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Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Making Ice: Fixes and Parts

Quick Answer

If your ice bin is empty, first check if the freezer temperature is below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is cold enough, the most common culprit is a clogged water fill tube or a failed water inlet valve solenoid.

Honestly, most ice maker calls I go on come down to three things: the fill tube's frozen solid, the water valve solenoid burned out, or the filter hasn't been changed in way too long. Ignore it and you can end up with a secondary frost problem that messes with your whole freezer temp. Usually this is a $20 to $80 part fix, not a whole appliance replacement.

GenericRefrigeratorSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate90% DIY Success
Time to Fix
30–90 min
Difficulty
intermediate
Parts Cost
$35 – $160
Tools Needed
Phillips #2 screwdriver, 1/4 inch nut driver

Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Making Ice: Fixes and Parts

Look, diagnosing an ice maker isn't rocket science. It's basically a process of elimination: water, power, temperature. Most parts you'd need are under $100 and honestly, if you're handy with a screwdriver, you can probably knock this out in an hour without paying for a service call. I fixed three of these last week alone.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Frozen water fill tube blocking flow to the tray35%
Failed water inlet valve solenoid (electrical failure)25%
Broken ice maker mold heater or motor assembly15%
Clogged or expired water filter restricting pressure15%
Freezer temperature is above 10 degrees Fahrenheit10%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • The bin has been completely empty for days even though you haven't touched it.
  • Cubes come out tiny, crescent-shaped, or hollow in the middle because the tray only got a partial water fill.
  • There's a puddle or a thin sheet of ice on the freezer floor right underneath the ice maker.
  • You can hear the ice maker clicking or humming during its cycle but nothing ever drops into the bin.
  • Ice tastes like plastic, mildew, or whatever's been stored near it in your freezer.

Can you reset a Generic refrigerator to clear the NOT-MAKING-ICE code?

Locate the small reset button on the side or bottom of the ice maker module. Press and hold it for ten seconds until you hear a chime or see the tray begin to rotate. If there is no button, unplug the refrigerator for ten minutes to clear the control board memory and force a reboot of the sensors.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriver1/4 inch nut driverMultimeterHair dryerSmall towel or ragFreezer-safe thermometerFlashlight

Service / Diagnostic Mode

Hold the door switch closed and press the test button on the ice maker module for 3 to 5 seconds to initiate a forced harvest cycle.

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range200–500 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name
Ice Maker AssemblyVaries by Model · $85–$160
Water Inlet ValveVaries by Model · $35–$75

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my ice maker not filling with water?
Nine times out of ten it's the water filter or the inlet valve. If your filter is more than 6 months old, just change it first. It's $15 to $40 depending on the brand and it might be your entire problem right there. After that, check the fill tube inside the freezer for ice blockages. Then test the inlet valve solenoid with a multimeter. You're looking for 200 to 500 ohms. If it reads open circuit, the coil's dead and it won't open no matter how much water pressure you've got.
How do I reset my ice maker?
Look for a small reset button on the side or bottom of the module. Hold it for 5 to 10 seconds until the tray starts moving or you hear it chime. No button? Unplug the fridge for a full 10 minutes, not just 30 seconds. That actually clears the control board memory. After a reset, don't panic if you don't see ice right away. Give it 4 to 6 hours to cycle through a couple of runs before you decide it's still broken.
Can a dirty water filter stop ice production?
Yes, and it's way more common than people think. The inlet valve fill cycle is timed, not volume-based, so if pressure is low because of a clogged filter, the tray might only get a partial fill and you end up with tiny hollow cubes or nothing at all. I always tell people change the filter before you do anything else. It's the cheapest diagnostic step you can take and it takes five minutes.
How long does it take for a new ice maker to make ice?
After installation or a reset, figure on 4 to 24 hours before you see real ice. The freezer needs to get the module cold and run a few test cycles first. Dump the first two or three batches. There's usually a bit of debris or a plasticky taste from new parts that you really don't want in your drinks.
My ice maker is running but the ice tastes bad. What's the problem?
Bad-tasting ice is almost always the filter or absorption from your freezer. Old filters can actually start adding a musty taste to water instead of filtering it out. Change the filter and run through three full cycles before tasting again. If it's still off, check for uncovered food near the ice bin. Ice absorbs odors like crazy. And if the ice has been sitting in the bin for more than a week without anyone using it, just dump it and start fresh.

Same Fix on Other Brands

Samsung refrigerator26E: Samsung Refrigerator 26E Code: Ice Maker Heater FaultWhirlpool refrigeratorE5: Whirlpool Refrigerator E5 Code: Ice Maker Sensor Error

Models Known to Experience NOT-MAKING-ICE Errors

This repair applies to most Generic refrigerators with this error code. Common model numbers include:

WRF535SWHZ, RF28R7351SR, LFXS26973S, GNE25JMKFES, FFHB2750TS, WRS325SDHZ, GSS25GSHSS, MFI2570FEZ

MS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on May 20, 2024