Two kinds of ice makers
Fridge ice makers sit in the freezer or in the fridge door. A water valve fills a small tray. When the water freezes, a heater loosens the cubes and an arm or twist motor drops them into a bin. A sensor arm or light stops it when the bin is full.
Standalone and undercounter ice makers are their own machines. Many have their own cooling system, a water pump and a drain. Some make clear ice that runs water over a cold plate. They often need a drain line or drain pump.
Both types need steady water, the right temperature and clean parts.
What usually goes wrong
- No ice at all. The ice maker is switched off, the water supply is closed, the water filter is clogged, or the inlet valve has failed.
- Small, hollow or few cubes. Low water pressure, a clogged filter, or a freezer that is not cold enough.
- Ice jammed or frozen in a block. A dispenser chute that iced over, or a door that was left open and let in moist air.
- Water leaking. A cracked fill tube, a loose supply line, or on undercounter units a clogged drain.
- Bad taste or cloudy ice. An old filter, or a machine that needs cleaning.
Easy checks first
Unplug the unit or switch off the breaker before reaching into motor areas.
- Make sure the ice maker switch or arm is in the "on" position.
- Check that the water valve behind the fridge or under the sink is open.
- Replace the water filter if it has been a long time since the last one.
- Check the freezer temperature. Ice makers need a cold freezer to cycle.
- Break up clumped ice in the bin and clear the chute.
Some Samsung fridges show codes for ice-area heaters. Write down any code you see.
Inside our ice maker visit
We tell you the visit price on the phone before we come. We check water flow and pressure, the inlet valve, the ice maker module and the freezer temperature. On undercounter units we also check the pump, drain and cooling system.
You approve an upfront quote before work begins, and our repairs carry a warranty.
Repair or replace?
Fridge ice maker modules, water valves and fill tubes are common repairs. Sometimes it makes sense to replace just the ice maker module instead of chasing small parts.
For undercounter machines, repair is often worth it for pumps, valves and sensors. If the sealed cooling system fails on an older unit, replacing it may be the better choice.
Florida water and humidity
Much of the area's water comes from the Floridan Aquifer, and minerals can build up as scale. Scale can slow water valves and coat undercounter machines, so regular cleaning helps. On a private well, sediment can clog filters and valve screens. Florida health officials advise testing well water at least once a year.
Humid air entering a freezer turns into frost. Whirlpool notes this is worse when doors are opened often. That frost can jam ice chutes. After a power outage, toss any partly melted ice so it does not freeze into a block.
Brands we service
We repair ice makers in Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire, KitchenAid and Maytag fridges, plus Sub-Zero and Viking built-ins. See our Samsung and Sub-Zero pages.
Ice maker repair near you
Our area runs about 20 miles from Land O' Lakes in every direction, from Shady Hills to Carrollwood. Local pages: Land O' Lakes, Lutz and Odessa. If the whole fridge is warm, see refrigerator repair.