It’s hot, you’re thirsty, and your ice maker is broken. Maybe it’s not making ice at all, or maybe it’s making tiny pieces of ice. Now you’re wondering: how to fix an ice maker that is not working?
Regardless of the issue you are faced with, there are a few simple steps to take that can easily take care of your problem.
Ice Makers Can Be Fixed by Following Some Simple Troubleshooting Steps
Before you take any action, check the owner’s manual. This may seem obvious, but it is easy to overlook.
If you have lost or misplaced your manual (or if this is your first time using an ice maker), there are many resources online that can help you troubleshoot your machine.
If the ice maker has stopped working for no apparent reason, start by checking for common problems such as a frozen water line and clogged drain holes.
If those don’t seem to be at fault for your unit not working properly, then look for other possible causes that could affect its performance, such as improper wiring of electrical components or malfunctioning sensors and switches within it.
If you want to immediately seek professional help, we have a Kenmore refrigerator repair that can help you out.
If you’d like to troubleshoot it first, keep reading.
Steps on Fixing an Ice Maker That Is Not Working
Check If the Ice Maker Is Turned On
Sometimes, we usually forget to properly turn on our appliances and immediately assume that they’re not working. This also applies to ice makers.
First, check the ice maker’s power switch. It’s usually located on the front of your unit or behind a door. If this light is off, you’ll need to turn it on before proceeding with other steps.
Next, check if the circuit breaker has tripped. This can happen when too much power is being used at once; for example, if too many people open their refrigerator doors at once and use all of its cold air at once.
If your circuit breaker trips often, try replacing it with a new one that has a higher capacity than what you currently have installed in your home.
Check the Water Supply
You need to check the water line. If it’s off, turn it on. If it’s on and not blocked by a filter or some other obstacle, you may want to check the pressure of your water line.
This can be done with a pressure gauge that comes with most refrigerators or icemakers. It’s important to note that low pressure can indicate problems within your home’s plumbing system.
This is usually an issue when installing new faucets or fixtures in older homes because they need additional parts to help increase their pressure output capacity (or else they won’t work).
Check the Freezer Temperature
Check the temperature of your freezer.
Ice makers need a temperature of -18 degrees Celsius or lower in order to work properly.
If your freezer is too warm, it will prevent the ice maker from working. This can be due to factors, such as having an old thermostat or not setting up an alarm for when your freezer gets too cold and needs a refill of ice.
Check the Ice Maker’s Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve is a small plastic or brass fitting that attaches to the water supply line and regulates the flow of water into your refrigerator’s ice maker. It may leak as well, causing ice cubes or crushed ice to pile up around it or on top of it.
Do the following in checking the water inlet valve:
- Look for any signs of wear on the valve (small cracks or scratches).
- Check for corrosion on the valve (rust).
- Look for any signs of debris in the valve (even small particles can cause problems).
Remove Any Jammed Ice Cubes
If the appliance does not produce any cubes, it is possible that there are some jams in the system.
Remove them using a blunt-tipped, long-blade kitchen knife. If you force them out with a sharp object, you could damage the ice maker and cause more problems than you have now.
There are also other ways to get rid of jammed ice cubes, so they do not cause future problems:
- Use hot water to melt out any stuck cubes or fragments rather than force them out with a sharp object (such as a butter knife).
- Make sure you remove every last bit of debris from inside before turning it back on again so that nothing gets stuck in there again and causes more jams later on, especially if this happens frequently.
Check the Ice Maker’s Fill Tube
If your ice maker isn’t producing the amount of ice that it usually does, check the fill tube.
When this happens, the unit could be experiencing issues, such as obstructions, kinks, breaks, and clogs. If you find any of these problems, it needs to be replaced already.
You can also check for corrosion in the fill tube by using a flashlight and inspecting it closely for any discoloration on its metal parts as well as inside holes or crevices where water flows in or out.
Check if the Unit Is Level
The machine needs to be level with the floor in order for it to work correctly; otherwise, ice cubes will not be made correctly.
If you have an adjustable base on your refrigerator or have a free-standing freezer, you’ll want to make sure that it’s flat and level with the floor for it to efficiently make ice cubes.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons why an ice maker might not be working. It is crucial to remember that these appliances are designed to withstand all kinds of abuse and should not need much maintenance.
If your machine is still not making ice after following all these steps, Kenmore Best Appliance Repair Pro is here to help you. Just call us.