Before you begin. This procedure is general reference information, not professional advice. Equipment varies by manufacturer, model, and year. Always follow the documentation supplied with your equipment — where it differs from this page, follow the manufacturer. Verify that you have the tools, the working conditions, and the ability to do this task safely. If anything is unclear, if the equipment is damaged, or if the task exceeds your experience, stop and use a qualified professional. You are responsible for your own safety and for the outcome. This site accepts no liability for any loss, damage, or injury arising from the use of this information.
Specifications marked unverified could not be traced to a manufacturer source. Do not rely on them — obtain the value from your equipment documentation.
Summary
An automatic ice maker that has stopped delivering ice usually comes down to one of five things: the ice maker's own on/off control, the water supply to it, an overdue water filter, a freezer that is running too warm, or a refrigerator that was installed too recently to have finished its first cycles. None of the five needs a technician to check, and working through them in this order — control, water, filter, cold, install date — mirrors how the four manufacturers checked for this page approach their own troubleshooting. This page is a diagnostic. It tells you which of the five is likely and where the checkable part ends and a call for service begins; it does not repair a stuck ice maker or replace a failed water inlet valve.
Whirlpool, GE, LG and Samsung do not agree on some of the numbers behind this, and this page prints the disagreement rather than pick a favourite: GE ties the start of a fill cycle to the temperature of the icemaker's own mold, Whirlpool gives one freezer range, and LG gives a different freezer figure again, and the three manufacturers give three different waiting periods for a newly installed unit. Two of the five checks — the water filter and the freezer temperature — already have their own full page on this site, with their own sourcing and their own conflicting numbers spelled out; this page checks whether either one is the cause and sends you there rather than repeat the method here.
Necessary equipment
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Appliance thermometer optional | A separate thermometer gives an accurate reading. The number on the control is not always one. |
| Flashlight optional | The space behind or under a refrigerator has poor light. |
| Pen and paper | Write each check and its result before you speak to a technician. |
Do a check of the ice maker control
Estimated 4 min to 5 min
No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.
- Find the ice maker control.<1mReport a problem with step 1, Do a check of the ice maker control
- The control is a wire arm, a switch, or a button.
- The type and the position are different for each model.
- Read the documentation for your model if you cannot find the control.1mReport a problem with step 2, Do a check of the ice maker control
- If the control is a wire arm, look at its position.<1mReport a problem with step 3, Do a check of the ice maker control
- Whirlpool says the arm is in the OFF position when it is up.
- Whirlpool says to lower the arm to set the ice maker to ON.
- If the control is a switch, a button, or an indicator, read its label or its light.<1mReport a problem with step 4, Do a check of the ice maker control
- GE Appliances says that most models have a toggle switch or a slide switch.
- LG says to push and hold the Ice On/Ice Off button for 3 to 5 seconds.
- Samsung says an indicator lights when the ice maker is off.
- If the control shows OFF, set it to ON.<1mReport a problem with step 5, Do a check of the ice maker control
- GE Appliances says a new ice maker has its power OFF from the factory.
- Do a check of the ice bin for ice that blocks the feeler arm or the paddle.<1mReport a problem with step 6, Do a check of the ice maker control
- GE Appliances gives this name to the part that senses a full bin.
- GE Appliances says piled ice can stop this part.
- Remove any ice that blocks the feeler arm or the paddle.<1mReport a problem with step 7, Do a check of the ice maker control
Do a check of the water supply
Estimated 5 min to 10 min
No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.
- Find the water supply valve for the refrigerator.1mReport a problem with step 1, Do a check of the water supply
- GE Appliances says the valve is usually behind the refrigerator, under the sink, or in a basement.
- Make sure that the water supply valve is fully open.<1mReport a problem with step 2, Do a check of the water supply
- Whirlpool and LG both name a closed or a restricted valve as a frequent cause of no ice.
- Do a check of the water line behind the refrigerator for a kink.<1mReport a problem with step 3, Do a check of the water supply
- Whirlpool says a kink in the line can reduce the flow of water.
DO NOT PUSH THE REFRIGERATOR BACK AGAINST THE WALL AFTER YOU STRAIGHTEN THE LINE.
A PINCHED LINE CAN REDUCE THE FLOW OF WATER TO THE ICE MAKER AGAIN.
- Straighten a kinked water line.<1mReport a problem with step 4, Do a check of the water supply
- If your model has a dispenser, do a check of the water pressure.<1mReport a problem with step 5, Do a check of the water supply
- Samsung says a normal line fills 6 ounces of water in less than 10 seconds.
