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Diagnostic guide

Ice Maker Not Working

Your refrigerator ice maker stopped producing ice — work through the supply, temperature, and mechanical causes.

System
Plumbing
Causes covered
7
You can check
5 without a technician

Stop and read this first

  • Do not use sharp tools to chip ice out of the mold — you can puncture the refrigerant lines.
  • If you smell gas near the refrigerator water line connection, shut off the valve and call a plumber.
  • A saddle valve piercing the supply line is a common leak point — replace it with a proper connection.

Work through these in order

Ordered from most to least likely. Working top down means you rule out the cheap, common causes before paying anyone to look at the expensive, rare ones.

  1. Ice maker arm in the off position

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    The wire arm on the side of the ice maker is in the up (off) position.
    The fix
    Lower the arm to the down position. On some models, a switch or button controls production instead.

  2. Frozen water supply line

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    No water reaches the ice maker. Freezer temperature is very low or the line runs through an exterior wall.
    The fix
    Thaw the supply line with a hair dryer on low. Insulate the line. Set freezer to 0°F — colder is not better for ice production.

  3. Clogged water filter

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    Water dispenser also flows slowly or not at all. Filter has not been changed in over six months.
    The fix
    Replace the refrigerator water filter ($20 to $50). Most manufacturers recommend every six months.

  4. Water supply valve closed or kinked

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    Small valve behind the refrigerator is closed or the supply line is pinched.
    The fix
    Open the valve fully. Straighten kinked copper or plastic line. Saddle valves are prone to clogging — replace with a proper tee valve.

  5. Failed water inlet valve

    PossibleNeeds a pro
    How to check
    No water enters the ice maker mold when the arm is down and the filter is new. Valve at the back of the refrigerator does not open.
    The fix
    A technician replaces the inlet valve ($100 to $250). Test coil resistance with a multimeter if you are comfortable doing so.

  6. Failed ice maker module or motor

    PossibleNeeds a pro
    How to check
    Water fills the mold but ice is not ejected. Motor does not turn when the cycle should advance.
    The fix
    Replace the ice maker assembly ($50 to $150 for the part, $150 to $300 installed). Often sold as a complete unit.

  7. Freezer not cold enough

    PossibleYou can check
    How to check
    Freezer temperature is above 10°F. Other frozen items are soft. Refrigerator runs constantly.
    The fix
    Clean condenser coils. Check door seals. If the freezer cannot maintain 0°F, ice will not form properly — refrigerator repair runs $200 to $600.

Once you know what it is

Step one

Know what it should cost

Get the range before you call, so the first number you hear is not the only number you have.

Step two

Decide repair or replace

On equipment near end of life, the repair is usually the first of several.

Step three

Check the quote

Compare against the typical range and confirm the terms before you sign.

Whole-House Repiping cost guideRepair or replace calculatorEstimate repair costAnalyze a quote

What the fix costs

Tools for this decision

Other symptoms