Fix an ice maker that will not make ice
We'll confirm the arm is on, rule out freezer temp and water supply, then isolate the cause—water line, inlet valve, mold, or ice maker module—or tell you when to call a pro.
What you'll need
- Thermometer (to check freezer temperature)
- Replacement water filter (if overdue)
- Multimeter (optional, for testing inlet valve)
- Screwdriver set (for accessing components)
Step-by-step diagnostic
Quick triage — pick your path
Quick triage — pick your path
Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.
- Follow this guide Work through the full procedure from confirming the symptom to testing components.
- Check arm and freezer temp The ice bin is empty. Check that the arm is down and the freezer is cold enough.
- Check water line and filter No water is reaching the ice maker. Check filter and line.
- Check mold and harvest arm Water may be flowing but no ice is harvesting. Check mold and arm.
- When to call a pro Freezer not cold, sealed-system suspected, or parts replaced with no fix.
Show full guide
Steps
Goal: Confirm the symptom, rule out arm and freezer temp, then isolate the cause—water line, inlet valve, mold, or ice maker module.
- Open the freezer and check the ice maker bin. If the bin is empty and no new cubes appear, the ice maker is not producing. If the bin has ice but the dispenser does not work, that is a different problem. See fix-refrigerator-will-not-dispense-ice.
- Good: Bin empty and stagnant—proceed to Check arm and freezer temp.
- Bad: Bin has ice—dispenser problem, not ice maker problem.
Check arm and freezer temp
Goal: Rule out arm position and warm freezer before checking water supply.
- Check the ice maker arm. It must be down for the ice maker to run. When the arm is lifted up, the ice maker turns off. Lower the arm so it hangs down into the bin.
- Check freezer temperature with a thermometer. The ice maker needs 0°F or below to harvest. If the freezer is warm and the refrigerator cools, suspect sealed system—call a pro.
- Good: Arm is down and freezer is cold. Proceed to Check water line and filter.
- Bad: Freezer too warm—fix thermostat or call a pro for sealed-system issues.
Check water line and filter
Goal: Rule out blocked water before checking the inlet valve or mold.
- Shut off the water supply to the refrigerator. Replace the water filter if it is overdue. Inspect the water line for kinks or freezing. Turn water back on and confirm water dispenses (if your model has a water spout).
- Good: Water flows. Proceed to Check mold and harvest arm.
- Bad: No water—fix filter and line first. If water still does not reach the ice maker after that, call a technician.
Check mold and harvest arm
Goal: Clear ice buildup or a stuck harvest arm; isolate inlet valve or module failure.
- Inspect the mold for thick ice buildup. Check the harvest arm—it should rotate freely. If the mold is frozen over, unplug the refrigerator and let it thaw, or use a warm cloth. Do not use sharp tools.
- If the mold and arm are clear but no water reaches the mold, the water inlet valve may have failed. Check your owner’s manual or search “[brand] [model] ice maker water inlet valve” for location and testing. Replace if faulty.
- Good: Mold clear and arm moving. Ice maker should resume. If water flows but no ice forms, the inlet valve or ice maker module may have failed—replace or call a technician.
- Bad: Inlet valve replaced but still no ice—call a technician.
When to get help
Call an appliance technician if:
- The freezer is not cold enough and you have ruled out door seal and thermostat settings (sealed-system or refrigerant issues).
- Water flows to the fridge but not to the ice maker after replacing the filter and checking the line.
- You have replaced the inlet valve and it still does not make ice.
- You are not comfortable working with water lines or electrical components.
Do not attempt to repair refrigerant lines or the sealed system yourself.
Verification
- The ice maker arm is down and the freezer is 0°F or below.
- Water filter is clear; water flows to the fridge and ice maker.
- The mold is clear and the harvest arm rotates freely.
- New ice cubes appear in the bin within 24 hours after fixes.
Escalation ladder
Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.
- Confirm symptom Verify the ice bin is empty and no new ice is forming; rule out a dispenser problem.
- Arm and freezer temp Check the arm is down and the freezer is 0°F or below.
- Water line and filter Replace filter if overdue; check for kinks or frozen line.
- Inlet valve and mold Test inlet valve; clear mold and harvest arm if blocked.
