Amana Ice Maker Not Working? How to Fix It

Amana produces reliable, budget-friendly refrigerators, including some models with ice makers that allow you to enjoy cubed or crushed ice. If you’re unlucky enough to be dealing with an issue with the ice maker on your Amana refrigerator, this article will help you figure out what’s causing the problem.

We’ll also provide step-by-step, easy-to-follow instructions to fix whatever the underlying cause is. Most repairs outlined here should be doable yourself without calling a professional.

Why is my Amana ice maker not working?

Here’s why your Amana refrigerator ice maker isn’t working and what steps you can take to fix it.

Check the temperature settings

First things first—check the temperature settings. If the freezer isn’t cold enough, the ice maker won’t produce ice.

Most Amana refrigerators come preset to a “mid setting,” which should be fine for most households and ice production. If this is your refrigerator’s current setting, try adjusting the dial or buttons to a colder setting to help boost ice production.

Turn on the ice maker

There are a few different ways to turn the ice maker on and off, depending on your Amana refrigerator model:

• Some models have an On/Off switch on the bottom of the ice maker, which you can access by lifting and opening the ice maker door.
• Others have the switch on the left wall of the freezer, but you’ll need to remove the ice bin to reach it.
• You can also turn the ice maker on by lowering the metal shutoff arm and off by lifting it. You’ll find this arm in the freezer near the ice bin.

It’s also a good idea to check for jammed ice or any obstructions blocking the shutoff arm. If the arm is stuck, the ice maker might think the bin is full and stop producing ice.

If the shutoff arm has no obstructions but is stuck in the up position and won’t come down, the gears inside the ice maker could be jammed. In this case, the ice maker will likely need to be replaced.

See the “Ice maker is leaking” section below for instructions on replacing the ice maker assembly.

Turn off the Control Lock

Control Lock disables the dispenser controls, preventing water and ice from dispensing, which is useful if you have small kids or want to clean the dispenser.

You can deactivate Control Lock by pressing and holding the “To Lock” button for three seconds.

The ice maker is leaking and needs to be replaced

There have been reports of ice makers in Amana refrigerators leaking water from the ice tray into the ice bin, which then causes the ice cubes to clump together in a large block.

This can happen if a seal somewhere on the ice maker has worn out. Therefore, it’s worth checking if your ice maker is producing ice that’s clumping together or no ice at all.

If you find ice clumps, you can check for leaks by following these steps:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Open the freezer door.
3. Remove any food items or shelves necessary to access the ice maker.
4. Remove the ice bin and discard any clumped ice.
5. Disconnect the ice maker’s wire harness.
6. Unthread the screws that secure the ice maker to the freezer’s interior wall.
7. Remove the ice maker and manually fill its ice tray with water from a tap.
8. Look for water dripping or leaking from the ice maker.
9. If the ice maker is leaking or visibly damaged, replace it with a new one.
10. You can purchase a replacement ice maker online. Just make sure it’s compatible with your specific model refrigerator.

Check the water supply and replace the filter

If the water supply is turned off or the filter is clogged, your ice maker won’t get enough water to work properly. This can lead to no ice production or small, hollow cubes if one of these is the issue.

Amana recommends changing the water filter every 6 months. You’ll find it either inside the refrigerator compartment or in the base grille. After replacing it, be sure to flush out any trapped air to avoid further issues with the ice maker.

To flush the water filter:

1. Press and hold the water dispenser lever for 5 seconds, then release for 5 seconds.
2. Repeat until the water flows smoothly without spurting.

For the water supply, first, locate the water supply valve. It’s usually behind the refrigerator or under the sink. Make sure it’s fully open.

Then, check the water supply line running from the valve to the refrigerator for any kinks, twists, or blockages that could be restricting water flow. If you spot any, straighten the line or replace it if necessary.

Defrost the refrigerator

Sometimes, parts of the ice maker or refrigerator can freeze up, stopping ice production. Common culprits include the ice chute, fill tube, or water line, which you can often check yourself. But in some cases, the motor or other internal components inside the ice maker might be frozen—these are harder to access.

A simple way to fix this, no matter where the freezing happens, is to unplug the refrigerator, open the doors, remove the ice bin, and let it fully defrost for 24 to 28 hours. This will melt any built-up ice, wherever it is.

Be sure to place towels inside the fridge and on the floor to catch any melting water. Also, move any food to another refrigerator or an icebox to keep it from spoiling.

Once everything is defrosted, plug the fridge back in and wait 24 hours to see if ice production returns.

Make sure the refrigerator is level

If your Amana appliance isn’t sitting level, water might not flow properly into the ice tray, or the doors may not seal properly, causing temperature fluctuations. To check, place a spirit level on top of the unit and see if it’s level from side to side and front to back.

If it’s off, adjust the leveling feet at the bottom until it’s sitting flush. Turning them clockwise will lower the refrigerator and counterclockwise will raise it.