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KitchenAid refrigerator won't make ice
Common reasons your KitchenAid refrigerator won’t make ice
The most common reasons your KitchenAid refrigerator won't make ice are a locked compressor, old water filter or a malfunctioning dispenser.
49% of the time it's the Compressor
10% of the time it's the Water Filter
7% of the time it's the Dispenser
34% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a KitchenAid refrigerator
Compressor Replacement
A locked refrigerator compressor can exhibit several symptoms indicative of a malfunction. The most noticeable sign is a lack of cooling in the refrigerator compartment, leading to elevated temperatures and the potential for food spoilage. The freezer may also fail to maintain the desired freezing temperatures, resulting in no ice production from the ice maker or dispenser. Additionally, you'll observe that the compressor is unusually silent or fails to produce its typical humming sound during operation. In some cases, the compressor may attempt to start but fail, resulting in repeated clicking noises. The inability of the compressor to circulate refrigerant properly can affect the defrosting process, leading to ice buildup in the freezer. Furthermore, a faulty compressor could send a sudden influx of melting frost to the drain line, causing it to back up, preventing adequate draining, and potentially causing water leaks.
Water Filter Replacement
Using an old water filter in a refrigerator can lead to a reduction in water to the ice maker and water dispenser. The filter's capacity to effectively remove impurities diminishes over time, causing a decrease in the water flow rate. You may also notice a decline in the quality of the water and ice dispensed. An old water filter may no longer effectively remove contaminants, leading to a potential change in taste or odor of the dispensed water. This can be particularly noticeable if the filter has been in use beyond its recommended lifespan, typically 6 months.
Dispenser Replacement
When a refrigerator dispenser malfunctions, it can lead to various issues including the dispenser's failure to dispense water or ice, regardless of user input. This malfunction may stem from problems with the dispenser water supply, dispenser controls, or mechanical components within the dispenser assembly. There may be slow or insufficient water flow, inconsistent ice dispensing, or even complete non-functionality. A malfunctioning dispenser may also leak, causing water to pool around the dispenser area or even inside the refrigerator. For a thorough diagnosis and resolution of these issues, it is advisable to have a Sears Home Services professional address the situation.
Why has my KitchenAid refrigerator stopped making ice?
When your KitchenAid refrigerator stops making ice, it’s often because the temperature in the freezer or the ice room is not cold enough to trip the thermostat or sensor to initiate the harvest cycle.
If you have a side-by-side KitchenAid refrigerator with the ice maker in the freezer, check the actual freezer temperature with an accurate thermometer. The freezer temperature should be at least 5 degrees or below to freeze water efficiently and trip the sensor to harvest ice.
If freezer temperature is too high, check for leaks of air going into the freezer section.
Inspect the freezer door gasket
Check the freezer door gasket for loose spots, tears, cracks or damage. Replace the freezer door gasket if it’s damaged.
Here’s a video that shows how to replace the door gasket on a common KitchenAid refrigerator:
If you’re not confident that you can replace the door gasket on your own, schedule refrigerator repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to install the new door gasket for you.
Check for ice chips or an ice cube stuck in the ice dispenser chute door
Ice chips or an ice cube can get stuck in the ice dispenser chute and prevent the ice dispenser door from shutting properly. This will allow warm, moist air to enter the freezer and can inhibit ice production.
Check for ice chips or an ice cube blocking the ice door and clean out that area if necessary.
Restoring proper cooling to the freezer may allow the ice maker to resume normal ice production.
If you have a French door refrigerator with an ice room in the refrigerator compartment, check for air leaks into that section and replace the seal or gasket allowing the air leak if necessary.
If you’re unable to find the cause of temperature problems in the ice room or freezer, schedule repair service and we’ll send a technician to your home to fix the issue.
What to expect when you experience a KitchenAid refrigerator won't make ice issue
How is the won't make ice problem fixed?
Correcting most won't make ice problems usually involves replacing the compressor, water filter or dispenser. 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 refrigerator that won't make ice
When the refrigerator won't make 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 refrigerator won’t make ice diagnosis
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.
Troubleshooting a KitchenAid Refrigerator Ice Machine Not Working
Follow these expert troubleshooting tips to resolve the problem of your KitchenAid refrigerator ice machine not working:
- Check the settings on the dispenser control panel to make sure the ice maker is turned on. Turn on the ice maker if you find it turned off.
- See if the ice maker ice mold is full. If the ice machine mold is full of ice, the ice maker likely isn’t going into the harvest mode to dump the cubes. If the ice mold is empty, the fill tube above the ice maker may be frozen. Defrost that ice machine fill tube and ice production may resume.
