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  1. Repair
  2. GE
  3. GE Refrigerator

GE Refrigerator not making ice but water works

Common reasons your GE Refrigerator not making ice but water works

The most common reasons for your GE refrigerator not making ice but the water works are a faulty icemaker assembly, defective PCB (printed circuit board) or a bad water valve.

  • 37%

    37% of the time it's the
    Icemaker Assembly

  • 7%

    7% of the time it's the
    PCB

  • 7%

    7% of the time it's the
    Water Valve

  • 49%

    49% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a GE refrigerator

    Icemaker Assembly Replacement

    If your GE refrigerator is not making ice, the ice maker assembly may not be functioning properly. Gears and contacts inside the ice maker module eject frozen cubes and fill the ice maker mold with water to make a new batch of ice. If a faulty ice maker assembly never cycles then you’ll need to schedule refrigerator repair service to have a service technician examine and repair the ice maker to fix the problem.


    PCB Replacement

    The PCB – also known as the electronic control -- board acts as the refrigerator's central control system, managing critical functions such as temperature regulation, fan operation, defrost cycles, icemaker functionality, and dispenser operations. When the board malfunctions, it can keep the ice maker from cycling properly to produce ice. A defective electronic control board can also prevent the ice dispenser from working. It's best to have a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests on the board to determine if replacement is warranted. If the control board is preventing the refrigerator ice maker or ice dispenser from working properly, the technician will replace the electronic control board.

    Water Valve Replacement

    The water valve supplies water to the ice maker to produce ice. If the ice mold in the ice maker is dry, a faulty water valve may not be opening during the fill portion of the ice maker harvest cycle. Eventually, the ice bin will empty out and the ice dispenser won’t work because there is no ice in the ice storage bin to dispense. When the water valve in your refrigerator fails to open properly to fill the ice maker with water to produce ice, have the valve diagnosed and replaced by a service technician so the ice maker will resume ice production and the ice dispenser will work again.

    What to expect when you experience a GE refrigerator not making ice but water works

    How is the GE refrigerator not making ice problem fixed?

    Correcting most refrigerator not making ice even though the water works problems usually involves replacing the ice maker assembly, PCB or water valve. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

    Sears Home Services recommendations for a GE refrigerator model not making ice

    When the refrigerator is not making ice, it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of refrigerator failures.

    What to look out for with a GE refrigerator that is not making ice

    Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your refrigerator problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

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    Glossary Terms

    A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.

    Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.

    R-12 refrigerant, also known as Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compound that was once widely used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and aerosol propellants before its phase-out due to environmental concerns.

    CFC certification refers to the credentialing process that qualifies HVAC technicians to handle chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other refrigerants in a manner that complies with environmental regulations. It is essential for professionals who install, maintain, or repair HVAC systems and refrigeration equipment.

    Additional possible GE refrigerator symptoms you may experience