This article deals with the problem of a Samsung refrigerator not making ice. So if you have this problem, learn how to fix it here.
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My Samsung Refrigerator Is Not Making Any Ice – What to Do
If you find that your Samsung refrigerator is not making any ice, then check the ice maker. To determine the functionality of the ice maker, do the following:
1. Be Sure the Ice Maker Is Switched On
If the ice maker is switched on, the Ice Off icon should not be lit. So if you find that the icon is lit, it means the ice maker is off.
To find out how to take the ice maker from lit to unlit so that the ice maker can come on, consult the user manual for the refrigerator. The process differs according to the model of the refrigerator.
2. Check the Ice Bucket
If the ice maker is on, then check the ice bucket to see if there is any ice in it. If there is ice but the refrigerator won’t dispense it, manually remove the ice bucket and dump the ice.
And if you find that the ice is in clumps or is fused, it will explain why the dispenser is not dispensing it. You can also check the opening of the dispenser to see if pieces of ice are blocking it.
If that is the case, pour some warm water through the opening. Then, dry the ice bucket you put it back in place.
When you put it in, ensure the bucket clicks in place. If it does not, the machine won’t be able to dump ice into the bucket. So even though there is ice, you can’t get any out.
3. Check the Water Pressure
To check the water pressure of the dispenser, try to dispense at least ¾ of a cup in about 10 seconds. If you can, then the water pressure is sufficient but if you cannot, take the water filter out and try dispensing again.
If the pressure increases, you know the filter is clogged. Replace it with one that is compatible with Samsung refrigerators.
However, if none of these applies, you need to increase the pressure manually. The refrigerator does not control the pressure so adjust it at the house’s source of water supply. If you don’t know how to do this, find a qualified plumber or refrigerator repair agent to fix it.
4. Inspect the Water Supply Line
Move the refrigerator away from the wall and disconnect it from the power source. Now, you have access to the line, which is typically a slim white hose. You will be able to see if some water is frozen inside it.
Shut the water valve off and pour some warm water over the line to melt the frozen water. Another option is to just leave the refrigerator disconnected from the power source for at least 2 hours. This takes care of the frozen water line.
5. Reset or Test the Ice Maker
To find the button to reset or test the ice maker, you may have to take the ice bucket out. When you find the button, tap and hold it for about 10 seconds or until there is a chime.
The cycle usually lasts for about 6 minutes. At the end of the test, there will be another chime, indicating that the ice maker tests well.
If the first or second chime does not sound, disconnect the refrigerator from the wall outlet, wait about 2 minutes and connect it again. Try resetting or testing it again. If this does not work, contact the Samsung service center to report the issue and request service.
Note: It is important to give the refrigerator about 24 hours to begin making ice after resetting the ice maker. While it is possible it could make ice sooner than that, it takes that long to return to normal operations.
However, dispense the ice made within this 24-hour period. This is because if the ice bucket is full, the machine is going to stop making ice.
These steps also apply if a Samsung freezer is not making ice.
This video shows you what to check if a Samsung refrigerator or freezer is not making ice…
Why Did My Samsung Refrigerator Stop Making Ice
The following are possible reasons why your Samsung refrigerator stopped making ice:
1. Ice Bucket Is Full or Incorrectly Inserted
If the ice bucket is full and you don’t dispense the ice, the ice maker is going to read it and stop making ice. Therefore, ensure you dispense the ice regularly if you need the ice maker to keep working.
In the event you don’t use the ice maker regularly, turn it off. Turn it on only when you have to use it. Leaving it on even when it is not in use can cause it to make bad ice or even damage the machine.
And if the ice bucket is not inserted correctly, take it out and reinsert it. The user manual for the refrigerator details how to do this for your specific model.
Make sure the bucket clicks in place so that ice can drop into it. If not, there will be no ice to dispense and it will look as if the refrigerator stopped making ice.
2. Water Line Is Frozen
Thaw ice in the supply line if there is any by pouring warm water from a turkey baster over the pipe. Alternatively, you can unplug the refrigerator and let it sit for about 2 hours.
There will be no water in the ice maker to make ice if the water line is blocked by ice. Because of this, the refrigerator will stop making ice.
3. Water Filter Needs to Be Changed
If you have not replaced the water filter in more than 6 months, replace it as soon as possible. That will explain the inability of the refrigerator to make ice. Be sure to use a water filter that suits a Samsung refrigerator.
But if you recently changed it yet the refrigerator stopped making ice, remove the filter and give the unit some time. If there is ice, then you know the filter was the problem. Change it.
4. Water Pressure Is Insufficient
Try filling a glass with water from the dispenser. If it takes more than 10 seconds to fill ¾ of the glass, the pressure of the water is not enough.
A clogged or wrong water filter can affect the pressure. Therefore, remove the filter and try dispensing water again. Replace the filter if the pressure increases. If not, simply adjust it manually at the source.
