Wondering how to fix an ice maker? If the answer is yes, you’re at the right place to get the solution. Fixing an ice maker is nothing but a piece of cake for those who are professionals in the tools industry. As a professional appliance engineer, I’m going to share some suggestions by which you can safely fix your ice maker bang on.
An Ice maker helps to make ice automatically, but if it doesn’t function as it should be due to any sort of malfunction, it will fail to make adequate ice as you wanted.
An ice maker may frequently face under the 3 major types of problems that should be fixed:
- Water Supply;
- Water Hose freezes;
- Produces excess ice;
Read through from top to bottom to know the ways of water into an ice maker.
6 Steps To Fix An Ice Maker With Water Supply: (Problem With Water Supply)
If there is any problem with the water supply line, it won’t produce ice at all. To fix the problem in the water line. Follow these 6 easy steps, such as:
1. Check Bail Wire:
Ensure the bail wire is down. The bail wire is located above the ice tray. Ice makers, sometimes, may stop working in case the bail wire is misplaced.
If the bail wire is locked at an upward position then it may cause ice production.
2. Check Water Supply:
Even if the ice maker stops producing ice, the attached visible arm swing makes a sound for about 10 seconds resulting in hindrance to the water supply and stops freezing.
3. Fix Water Supply:
Firstly ensure that the water line isn’t kinked. If it’s kinked then use copper tubing to avoid kinks permanently. Besides the water line finds the water shut-off valve and shut it off.
Unscrew the copper line and put it in a bucket. At last, turn on the valve again and see if the water is pouring or not.
4. Check Tap Valve:
The tap valve connects the water supply from the valve to the ice maker. If the tap valve has any problem, you need to change it along with the water inlet valve.
Use a self-piercing type tap valve and install it for proper water supply.
5. Check Solenoid:
If the solenoid is defective or it isn’t receiving any power then it needs to be fixed. The water line and ice maker both are connected with a solenoid.
If the solenoid is damaged, remove the faulty part of the solenoid and place a new one.
6. Place Everything:
Lastly, replace everything in their positions. Turn on the water supply and wait for 24 hours. After 24 hours, let the ice maker produce ice.
If it still doesn’t produce ice, and thereafter call a professional expert to fix it or install a new ice maker.
How To Fix Ice Maker Whose Water Hose Freeze ( 3 Steps)
If the water hose is frozen up, the ice maker will stop working to produce ice. In this circumstance, follow under these simple steps to know how to fix the ice maker if it freezes, such as:
1. Unplug Refrigerator:
Firstly, unplug the refrigerator or directly switch off the circuit that supplies power. Then remove the ice bin and clean the ice from the ice maker.
Unplugging the refrigerator is mandatory because electricity can bypass while working.
2. Fix Fill Tube:
The fill tube is like a white rubber hose that helps to supply water to the ice maker. After finding the fill tube search for a small metal clip.
Pull down the metal clip properly to fix the fill tube. Not every ice maker has this metal clip.
3. Warm Hose:
The water hose can be frozen; for that, the ice maker can’t produce ice. So you have to warm the hose last. A hairdryer can be used to warm up the hose. But be careful once the hose starts warming up, it can drip water from outside.
Clean the water immediately with a rag; otherwise, it can cause an electric shock. Also, while warming the hose is careful not to melt plastic parts. Place everything back and wait for 12 hours. Ice will start producing in an ice maker.
How To Fix Ice Maker That Produces Excess Ice:
Sometimes, an ice maker can be broken and can’t turn off due to excess ice production. It can produce excess ice once its bin of it is full. So to fix an ice maker that produces excess ice, follow the following steps, such as:
1. Reinstall Ice Maker:
At first, switch off your ice maker by removing the bail wire using a screwdriver. Take out the ice bin and clean it thoroughly. If you can’t get the ice bin out wait an hour to slightly melt the ice out.
After cleaning everything reinstall the ice maker. Usually, an ice maker works after reinstallation.
2. Replace Ice Maker Valve:
After reinstalling the ice maker, if it produces excess ice, that means the valve of the ice maker is ruined. Replace the valve and check if it works or not.
If the ice maker doesn’t turn off after replacement, it’s time to call a professional appliance repairer.
Tip:
If the ice maker is producing ice but it’s not ejecting properly then the motor assembly is problematic. Fix the motor or replace the motor immediately.
What Causes An Ice Maker To Stop Working?
An ice maker can stop working for two common reasons. If the water hose freezes and there isn’t any supply of water then the ice maker doesn’t make any ice. Also, if the water filter clogs up then it can cause an ice maker to stop working.
However, sometimes the motor of the ice maker can be damaged which can cause the ice maker to stop working.
How Much Water Can Be Poured To Fix the Water Supply Of An Ice Maker?
4 ounces of water can be poured to fix the water supply of an ice maker. Because of problematic water supply, ice makers stop freezing ice. So to determine the problem at first 4 ounces of water is poured.
After 2 hours, when the water freezes up again, 13 to 14 ounces of water need to be poured into the cup for fixing the water supply of an ice maker.
Will Replacing Water Filter Fix Ice Maker?
If the water filter is clogged or damaged then replacing the water filter can fix an ice maker. However, water filters are one of the common reasons that damage an ice maker. So try to determine if the water filter is clogged or not. When the ice cubes from ice makers become smaller in size that means water filters are not working. Then you need to replace the water filter to fix the ice maker.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Ice Maker?
It costs around $90 to $250 to fix an ice maker. The cost is counted by the determined problem in an ice maker. If a water filter is clogged then it only costs about $30 to repair. On the other hand, a broken water valve can cost up to $250. However, the cost can vary from brand to brand of an ice maker.
Is It Possible To Use Hot Water To Warm Hose For Fixing Ice Maker?
It is possible to use hot water to warm the hose for fixing ice makers. If the water hose freezes up, it stops producing ice. So the water hose needs to be warmed. Just dip the water hose into the warm water for an hour and it will help clog the frozen water. So the warm water can help in fixing an ice maker.
Final Verdict:
In a nutshell, don’t get nervous if you don’t know how to fix an ice maker. Follow these steps according to the detected problems in your ice maker. Even though it’s not easy to fix an ice maker, I am sure if you’re confident enough you can fix it on your own by following this article.
