April 19, 2023

Freestanding Ice Maker: Why does my freestanding ice maker run but not make ice?

When the ice maker runs but doesn't make any ice, a bad electronic control board, failed water supply, broken recirculation pump, sealed system failure or broken cutting grid could be causing the problem.

A faulty electronic control board can prevent the ice maker from making any ice. A power surge through the electrical supply line to the ice maker can lock up the control board, so reset the control board by unplugging the ice maker for one minute, then restoring electrical power.

If the ice maker doesn't start making ice, check the evaporator plate. If the evaporator plate is dry and the water reservoir is full, then the recirculation pump is likely bad. If the reservoir is empty, check the water supply going to the ice maker. To check the water supply, unplug the ice maker and shut off the water supply cut-off valve. Disconnect the water supply line from the ice maker and place the end of the water supply line in a container. Briefly open the water supply cut-off valve and check for water flow from the end of the water supply line. If no water flows through the end of the supply line, have a plumber fix the water supply going to the ice maker. If water does flow through the supply line, you'll likely need to replace the water inlet valve because it's not opening to allow water to flow into the reservoir.

If the water reservoir and is full and water flows over the evaporator plate but doesn't freeze, then a failed condenser fan, bad compressor or lack of refrigerant could be preventing the evaporator plate from getting cold and freezing the water. Replace the condenser fan if it doesn't run when activated. If the condenser fan runs, you'll need to have a service technician diagnose and repair the sealed system, which includes the compressor and connecting tubes that carry refrigerant. The sealed system should only be repaired by a service technician because the repair involves the recovery and recharge of refrigerant, which is tightly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

If water freezes on the evaporator plate but the slab of ice sticks on top of the cutting grid and doesn't get cut into cubes and drop down into the bin, then you may need to replace the cutting grid if its grid wires don't heat up when activated.

freestanding ice maker

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR FREESTANDING ICE MAKER PROBLEM

JC-IM-Replace-the-ice-maker-cutter-grid

Replace the ice maker cutter grid

The cutter grid is below the front of the evaporator plate. When the slab of ice slides off the evaporator plate onto the cutter grid, the wires of the cutter grid heat up and cut through the ice slab for form square cubes. If the wires of the cutter grid are broken or don't heat up, replace the cutter grid.

Ice maker cutter grid

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RG-IM-Replace-Freestanding-Ice-Maker-Cutter-Grid-Intro-Image
July 20, 2013

How to replace a freestanding ice maker cutter grid

If your freestanding ice maker sound like it's dropping ice but no ice cubes are in the bin, the cutter grid could be broken. This DIY repair guide shows how to replace an ice maker cutter grid in 15 minutes or less.

Repair difficulty
Time required
15 minutes or less
JC-IM-Replace-the-ice-maker-electronic-control-board

Replace the ice maker electronic control board

The electronic control board manages the various ice maker functions such as filling, running the compressor, and harvesting the ice. If the electronic control board is not operating properly, replace it.

Ice maker electronic control board

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RG-IM-Replace-Freestanding-Ice-Maker-Electronic-Control-Board-Intro-Image
July 20, 2013

How to replace a freestanding ice maker electronic control board

If your freestanding ice maker stops making ice or doesn't work at all, the electronic control board could be the problem. This repair guide has step-by-step instructions for how to replace an ice maker electronic control board.

Repair difficulty
Time required
45 minutes or less
JC-IM-Replace-the-ice-maker-recirculation-pump

Replace the ice maker recirculation pump

The recirculation pump is in the water reservoir. The recirculation pump distributes water over the evaporator plate to form the ice slab. If the recirculation pump is getting the proper voltage but isn't running or pumping water, replace the recirculation pump.

Ice maker recirculation pump

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RG-IM-Replace-Freestanding-Ice-Maker-Recirculation-Pump-Intro-Image
July 20, 2013

How to replace a freestanding ice maker recirculation pump

If your freestanding ice maker won't make ice, the recirculation pump might by to blame. This step-by-step repair guide shows how to replace an ice maker recirculation pump.

Repair difficulty
Time required
45 minutes or less
JC-IM-Replace-the-ice-maker-bin-thermistor

Replace the ice maker bin thermistor

The bin thermistor is inside the ice storage bin at the Full level. When the bin thermistor senses cold from the ice at the Full level, the ice maker shuts down ice production to keep the bin from overflowing. If the ice production continues when the bin is full, replace the bin thermistor.

Ice maker bin thermistor

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JC-IM-Replace-the-ice-maker-condenser-fan-motor

Replace the ice maker condenser fan motor

The condenser fan pulls air through the condenser coil to condense the refrigerant to a liquid during the refrigeration cycle. If the condenser fan doesn't run when energized, replace the condenser fan motor.

Ice maker condenser fan motor

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JC-IM-Replace-the-ice-maker-water-inlet-valve

Replace the ice maker water inlet valve

The water inlet valve is behind the lower front grill of the ice maker. The water inlet valve opens to fill the water reservoir when the ice maker first starts and to replace water the freezes on the evaporator plate. If the valve doesn't open or gets clogged with debris, replace the water inlet valve. Also replace the water inlet valve if it fails to shut properly.

Ice maker water inlet valve

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Most common symptoms to help you fix your freestanding ice makers

Choose a symptom to see related ice maker repairs.

Main causes: failing compressor, bad condenser fan motor, faulty drain pump, bad recirculation pump, water supply proble...

Main causes: dirty evaporator plate, untreated water supply, food items being stored in ice storage bin...

Main causes: wiring failure, broken cutting grid, faulty electronic control board...

Main causes: bad electronic control board, water supply problems, faulty recirculation pump, sealed system failure, brok...

Main causes: cracked water supply line, leaky drain line, broken drain pump, cracked water reservoir, leaky ice bin...

Main causes: bad bin thermistor, condenser fan failure, faulty control board...

Main causes: water supply problems, control board failure, weak recirculation pump, clogged water distributer, faulty cu...

Main causes: lack of electrical power, bad power cord, wiring failure, bad control board, faulty bin thermistor, bad eva...

Most common repair guides to help fix your freestanding ice makers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your ice maker.

How to replace a freestanding ice maker recirculation pump

How to replace a freestanding ice maker recirculation pump

If your ice maker isn’t making ice, the pump could be the problem. Here’s how to replace it. ...

Repair difficulty
Time required
45 minutes or less
How to replace a freestanding ice maker electronic control board

How to replace a freestanding ice maker electronic control board

When the electronic control board won’t activate the ice maker components, follow these steps to install a new one....

Repair difficulty
Time required
45 minutes or less
How to replace a freestanding ice maker cutter grid

How to replace a freestanding ice maker cutter grid

When the cutting grid is broken, ice cubes don’t drop into the ice bin. Use the steps in this repair guide to replace a...

Repair difficulty
Time required
15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your freestanding ice makers

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your ice maker.

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Freestanding ice maker troubleshooting

Freestanding ice maker troubleshooting

See what troubleshooting steps to take with your freestanding ice maker before calling for repair....