Why Does the Ice Maker in the Refrigerator Not Work?

Ice makers rely on freezer temperatures to function properly.

Ice makers rely on freezer temperatures to function properly.

Modern refrigerators offer a range of features that are intended to save space and add convenience. Built-in ice makers allow you to free up space in your freezer, and many of these dispense water as well. While most refrigerator ice makers perform reliably, problems can happen. If your ice maker doesn’t seem to be working, you’ll have to troubleshoot a few common causes to repair the problem.

Feeler Arm or Paddle

If your ice maker is not dispensing ice or doesn’t seem to be making any ice at all, check that the feeler arm is in the down position and that it is not blocked. Some ice makers have a paddle under the ice maker instead of a feeler arm above the bin; if this is blocked, it can halt ice production.

Low Water Pressure

To work properly, the ice maker requires that the water pressure be between 40 and 120 pounds per square inch, or psi. A dirty filter that is clogged with sediment can lower the water pressure, but the problem may instead be within your home’s plumbing system. You can determine if the water pressure is low by running water from the dispenser into a large container for about 20 seconds. If the container has less than 13 1/2 ounces of water, the water pressure to your ice maker is too low. Remove the filter and insert the bypass plug and test the pressure again. If the refrigerator dispenses more than 13 1/2 ounces of water in 20 seconds, the low pressure is due to a dirty filter. Replace the filter with a new one to correct the problem. If the water pressure is still too low, have a plumber check the water pressure in the rest of your home. If your home’s water pressure is fine, contact a qualified appliance repair technician to inspect and repair your refrigerator.

No Water

Make sure the refrigerator is plugged in and the ice maker is turned on. The power cord for your ice maker is typically plugged into the left or back wall of the freezer. New ice makers will require several hours to produce ice, so if the power was turned off or the refrigerator is new, wait a few hours and your ice maker should start to produce ice. If your ice maker has not been turned off recently, make sure the water supply valve that supplies water to the refrigerator is turned on and that the fill line, which is typically a plastic tube above the ice maker, is connected to the ice maker and is not kinked or restricted. If none of these troubleshooting steps resolves the problem, the water inlet valve might be defective, and this should be repaired by a qualified appliance repair technician.

Freezer Temperature

Ice makers will not function properly if the temperature of the freezer is above 10 degrees Fahrenheit. To produce ice, the freezer temperatures should range between zero and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature setting on the freezer is set to the correct temperature, check the evaporator coils on your refrigerator. If these frost up, air won’t circulate through the freezer, which results in higher temperatures. Contact an appliance repair professional to inspect the coils and the condenser unit, which may require replacement.

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