Are you wondering why your ice maker is not making ice, but the water is working? If it no longer makes full-size ice cubes or any ice at all, several issues might cause this. We will be exploring these possibilities and how you can fix them. So what is the reason behind your ice maker not making ice, but water works?
If your ice maker is not making ice at all, a clog in the supply line may be the cause. This may also be the case if you only get small crescents or tiny cubes. If the source of the clog is frozen water in the line, you need to unplug the refrigerator. You can then wait for the ice to melt.
Read on to learn more about ice makers not making ice but water works. You’ll also learn how to fix the issues and prevent them from happening again.
Why Is the Ice Maker Not Making Ice But Water Works?
Owning a modern refrigerator can provide you with a lot of conveniences. For one, you no longer need to refill ice trays when you want some ice for your drinks. Ice makers automatically create ice, store them inside the machine, and dispense them whenever you need some.
However, ice makers do not always work the way you expect. There are some instances when they don’t work at all. Sometimes, there are issues with it that you have to fix.
If your ice maker’s not making ice, here are some reasons why your icemaker would go on the fritz:
1. Improperly Set Thermostat
Most people do not know they must set the thermostat in their fridge. This is important to make their icemakers function correctly. Some fridges have two dials – one for the fridge and the other for the freezer.
There are others where a single thermostat controls the temperature of the fridge. Find out where your fridge’s thermostat is. You should then adjust it to the recommended temperature provided in the manual.
2. Ice Stuck in the Mold
Another common problem of modern icemakers is misshapen, fractured, and frosted ice. This problem is usually the result of bits of ice getting stuck in the mold. This means no new ice cannot form. The water line may also be causing problems as they could not fill the tray correctly.
Fortunately, you only need to turn off the ice maker. After that, you must pour warm (not hot) water into the ice maker tray. Once done, you only need to drain and wipe the tray dry.
3. Setting Is Not Level
Another potential issue you may not know is that the ice maker should be hanging level inside the fridge. Grab a carpenter’s level. Use it to check if the fridge is level. If the fridge stands crooked, the ice will also not level in the trays.
It might cause the ejector assembly to work correctly. Does your fridge stand unevenly? Then shim one of the feet of the refrigerator with bits of cardboard until the fridge is level.
4. Water Filter Needs Replacement
How long have you been using your fridge? You must replace the filter after using the machine for a couple of years. After a few years, all the sediments filtered from your tap water will build up in the filter. This may cause the filter to get clogged up.
Note that the water had to flow through the filter before it got frozen. If the filter is clogged, it can result in the machine not making ice. It could also be that it will produce a bit of dirty ice. Check your water filter and replace it when necessary.
5. Faulty Ejector Assembly
Maybe your ice maker is making ice cubes, but the problem is it could not eject them from the tray. The issue might be a frozen or malfunctioning ejector assembly. There are several reasons behind this.
First, you should check for an ice dam that could be blocking the ejector arm and chute. It is also advisable to check the motor. Are the gears, flaps, and other moving components working fine?
How to Fix Samsung Ice Maker Not Making Ice, But Water Works
Do you have a Samsung ice maker that does not make ice? Then it could be because of cross-connected water lines. You should check the water lines if your Samsung ice maker is not making ice.
Make sure that there are no cross-connected water lines. This will cause the water and ice dispensing features not to work correctly. You can also fix them with the help of the following:
1. Power Cycle the Fridge
Unplug the Samsung fridge. If you cannot reach the plug, turn it off from the circuit breaker. Wait 2 minutes, and then turn the refrigerator back on. As the fridge starts booting up, it might show an error code on display.
If this does happen, refer to the error code guide on Samsung’s website. Perform the suggested troubleshooting steps.
2. Reset the Ice Maker
Look for the “test” button on your Samsung ice maker. Some models might require that you remove the ice bucket first to view the ice maker and the test button.
Press and hold the button until you hear a bell sound. It might take up to 10 seconds. The test will take around 5 to 6 minutes. You will hear an ice cube drop into the bucket during the process.
Then, allow the machine to work for at least 8 hours. You can use that to check whether it is already functioning normally.
Why Is the GE Ice Maker Not Making Ice, But Water Works
Ice makers in GE are not also immune to problems. These devices may have ice-making issues because of the following:
1. Low Thermostat Setting
Your GE ice maker’s production efficiency depends on your fridge’s temperature. That means that you need to set the thermostat at the proper temperature.
According to GE, you must set the thermostat at the proper temperature for the ice maker to work correctly. The company recommends setting the thermostat in the fridge to 37°F and the freezer at 0°F. The ice maker needs to reach 16°F for the ice-making cycle to begin.
2. Clogged Water Filter
A clogged water filter will restrict the amount of water that reaches the ice maker. This is why you need to change the filter every six months.
Also, if there is a construction site near your home, it might cause more sediments to penetrate the water supply. It may also cause your filter to clog up faster.
3. Stuck Rake
Check the ice maker if any stray ice cubes block the rake that ejects the ice cubes from their mold. If the rake cannot complete a full cycle, it will cause the entire system to stop as a failsafe. Look for anything that might be blocking the rake and take it out.
Again, why is the ice maker not making ice but water works? Check for clogs along the supply line if your ice maker is not making ice, but water works. Usually, there’s ice in the line. Fix this by unplugging your refrigerator.
Why Is the Frigidaire Ice Maker Not Making Ice But Water Works
If your ice maker is from Frigidaire, then the following may be the significant reasons behind the problem:
1. Not Connected to Water Line
The common reason your Frigidaire ice maker is not making ice is a poor connection to the water line. The fridge should be connected to the water line. The valve connected to it also has to be opened fully.