- A water supply problem may be causing the problem if the ice mold is empty and the water dispenser isn’t working. Check the water supply cut-off valve and open that valve if you find it shut.
If these basic troubleshooting steps don’t help you fix your KitcenAid refrigerator ice machine not working, one of these more complicated problems could be causing the failure:
- Defective ice machine.
- Bad water valve.
- Faulty electronic control board.
- Wiring failure.
When you need Kitchen Aid ice maker repair, trust Sears Home Services to fix the problem right.
How to Fix a Kitchen Aid Refrigerator Not Making Ice
Finding the ice storage bin empty in your Kitchen Aid refrigerator not making ice can be troubling. Understanding how to fix the problem can be valuable.
Follow these steps to fix a Kitchen Aid refrigerator not making ice:
- Check the water dispenser to see if it works. If the water dispenser isn’t working, you may have a water supply problem. Replace the water filter if you haven’t installed a new one within the last year. You should be replacing the water filter at least every 6 months. A clogged water filter can interrupt water flow going to the ice maker and water dispenser. If the water filter is fresh, check the water supply cut-off valve. Open that valve if you find it shut. If that valve is open, check the water flow from the end of the water supply line. Shut off the water supply cut-off valve, remove the water line from its connection on the back of the fridge and place the end of the water supply line in a bucket. Briefly open the water supply cut-off valve and check for water flow through the end of the water supply line. Have a plumber repair the water supply going to the fridge if no water comes out of the end of the water supply line during this test.
- If the refrigerator is getting a good supply of water, reset the electronic control boards in the fridge. Unplug the power cord for 2 minutes to completely disconnect electrical power. The control boards in the fridge will reboot when you plug the power cord back in. See if the ice maker starts making ice after resetting the control board.
- If the ice mold in the ice maker is dry, check for a frozen fill tube above the ice maker. That fill tube can freeze up occasionally. Defrost that fill tube and the ice maker may resume normal ice production.
If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help, then a more complicated failure could be preventing ice production. These failures can be the cause of the problem when your Kitchen Aid refrigerator is not making ice:
- Failed water valve.
- Defective ice maker assembly.
- Bad electronic control board.
- Wiring failure.
Schedule refrigerator repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and fix your fridge when you’re unable to find the cause of the ice production failure on your own. Our experienced Sears Home Services technicians can repair any type of refrigerator failure.
Common Reasons for a Kitchen Aid Fridge Not Making Ice
Here are common reasons for a Kitchen Aid fridge not making ice:
- Ice maker turned off: Check the ice maker setting on the dispenser control panel. If the ice maker is turned off, turn it back on so the ice maker will resume ice production
- Freezer temperature not cold enough: The ice maker in a Kitchen Aid fridge won’t cycle if freezer temperature isn’t colder than 15 degrees. Check the freezer temperature and adjust the setting if it’s not set at 0 degrees. If the freezer temperature is set at 0 degrees but the freezer isn’t cooling properly, check the door gaskets and adjust or repair any loose or damaged gaskets to keep the freezer cold.
- Frozen fill tube: The fill tube above the ice maker in your Kitchen Aid fridge can sometimes freeze up so the ice maker won’t fill with water. Squeeze that fill tube and defrost it if it has a freeze plug.
- Defective ice maker assembly: A bad ice maker assembly may not be harvesting the ice or may not be sending electric current to the water valve to fill the ice maker. You’ll typically need to have a service technician diagnose and repair this type of failure.
- Bad water valve: If the water valve gets electric current but doesn’t open, you’ll need to have a technician replace that water valve.
- Failed electronic control board: A bad relay on the electronic control board could be failing to send electric current to the water valve or the board may not be sending a signal to the ice maker assembly to initiate the harvest mode to dump the ice. A service technician will need to diagnose and repair this type of failure.
- Wiring failure: A loose or broken wire in the ice maker circuit can prevent ice production. A service technician will use a wiring diagram to trace and check wires in that circuit.
If you’re unable to resolve the problem with your Kitchen Aid fridge not making ice, schedule refrigerator repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the ice maker.
How to Troubleshoot a KitchenAid Refrigerator that Stopped Making Ice
When your KitchenAid refrigerator stops making ice, check the level detector for the ice bin. Many KitchenAid refrigerators use a lever to detect when the ice bin is full. If the level detector lever is stuck in the up position, push the lever down so the ice make will resume normal ice production. If the ice detector lever continues to stick in the up position and interrupt ice production when the ice bin isn’t full, schedule refrigerator repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit you home and repair or replace the ice maker assembly.
