A Samsung refrigerator that stops making ice is frustrating, especially in a Jacksonville summer. The good news is that many ice maker problems come down to a setting, a frozen ice maker, a clogged water filter or a water supply issue you can check yourself. Work through the steps below, and call for repair if the ice maker still will not produce.
Quick fixes to try first
- Make sure the ice maker is turned on. Check the control panel or the switch on the ice maker itself. An "Ice Off" setting is easy to bump.
- Check the freezer temperature. The freezer should be at or near 0°F. If the freezer is warm, the ice maker will not work properly.
- Check the water supply. Confirm the shutoff valve behind or beside the refrigerator is fully open and the water line is not kinked or crushed.
- Replace the water filter if it is overdue. A clogged filter can reduce water flow enough to stop ice production or make small, hollow cubes. Most filters are due about every six months.
- Look for an ice jam. Remove the ice bin and check for a solid block of ice or cubes stuck together near the ice maker.
- Close the doors and give it time. After you restore water or power, allow up to 24 hours for the ice maker to produce a full bin.
7 common reasons a Samsung ice maker stops working
1. The ice maker is frozen up
On many Samsung French door models the ice maker sits in the refrigerator compartment. Warm, humid air entering through a worn door seal, or a door left ajar, can cause frost and ice to build up on and around the ice maker until it jams. To clear it, unplug the refrigerator, remove the ice bin and let the ice melt for several hours. A hair dryer on low heat can speed this up if you keep it moving and away from the plastic parts. Dry everything thoroughly before plugging the refrigerator back in. If the ice maker freezes up again, there is usually an underlying seal, airflow or defrost problem.
2. A clogged water filter
Reduced water flow from an old filter is one of the most common causes of small cubes, hollow cubes or no ice at all. Replace the filter with the correct one for your model and see if the problem clears.
3. A frozen or kinked water fill line
If the fill tube freezes or the supply line is pinched behind the refrigerator, water cannot reach the ice maker. You may hear the ice maker try to fill but get no water.
4. A failed water inlet valve
The water inlet valve opens to let water into the refrigerator. If it fails, little or no water reaches the ice maker even though the shutoff valve is open. This is a common repair and requires testing the valve to confirm.
5. Low water pressure
Ice makers need steady household water pressure. A partly closed shutoff valve, a clogged line or low pressure at the home can cause slow filling, small ice or no ice.
6. A faulty ice maker assembly
The ice maker has a motor, a heater and a control module that release the cubes. If any of these fail, the ice maker may stop cycling or refuse to dump ice. Many models have a test or reset button on the ice maker; check your owner's manual for its location and how to use it.
7. A temperature sensor or control board problem
If the sensors that monitor freezer or ice maker temperature are failing, the refrigerator can misread conditions and shut ice production down. These parts have to be tested before anything is replaced.
Safety tip: never chip at the ice maker with a knife or screwdriver. The plastic parts crack easily and it can damage the water line or heater. Unplug the refrigerator before doing anything inside.
When to call a Samsung repair technician
If the ice maker is on, the freezer is cold, the filter is new and the water supply is open, the problem is most likely a failed part: the water inlet valve, the ice maker assembly or a sensor. Call if the ice maker keeps freezing up, if you hear it trying to fill with no result, or if the refrigerator itself is not cooling properly.
Hedlund Appliance Service repairs Samsung refrigerators in Jacksonville 32224, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach. We test the water inlet valve, the ice maker and the electrical circuits with a multimeter, so you pay for the part that is actually broken. See our full Samsung appliance repair page, or read our guide on why a refrigerator stops cooling.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Samsung ice maker making small or hollow ice?
This is usually caused by low water flow. Common causes are a clogged water filter, a partly closed shutoff valve, a kinked water line, or a failing water inlet valve.
How long does it take a Samsung ice maker to make ice?
After you restore power or water, allow up to 24 hours for the ice maker to produce a full bin. If nothing has come out after a full day, there is likely a part or water supply problem.
Can I reset my Samsung ice maker?
Many models have a test or reset button on the ice maker itself, and unplugging the refrigerator for a few minutes can also reset the electronics. Check your owner's manual for the exact steps for your model.
Related guides
- Refrigerator Not Cooling? 7 Common Causes and What to Check First
- Washer Won't Drain? 6 Common Causes and How to Fix Them
- Dryer Not Heating? 6 Common Causes and Fixes
Samsung ice maker not working in Jacksonville?
Call or text Hedlund Appliance Service. We are open 24 hours Monday through Friday. Send your model number and what the appliance is doing and we will tell you what to expect.