Ice Maker Appliance Troubleshooting and Repair Guides
by 411 on Apr 10, 2017
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR ICE MAKER?
An ice maker is a separate appliance within the freezer section of your refrigerator/freezer. I have found that the most common refrigerator repair is the ice maker.
Even cheap fridge freezers have an ice maker because almost all refrigerators today have one. This is an important section of your refrigerator because ice cubes are almost a necessity when preparing cold drinks. It's important to take good care of the ice maker because it may be a little bit expensive to have it repaired. Below, you will find some of the common problems with icemakers and steps on how to fix it.
In-freezer ice makers are inexpensive. Often it's not economical to repair them after 6 to 8 years of use. When the problem is with the ice maker itself, we usually recommend replacing the unit rather than repairing it.
Warning! To avoid personal injury or even death, always disconnect your appliance from its power source--that is, unplug it or break the connection at the circuit breaker or fuse box--before you do any troubleshooting or appliance repair work. Also, because some components may have sharp edges, use caution while working on your appliance.
There are three common problems with icemakers:
There's no ice
Small or too few ice cubes
Specks in the cubes
More about ice makers
Ice maker replacement parts
Amazon online delivers ice-maker kits
There's no ice
If your ice maker has stopped producing ice completely, check these, in this order:
- It may be turned off. Look for the wire along the right side of the ice maker that looks a bit like a coat hanger. If the wire is in the raised position, the ice maker is turned off. If so, try one of these:
- If your ice maker has a small red plastic lever, lower it to lower the wire.
- If there's no plastic lever, simply lower the wire.
- The ice maker fills the tube may be blocked with ice. If so, melt the blockage using a hairdryer but be careful to not melt any plastic parts! Also, replace the water shut-off valve or water-inlet valve, or both, if necessary.
- The ice maker head assembly may have broken parts. Look to see if the gears are broken. Check to see if the small plastic arms that rest against the ice rake are broken. If the ice maker head assembly is modular and you've found broken parts, you can just replace it.
Small or too few ice cubes
If the ice maker is producing ice poorly--making small cubes or too few cubes--you probably have a clogged water line, a defective water inlet valve, or a defective ice maker mold thermostat that isn't cycling properly. Check these:
- The water line that's attached to the back of the refrigerator. Make sure you have good water flow. If the flow is poor, repair, clean, or replace the tubing or the shut-off valve that supplies the water.
- The water inlet valve. Replace it if it has failed.
- Check the freezer temperature. If should be 8 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. If the freezer is too warm, the ice maker won't cycle properly.
- The ice maker mold thermostat. Make sure that it's cycling properly.
Specks in the cubes
If you find black or gray specks in your ice cubes, have a look at the ice cube tray. If the protective coating is peeling away, the most economical solution is to completely replace the ice maker.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
85279 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
69081 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
67294 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
46273 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
28283 Views
Latest Articles
Grooved Composite Decking: Benefits and Best Practices
Composite decking has become increasingly popular over the last decade thanks to its durability, low-maintenance, and natural wood-like appearance....
on Nov 23, 2023
Innovative Materials in Modern Rainscreen Systems
In today's world of architectural advancements, the materials we use to protect and adorn our structures have evolved dramatically. Within this...
on Aug 25, 2023
Benefits of Aluminum Windows for Homeowners
Aluminum windows have emerged as a popular choice among Australian homeowners, offering a compelling combination of energy efficiency and modern...
on Aug 10, 2023
Investment Tactics for Premium Condominiums
Singapore continues to be a magnet for property investments, with its robust economy, political stability, and appealing real estate market acting...
on Aug 3, 2023
10 Essential Questions to Ask During a Sunroom and Lanai Consultation
When considering the addition of a sunroom or lanai to your home, a consultation with a professional lanai contractor is crucial. This initial...
on Jul 24, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Grooved Composite Decking: Benefits and Best Practices
on Nov 23, 2023
Garden / Landscaping / Patio
Composite decking has become increasingly popular over the last decade thanks to its durability, low-maintenance, and natural wood-like appearance....
Innovative Materials in Modern Rainscreen Systems
on Aug 25, 2023
Windows / Siding

In today's world of architectural advancements, the materials we use to protect and adorn our structures have evolved dramatically. Within this...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 262
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 196
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
The Carpet Cleaning Guide to Dry Wet Carpets
We all face carpet cleaning situations when we really need a guide to help us to get through the situation. One of these situations is when the...
Fall Planting and Gardens - Part 2
Fall and Winter gardening, although an old practice, is an excellent solution for keeping the tilth and fertility of your garden's soil at its peak...
The Art and Science of Pruning: a Short Introduction
Most landscape plants need regular pruning, whether to preserve a loose, natural form or to create tight compact shapes. Each individual tree or...
How to Clean Chrome Barstools
Chrome barstools are very beautiful and sleek. Chrome is used to create a retro appearance but equally, it is at home in comparison to the cutting...
How to Buy and Resell Condos for Profit
Flipping condos can be a rewarding venture if you learn how to do it right. It basically involves buying condominiums at a discounted price and...