Why is my Whirlpool ice maker not releasing ice?

Author: Nelson Marvin Sr.  |  Last update: Sunday, October 26, 2025

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 is my Whirlpool ice maker not dumping ice?

If the Ice maker is making ice, but not dumping it into the ice bin try resetting the Ice Maker. To reset the ice maker, unplug the refrigerator for 1 minute. After resetting, wait a couple of hours and check for ice production; ice is in the bin.

Why is my Whirlpool ice maker not pushing ice out?

If the auger is defective, it won't be able to push the ice out of the dispenser. Check the auger to determine if it is broken or if it is disconnected from the auger motor.

Why will my Whirlpool ice maker not dispense ice?

The most probable causes are a faulty ice dispenser switch or the ice auger motor.

Why is my ice maker not spitting out ice?

If your ice maker is not dropping ice, it could be that there's a blockage in the ice tray, or an ice cube is jammed between the bin and the lever. If this happens, here are some things you can do: Double-check that the lever is pushed down and/or the ice maker is switched on.

Why Your Whirlpool Ice Maker is NOT Working

Why is my ice maker not ejecting ice?

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.

How do I get my ice maker to dump ice?

How to Fix Ice Not Ejecting from Ice Maker
  1. Empty the Ice Bucket. The first place to start is your ice bucket. ...
  2. Reset the Ice Maker Software. ...
  3. Reset Ice Maker Hardware. ...
  4. Break Up Ice Jam in Chute. ...
  5. Release the Ice Ejector Paddle. ...
  6. Replace the Ice Ejector Motor or Gears. ...
  7. Melt the Ice Mold Tray.

How do I reset my Whirlpool ice maker?

Locate the reset button on the ice maker. It's located on the bottom of the ice maker on most Whirlpool models. Push and hold the reset button for five seconds. You may need to use a pen or a similar tool to press the reset button if it is recessed.

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.

How to force cycle a Whirlpool ice maker?

You can force the icemaker to go through a cycle if the icemaker isn't bad. To do that, you need to pry the front white plastic cover off the icemaker. Put a jumper wire between holes labeled "T" and "H" on the head of the icemaker. Then push the freezer door light switch in and the icemaker should start cycle.

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.

What causes ice to get stuck in ice maker?

Ice Maker Gets Stuck

If the ice storage bin gets too full or isn't used often enough, slight melting and refreezing may cause ice cubes to stick together in clumps, making it impossible to dispense them.

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

The blockage in the ice maker can be the main reason it isn't making ice. The ice maker can freeze over time or become clogged with a build-up of ice and frost. Check if the ice maker's assembly has an accumulation of ice, debris, or any other obstructing material.

How does an icemaker know when to dump ice?

When the ice reaches a certain thickness (depending on your ice type), the sensor detects a drop in freezer temperature and signals the ice maker to begin the dump cycle.

Why is ice not coming out of fridge?

It's possible that Ice may be jammed. Ice could have melted and frozen around the auger due to infrequent use, temperature fluctuations, and/or power outages. Remove the ice bin, thaw and empty contents. Clean the ice bin (wipe/dry) and replace in proper position.

How do you flush an ice maker supply 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.

Why would my ice maker suddenly stop 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.

How do I unfreeze my ice maker water line?

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.

Why is my Whirlpool making ice but not dispensing?

What it Does: If you find your ice maker making ice but not dumping, check the auger motor. This part is responsible for pushing ice through the system and into the ice bucket. How to Fix it: Check to see if your Whirlpool ice dispenser auger won't turn. If it moves freely, the motor may not be functioning correctly.

What would make a Whirlpool ice maker stop working?

Causes of common ice maker problems include: Ice production: These can be caused by clogs in the water filter, defective water inlet valves and a fridge or freezer compartment that isn't set at the right temperature.

How do you reset ice dispenser?

Leave the refrigerator unplugged for 5 minutes. This will allow the ice system to reset. After 5 minutes, replug the refrigerator and turn the switch back on. This should cause the ice maker to start working again.

How to tell if an ice maker auger motor is bad?

If the auger motor is burned out or defective, the ice won't move forward and fall through the chute.

How often should ice maker drop ice?

A really good refrigerator ice maker will produce 8 to 10 cubes every 90 minutes. In this case, your ice maker should cycle around 16 times each day yielding around 130 cubes in a 24 hour period.

How do you get stuck ice out of an ice maker?

Fortunately, this is a relatively easy problem to resolve. Remove the storage bin and use your hands to break up any clumped up ice. If there are clumps that are frozen solid, you'll need to dump them out into the sink.

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