If this initial troubleshooting tip doesn’t help, follow these additional troubleshooting steps:
- Check the ice maker on/off setting on the control panel. Turn the ice maker on if you find it turned off.
- Check freezer temperature. The ice maker won’t cycle if freezer temperature is higher than 15 degrees. Make sure that your freezer temperature is set to 0 degrees. Find and fix the cause of cooling problems if freezer temperature is set correctly but the freezer isn’t cooling properly.
- Check for a frozen water fill tube above the ice maker. The ice maker won’t fill with water if the fill tube above the ice mold freezes. Defrost that fill tube if you find it frozen.
If these troubleshooting steps don’t help restore ice production, you’ll likely need to schedule refrigerator repair service to fix your KitchenAid refrigerator that stopped making ice. Our experienced technician will visit your home and fix the ice maker problem in no time.
Finding the Cause of a KitchenAid Refrigerator Not Producing Ice
Typical causes for a KitchenAid refrigerator not producing ice include:
- Control setting problems: Make sure that the ice maker is turned on and that the freezer temperature is set at 0 degrees. The ice maker won’t work if it’s turned off or if freezer temperature isn’t cold enough. Adjust the refrigerator control settings if necessary.
- Water supply issues: Check the water dispenser to see if it’s working. If not, a water supply problem could be preventing ice production. Make sure that the water supply cut-off valve is open. Open that valve if you find it shut. Shut off the water supply cut-off valve and disconnect the water line from the back of the fridge. Place the end of the water line in a bucket and briefly open the water supply cut-off valve to check water flow from the end of the water supply line. If no water flows from the water line, have a plumber fix the water supply.
- Frozen fill tube: Check the fill tube above the ice maker mold to see if it’s frozen. The ice maker won’t fill and produce ice if that fill tube freezes. Defrost the fill tube if it’s frozen.
Additional causes for a KitchenAid refrigerator not producing ice include:
- Faulty water valve.
- Defective ice maker assembly.
- Bad electronic control board.
- Wiring failure.
When you’re unable to troubleshoot and fix the ice production problem yourself, schedule refrigerator repair service to have an experienced Sears Home Services technician visit your home and repair the ice maker.
KitchenAid Icemaker Not Making Ice: Expert Troubleshooting Tips
Determining the cause for your KitchenAid icemaker not making ice if the first step in troubleshooting the problem.
- Check the control panel setting to make sure the ice maker is turned on. Turn the ice maker on if the control panel indicates that it’s shut off.
- Check the refrigerator water filter status. If the Replace Filter status light is on and you haven’t yet replaced the water, installing a new water filter may restore water flow to the icemaker so it works.
- If the icemaker is making ice, but not dispensing it check the control lock on the dispenser control panel. If the control lock is enabled, hold the control lock button for 3 seconds to disable that lock and you should be able to dispense ice.
- Check the refrigerator water supply. See if the water supply cut-off valve behind the refrigerator is fully open. If not, open that valve fully and check for water flow through the water dispenser to determine whether the refrigerator is getting water. If not, shut off that water supply cut-off valve and disconnect the water supply line from the back of your KitchenAid refrigerator. Place the end of the water supply line in a bucket and briefly open the water supply cut-off valve to check for water flow from the end of the water supply line. If water isn’t getting to the refrigerator through that water supply line, have a plumber fix the water supply for your fridge.
- If the fridge is getting a good water supply, check the ice bin level detector to see if it’s jammed or blocked. If the ice bin is empty and the level detector is stuck in the up position so the icemaker assembly detects the bin as full, the icemaker won’t make ice. Carefully try to free up the ice bin level detector or have a service technician repair that problem.
- Reset the electronic control boards. A power surge through the electrical supply lines can freeze up the electronic control boards. When your KitchenAid icemaker is not making ice, you can sometimes fix the problem by unplugging the refrigerator for 2 minutes to reset the control boards and then plugging the power cord back in to restore power. The control boards will reboot and the icemaker may begin working again.
If these troubleshooting tips don’t help you determine the cause of the your KitchenAid icemaker not making ice and you’re unable to fix the problem on your own, schedule refrigerator repair service through Sears Home Services and we’ll send a technician to your home to repair the fridge. The tech may find problems with the water valve or the icemaker assembly may be defective.
What to do When Your KitchenAid is not Making Ice
Follow these steps to fix your KitchenAid not making ice.