Insufficient water pressure affects the speed at which water fills the ice maker. The water inlet valve cannot allow water to fill the machine if the psi is lower than 20.
5. Ice Maker Is Defective
Test the main parts of the ice maker before you can determine that the machine itself is defective. If all the parts check out fine yet there is no ice production, you may have to replace the entire ice maker assembly.
Check out these other articles…
Samsung Ice Maker Will Not Stop Making Ice [How to Fix]
Samsung Refrigerator Ice Buildup [How to Fix]
Samsung Ice Maker Won’t Come Out [How to Fix]
How Does a Samsung Ice Maker Know When to Stop Making Ice?
A Samsung ice maker knows when to stop making ice when the ice bucket is full. Depending on the model of Samsung refrigerator you have, this works using two methods.
One, there is an optical sensor which senses that ice has filled the ice bucket. So it automatically shuts down ice production until the ice bucket is empty. When it senses that it is empty, it triggers the ice maker into another cycle of ice production.
Two, there is a mechanical arm or a shut-off arm that gets pushed up when ice piles high in the bucket. When it is up, the ice making cycle stops. As soon as some or all the ice is removed, the arm drops down and another cycle starts.
How Does a Samsung Freezer Make Ice?
A Samsung freezer makes ice through an ice maker. For the ice maker in the Samsung freezer to make ice, a timer informs the water inlet valve to open and allow water to fill the ice mold. The valve remains open for several seconds. Then, it closes.
The temperature in the freezer actually does the freezing of the water in the mold, not the ice maker itself. In fact, a Samsung ice maker uses the refrigerant system that cools both the fridge and freezer sections to freeze the water. So setting the temperature low enough, according to the recommended standard, is important.
A temperature thermostat built into the ice maker senses when the water has frozen. Then, it prompts the heating coil under the mold to warm the bottom. This way, it loosens the ice, which is stuck to the body of the mold, so that it comes off easily.
To eject the ice cubes into the ice bucket, there are little arms or ejector blades. The motor of the ice maker spins a shaft with the blades. These scoop out the ice into the bucket or bin.
While the shaft is spinning, it lifts the shut-off arm into the ‘Off’ position, thereby keeping the ice making cycle from starting.
As soon as all the ice is out into the storage bin, the shut-off drops down to the ‘On’ position. Then, the ice making cycle starts again as long as there is no ice in its way.
This process is also applicable to a Samsung fridge with an ice maker.
Watch this video to see how an ice maker in a Samsung unit works…
How Long Does a Samsung Ice Maker Take to Make Ice?
It takes a Samsung ice maker approximately 90 minutes to make 1 tray of ice. That means the ice maker needs about 1 hour 30 minutes to make about 10 ice cubes.
However, if the refrigerator is new, the ice maker needs a longer time to make ice. After installing it, the unit needs between 6 to 12 hours to make ice good enough to be consumed.
Between these hours, the ice maker may produce ice but it is important to throw that out as it is only test-running. So the ice is not fit for consumption. In fact, throw out the first 3 trays of ice from the machine.
Samsung Ice Maker Not Filling with Water to Make Ice – Solutions
If a Samsung ice maker is not filling with water to make ice, check the water inlet valve. This is because the valve opens briefly to allow water into the ice mold during the ice-making cycle.
So if the ice maker has no water in it, it could mean that the water pressure is not enough for the valve to open or the valve is faulty.
Check the pressure of the water supplied to the ice maker. It should be 20psi at the least. Anything lower won’t allow the valve to function. Increase the pressure if it is lower than this so that valve can function well.
But if the pressure is fine, then test the power to the solenoid of the valve. If the solenoid is getting enough power yet the ice maker is not filling with water in order to make ice, replace the inlet valve as soon as possible.
The ice maker itself could be damaged. But find out if all its parts are in good working condition before replacing the ice maker. A damaged ice maker could leak and never get filled with water to make ice.
Recap
If your Samsung refrigerator is not making ice, there are easy steps to take in order to fix it. Don’t go pulling out the big guns just yet until you try some or all the steps in this guide.
However, when you try them and the unit still does not make ice, contact Samsung service center to file a complaint and request service. Taking this step is especially important if the refrigerator is still under an active warranty.
As an alternative, chat with us right here. We have qualified refrigerator technicians who are ready to provide the answers you need.
Stop! If your Samsung refrigerator is not making ice and you want to check it, disconnecting the refrigerator from electric power is the first step in safety. Therefore, make sure you unplug it from the wall outlet if you are going to be repairing any part of the ice maker.
However, if you are going to troubleshoot, you may need to leave it connected to electricity. But take precautionary measures to keep yourself safe.
If you have work gloves, wear them as an extra layer of protection, especially against sharp parts of the ice maker or refrigerator.