2. Kink in the Plumbing
Check if there are any kinks in the water supply line. This usually happens when you push the refrigerator too close to the wall.
3. Clogged Water Filter
Ensure that the water filter has proper sealing. Just remove the filter and reinstall it again. For an already clogged water filter, you need to replace it.
If the water dispenser dispenses slowly, or if no water is coming out, the water filter might be too old. A water filter has a lifespan of just over six months. If you’ve owned your fridge for over six months, it’s time to replace it with a new one.
If your fridge is one of the models with dual ice makers, then you should examine the following:
4. Signal Arm Stuck in Place
Is the wire signal arm free to move to its up or down positions? Sometimes, an ice cube or other objects prevent it from moving. Also, ensure that the ice bin gets pushed to the back of the shelf. This can prevent the signal arm from moving if this is out of place.
If your ice cubes are clumping, this is due to you not using the ice cubes quite often enough. It could also be that you experienced a bit of a power outage. In that case, dump out the contents of the ice bin. You should then allow the ice maker to create a fresh batch.
5. Clogged Water Filter
If there’s ice, but they’re smaller than usual, the problem might be a clogged water filter. Another possible problem is that the ice maker is not getting enough water. Check if the filter is still good and the water valve is turned on.
Why Is the Whirlpool Ice Maker Not Making Ice, But Water Works
A couple of factors may also be causing your Whirlpool ice maker to malfunction. Among these are the following:
1. Jammed Ice Maker
Sometimes, small fluctuations in temperature can cause the ice in the Whirlpool ice maker dispenser to melt slightly and re-freeze. This causes clumping of the ice and will turn into a blockage.
When this happens, your Whirlpool ice maker will only affect the ice dispenser, not the water. You have to reset the ice maker if that happens.
How to Reset
Here’s how to reset a Whirlpool ice maker:
Unplug the fridge – There is no physical reset button in the Whirlpool fridge and ice maker. You need to do things manually.
Open the fridge door with the ice maker.
Locate the dispenser chute.
Slide the handle of a long wooden spoon into the chute to break up the jammed ice
Wait a couple of minutes to let the rest of the ice melt. Drain the ice maker.
Close the fridge door and plug it back into the power strip.
2. Refrigerator Dispenser Switch Broken
The dispenser switch is the one that supplies power to the inlet valve. This allows the water to flow into the ice maker. Water will not reach the ice maker if the switch malfunctions or breaks. This’ll prevent any ice from being made.
You’ll have to use a multimeter to determine if the switch is defective. If you don’t know how to use a multimeter, get a professional technician to do it for you. If the technician notices a broken switch, they will replace it immediately.
Why Is the Kenmore Ice Maker Not Making Ice, But Water Works
1. Faulty Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve is the part of the Kenmore refrigerator that connects to the household water supply. There are a couple of reasons this component might fail, like mechanical or electrical problems with the valve solenoids.
2. Wrong Thermostat Setting
If the ice maker is too warm, it will not be able to make ice cubes. Set the thermometer to at least -5°F. This is just the right temperature to create ice, but you can set it lower if you want to.
3. Ice on the Evaporator Coils
For frosted evaporator coils, there is something wrong with the defrost system of the fridge. If the evaporator fan motor fails to circulate the air inside the freezer, it causes the ice maker to malfunction.
4. Broken Door Switch
The door switch is the one that turns the ice and water dispenser off when the fridge door opens. Even with closed doors, the ice maker won’t turn on if this switch malfunctions.
You can check if this is the cause by pushing the door switch. If the light inside the fridge does not turn off, it is broken.
Why Is the LG Ice Maker Not Making Ice, But Water Works
1. Newly Installed Refrigerator
Is your LG ice maker still brand new and recently installed? Then it will take up to 24 hours before it can get to working temperature. This is also the required time for the ice maker to start making ice.
2. Temperature Not Set Properly
Set the freezer’s temperature to -4°F (-20°C) for the ice maker to make and dispense ice. Check your thermostat and adjust accordingly.
3. Kinked Water Hose
The water inlet hose is connected to the inlet valve and connects to the household water supply. If there’s a kink in the hose, it might be preventing the water from getting into the ice maker. This is why it is not able to create ice.
4. Water Filter Needs Replacing
You will need to replace the water filter every six months. If you don’t, the sediments that it gathered will clog up the filter. This will prevent water from flowing through and reaching the ice maker.
You only need to unplug the fridge. Wait 10 seconds before plugging it in again. Press the on button and hold it for 5 seconds. You should then see a blue light turn on. In some ice maker models, you will hear an audible signal telling you that you have successfully reset it.
Is There a Reset Button on My Ice Maker?
Not all ice makers have reset buttons. However, you can usually find it at the bottom in those with it. You must remove the ice tray first to expose the reset button. It is usually small and red.
Can You Manually Fill the Ice Maker?
Yes, you can. Fill a cup with tap or filtered water. After that, pour it into the reservoir behind the ice maker. Make sure that you only fill it up to the recommended level. Try to avoid splashing the water as much as you can.
In Closing – Ice Maker Not Making Ice
The usual culprit is a clog if your ice maker is not making ice cubes or only making small ones. You can often see this clog affecting the water supply line.
There could be a bit of frozen water stuck inside the water supply line. This can significantly hamper or prevent water from entering the ice maker.
Most of the time, fixing an ice maker, not making ice but water works, is simple enough. However, there are times when you need the help of a professional technician to do the job correctly.
So, learn when you are way over your head. Remember that ice makers are complicated appliances, so asking for help is a better idea.
