Ice Maker Repair & Installation

Top 5 Ice Maker FAQ's

• "My ice maker stopped making ice, what can I do?"

This problem is often solved with basic troubleshooting. Try the following:

On/Off Switch
Make sure the ice maker is turned on: check the on/off switch.

Ice Jams
Sometimes the control arm is pushed up by jammed or stacking ice. That stops ice production. Break up any stacked ice, and make sure the arm is in the down position so ice production resumes. If you have questions, check the user guide.

Water Supply Valve, Line & Filter
Make sure that the water supply valve (usually behind or beneath the fridge) is open and that the line isn't crimped in some way. If you're not sure of its location, check your user guide/manual.
If your water filter was recently replaced or your fridge is new, you may need to flush the water line to remove pockets of air. Do that by dispensing water until any air bubbles are flushed out and a consistent flow is established.
Sometimes water lines freeze. Check the line. If you detect any signs of freezing, warm the line with a hair dryer, or unplug the refrigerator for a while.

Water Filter
Filters should be replaced every six months. Make sure that your water filter isn't clogged, by removing it to check for any impurities. Check your user manual if you're not sure how to do this.

• "My ice maker won't stop making ice - the container overflows!"

Ice makers come with an arm or other indicator that lets the machine know the ice maker is full. When the ice maker doesn't stop producing ice, the problem usually traces back to part. To stop the ice from overflowing, try:
manually adjusting the arm or part that measures the ice level, or,
replace the arm/indicator if it appears to be broken.

If you can't identify the problem and need to bring in a repair professional, turn off the ice maker to prevent it from over-producing until the repair person arrives.

• "Why does my ice smell bad? Can it be fixed?"

If the ice dispensed from your ice maker has a bad odor, check out these common causes and solutions:

Old, Dirty or Clogged Water Filter

Replace the water filter every six months or less.

Infrequent Ice Use/Old Ice Cubes

Ice cubes can take on smells from inside the fridge. If you do not use ice very often, empty all of your ice cubes regularly so new, fresh ice can be made.

Food Smells Are Being Absorbed

Ice has a tendency to absorb odors, which can come from:
food that's going (or gone) bad,
any open food containers in the freezer or fridge (like a tin can used for storing grease in the freezer, or a box of leftover pizza in the fridge),
older frozen foods in the freezer,
spills in the freezer or fridge.

The solution is to keep the fridge and freezer clean, and all food storage containers sealed. Many homeowners also keep deodorizers inside the fridge (like baking soda or commercially bought products) to minimize unwanted odors.

Mildew Growth in the Refrigerator

Search for any signs of mildew growth inside of the refrigerator and freezer. If you find any, clean it away immediately.

Bad Water Supply

Local water supplies, systems and lines can contain mildew, algae, salts, minerals, and other contaminants – all of which can cause smelly ice! You can help offset the problem by ensuring that your refrigerator's water filter is replaced at least every six months – and probably more often when your water source is a potential issue.

If your refrigerator isn't equipped with a filter, you can buy kits that attach to the water supply line, and filter water before it reaches the fridge.

• "The crushed ice feature stopped working, what should I do?"

When your ice maker is working, but not dispensing crushed ice, it usually implies a jam or blockage of some sort:

• Ice Jam in the Bin
  Ice may be clumping inside the bin, preventing the cubes from getting to the crushing blades. Just break up the ice clumps.
• Clogged Ice Chute
  Check the crushed ice chute/path for ice for a blockage, and clear it. You may not be able to see the blockage, in which case, use something soft and safe like a rubber spatula handle to clear the chute.
• Jammed or Stalled Mechanisms
  Sometimes ice jams can cause the mechanisms that move and crush ice to jam or stall. Simply remove the ice bin, remove the ice from the bin, and clean the bin. Then replace the ice – making sure any clumps are broken up – and replace the bin correctly back into the freezer.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be time to contact an appliance professional for further troubleshooting.

• "My ice maker is not getting water, what should I do?"

Check the following:

Water Supply
Locate the source of the water (usually a valve coming out of the wall or beneath the fridge) and make sure it is turned on.

Water Line
Inspect the water supply line wherever it's visible. If you find any crimps in the line, get them out. If you find a clog, you may need to remove the line to flush it. If you find a frozen section, try using a hair dryer to blow warm air onto the line.

Water Filter
First, make sure you're using the right filter for your model of refrigerator. Next, remove the filter to inspect for debris and visible signs of clogging or damage. If the filter is older than six months, replace it. If all is well with the filter, replace it and make sure it's seated properly.

If none of the above steps resolve the problem, contact a refrigerator/appliance professional.