If you have problems with a Samsung ice maker, this article talks about how to deal with each Samsung ice maker problem.
Table of Contents
Problems with the Ice Maker in a Samsung Refrigerator – Solutions
The following are possible problems with a Samsung ice maker and how to solve them:
Samsung Ice Maker Is Not Making Ice
1. Is the Ice Maker Turned On?
If the ice maker in your Samsung refrigerator is not making ice, be sure that the ice maker is on. Sometimes, you could inadvertently turn it off.
Take a look at the icon labelled ‘Ice Off’ to see if it is lit. If it is, change it so that it is no longer lit. Consult the user manual of the refrigerator to determine how to do this.
For top freezer refrigerators, you will see an icon labelled ‘Ice On’. make sure the icon is lit if you want the ice maker to make ice.
2. Is the Ice Bucket Correctly Inserted?
But if the ice maker is on, check to see if you put the ice bucket correctly. If it is not, remove it and reinsert it, making sure it clicks in place this time. Consult the manual of the refrigerator for how to correctly do this.
3. Is Water Pressure Sufficient?
The water pressure should be between 20psi and 120 psi for the water valve to open and allow water to fill the ice maker. If the pressure is less or more than the recommended measure, the ice maker won’t have water to make ice.
Check the pressure and adjust it accordingly. If you cannot do this, contact a professional agent to fix it.
Samsung Ice Maker Is Not Making Enough Ice
1. Do You Dispense Ice Often?
Empty the ice bucket of the ice maker often to create room for the ice maker to make more ice. If the ice is not dispensed often, the ice maker won’t make more ice. The mechanism of the ice maker is such that the ice bucket needs to be empty before more can be made.
In addition, ice can pile under the ice maker and keep it from producing more. You can move some of the ice in the bucket forward to make room for more ice.
2. Are the Doors Tightly Closed?
The ice maker can make better and more ice if you shut the doors of the refrigerator tightly and not open them often. Therefore, allow the doors to stay closed so that the cold air does not escape. This way, the ice maker can freeze enough to make more ice.
3. Is the Water Pressure Enough?
Low water pressure affects the ability of the ice maker to produce ice. Try to dispense water up to ¾ of a cup within 10 seconds. If the dispenser can, then the water pressure is enough. If not, increase the pressure.
You can also check the water filter as a clogged or bad filter affects the pressure. Replace it if it has been more than 6 months since the last replacement. Otherwise, check to be sure the filter is compatible with the Samsung refrigerator.
4. Is the Refrigerator Level?
If the refrigerator is not level, it can affect so many things, including the production of ice. Therefore, ensure the refrigerator is level. If you are not sure about how to do this, consult your manual.
Samsung Ice Maker Makes Dirty, Cloudy, Small or Clumped Ice
Dirty ice is not normal. It means that there are contaminants in the water supply, probably dirt from around the area or the water filter is clogged. Flush some gallons of water through the ice maker to get a cleaner supply. Then, replace the water filter.
If the ice is still dirty after doing these, check the ice bucket for any damage. Replace it if it is damaged.
Cloudy ice is normal. The minerals trapped in the ice gives it a cloudy appearance and these minerals are not harmful.
What is not normal is if the cloudiness is brownish or any other unusual color. It means the water filter needs a replacement or the water is contaminated.
Small ice cubes are an indication that the water pressure needs to be increased. Water does not get into the ice maker fast enough so it freezes what is available, making only small cubes. So increase the pressure of the water to normalize ice production.
Clumped ice means that there is no regular dispensing of the ice. It refreezes over time, forming clumps. Be sure to dispense ice often. And if you don’t need to use the ice maker regularly, turn it off.
Ice Bucket Is Stuck to the Ice Maker
The model of your ice maker may need a lever pulled or a button pushed to release the ice bucket. Take a look at the top corner beside the ice bucket to see if there is a button or lever. Pull it or push if there is one.
Otherwise, just grab the bucket under it, lift it a little and pull it gently forward to remove it. Sometimes, you may need to wiggle it to release it.
