How to Fix a Broken Ice Maker
Before the advent of modern refrigerators and freezers, making and storing ice was an entire industry, and for a long time, only the rich could afford to have a few ice cubes to chill drinks. Of course, for most people this is no longer the case: many refrigerators/freezers now make ice automatically.
But as good as ice makers are, sometimes they don’t work the way they’re supposed to. If you find yourself in this situation, here are a few ways to troubleshoot and repair a broken ice maker.
How to fix a broken ice maker
Before calling a professional to repair your broken ice maker, check if the problem is one of the following common and easily fixable problems:
There’s a big chunk blocking everything
Sometimes the ice partially melts and then refreezes inside the icemaker, causing a large piece of ice to clog the chute and block the ice from entering the glass.
Solution : Use a wooden spoon to find the piece if it’s not already visible and try to knock it out. If that doesn’t work, pour some warm water over the piece to melt it (just make sure you have towels handy to wipe it off).
Your water filter is outdated
Some refrigerators will automatically stop making ice when the water filter needs to be replaced.
Solution : Install a new water filter if your refrigerator indicates it’s time to replace it.
The freezer is set to the wrong temperature
Your fridge/freezer thermostat may be set to the wrong temperature and not produce ice as a result.
Solution : Check the ice maker. If the water in the molds never fully solidifies and turns to ice, turn the freezer a little cooler. If there is ice but it frosts or won’t budge, try setting the freezer to a slightly higher temperature.
Ice stuck in shape
Check if the ice maker molds are partially filled with ice . If so, your ice maker may think the molds are full and don’t need to make new ice.
Solution : Pour warm water into the molds to melt and then re-freeze any ice that’s in there. When the water is frozen, remove the ice as usual until the molds are empty. After that, you should make a fresh portion of ice.
You’ve tried everything else and it still doesn’t make ice
Solution : When all else fails, turn the ice maker (or the entire refrigerator if necessary) on and off again and see if that helps. (Worth a try.)