How to Keep Your Ice Maker in Shape this Summer

With the heat of summer bearing down outside, one of the last things you want is to find that your refrigerator's ice maker is not working. Your first instinct might be to call in a professional repairman, but that may not be necessary. With a little troubleshooting, you may be able to fix your ice maker yourself.

Ice maker troubleshooting

By checking one or more of the following when your ice maker’s not working, you may be able to solve the problem.

• On/off switch: Make sure the on/off switch is in the on position and hasn’t been turned off accidentally.
• Shut-off arm: When the ice bin is full, this arm moves to the up position and shuts off the ice maker. Make sure the arm is in the down position and that nothing is blocking it.
• Water filter: All water going to the ice maker flows through a filter, and if it’s clogged, the ice maker stops working. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on replacing the filter.
• Ice paddle: This device moves the ice cubes from the mold into the collection bin. Make sure the paddle is not stuck or blocked, preventing ice from being dispensed from the mold to the collection bin.
• Freezer temperature: Use an appliance thermometer to check the freezer temperature. The recommended temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and if it's higher than 5 degrees Fahrenheit, the freezer will not produce enough ice. To resolve this problem, the thermostat, shown in this diagram, may need replacing.
• Water line behind the refrigerator: Sometimes moving your refrigerator can pinch the water line behind it. Pull the refrigerator out about a foot and look for any pinch or crimp in the line.
• Water valve: It’s possible someone working behind the refrigerator turned off the valve and forgot to turn it back on. If so, turn it on so water can flow to the ice maker.
• Solenoid: The water line attaches to a solenoid at the back or bottom of the refrigerator and travels to the ice maker. Unplug the refrigerator, and flush the sediment screen inside the solenoid to clean it. If this doesn’t fix the problem, you can buy a replacement for about $25.

In addition to the ice maker in the refrigerator, you may have a have free-standing ice maker that operates in a similar way. Here’s a troubleshooting checklist to reference if your free standing machine stops working.

No matter what care we give our home appliances, they’re inevitably going to need professional repair and perhaps replacement, which can be a strain on your budget.

To avoid these high costs, consider an American Home Shield Warranty. In addition to covering free-standing ice makers, we have a wide variety of plan options to suit your needs. Contact us today and let us give you a free, no-obligation estimate on an American Home Shield warranty.