Ice Maker Troubleshooting

Having a refrigerator with an ice maker in your kitchen is extremely convenient. Whether you're looking for a way to cool down a nice glass of water or you're trying to make some margaritas, it's very handy to have an ice maker around. However, like with any machine, your ice maker is likely to run into some technical issues at some point. Read on to find out what to do when you find that your ice maker is not working as it should.

How Do I Reset My Ice Maker?

Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one, and this can be the case for your malfunctioning ice maker. If you notice your fridge's ice maker not making ice anymore, you may simply need to reset one of its settings. Specifically, one of these issues might be the culprit:

The Ice Maker Is Paused or Off

Some refrigerator ice makers have a “Pause” or “Off” setting, and it might've been activated accidentally by another member of the family. If this is the case, simply turn the ice maker back on or un-pause it.

The Refrigerator's Temperature Is Improperly Set

Your refrigerator typically has a function that allows you to change its temperature. If your fridge or freezer is set to be too warm, the ice maker will simply not be able to make ice properly. This should be another easy fix. Use your fridge's controls to manually set the temperature to a lower setting. If your fridge can't keep a stable temperature even after you adjust it, then there may be a bigger underlying problem.

If everything seems to be working properly on the surface but your ice maker still isn't working, it could be clogged. These clogs can form in a number of ways:

Misshapen Ice

Though the ice in your ice maker is supposed to form in a relatively uniform way, it is definitely possible that some of your ice will randomly freeze into a more irregular shape. Sometimes when this happens, this random ice blob may not be able to fit through the chute in your ice maker. This should be an easy fix for most refrigerators. If your ice maker compartment is easily accessible, then you should be able to get it open and remove the troublesome ice.

Clogged Water Line

If you've tried multiple methods and can't seem to get your ice maker working again, your water line may be clogged. This would prevent any water from reaching your ice maker, thus it would not be able to produce any new ice. The only way to really fix this is to try and get the clog out of your pipes, but you might need to hire a professional plumber to do so for you.

Old Water Filter

If you have a refrigerator with an ice and water dispenser, you should also have a water filter that keeps your ice and water clean. If you haven't changed your water filter as often as you should - roughly every six months - the buildup in your ice maker can result in a clog. To fix this, you'll need to clean out your ice maker, and then replace your water filter. It's important to get the exact filter that you had before to avoid damaging your fridge.

Having a functional ice maker is important, and ice maker troubleshooting doesn't have to be difficult. The next time that you find your ice maker not working, give these techniques a try.