How to Repair an Ice Dispenser
- 1). Cover the basics -- verify that the icemaker is switched on (via the control panel or a button inside the freezer compartment) and that the control panel is unlocked. The control panel lock is a safety feature to keep kids from dispensing ice and water. Ice will not come out of the dispenser when it is active.
- 2). Turn down the freezer temperature if you find ice cubes stick together that don't move down the chute. Ice cubes may partially melt if you frequently open the freezer door or store warm containers of food. The internal temperature should be set around 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17 Celsius) for best ice production and storage.
- 3). Free the wire sensor arm if it is stuck in the up position. The wire is lifted and the machine stopped when the ice bucket inside the freezer is full of ice to stop new cubes from spilling into the freezer compartment. Some icemakers can be switched off by flipping the wire sensor up. Ensure that the wire can move up and down freely and that no food or stuck ice cubes are holding it in place.
- 4). Cut the power to the icemaker and place a cup beneath the dispenser. Any stuck cubes in the chute will melt into the cup after a few hours. Empty any remaining cubes inside the freezer compartment into the sink while the power is off. Switch the icemaker back on and wait for new cubes.
- 5). Open the cold water tap in the sink nearest the refrigerator. Allow the water to run until it reaches full pressure. The icemaker may struggle to make ice if the water pressure is temporarily low within your plumbing. Contact a plumber if you find you water pressure is consistently low.
- 6). Ensure that the shutoff valve that supplies your refrigerator with water is switched on. The water supply may have been switched off during a recent servicing and not reconnected. Shutoff valves are usually small faucets attached to the wall behind the refrigerator.
