Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working

One component of the ice maker assembly might be defective. Since many of the ice maker components are not sold separately, you may need to purchase and replace the entire ice maker assembly. Before replacing the ice maker assembly, check the water inlet valve, water line, and fan. If none of these parts are at fault, and the freezer temperature is at least 15 degrees Fahrenheit, replace the ice maker assembly.

If there is low water pressure coming into the refrigerator, or the water inlet valve is defective, the ice maker's fill tube can become clogged with ice and prevent water from entering the ice maker tray. You can use a hair dryer to thaw out the frozen fill tube, but you should confirm the home has sufficient water pressure and the water inlet valve is functioning properly. If the fill tube appears damaged, you should replace it with a new fill tube.

The home may have insufficient water pressure. The water inlet valve supplies water to the ice and water dispenser. The water inlet valve requires a minimum of 20 psi to function properly. Check the water flow and test the pressure to determine if it is at least 20 psi.

Make sure the icemaker is turned on and the arm or paddle is able to move freely. On in-door ice-dispensing models, with the door open make sure the indicator light stays on steadily when the ice dispenser flap and door switch are pressed.

If there is low water pressure coming into the refrigerator, or the water inlet valve is defective, the ice maker's fill tube can become clogged with ice and prevent water from entering the ice maker tray. You can use a hair dryer to thaw out the frozen fill tube, but you should confirm the home has sufficient water pressure and the water inlet valve is functioning properly.

The dispenser door will typically have a closing mechanism to shut the door after the ice is dispensed. If the door sticks open warm air can enter the ice maker compartment causing frost buildup and potentially stopping the ice maker. Remove any items that may be keeping the dispenser door from closing.

The door switch turns off the ice and water dispenser when the refrigerator door is open. If the door switch fails, the dispenser will not turn on. To determine if the door switch is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the door switch does not have continuity when activated, replace it.

On some refrigerator models, an ice level control board and sensor will be used to determine how much ice is in the ice bucket. When the ice bucket fills to capacity, the ice level control board will automatically shut off the power to the ice maker. If the ice level control board is malfunctioning, it may not allow the ice maker to turn on at all. If the refrigerator has an in-door ice dispenser, open the door and check to see if the indicator light stays on steadily when the ice dispenser paddle and door switch are pressed. If not, the ice level control board is likely defective.

The refrigerator's control board controls the voltage being sent to the ice maker. If the control board is defective, the ice maker may not work at all. You can inspect the board for signs of damage or a shorted component. You can also use a multimeter to determine if voltage is reaching the ice maker after reviewing the refrigerator's wiring diagram.

The fill tube heater keeps the fill tube warm, to help prevent ice buildup, and keep water flowing to the icemaker.