Finding your Whirlpool refrigerator’s ice maker suddenly stopped producing ice can be an annoying surprise. But don’t worry – in most cases the fix ends up being pretty straightforward. By methodically troubleshooting a few key areas, you can get your ice maker working again quickly.
With a bit of handy inspection and part replacement, you can often have the ice flowing freely again without waiting days for a service appointment.
Verify the Power Supply and Freezer Temperature
Before diving into the icemaker components, first check that the overall conditions in the freezer are conducive to ice production:
- Make sure the power switch on the ice maker itself is turned on. This seems obvious, but getting accidentally flipped off is a surprisingly common culprit for a non-working unit.
- Use a thermometer to test the actual temperature inside the freezer. It needs to stay consistently below 15degF for proper ice production. If it’s higher than that, adjust the control settings to make the freezer colder.
Getting these basic parameters – power and subfreezing temps – satisfied will ensure the icemaker has an environment primed for pumping out ice.
Common Freezer Temperature Issues
If adjusting your freezer settings doesn’t seem to lower the temperature (or it keeps swinging wildly), a few typical problems may be the cause:
- Failed thermostat not activating the compressor properly
- Refrigerant leaks due to damaged evaporation coils
- Build up of dust or debris on condenser coils
- Failing compressor unable to sustain cold temperatures
Resolving these root issues requires refrigeration expertise to handle safely. If adjusting settings doesn’t stabilize around 15degF, it’s best calling for service on the fridge itself before attempting icemaker repairs.
Assess Water Flow to the Icemaker
Assuming the freezer itself checks out, next examine the critical water supply feeding the ice maker:
Check for Frozen or Crimped Lines
- Inspect the water line running from house supply to the inlet valve for any blockages from freezing or kinks . Replace any damaged sections of water line.
- Make sure the fill tube directing water into ice mold is not clogged or cracked. Carefully clear any ice blockages or replace fill tube.
Test the Inlet Water Valve
The inlet valve controls water flow from the supply line. If water’s reaching the valve but not entering the fill tube, the valve’s likely faulty:
- Trigger icemaker fill cycle and check if water flows – if not, valve or valve solenoid has failed
- Listen for distinct click when fill cycle initiated – if no click, replace valve
- Check for good water pressure to valve inlet – if low, address restrictions upstream
Catching inlet valve issues quickly prevents freezing and water leaks inside the freezer. Replace the valve if tests confirm it is not opening to fill properly.
Examine Ice Maker Parts
If water supply checks out, next closely inspect key components inside the ice maker proper:
Clean Ice Buildup Clogging Components
- Look for ice or frost blocking the ejection blades, shutoff arm, or fill tube
- Carefully chip/melt away buildup with plastic tool to regain functionality
- Avoid damaging delicate parts while clearing ice
Ensure Proper Shut Off Arm Movement
- Buildup around arm base can impede rotation
- Adjust to proper vertical “on” position
- Replace broken or warped arms responsible for level detection
Inspect Control Module
- Module controls fill, freezing, and harvest cycles
- Unplug and reconnect to reset faulty module
- If module unresponsive overall, replacement needed
Addressing any mechanical icemaker issues requiring disassembly is best left to those comfortable working with sensitive refrigerator components to avoid damage.
Unclog Ice Dispensing System
Problems with ice flow downstream can still disrupt overall production:
- Clear out stuck ice blocking exit chute or bin opening preventing ice from ejecting out mold.
- Check ice storage bin aligned properly with flap opening for ice flow
- Replace broken or jammed dispensing auger motor not able to push out ice
If newly produced ice keeps getting logjammed inside the unit, this pileup will translate back to the maker mechanism eventually.
Drainage and Overflow Problems
Backups in the unit’s drain lines can also halt ice production:
- Ensure defrost line isn’t clogged from accumulated frozen drain water
- Adjust fill level to lower volume if overflows causing buildup
- Replace any cracked or blocked drain tubing
Slow drainage lets ice melt during defrost cycles to pool inside the freezer – leading to ice blockages as this water refreezes over time.
Bad Tasting or Smelly Ice Cubes?
One last common icemaker complaint involves unpleasant ice quality rather than quantity:
- Replace old water filter cartridge if ice has bad taste or odor
- Scale, mold, and sediment can build up over time on various components
- Fully descale and sanitize entire icemaker assembly using cleaning products
- Check for gooped up sections in water inlet lines restricting flow
While not directly causing operation issues, dirty ice over time can indicate areas needing maintenance to keep your icemaker hygienic.
Realign Ice Bin and Reset
As a final step once repairs are complete:
- Double check bin aligned properly allowing full range of shutoff arm motion
- Reset electronic module if needed to bring back into proper sequence
- Initiate manual harvest cycle to prime the system after changes
Taking these closing steps sets your icemaker up for a strong restart before placing back into service filling your ice needs!
While a Whirlpool icemaker suddenly stopping ice production can certainly be disruptive, in most instances the problem ends up tracing back to a small handful of common failure points.
By first ruling out basic issues like power disconnects and freezer temperature, then working through component-level troubleshooting focused on water flow and ice blockages, you can typically restore normal operation quickly without the hassle and expense of a service call.
Success comes down to diligent inspection of the entire ice making and delivery process. Trust this guide to help target your repair efforts – with a bit of luck, patience, and component replacement as needed, you’ll have satisfyingly chilled ice flowing from your Whirlpool unit again shortly.
