Whirlpool refrigerators offer fantastic versatility, delightful innovation, and a premium feel.
But sometimes, the ice maker just stops working. After all, it is a complex machine with too many moving parts.
To get it back to working correctly, you need to break down the functions of all the parts and diagnose the problem. And if your Whirlpool ice maker is not working but is water dispenser is, there are several reasons behind it.
The problem could be a defective water inlet valve to insufficient water flow and pressure. In this article, we will be going over the reasons why the ice maker suddenly stopped working.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Making Ice
A defective water inlet valve or insufficient pressure that won’t allow water to flow through might result in the refrigerator not making ice. An incorrect freezing temperature is another one of the most common reasons.
Here are some reasons that might be stopping your refrigerator from making ice-
1. Incorrect Freezer Temperature
For the ice maker to work properly, it is essential to ensure that you have set the freezer temperature to 0-5°F or below -15°C.
If your ice maker is not working properly, the most likely issue might be how you have set your freezing temperature.
If it’s too warm, the ice might form but can still be too fragile or not cold enough to make it to the ice tray, which is why you’re facing the problems.
Ideally, a temperature of 0-5°F or below -15°C is the best freezer temperature.
On the other hand, if your Whirlpool refrigerator is set at a temperature below 0°F, ice and frost may build up on the ice tray.
This might disarray the build-up assembly and prevent the ice dispenser from ejecting them properly.
So, it is essential to keep the right freezer temperature for the ice maker to work correctly, neither too warm nor too cold.
2. Defective Water Inlet Valve
The first step when determining why the ice maker is not functioning properly should be to check that the water pressure going into your refrigerator is at 20 psi. A water inlet valve malfunction can cause a lot of damage to the other parts of the refrigerator too.
A malfunctioning water inlet valve can cause many problems in the other parts of the refrigerator, the ice maker, and the dispenser.
First, a defective water inlet valve can stop the water from dispensing into the ice maker. This means no ice can be made, despite all the right temperature conditions, and water can not flow freely.
With the flow being too slow, the water pressure in the valve could also drop. This could result in the cold water dispenser failing due to overflow in the other parts of the refrigerator.
This overflow can cause more damage than anticipated.
So, ensuring that the water supply is correctly connected to a cold water supply and that the water shutoff valve is fully opened is essential. Also, ensure that no kinks in the water supply line can reduce the water flow and pressure.
3. Check The Control Arm And Water Filter
If your ice maker is not working, check if the control arm is switched on. A clogged water filter could also be one of the reasons behind this.
Each refrigerator with a built-in ice and water maker has a control arm. This part is typically internal and acts as a switch to turn the ice maker on and off.
If this is off, it can interrupt the regular operation of the ice maker and block your ice maker from producing ice. Therefore, ensure it is turned on when you need the ice dispenser to work correctly.
However, in some cases, a clogged water filter might be the real reason. So, replace the water filter every six months to a year to ensure you use clean, safe water for drinking and cooking.
What To Do If Waterline Is Frozen?
An easy fix for a frozen waterline is to defrost your freezer. To prevent the pipes from freezing, the best thing to do is turn your water off if you can locate your valve.
Sometimes, there can be a build-up in your water line. This means the ice maker tray will fill up with the ice but won’t pop it out to the dispenser because of the frozen waterline.
The best way to fix this is to defrost your freezer for 24 hours, clear out any build-up, and then test it again by adding more water to the machine.
Ensure to protect any food by putting it in a cooler with ice or the fridge when you have unplugged the power supply to defrost the freezer.
Make sure there are no kinks in the water line, either. A pair of pliers is the easiest way to straighten your waterline, and keeping it not too far along the wall is the best way to prevent it from kinking.
How To Reset The Whirlpool Refrigerator Ice Maker?
To reset your Whirlpool ice maker, click the reset button at the bottom of the appliance. However, if that doesn’t work, you might be able to reset it by adjusting the control arm, turning it off and on again, or unplugging it for 5 minutes.
Usually, there are four different ways to reset the refrigerator ice maker without adding any extra damage to the appliance.
- Adjust the control arm. Switch it on and off to reset the refrigerator.
- Press the reset button on the bottom of the appliance.
- Unplug the ice maker at the mains. Make sure to put away edible items in the freezer.
- Unplug the appliance. Plug it again after ten minutes and push on the control arm several times.
If none of the above ways to reset the ice maker get it working back on, there is a chance that your refrigerator has either a mechanical or electrical problem.
In both cases, I recommend you call a professional to fix it. Attempting to fix mechanical problems on your own could invalidate your warranty.
Final Remarks
It is incredibly frustrating when you suddenly have guests over or have just returned from a hot day outside, and there is no ice for your drink.
Luckily, despite being a complex machine, there are chances that the problem can be solved at home very easily with several proven fixes:
- Incorrect freezer temperature
- Defective water inlet valve
- Control Arm turned off
- Clogged water filter
If none of these work, try to reset your ice maker by either pressing the reset button on the bottom of your appliance or by turning the control arm switch off for some time.
My name is Rick Kinney and I am the founder of ExHandyman. I have worked as a handyman for many years, and fixing stuff is my greatest pleasure in life.