- Call a pro Sealed-system, refrigerant, or repeated failures—call an appliance technician.
What to capture if you need help
Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.
- Whether the ice bin is empty or stagnant
- Ice maker arm position (up or down)
- Freezer temperature
- Water filter age and water flow to fridge
- Steps already tried
Is the ice bin empty and no new ice is forming?
Open the freezer. The ice maker is the assembly that fills with water, freezes it, and harvests cubes. If the bin is empty and stays empty, the ice maker is not producing.
Open the freezer and check the ice maker bin. Empty and stagnant: Ice maker not producing—proceed. Bin has ice: If dispenser does not work, that is a different problem (see fix-refrigerator-will-not-dispense-ice). Bin filling: Ice maker is working—no action needed.
Yes No (bin has ice or filling)
You can change your answer later.
No action needed
The ice maker is working—the bin has ice or is filling. No action needed. If the dispenser does not work, see fix-refrigerator-will-not-dispense-ice.
Is the ice maker arm down (on)?
The arm must be down for the ice maker to run. When lifted up, it turns off.
Check the ice maker arm. If it is lifted up, lower it so it hangs down into the bin. Arm was up: That was the cause—wait 24 hours for a new batch. Arm down: Proceed to check freezer temp.
You can change your answer later.
Fixed
The arm was up. Lower it and wait 24 hours. The ice maker should resume. No further action needed.
Is the freezer 0°F or below?
The ice maker needs a cold freezer to harvest. Warm freezer = no ice.
Check freezer temperature with a thermometer. Below 0°F: Freezer is cold enough—check water line and filter. Above 0°F: Freezer too warm. If the refrigerator cools but the freezer does not, suspect sealed system—call a pro. If thermostat was turned up, lower it and wait 24 hours.
You can change your answer later.
Is the water filter clear and water flowing?
Clogged filter or kinked line blocks water to the ice maker.
Replace the water filter if overdue. Check the water line for kinks. Test the water dispenser if your model has one—water should flow. Water flows: Filter and line OK—check inlet valve and mold. No water: Fix filter and line first. If water still does not reach the ice maker, call a technician.
You can change your answer later.
Fix filter and line, then test
Replace the water filter if overdue. Check the water line for kinks or freezing. Turn water back on and test the water dispenser. If water flows after fixing, proceed to check the mold and inlet valve. If water still does not reach the ice maker, call a technician.
Is the mold clear and the harvest arm moving freely?
Ice buildup or a stuck harvest arm can prevent cubes from ejecting.
Inspect the mold for thick ice buildup. Check the harvest arm—it should rotate freely. Blocked: Thaw the mold (unplug and wait, or use a warm cloth). Do not use sharp tools. Clear: Inlet valve or ice maker module may have failed—replace if you are comfortable, or call a technician.
You can change your answer later.
Clear mold and test
Thaw the mold and clear ice buildup. Gently move the harvest arm by hand. When clear, the ice maker should resume. If it still does not harvest after 24 hours, the ice maker module may need replacement—call a technician.
Inlet valve or ice maker module may have failed
Filter, line, and mold are OK. The water inlet valve or ice maker module may have failed. Replace the inlet valve per your model, or call an appliance technician. Do not attempt to repair the sealed system yourself.
Call a technician
Call an appliance technician if the freezer is not cold enough (sealed-system or refrigerant issues), if water flows to the fridge but not to the ice maker after replacing the filter and checking the line, or if you are not comfortable working with water lines or electrical components. Do not attempt to repair refrigerant lines or the sealed system yourself.
Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas
Frequently asked questions
- Why would an ice maker stop making ice?
- Common causes: freezer too warm (above 0°F), clogged water filter, kinked or frozen water line, ice maker arm in the off position, or a faulty water inlet valve or ice maker module. Check the arm, freezer temp, and water supply first.
- What does the ice maker arm do?
- The arm (or bail) senses when the bin is full. When lifted up, it turns the ice maker off. When down, the ice maker runs. If the arm is up, lower it to resume ice production.
- When should I call a technician for an ice maker?
- Call a pro if the freezer is not cold enough and you have ruled out door seal and thermostat settings (sealed-system issues), if water flows to the fridge but not to the ice maker after replacing the filter and checking the line, or if you have replaced the inlet valve and it still does not make ice.
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