An ice maker is a small appliance inside a big one, with its own water valve, fill tube, mold, heater and motor. It's also one of the most frequent reasons people call about a refrigerator. Many of those calls come down to a clogged filter, a bin full of clumped ice, or a fill tube with a plug of ice in it. A short monthly routine prevents most of that and keeps the ice tasting clean.
Monthly routine, step by step
- Empty the bin. Dump old ice, especially if it's clumped or has absorbed freezer odors.
- Wash the bin in warm water with a little dish soap, rinse thoroughly and dry completely before putting it back. Water left on the bin freezes into a sheet.
- Wipe the area around the ice maker and the inside of the dispenser chute with a soft cloth. Look for ice buildup at the top of the chute.
- Check the shutoff arm or sensor. Make sure the wire arm moves freely or the sensor isn't blocked. If the arm is up, or the switch is off, the ice maker stops producing.
- Check ice quality. Cubes should be full and clear-ish. Small, hollow or misshapen cubes point to low water flow.
- Check the freezer temperature. The freezer should be around 0°F. An ice maker in a freezer that's too warm produces slowly or not at all.
- Look at the filter date. Replace it if it's due, typically every six months.
Every few months
- Check the fill tube. Where the water tube enters the ice maker, ice can build up and block it. If you see it, the fill tube may be too cold or the inlet valve may be dripping. Thawing a fill tube with a hair dryer on low is sometimes in the manual, but follow your model's instructions.
- Clean the dispenser tray and paddle in the door. Mineral deposits and mold collect there.
- Test water flow. Dispense water into a measuring cup for 30 seconds. Your manual may list a target; generally, a slow trickle means a clogged filter, low household pressure or a failing inlet valve.
Hard water and ice
Minerals in hard water build up on the ice mold, the fill tube and the inlet valve screen, and make cubes cloudy. Keeping the filter current is the first defense. Some ice maker manuals describe a cleaning procedure for the mold with a specific cleaner; follow that if yours does. The guide to hard water in appliances explains the bigger picture.
Bad taste or smell
- Change the water filter and flush several gallons through the dispenser.
- Toss the ice and wash the bin.
- Look for open food containers in the freezer; ice absorbs odors easily.
- If the water line was recently installed, plastic tubing can impart a taste. Some manufacturers recommend copper; see our water line setup checklist.
When to stop troubleshooting
If the filter is new, water flows well from the dispenser, the freezer is cold and the ice maker still doesn't produce, the problem may be the ice maker assembly, the inlet valve, the control or a frozen fill tube from another cause. Water leaking inside the freezer or onto the floor also needs attention. Our ice maker service work on built-in refrigerator ice makers and standalone units, including undercounter models from Scotsman and U-Line.
Water pressure and the ice maker
Ice makers need steady water pressure to fill the mold completely in the few seconds the valve is open. If your house has a pressure regulator set low, a reverse-osmosis system feeding the fridge, or a partially closed supply valve, the cubes come out small even with a new filter. Check that the supply valve is fully open and that the line isn't kinked behind the fridge. If you have an RO system, the refrigerator manual may list a minimum pressure it needs.
Vacations and empty houses
If you'll be away for a couple of weeks, turn the ice maker off and empty the bin so the ice doesn't clump or pick up odors. For longer absences, consider shutting off the supply valve as well. When you return, turn everything back on and discard the first batch.
A note on standalone ice makers
Undercounter and countertop ice makers have their own cleaning cycles, usually with a nickel-safe cleaner and a sanitizer. They also need their drain lines kept clear. Follow the manufacturer's schedule closely; these units clog faster than refrigerator ice makers, especially with hard water.
If the ice comes out but won't dispense through the door, that's usually a different problem. The dispenser troubleshooting checklist covers it.