor? If you switch the power off and wait a couple of minutes, it should set itself. There is sometimes a red overload button on or near the compressor, this will very occasionally trip, switch off, wait about 5 minutes then firmly press the button,...

Is it good to unplug a fridge and then plug it back in?

Once you return to your cabin in the spring and plug the fridge back in, it will take awhile before it's cooled enough to store food. “Most refrigerator manuals advise you to wait at least 8 to 12 hours before it's safe to use again,” according to KitchenSeer.

How to tell if a refrigerator compressor is bad?

What Are the Signs of a Bad Refrigerator Compressor?
  1. Your Refrigerator is Constantly Running. Does it seem like your refrigerator is running all the time? ...
  2. Your Energy Bill is Rising. ...
  3. It Doesn't Stay Cold. ...
  4. You Hear More Noise than Usual. ...
  5. The Circuit Breaker Trips. ...
  6. You Notice a Burning Smell. ...
  7. Refrigerator Problems?

Why is my ice maker 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 do I restart my 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.

How does a refrigerator ice maker know when to stop making ice?

There are two methods for this: either an optical sensor or a mechanical arm, which detects when ice has piled high enough. If your ice maker won't stop making ice, it means ice is not piling high enough to reach the sensor or arm, typically because the ice bucket is not in the proper position.

How do I unfreeze the water line to my ice maker?

Use a Hair Dryer: If the ice maker is particularly stubborn or frozen solid, you can use a hair dryer to help thaw out the blockage. Set the hair dryer to a low heat setting and hold it a few inches away from the ice maker components. Move the hair dryer back and forth to evenly distribute the heat and melt the ice.

What triggers the ice maker to fill with water?

When the circuit sends current down these wires, the charge moves a solenoid (a type of electromagnet), which opens the valve. The valve is only open for about seven seconds; it lets in just enough water to fill the ice mold. The ice mold is a plastic well, with several connected cavities.

How do you know if your refrigerator water line is clogged?

Place a bucket under the end of the water supply line. Turn ON the water to the supply line and check the flow. If the water flow seems weak or irregular, the problem is with the water supply. A regular, steady flow could indicate the water valve has become restricted or clogged.

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