- Samsung says the line needs a minimum of 20 psi.
- If the water pressure is still too low after these checks, speak to a plumber.2mReport a problem with step 6, Do a check of the water supply
- Samsung says you must correct the water pressure problem before the refrigerator needs service.
Do a check of the water filter
Estimated 1 min
- Find the date that you last replaced the water filter.<1mReport a problem with step 1, Do a check of the water filter
- A reminder light on the control panel shows this on some models.
- If the water filter is overdue, replace it.<1mReport a problem with step 2, Do a check of the water filter
- GE Appliances says a clogged water filter can restrict the flow of water to the icemaker.
Do a check of the freezer temperature
Estimated 2 min to 5 min
No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.
- Read the current freezer temperature with a separate appliance thermometer.2mReport a problem with step 1, Do a check of the freezer temperature
- GE Appliances says the icemaker mold must reach 16°F before a cycle starts.
- Whirlpool says to set the freezer between 0°F and 5°F for ice production.
- LG says the freezer must stay below 19°F, and recommends -4°F or colder.
- Compare the reading with the setting that your own documentation gives.<1mReport a problem with step 2, Do a check of the freezer temperature
- A freezer that is warmer than its target makes ice slowly or not at all, three manufacturers say.
- If the reading is too warm, adjust the freezer control with your own documentation.<1mReport a problem with step 3, Do a check of the freezer temperature
- Whirlpool says to wait at least 24 hours between two adjustments, then do a check of the temperature again.
Do a check of the installation date
Estimated 1 min
No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.
- Find the date that you installed the refrigerator or the ice maker.<1mReport a problem with step 1, Do a check of the installation date
- If the installation was recent, allow time for the compartments to cool.<1mReport a problem with step 2, Do a check of the installation date
- Whirlpool says to allow 24 hours for the refrigerator to cool enough for ice production to start.
- GE Appliances says a new icemaker in an old refrigerator can need a day or two to fill with water.
- LG says to allow up to 24 hours for each compartment to reach its target temperature.
- Allow additional time for the first bin of ice to fill.<1mReport a problem with step 3, Do a check of the installation date
- Whirlpool says the first bin can need up to three days to fill.
- Whirlpool says to wait 72 hours for full ice production to start.
- If you recently used a large amount of ice, allow more time.<1mReport a problem with step 4, Do a check of the installation date
- Whirlpool names this as a separate cause of low ice, apart from a new installation.
Do a reset of the ice maker
Estimated 1 min to 2 min
DO NOT LEAVE THE REFRIGERATOR UNPLUGGED FOR LONGER THAN THE STEP GIVES.
A LONG OUTAGE CAN WARM THE FOOD INSIDE IT.
- Unplug the refrigerator for the time your documentation gives.<1mReport a problem with step 1, Do a reset of the ice maker
- Samsung says to allow 2 minutes, or to set the circuit breaker to OFF for the same time.
- Whirlpool says to allow 1 minute.
- LG says to allow 30 seconds.
- Connect the refrigerator to the power supply again.<1mReport a problem with step 2, Do a reset of the ice maker
- Allow the time your documentation gives before you do a check again.<1mReport a problem with step 3, Do a reset of the ice maker
- LG says to allow 4 to 6 hours before you decide that a fault is present.
- Samsung says that the amount of ice can need 24 hours to return to normal.
Decide the next step
Estimated 4 min to 8 min
- Write every check that you completed and its result.2mReport a problem with step 1, Decide the next step
- If the ice maker still makes no ice, speak to a qualified appliance technician.2mReport a problem with step 2, Decide the next step
- Give the technician your written checks.
- Give the technician a note of a suspected frozen fill tube inside the ice maker.<1mReport a problem with step 3, Decide the next step
- GE Appliances says only a service technician can check a frozen fill tube.
Terminology
This page uses one term for each item and holds it throughout, as ASD-STE100 requires. Equipment sellers and other guides use the names below for the same parts.
- ice maker
- Also called: icemaker, ice machine, automatic ice maker, fridge ice maker, ice maker in the freezer
- ice maker control
- Also called: ice maker switch, ice maker arm, on/off arm, wire shutoff arm, Ice On/Ice Off button, the switch that turns the ice maker on
- feeler arm
- Also called: sensor arm, paddle, ice level arm, bin sensor arm
- water supply valve
- Also called: shutoff valve, water shutoff, saddle valve, the valve behind the fridge, ice maker valve
- water filter cartridge
- Also called: fridge filter, refrigerator water filter, ice maker filter, the water thing in the fridge, filter cartridge
When to use a professional
This page gives no check of a frozen fill tube inside the ice maker. GE Appliances says only a service technician can find this fault.
