At a Glance:
How to Troubleshoot Your Ice Maker Not Working
5 Common Problems That Can Break Your Ice Maker
Should You Repair Your Broken Ice Maker?
Top 2 Refrigerator Models if You Decide to Replace Your Unit
There’s nothing better on a hot day than a cool glass of ice water – and nothing worse on a hot day than lukewarm water because your ice maker is broken. This is a frustrating problem because you aren’t sure whether the issue is related to your refrigerator as a whole (which means the repair could be expensive) or if the problem just has to do with your ice maker.
Where do you start in the troubleshooting process? How can you fix the issue quickly and without breaking your budget for the month? Follow this guide if you notice your ice maker not working at a time when you need it to.
How to Troubleshoot Your Ice Maker Not Working
There is good news if your notice your ice maker not working: you don’t have to be an electrician, plumber, or appliance technician to better understand the problem. You can follow a few basic steps to learn exactly what is broken so you can make an informed decision on fixing it. Start by answering these questions:
- Is the appliance actually producing ice? If you have ice but it’s not ejecting, you can narrow down your problem pretty quickly.
- Are the ice cubes the same size and quality? If your ice maker is ejecting ice but the cubes are suddenly much smaller or larger, the ice maker could need an adjustment.
- Is the ice maker no longer producing ice? If the ejector wants to produce ice but there’s no ice to be found, you could have an issue with your water line.
- Do the electronics work okay? If the buttons respond to your commands and you can hear the motor running, then the issue might not be electrical.
In the event that you call a repair professional because of your ice maker not working, you will clearly be able to explain the issue and describe the type of ice (if any) you are able to get from your refrigerator.
5 Common Problems That Can Break Your Ice Maker
There are a few common issues that occur with ice makers and cause them to break. This is good news for you as a homeowner. If you have a common ice maker problem, it should be easy to fix. Use your knowledge of how the ice maker is breaking to figure out where the problem lies.
- The ice maker is turned off or the electrical connection is disrupted. In this case, all of the hardware is still functioning but you need to repair the electrical source.
- The ice is stuck. Just like manual ice molds, your cubes can get stuck in your ice machine. This could be the problem if you notice broken or chipped ice. Turn off your ice maker and let the ice melt before creating more.
- There are clogged or leaking water lines. If the electrical elements and motor are working, the issue could be with the water. A clogged water line won’t fill up the ice trays, which means you won’t receive ice.
- Your refrigerator thermostat is off. If your refrigerator isn’t cooling enough (or the thermostat thinks it’s too warm) it won’t produce ice. Make sure your refrigerator is working properly and there weren’t any recent power outages in the area.
- Something is blocking the ejector. If you have ice and everything seems to be working, there could be a clog that prevents your ice from flowing down the chute and into your glass.
You can see how each of these problems correlates to the questions you asked earlier. If the ice is suddenly much bigger or smaller, the issue could be the tray. If your refrigerator is making ice but not delivering it, the problem lies with the ejector.
Should You Repair Your Broken Ice Maker?
If your ice maker is broken, check your refrigerator warranty. It might be up to the manufacturer to repair or replace the ice maker to restore it to working order. Contact the store where you bought your refrigerator to review your next steps.
If your refrigerator is past its warranty, consider how old the appliance is and whether it is working well. If your refrigerator is more than a decade old, this could be an indicator that your refrigerator is wearing out. When you call a repair professional, ask for an invoice for the costs before you agree to the work. If the repair price is high, you might be better off investing those funds in a new refrigerator.
If your microwave falls outside of the warranty but is still fairly new, it’s worth the cost to get it repaired. An ice maker is usually a simple appliance and a general handyman should be able to get it working again quickly.
When you call a repair professional, be clear about the type of refrigerator you have. There might be a difference in how they approach a Whirlpool ice maker not working versus an LG ice maker not working. LG often uses more computer technology in its products, which means the repair could be more complex.
Top 2 Refrigerator Models if You Decide to Replace Your Unit
If you have an old and unwieldy refrigerator, you might have better things to do with your money than pay to repair the ice maker. Consider starting fresh with a new, reliable model. Here are two popular options to consider for your home.
Samsung 28.2 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
If you are overall happy with your appliance but notice your Samsung refrigerator ice maker not working, consider upgrading to a newer model. This is one of the largest capacity refrigerators produced by Samsung. It has more than 28 cubic feet of space, which is ideal for large families and households with plenty of visiting relatives.
Just because the refrigerator is large doesn’t mean it isn’t energy efficient. It is ENERGY STAR® qualified, which means it is designed to use less electricity while keeping your groceries cool. The French door design means you only have to open half of your refrigerator to access the items you need.
You can see why this is such a popular refrigerator by reading online reviews. More than 93% of reviewers say they would recommend this product. That’s great news if you notice your Samsung ice maker not working and want a reliable model.
One buyer writes, “We purchased the unit about two months ago and are very happy with the model so far. Great capacity with adjustable shelves makes it easy to load our fridge up with plenty of room to spare. Ice maker works great too.”
Frigidaire® 17.6 Cu. Ft. Brushed Steel Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator
Frigidaire Brushed Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
If you have a smaller kitchen and don’t have room for a large-capacity refrigerator, consider this model by Frigidaire. It is designed for apartment living or for residences with only one or two people.
One of the top features of this refrigerator is the auto-close doors. The doors automatically shut if they are within five inches of closing. This is an ideal feature if you live with someone who frequently leaves the door ajar or doesn’t check that it is fully closed. You can keep your groceries fresh and reduce your electricity use.
The ice maker is located inside the refrigerator section, so you can enjoy cool drinks whenever you want. The EvenTemp® cooling system also protects your groceries by circulating cold air throughout the space. It even responds to temperature fluctuations (like someone grabbing a pack of yogurt) by sending a cold blast of air throughout the refrigerator to cool everything back down.
Consider this model if you notice your Frigidaire ice maker not working despite being a top-performing brand.
FAQ
Is an internal ice dispenser better than an external one?
There are pros and cons to internal and external ice dispensers. You might have more storage with an internal dispenser but an external one is more efficient. The internal or external design also depends on the style of refrigerator you have. Go with your personal preferences with choosing between these two options.
Why Trust Spencer’s TV & Appliance?
Since 1973, Spencer’s TV & Appliance has grown to 10 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. After all, getting customers the best price and personal attention is how we compete with big-box stores, day in and day out.
Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencer’s and see what you’re missing!
Shop Refrigerators at Spencer’s
At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop refrigerators online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you troubleshoot your ice maker not working and suggest alternative options to repair. Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!
Learn More: 5 Best Luxury Kitchen Appliances Brands