Why Is My Ice Maker Not Working? 10 Causes and Easy Fixes

An ice maker usually stops working because it is switched off, it is not getting water, or the freezer is not cold enough. Other common causes are a clogged water filter, a frozen fill tube, and ice cubes jammed together in the bin. Most of these can be fixed in a few minutes without a repair visit.

Work through the causes below in order. The first few are the quickest and most common.

Quick checks first

Before you dig in, check these three things:

1. Is the ice maker turned on? Look for an on/off switch, a setting on the fridge's control panel, or a wire arm that should be down.
2. Is the freezer cold enough? It should be about 0°F.
3. Is the fridge new? A newly installed fridge needs about 24 hours to start making ice, and a few days to fill the bin.

10 reasons your ice maker is not working

1. The ice maker is turned off

Ice makers are easy to turn off by accident.

• Wire arm (bail arm): Many ice makers have a metal arm on the side. When it is up, the ice maker stops. Push it down to turn it on.
• Switch or button: Some have an on/off switch on the ice maker itself.
• Control panel: Many newer fridges have an ice maker setting on the front display. Make sure it says On.

Also check that nothing in the freezer is pushing the wire arm up, like a bag of frozen food.

2. The freezer is not cold enough

Ice makers need a cold freezer. If the freezer is warmer than about 10°F, ice production slows or stops.

Fix: Set the freezer to 0°F and check it with an appliance thermometer after 24 hours. Keep vents clear, and do not overpack the freezer. If your fridge section is warm while the freezer is cold, see our guide on fixing a warm fridge with a cold freezer.

3. The water supply is off or kinked

Your ice maker gets water through a small line behind the fridge.

Fix:

1. Pull the fridge out carefully.
2. Find the water shut-off valve, often under the kitchen sink or behind the fridge. Make sure it is fully open.
3. Check the water line for kinks, especially if the fridge was recently moved.
4. Look for leaks at the connections.

4. The water filter is clogged

A clogged water filter slows water to the ice maker. You may also notice the water dispenser is slow. Many makers suggest changing the filter about every 6 months.

Fix: Replace the filter with the right one for your model. After installing it, run a few glasses of water through the dispenser to clear air from the line.

5. The fill tube is frozen

The small tube that sends water into the ice tray can freeze shut. No water gets through, so no ice is made. You may see ice around the tube opening at the back of the ice maker.

Fix:

1. Turn the ice maker off.
2. Warm the tube with a hair dryer on low, held a safe distance away, until the ice melts. Keep water away from the hair dryer.
3. Wipe away the water and turn the ice maker back on.

If the tube freezes often, the freezer may be too cold near the ice maker, or the water inlet valve may be dripping. A technician can check the valve.

6. Ice cubes are stuck or jammed

Cubes can freeze together into a big clump in the bin, or a cube can get stuck in the ice maker and stop it from cycling.

Fix: Remove the ice bin, break up or throw out the clumps, and check the ice maker for stuck cubes. Using ice regularly helps stop clumping.

7. The water pressure is too low

Ice makers need a certain amount of water pressure to fill the tray. Low pressure can cause small cubes or no ice at all. Reverse osmosis systems under the sink can also lower pressure to the fridge.

Fix: Check that other faucets in your home have normal pressure. Our guide on boosting low water pressure at home explains how to test and fix it.

8. The ice maker needs a reset

Sometimes the ice maker's controls get stuck.

Fix: Look for a reset or test button on the ice maker. Press and hold it as your manual says. On other models, turn the ice maker off for a minute and back on, or unplug the fridge for about 5 minutes.

9. The water inlet valve has failed

The water inlet valve at the back of the fridge opens to let water in. If it fails or gets blocked by minerals, water stops flowing to the ice maker and often to the dispenser too.

Fix: This part usually needs a technician to test and replace it.

10. The ice maker itself has failed

Ice makers have motors, sensors, and heaters that can wear out.

Fix: If you have checked everything else, the ice maker unit may need to be replaced. Many are sold as one complete part for your model.

Ice maker problem finder

Ice maker leaking or making noise?

• Water under the fridge: Check the water line connection at the back for a drip, and make sure the fridge is level. A leaking inlet valve or cracked line needs a technician.
• Water in the ice bin or frozen puddles: The fridge may not be level, or the inlet valve may be dripping.
• Buzzing sound: Many ice makers buzz when the water valve opens. If the ice maker is on but the water supply is off, it can buzz loudly. Turn the ice maker off until the water is connected.
• Clunks and cracks: These are normal sounds of ice dropping into the bin.

Bad-tasting or cloudy ice?

• Replace the water filter. An old filter can make ice taste stale.
• Empty and wash the ice bin in warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry it well.
• Throw away old ice. Ice absorbs smells from the freezer.
• Keep food covered in the freezer.

Cloudy ice is usually just tiny air bubbles and minerals and is normal.

When to call a technician

Call an appliance technician if the water supply, filter, and settings are all fine but there is still no ice, if water leaks from the ice maker or behind the fridge, or if the fill tube keeps freezing. Have your fridge's model number ready. It is usually on a sticker inside the fridge.

Where to start

Make sure the ice maker is turned on and the wire arm is down, the freezer is at 0°F, and the water valve is open. Replace an old water filter and look for a frozen fill tube. These simple checks fix most ice makers. If they do not, a technician can test the water inlet valve and the ice maker unit.