Stop if ice blocks the ice mold itself, not the bin. GE Appliances gives a caution for this part: the mold can be hot. Do not clear the mold yourself. Speak to a technician.
The water inlet valve can have power and pressure and still not fill the ice maker. This page does not replace the valve. Speak to a qualified appliance technician.
Speak to a plumber if your water pressure is still low after these checks. Do not open or repair the water supply line yourself.
Speak to a qualified appliance technician if the ice maker still makes no ice after every check on this page. Give the technician your written checks and their results.
Common questions
Why did my ice maker suddenly stop making ice?
Usually one of five things: the on/off control got bumped, the water supply is restricted, the water filter is overdue, the freezer is running too warm, or the unit was installed too recently to have finished its first cycles. This page checks all five in that order, because it is roughly the order the four manufacturers we checked recommend. None of the five needs a technician to check. If all five come back clear, that is genuinely useful information to give a repair person, not a dead end.
The wire arm on my ice maker is down but nothing happens. What does that mean?
An arm that is down should mean the ice maker is set to ON, according to Whirlpool's own instructions: lowering the wire shutoff arm turns it on, and the ice cubes themselves lift the arm back up to OFF once the bin is full. If the arm is down and nothing happens, work through the water supply and the freezer temperature checks on this page next, because the control being on is not the same as ice actually being made. A full bin can also hold a different, similar-looking arm — the feeler arm inside the bin — in a position that pauses production; this page checks that part separately.
How long does a new refrigerator take to start making ice?
Whirlpool, GE and LG each give a different number, and this page prints all three rather than pick one. Whirlpool says to allow 24 hours for the unit to cool enough to begin, then up to three days for the first bin to fill. GE Appliances gives roughly the same 24 hours to cool, and says a new ice maker fitted into an existing refrigerator can take a day or two just to begin filling with water. LG also gives up to 24 hours for the compartments to reach their target temperature. If your unit is past all of these windows and still makes nothing, treat it as a fault rather than a new-unit quirk.
Can a dirty water filter really stop the ice maker completely, not just slow it down?
Yes. GE Appliances is explicit that a clogged filter can restrict the flow of water to the icemaker, not only to the dispenser, and Whirlpool and LG both warn that an improperly seated filter can reduce or stop flow the same way. This page checks the age of your filter; our dedicated filter replacement page carries the interval each manufacturer gives and the reasons they differ. If you replaced the filter very recently, an improper seal is worth checking before you assume the cartridge itself is faulty.
How cold does my freezer need to be for the ice maker to work?
There is no single number: GE ties the start of a fill cycle to the temperature of the icemaker's own mold, 16°F, and separately recommends a 0°F freezer setting; Whirlpool recommends a freezer between 0°F and 5°F; and LG says the freezer must stay below 19°F and recommends -4°F or colder. These are not the same measurement — GE's 16°F is the mold itself, not the compartment air — so this page does not average them into one figure. Our refrigerator and freezer temperature page has the full adjustment method and its own conflict note against the FDA's food-safety figure.
My water dispenser works fine, so why doesn't the ice maker get water?
A dispenser that works rules out a fully closed valve, but not every cause. GE Appliances notes that a partially clogged filter can still stop the ice maker even when the dispenser is only slowed, because the ice maker fills on a timer while the dispenser simply stays open as long as you hold the lever. A frozen fill tube inside the ice maker is another cause the dispenser would not show, and GE says that one needs a service technician to check. Work through the filter and the control checks on this page before you assume the fill tube is the problem.
Do I need to shut off my home's water supply to check any of this?
No. Every check on this page works with the water supply left as it is; you are looking at the valve and the line, not opening either one. Whirlpool's own instructions for a filter change do not ask for the supply to be shut off either, because the filter housing has its own valve that closes automatically. The only place this page sends you to a plumber is a persistently low water pressure reading, which is outside a refrigerator's own controls to fix.
I've checked everything on this page and there's still no ice. What now?
Write down every check you did and what you found, then speak to a qualified appliance technician. That written list is worth more to a technician than a description of the symptom, because it already rules out the five most common causes. If you suspect a frozen fill tube inside the ice maker, say so before the visit; GE Appliances says that part needs a technician to check rather than a reader.
Related procedures
- How to change the water filter in a fridge with a water dispenser or icemaker
- What temperature should my fridge and freezer be set to?
