KitchenAid Refrigerator Not Making Ice? Here’s Why

Whether your KitchenAid refrigerator produces little ice or none at all, it can be a pretty frustrating experience, especially on a hot summer’s day!

The good news is that a refrigerator that doesn’t produce ice properly can often be fixed. However, whether you can fix it yourself will depend on the severity of the problem and how confident you feel about tackling appliance repairs.

Many issues are fairly easy to fix, such as replacing a clogged water filter, while some can be a bit more technical. This article will cover the most likely causes of a KitchenAid refrigerator not making ice so you can get to the bottom of the problem.

Why your KitchenAid refrigerator may not be making ice

If your KitchenAid refrigerator is making little or no ice, here are the most likely reasons why.

The water filter needs changing

The water filter in a KitchenAid refrigerator should be replaced every six months to prevent it from clogging. A clogged filter can reduce the water flow to the ice maker, impeding ice production.

You can replace the water filter on a KitchenAid refrigerator by following these steps:

1. Locate the filter. It’s usually located in one of the upper corners or on the bottom grille.
2. Remove the old filter by twisting or pulling it out depending on your refrigerator model.
3. Take the new filter out of its packaging and remove the protective covers from the O-rings.
4. Insert the new filter into the filter housing, making sure it locks.
5. Flush the new filter by dispensing three gallons through it before you start drinking.

The ice maker is turned off

There are a couple of ways to turn the ice maker in a KitchenAid refrigerator on and off. First, there may be a physical switch located either on the bottom of the ice maker or behind the ice bin. Check that it’s in the “On” position.

If you don’t see the switch, look for a wire shutoff arm. This arm automatically turns off ice production when the ice bin is full. Ensure it’s down in the “On” position and not stuck upwards in the “Off” position.

The refrigerator is too warm

Ice production won’t occur if the fridge or freezer sections are too warm in your KitchenAid refrigerator. The ideal temperature range for the fridge is 33–40°F (0–4°C) and the freezer should be set to 0°F (−18°C). Use the digital control panel to check that the temperature is set correctly.

You can also place a thermometer inside the refrigerator to confirm that the temperatures are correct. If the temperature inside the fridge or freezer is too warm despite the temperature being set correctly on the control panel, one of the following issues might be causing the problem:

• The condenser coils are clogged with dirt.
• Air vents inside the refrigerator are obstructed.
• The doors are being left open too long or opened too often.
• The door seal is either dirty or damaged.

The water supply line has an issue

The water supply line is a hose that carries water from the home’s supply to the refrigerator. If the water supply line isn’t connected, your refrigerator won’t be able to produce ice or dispense water.

You can check by pulling the refrigerator away from the wall and seeing if the water supply line, a thin hose, is connected to the back of the refrigerator.

You should also inspect the water supply line from the refrigerator to the water shut-off valve for any kinks or blockages. Finally, make sure the water shut-off valve, often located under the sink, is fully open or turned on.

The refrigerator isn’t level

If the refrigerator isn’t level, water may not be distributed evenly across the ice tray, resulting in little or no ice production. You can check if the refrigerator is level by placing a spirit level on top and checking from side to side and front to back.

If the refrigerator isn’t level, you can adjust it by adjusting the leveling feet at the bottom of the appliance. Turn them clockwise to lower the refrigerator and counterclockwise to raise it.

The fill cup is misaligned

The fill cup is located at the back of the ice maker inside your refrigerator, below the fill valve. It collects water and channels it into the ice mold; however, sometimes the fill cup can be misaligned or clogged, leading to ice production issues.

Check that the fill cup is directly below the fill valve’s spigot and remove any ice or debris clogging it.

Ice cubes are clumped together

Sometimes, the ice cubes in the ice bin can fuse together, forming a large clump that can’t be dispensed. This may happen due to temperature fluctuations, excessive moisture in the freezer, or infrequent use of the ice maker.

Check inside the ice bin. If you find large blocks of ice, discard them and allow your ice maker to produce a fresh batch. If this issue happens repeatedly, ensure the door seal is intact as a faulty door seal can lead to temperature fluctuations and excess moisture by allowing warm, humid air to enter the freezer.

The ice maker is frozen

Since the ice maker is located inside the freezer and produces ice, moisture can sometimes accumulate and freeze in places it shouldn’t, which can result in the ice maker no longer functioning.

Unwanted ice buildup may occasionally occur on the auger motor, ice chute, water supply line, fill tube, and other components. You may be able to spot ice buildup through a visual inspection, though at times, it may not be detectable without disassembling the ice maker.

However, you can often resolve a frozen ice maker by removing all of the perishable items from the refrigerator and freezer, unplugging the appliance, and leaving the freezer door open for several hours to allow the ice maker to thaw gradually. If you notice visible areas of ice buildup, you can use a hairdryer on a low setting to speed up the thawing process.