One of the primary duties of a refrigerator is to produce cold water or ice. It is frustrating to try getting ice from your appliance but there is none. Fortunately, this article on an Electrolux refrigerator not making ice explains possible causes and how to fix them.
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Electrolux Refrigerator Not Making Ice – Solved
Check the following if you find that your Electrolux refrigerator has stopped making ice:
1. Water Supply
If the ice maker does not get water, it cannot make ice. So, the first thing to check is the water supply to the refrigerator’s ice maker. Start with the main water supply valve and ensure it is fully open. Being only partially open only restricts the water flow and stops the ice-making process or slows it.
If the valve is fully open, check the pressure from the main water supply. Sometimes, there may be low water pressure from the main source, affecting how the inlet valve and ice maker work. You can use a pressure gauge to check and determine the flow pressure. If it is insufficient, the ice maker will have difficulty making ice. In such a case, have a plumber fix it or contact the municipal authorities for a proper solution.
2. Temperature Setting
The temperature setting in a refrigerator or freezer affects how the ice maker works. Since the machine does not generate its own temperature, it relies on the appliance’s ability to generate cold air to cool and freeze the water in the ice maker.
However, the ice maker will not make ice until the temperature is right and constant. If the temperature is high, the ice maker will not work. The same is true if the temperature fluctuates. Ensure you have the right setting by checking the digital display or the control knob inside the refrigerator.
The setting should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer, but it must not exceed 5 degrees Fahrenheit or go lower than -4 degrees Fahrenheit if you must adjust it. If it uses a manual knob, ensure it stays at the mid-point, which may be 4 or 5.
You can consult the user manual for the correct temperature setting for your specific refrigerator model. It is best to stick to that temperature point recommended by Electrolux to get the best results from your appliance.
Cooling issues can also prevent the ice maker from working, even if the refrigerator is set to the correct temperature. For example, dirty condenser coils restrict the release of heat from the appliance, causing overheating and eventual cooling loss. And if the start relay is faulty, the compressor cannot run as it should. You will find helpful resources in this article on an Electrolux refrigerator not cooling to fix the temperature issue if it applies.
3. Water Filter
The filter is vital to the ice-making process because it cleans the water and improves its quality. Not every refrigerator has a water filter, but if your appliance has a water dispenser and ice maker, it should have a filter.
Typically, you should use the filter for only six months, less if you regularly use the ice maker and water dispenser. However, the ice maker may stop producing ice if the filter is clogged with dirt, which happens if you use it for longer than you should. Sometimes, you can use your filter for more than six months, but not every type of water works that way. Most should be replaced within that period.
Remove and replace the filter in your refrigerator and test the ice maker. Allow it to run for a full ice-making cycle to see if it resumes normal operations. If it works well, the problem is resolved, but if slow, the filter may not be the problem.
Another consideration is the restriction of the water pressure by a reverse osmosis in-house water filtration system. This system usually restricts the water flow to only a trickle into the refrigerator. That can stop the ice maker from working, so consider removing the refrigerator from the in-house system and using a water filter inside the appliance. Run a separate water line from the main source to the refrigerator when using an in-refrigerator filter.
4. Water Fill Tube
The fill tube is a small pipe that fits into the back of the ice maker from the inlet valve. It directly supplies water to the machine from the main source, but over time, it can become clogged with ice or debris. Carefully inspect the fill tube behind the ice maker; that means turning the refrigerator off and removing the ice maker.
If there is an ice obstruction, use a hair dryer or warm cloth to melt the ice. Ensure water runs through the fill tube after removing the obstruction to see that it works. Otherwise, consider replacing it because it may be damaged and leak water into the refrigerator.
5. Water Inlet Valve
As an electrically controlled component, the water inlet valve provides water to the ice maker when it automatically opens for a few seconds per time. But it can stop receiving voltage supply, which means it stops functioning.
As a result, the ice maker cannot make ice because of the lack of water. Also, mineral deposits can cause the inlet valve to stop working when they clog and obstruct the screen filter and clog other parts of the valve.