- How do I know if my meat thermometer or fridge thermometer is accurate, and how do I calibrate it?
- How long should you wait before plugging in a refrigerator after it is moved or delivered?
- Decide what food is safe after a power cut
- Why is my dehumidifier running but not collecting water?
- How to clean the rubber door seal on a fridge
- Decide why water is standing in the bottom of a dishwasher
Sources
Every specification on this page is traced to one of these sources. Tier 1 is a manufacturer document, a published standard, or a government safety authority. See Standards for the full tiering rule.
- Tier 1Ice Maker Not Working - Troubleshooting
- Tier 1Not Making Ice - Side by Side Refrigerator
- Tier 1Why is it Not Making Ice after Installation
- Tier 1How to Turn the Ice Maker On and Off
- Tier 1Refrigerator - New Icemaker Not Producing Ice
- Tier 1Refrigerator - Icemaker Not Producing Ice
- Tier 1Refrigerator - Icemaker Does Not Fill With Water
- Tier 1LG Refrigerator – Why is My Refrigerator Not Making Ice?
- Tier 1LG Refrigerator - Why is My Refrigerator Not Making Enough Ice?
- Tier 1Steps to get your Samsung ice maker working again
Revision history
Current version 1 · updated 2026-08-04 · next review due 2027-08-04
- v1 · 2026-08-04First draft, scaffolded as doc_type diagnostic per the backlog note. Built from ten tier-1 manufacturer support pages read in full on 2026-08-04: four from Whirlpool's Product Help site (general troubleshooting, the side-by-side not-making-ice article, the after-installation article, and the on/off control article), three from GE Appliances Support (new icemaker, existing icemaker, and icemaker-does-not-fill-with-water), two from LG's USA Support Help Library (not making ice, and not making enough ice), and one from Samsung's Canadian support site, which was used because it is Samsung's own domain and gives US customary units throughout. FOUR SPECIFICATIONS PUBLISH AS CONSULT-THE-MANUFACTURER, each with a conflict_note naming every source: the on/off control mechanism (a wire arm for Whirlpool, a toggle or slide switch for GE, a button or panel switch for LG, an icon for Samsung), the minimum water pressure (only Samsung publishes a figure, 20 psi), the freezer temperature needed for a cycle (GE's 16°F is the icemaker mold itself, not the freezer air — a different quantity from Whirlpool's 0-5°F range and LG's below-19°F ceiling and -4°F recommendation, so the three are not averaged), and the wait time after a new installation (24 hours to first ice is consistent across all three, but the time to a full bin and the time for a new icemaker fitted into an existing refrigerator are not). This record deliberately does not repeat the water filter replacement interval or the freezer temperature adjustment method: both already have their own published, sourced page on this site (replace-refrigerator-water-filter, set-a-refrigerator-and-freezer-temperature), and this diagnostic checks whether either is the cause and routes the reader there rather than duplicating the content. NOT PUBLISHED: an LG help-library page at the same /us/ path (lg-refrigerator-troubleshooting-waterice-related-issues-in-an-lg-fridge) was read and set aside; its installation-timing and water-pressure figures are given in kgf/cm² and describe plumbed and non-plumbed dispenser variants inconsistent with LG's own cleaner 'why is my refrigerator not making ice' page, and citing both would have meant either presenting an internal LG inconsistency as a genuine three-way source conflict or silently picking the cleaner page — neither was done, so the page is simply not cited. A GE standalone (non-refrigerator) ice maker article (contentId=23430) and a Samsung 4-Door Flex scoop-holder article were both read and set aside as out of scope for a general refrigerator icemaker diagnostic. Two facts read directly from GE Appliances' own pages — that a frozen fill tube needs a service technician, and that the icemaker mold can be hot when cubes are stuck in it — are carried into professional_boundary rather than into a step, because neither is something this diagnostic asks the reader to act on themselves. Sources are staged in data/sources-additions-service-a-refrigerator-icemaker-that-makes-no-ice.json for merge into data/sources.json by an authorized actor; the record holds on checks 2 and 3 until that merge happens.
Corrections to this page are listed in the public corrections log. Reports that are credible and not yet verified are listed in the public errata register, and an open one renders above the step it concerns.
Comments and corrections
Found an error? A correction with a manufacturer source is applied and logged publicly. You can also write to corrections@fixchecklist.com.
Every step above carries its own report control, which tags the report with that step so a correction reaches the right place. For anything about the procedure as a whole — the order of the sections, a step that is missing, something that did not match your equipment — use this: report something about this whole procedure.