However, if you cannot get the bucket out, it is possible that ice is causing it to stick. It is important not to force the bucket out so that you don’t damage it. Simply put the unit in the forced defrost mode to melt the ice holding the ice bucket. Check the manual of the unit to find out how to force defrost your refrigerator.
Alternatively, unplug the refrigerator and leave the doors open in order to defrost the ice around the ice maker. This will not take too long as the ice quickly melts.
Ice Bucket Contains a Block of Ice
Empty the ice bucket by dumping the ice out. Next, check to see if a white wire is dangling from the ice maker. If the wire is not there, the ice could form from water that spilled in the bucket. But if the wire is there, contact Samsung to report the issue.
Samsung Ice Maker Is Frozen Over
Defrost the unit manually to melt the ice around the ice maker. To do this, empty the refrigerator or freezer, unplug it and leave the door open so the ice can melt quickly. This usually takes hours.
You can also force defrost the unit. The manual of the refrigerator will tell you how to put the unit in the mode. But most Samsung refrigerators have the Fridge button and the Energy Saver button.
Press both buttons and hold them for about eight seconds. The unit’s display will go blank and the code FF will appear. Press the Fridge button until Fd shows on the display.
After about ten minutes, which is enough time for the ice around the ice maker to thaw, remove the unit from the mode by pressing the same buttons.
It is important to solve the problem permanently. So, find out why there is ice all over the ice maker by checking the following:
1. Ice Chute Flap
It should rest against the housing of the chute. If it is not, check to see if any piece of ice or debris is keeping it open. Remove the piece and make sure the flap rests on the housing. It prevents warm air from entering and cold air from escaping.
2. Defrost Components
If any of the defrost components fails, the ice maker is at the risk of freezing over. This is especially true if the defrost heater malfunctions or stops working.
Troubleshoot the components one after another. If you cannot do this, call a professional refrigerator agent to run the check for you and fix any faulty one.
3. Ice Bucket Gasket
Take a look at the gasket of the ice bucket to determine if it is weak, loose or dirty. Replace it if it is loose or weak and clean it if it is dirty.
A bad gasket will cause the ice bucket not to close properly. And because the ice bucket acts as a door for the ice maker, it will let it warm air, cause condensation and lead to the ice maker freezing over.
4. Ice Maker Compartment
Seal the compartment of the ice maker with silicone from the left side down to the back in the shape of an L. Doing this seals any leaks through which air gets in. This could explain the freezing problem of the ice maker.
5. Ice Maker
If you put a torch under the ice maker and you can see the light inside it, it means that the ice maker is compromised. It also means that you have to replace the ice maker as it is damaged.
If the ice maker still freezes over after doing all of the above, then the machine needs servicing. Contact Samsung service center and request service.
Here is one way to prevent the ice maker from freezing over again, demonstrated in a video…
Check out these other articles…
Samsung Ice Maker Not Dispensing Ice [How to Fix]
No Ice in Samsung Refrigerator [How to Fix]
Leaking Samsung Ice Maker [How to Fix]
Samsung Refrigerator Ice Maker Jams Up [How to Fix]
Water Line of a Samsung Ice maker Frozen
Empty the refrigerator and unplug it. Turn off the water supply. Next, unmount the ice maker to be able to reach the water line behind it. Hold a hair dryer over it, moving the dryer up and down to distribute the heat.
After the ice melts off the water line, put the ice maker back and turn on the water supply. Then, plug the refrigerator back in and store food in it again.
Caution: It is important to hold the hair dryer at an angle that won’t expose the back end to water. This is because if water drips on the back end, it could lead to electric shock and damage the dryer.
Recap
There are many problems with a Samsung ice maker as reported by lots of users. But you can fix some of them easily while others need professional attention or replacing the ice maker assembly.
This guide is applicable to all types of Samsung refrigerators and freezers, including 3-door french door, 4-door french door, top-mount, side-by-side and bottom-mount units.
