Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 01:27 pm
Most refrigerators have ice makers and water dispensers, although you can still find some refrigerators that don’t have ice makers.
On the other hand, there are also stand-alone ice makers.
Ice makers can come in very handy, but they can develop faults like all manufactured products.
In a situation where the ice maker isn’t making ice but dispensing water, it could be due to various reasons.
First, try turning it in before you become worried; a simple and easily fixed fault could cause it.
A defective water inlet valve is the typical reason an ice maker will not make ice. The water inlet valve is responsible for supplying water to the dispenser and the ice maker. So, if the water inlet valve is faulty, the water will not flow through; that could also happen if the inlet valve has insufficient pressure.
Why Does My Fridge Dispense Water But Not Ice?
If your fridge is not dispensing ice but is dispensing water, it may result from a clog along the supply line. In most cases, the clog results from water freezing in the line.
The water freezes and blocks the water from filling up the ice mold. The result is that the ice maker stops making ice. And can no longer dispense ice.
#1. Ice Clogs
Most times, when ice sits together for a long time, its weight will cause it to fuse into a giant lump.
Usually, the dispenser has a drill that takes out the ice. But if the ice is one big lump, there will be nothing for the auger to take out, so you won’t get any ice.
#2. The Control Board Could Be Faulty
If there are no ice clogs, the problem could be with the dispenser control board. Typically, if that is the issue, the lights on your ice dispenser will go dim when you’re using it.
Since fixing or replacing the control board is a complex process, you should call a technician.
#3. It Could Be A Fault With The Auger Motor.
Usually, when you push the lever on your ice dispenser, it should make a sound. If it doesn’t, it means there is a fault with the motor that turns the auger.
Test the multimeter to ensure it’s still working, but make sure your refrigerator is off.
What Causes An Ice Maker To Stop Making Ice?
There are some reasons why an ice maker will stop making ice:
#1. First, the Control Arms May Be In The Off Position.
While navigating the refrigerator, it’s not uncommon to accidentally move to shift the control arm into the off position.
If you do that, that could stop the production of ice. If the control arm is on, it could be a mechanical or electrical issue.
So you should check the gearbox, the motor, or the electrical connection. The fault could lie anywhere.
#2. There May Be A Clog In The Supply Line
If your fridge is not dispensing ice but is dispensing water, it may result from a clog along the supply line. In most cases, the clog results from water freezing in the line.
The water freezes and blocks the water from filling up the ice mold. The result is that the ice maker stops making ice. And can no longer dispense ice.
The ice maker’s water filter could also be clogged. The filter is usually in the refrigerator, and if it is blocked, water will not be able to pass through to create ice.
Simply put, the water is not getting into the ice maker to form ice. So, the fridge cannot dispense ice.
#3. Incorrect Temperature Settings
Another reason could be the wrong temperature settings. This is one of the most typical reasons your fridge could not make ice. The best temperature is 0° Celsius or less.
When the temperature reaches the required degrees, the voltage gets to the water inlet valve and enters the ice maker. If the temperature is not low enough, ice cannot form.
#4. Broken Thermostat
Ice cannot form inside the refrigerator if the thermostat is not working. This is a common reason why your refrigerator can be dispensing water but notice.
Call a professional refrigerator repairer or call for a thermostat check.
#5. Low Or Insufficient Voltage
Once you turn on your refrigerator, the power sends an electric voltage to the thermostat, which in turn triggers the refrigerator’s other components.
However, if the voltage is insufficient, the fridge cannot perform, and the fridge cannot dispense ice.
Can The Water Filter Cause The Ice Maker Not To Work?
The water filter can make the ice maker stop working. If the water filter is clogged or partially clogged, it could cause many problems.
For example, if the filter is clogged, it could slow the running water from your dispenser or cause the water to stop running altogether.
You may not be sure if the issue is with the filter at times. In that case, you should take the filter out and put it in your bypass plug.
Then try using the bypass plug; if you notice the water that the water flow has improved, you should change the filter.
Change it every six months to make sure that your water filter runs smoothly and avoid it breaking down completely.
The six-month provision is not a hard and fast rule; you may have to change the filter more frequently if you live in a newly constructed area.
In that case, there will be more debris getting into your water, so it’ll be vital that you change the filter more frequently.
If you stay in an area with hard water, you will need to change the filter more often. This ensures that your ice maker is making ice.
Other than a clogged filter, an incorrectly installed filter can also reduce water flow to the dispenser or the ice maker.
So if your water filter is not working, there is a chance that you didn’t install the water filter properly. So, you should call someone to look at it if you can’t do it yourself.
How Do I Unclog My Ice Maker Water Line?
If your ice maker is clogged, don’t panic. There are a few ways to fix a clogged ice maker water line.
- Unplug the refrigerator. Find the valve for shutting off the refrigerator, usually behind the fridge or underneath the sink.
Close the valve, turn it off, and pour warm water on the water line to defrost it.
- Alternatively, you can use a hairdryer to defrost the waterline. Turn the settings to hot and let the warm air blow over the clogged area.
- Or you can unplug the refrigerator and leave it unplugged for at least two hours. But, of course, it could be more if you’re not in a hurry.
Afterward, turn the refrigerator on and listen to the water fill the ice mold. The clog should be translucent.
If it isn’t translucent, make sure you consult a professional instead of fixing the problem yourself.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix An Ice Maker?
The cost of fixing an ice maker ranges from $150 to $250. The cost varies depending on the size and the faults.
Most homeowners usually end up paying around $200 to get a leak fixed on a freestanding ice maker.
The cost for fixing a valve on a portable ice maker is about $75. However, the prices could be much higher; for instance, replacing the motor on a high-end expensive built-in ice maker will set you back about $400.
When it comes to repairing an ice maker in the refrigerator, it costs about $90 to $250.
You will most likely pay between $150 to $200 for a water inlet valve repair, usually the most typical repair needed on a refrigerator ice maker.
All in all, an ice maker repair will most likely cost about $180. On the bright side, ice makers are more accessible to navigate than other machines, so you can fix some of the more straightforward stuff yourself before you have to call someone and part with some of your money.
Conclusion
Nothing beats having a cold drink in the middle of a warm day, but what do you do when your refrigerator refuses to cooperate? A refrigerator may not make ice because of a defective inlet valve or a clogged water filter.
You can call a technician to fix the valve or completely replace it if it is damaged; however, unclogging the water filter is not so tricky, and it’s something you can do by yourself.
Fixing a damaged ice maker will cost you $150 to $200.