Turn off the water supply and disconnect the water line from the inlet valve. Check for the screen filter inside the line and clean it with a mineral dissolver or warm soapy water. Reconnect the water line and see if the ice maker works with the clean screen filter. If the problem persists, the inlet valve may have a poor power supply or faulty component.
Keep the refrigerator off and disconnect the water line again. Next, get a multimeter and run a test on the valve’s solenoid to check the electricity supply. If there is no steady supply, replace the solenoid or the entire water inlet valve assembly.
6. Thermostat
Check the temperature control thermostat to ensure it is not set too low. If it is, the water may become too cold and freeze before it can reach the ice maker. And if that happens, the water line and fill tube will become obstructed by ice, cutting the water flow to the refrigerator.
Therefore, adjust the thermostat to keep the temperature at the recommended point. Follow the instructions in the user guide to adjust it properly and give the refrigerator time to adapt to the new settings.
7. Feeler Arm
The feeler arm is the thin metal wire on the outside of the ice maker. It works as a power control switch for icemaking because it moves down to the On position when it is time to make ice and automatically moves up to the Off position when an ice-making cycle is complete.
However, the arm may become stuck in the Off position, keeping the machine from working. Also, it may be frozen or an item in the freezer may squeeze it into one position. Inspect the arm to ensure it moves up and down freely and is not broken. Rearrange items in the freezer to accommodate the ice maker so that the arm is not stuck. But if it is damaged, replace it; simply detach it from the ice maker and insert another one in its place.
8. Dispenser Issues
The problem may not be with the ice maker and its functions but with the ice dispenser. Dispenser issues can keep the refrigerator from producing ice, so it may be best to test individual components to determine the fault. Follow the instructions in this article on the Electrolux ice dispenser not working to troubleshoot and fix the problem if the dispenser is faulty.
9. Ice Maker
Finally, consider the ice maker assembly; it may be faulty. A faulty ice maker or one with one or more defective components cannot produce ice, even if you can hear its hum. If all else seems to be in good working condition, you may want to replace the entire ice maker assembly unless you can find faulty individual components and replacements.
Note: These steps also work for an Electrolux freezer not making ice.
Electrolux Freestanding Ice Maker Not Making Ice – Fixed
Check the water supply and connections to ensure they work well if your Electrolux freestanding ice maker does not make ice. You can also check the water filter if the machine uses one and ensure the recirculation pump works well. Additionally, check the control board for burn marks or faults.
Start with the water supply and its connections. Ensure the water flows freely and with enough pressure to get the water to the ice maker. If the supply valve is not fully open, the pressure may drop and restrict the water flow. Therefore, open it fully and wait to see if the machine starts making ice. Also, inspect the water line to ensure it is not kinked or twisted. Straighten and fix it if necessary to improve the water pressure.
If it uses a water filter, ensure you replace it every six months. That is how long such a filter can work before it clogs with dirt. This is not always the case because some filters work better than others, and the usage can make it last longer. But it is a general rule to change the filter. Otherwise, the dirt will block the filtration point and stop the water from freely flowing.
But if the ice maker is connected to a reverse osmosis filtration system, the system can affect the water flow. It reduces the water pressure and makes it seem as if the ice maker does not work. Consider removing the ice maker from the filtration system and using a filter inside it. A clean filter improves the water flow to the machine.
Check the recirculation pump in the water reservoir and sends water over the plate to form ice. Test it to see if it receives enough voltage without properly pumping water. If that is the case, you need to replace the pump.
The water inlet valve may be clogged with debris or mineral deposits. These deposits can keep the inlet valve from supplying water to the ice maker through the supply line, even if the water from the main source works well. Try cleaning the valve and washing the screen filter inside the supply line to see if it fixes the problem. If not, run a continuity test on the solenoid in the valve and replace it if there is no continuity.
If all else fails, test the control board to see if it is faulty. You may need the services of an appliance technician, so contact the Electrolux Service Center to report the issue and request service. You can also opt to hire an independent technician for further assistance.
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