- Make sure the ice maker is turned on and ice bin level detector is working.
- Check the water dispenser to see if it is working.
- Look at the dispenser control lock light. If the control lock for the dispenser is turned on, press and hold the control lock button to turn that feature off.
- If you’re getting no water from the water dispenser and the control lock is off, check the water supply cut-off valve to see if it’s open. If your KitchenAid fridge uses a saddle valve to supply water to the fridge, cycle that saddle valve shut and then open to clear debris or deposits that could be blocking the small water supply opening in that valve.
- Check the water supply going to the fridge. Shut off the water supply cut-off valve and disconnect the water supply line from the back of the refrigerator. Place the end of the water supply line in a bucket and briefly open the water supply cut-off valve. If water doesn’t flow from the end of the water supply line, have a plumber fix the water supply going to your fridge.
- Reset the control boards in your KitchenAid fridge by unplugging the power cord for 2 minutes and then plugging it back in to restore power. The control boards will reboot and the ice maker may begin making ice.
If these troubleshooting steps don’t help when your KitchenAid is not making ice, a failed water valve, frozen water tube, defective level detector, faulty ice maker assembly, bad electronic control board or wiring failure could be causing the problem. Schedule refrigerator repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix your KitchenAid fridge.
KitchenAid KRMF706ESS01 Ice Maker Not Working
When the ice maker in the left refrigerator door of your KitchenAid KRMF706ESS01 is not working, check the water dispenser to see if it works. If you’re getting no water from the water dispenser, follow these troubleshooting tips:
- Check the dispenser control lock. If you find the dispenser control lock turned on, shut that feature off.
- Check the fill tube above the ice maker for a freeze plug that is preventing the ice maker from getting water. Thaw out the fill tube if you find it frozen.
- If the water dispenser isn’t working with the control lock disabled, replace the water filter if you haven’t installed a new one within the last year. A clogged water filter can inhibit water flow to the water dispenser and ice maker.
- Check the water supply cut-off valve. Open that valve is you find it shut.
- Check the water supply going to the fridge. Shut the water supply cut-off valve and disconnect the water line on the back of the fridge. Use the guidelines in the installation manual for your KitchenAid KRMF706ESS01 fridge to help you disconnect the water line if necessary. Place the end of the water supply line in a bucket and briefly open the water supply cut-off valve to check water flow from the end of the water line. If water doesn’t flow from the end of the water line, have a plumber fix the water supply going to your refrigerator.
- Reset the electronic control boards in your KitchenAid KRMF706ESS01 refrigerator. A power surge through the electrical supply lines could have frozen up the circuit boards to prevent the ice maker from working. Unplug the refrigerator power cord for 2 minutes and then plug the power cord back in to restore power. The electronic control boards will reboot and the ice maker may resume ice production.
If these basic troubleshooting steps don’t help you fix the problem with your KitchenAid KRMF706ESS01 ice maker not working, a bad water valve, defective control board, faulty ice maker assembly or wiring failure could be causing the issue. Schedule refrigerator repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the fridge.
Troubleshooting a KitchenAid Side by Side Ice Maker Not Working
The ice maker in a KitchenAid side by side refrigerator often has a metal arm attached to the ice maker assembly that detects the ice cube level in the ice bin below the ice maker. Check that metal level detector arm to make sure it is in the down position. Lower that arm if you find it stuck in the up position. The ice maker won’t make ice with that level arm in the up position.
If the ice bin level detector arm is properly set in the down position, follow these troubleshooting steps when your KitchenAid side by side ice maker is not working.
- Check freezer temperature. The ice maker won’t cycle if freezer temperature isn’t below 15 degrees. Adjust freezer temperature if necessary to keep the freezer at 0 degrees.
- Check the fill tube above the ice maker for a freeze plug that could be blocking water going to the ice maker. Defrost the fill tube to allow water to flow into the ice maker ice mold.
- Check the water supply going to the refrigerator. Make sure the water supply cut-off valve is fully open. If you find that valve shut open it. If your refrigerator still isn’t getting water, shut the water supply valve and disconnect the water supply line going to the fridge. Place the end of the water line in a bucket and briefly open the water supply cut-off valve to check the water flow from the end of the water supply line. If no water flows from the water supply line, have a plumber fix the water supply going to the fridge.
If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help you solve the problem with your KitchenAid side by side ice maker not working, then a defective water valve, bad ice maker assembly, control board problem or wiring failure could be preventing ice production. Schedule refrigerator repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the refrigerator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.
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.