How to Troubleshoot and Repair a Frigidaire Ice Maker

Get your ice maker working again with these easy tips

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: April 23, 2025 Fact Checked

Are you having problems with your Frigidaire ice maker? It can be frustrating when you want a cold glass of water and your refrigerator's ice maker stops dispensing ice. Luckily, you can take a few simple troubleshooting steps before calling Frigidaire for a repair. This wikiHow article teaches you how to troubleshoot a Frigidaire ice maker that is not working.

1

Your ice maker may be turned off.

Download Article

The on/off switch location varies by freezer model. It may be on the ice maker, inside the ice maker compartment, or on the control panel for your refrigerator.

2

Turn off display lock.

Download Article

If the display is not responding, it could be locked. The ice dispenser will not dispense ice if the display is locked. To unlock the display, press and hold the lock button on the display for three seconds.

3

Remove obstructions from the control arm.

Download Article

The control arm is a long arm that hangs over the ice tray. When the tray is full, the arm raises and shuts off the ice maker. If ice is obstructing the control arm, it will prevent it from lowering, which leads to your ice maker not making ice.^{[1]
X
Research source}

4

Make sure the ice bucket or tray is inserted properly.

Download Article

If the ice tray isn't latched properly, the ice maker won't run. The ice tray is inserted differently depending on which Frigidaire refrigerator you have. Use one of the following steps to make sure your ice bucket is inserted properly:
- If your ice maker dispenses ice through the door, make sure there is no ice obstructing the ice tray. Slide the ice tray all the way into the ice maker compartment until it latches shut.
- If your ice maker dispenses ice into a bucket inside the freezer, make sure there is no ice obstructing the bucket and that it's placed under the ice maker against the back of the freezer.

5

Clear out any ice clogging the ice maker or chute.

Download Article

Ice clumps can prevent mechanical parts from moving. Check the inside of your ice maker for ice buildup. Also, check to make sure there aren't any clumps in the ice chute preventing ice from dropping.
- You can clear out any ice clumps with a plastic utensil or by allowing the freezer to thaw out.
- clear out the ice tray at least twice a week to prevent ice from clumping. Toss out any unused ice.

6

Set the temperature to 0 °F (−18 °C).

Download Article

If the temperature in your Frigidaire freezer is too warm, the ice maker may shut off automatically. If it is too cold, water may freeze before it reaches the ice mold.

7

Inspect the fill tube for freezing.

Download Article

A frozen fill tube prevents water from reaching the ice mold. The fill tube is usually at the back of the ice maker or behind. It's the tube that fills the ice molding with water. If the fill tube is frozen, allow your freezer to thaw out, or defrost it with warm water or a hair dryer.
- On some ice maker models, you may need to remove the ice maker to access the fill tube.

8

Check the door seal.

Download Article

If the door isn't sealing properly, the temperature inside your freezer may not be able to stay cool enough to make ice. Replace any defective door seals.

9

Make sure the door switch isn't malfunctioning.

Download Article

If the lights are not turning on when you open the refrigerator door, check the door switch on the refrigerator's side to ensure it isn't stuck in the off position. Clear any obstructions holding it in place.

10

Look for water line damage.

Download Article

Check the water line for leaks, kinks, or clogs. If there is a problem with the water line, it will prevent your ice maker from receiving the water it needs. Check the water line, which is a small plastic or copper tube that connects the water faucet to the water valve on the back of the refrigerator. Water leaking inside the freezer could be a sign of a water line leak.
- Also, make sure the faucet the water line is connected to is turned on and that there is no leak where the hose connects to the faucet.

11

Inspect the water valve.

Download Article

Check the water valve for damage or leaks. The water valve is usually located on the back of the refrigerator where the water line connects. The water pressure from the valve needs to be at least 20 psi for it to function properly. If the valve is leaky, the ice mold may overfill. If damaged, it may not open to allow water to flow. Replace the water valve if need be.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- To replace a water valve, you will need to turn off the water and disconnect the water line. Then, remove the back panel from your Frigidaire refrigerator and remove the valve mounting bracket. Remove the wire harness and the valve assembly. Attach a new assembly to the wire harness and mount the new valve assembly. Reattach the back panel, along with the water line, and turn the water back on.

12

Replace your water filter.

Download Article

If your Frigidaire has a water filter, change it every six months. If you do not, the water filter may become clogged with sediment, restricting water flow to the ice maker. If your ice is tasting funny or there is low water pressure in the ice maker or water dispenser, it could be time to replace the filter.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Also check to make sure the water filter is installed correctly. To do so, remove the water filter and re-insert it.
- Check the Frigidaire manual that came with your refrigerator to learn how to change your filter.
- Some after-market filters may not work as well as the ones that came with your refrigerator. Make sure you get a water filter that is right for your refrigerator model.

13

Reset the ice maker.

Download Article

This will clear out any bugs in the refrigerator software.^{[4]
X
Research source} To reset your refrigerator, unplug it for a minute and then plug it back in.

14

Check to make sure the main control board.

Download Article

A damaged main control board is one of the main problems with Frigidaire refrigerators. If you are experiencing problems with your Frigidaire refrigerator, you may need to inspect and replace the main control board. If the main control board is damaged, you can order a new one from https://www.frigidaireapplianceparts.com/.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- The main control board rests in a tray underneath the refrigerator. You will need to open the doors and remove the grill from the bottom of the refrigerator. Use a wrench or a screwdriver to unscrew the screws holding the tray in place. Pull the tray out and inspect the board for damaged or rusty parts.
- If you order a new main control board, it will come in a new tray. Pull the old tray out from underneath the refrigerator. Take a picture of it so that you remember where the wires connect to. Disconnect the wires and connect them to the new board. Slide the new board back under the refrigerator and secure it with the screws.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}

15

Call for repair.

Download Article

Ice makers have many components that can fail. If you can figure out what is wrong with the ice maker, you may need to contact a repairperson to fix your ice maker. Ice makers generally have short life spans and may not be worth fixing. It might be less expensive to replace your ice maker than to repair it.^{[7]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Our icemaker will NOT switch from cube to crushed. It is dispensing crushed only. Do you have any suggestions?

Justin

Top Answerer

If you cannot select the option on the user interface any longer, call an appliance technician to have this repaired.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 13
Question

How long does it take for a brand-new model to begin steadily producing ice?

Justin

Top Answerer

If all of the above has been checked and verified, and factory-recommended temperature settings are maintained, it should begin to make ice with 24 hours.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 17
Question

What do I do if the ice piles up in the bucket and freezes in a clump? I have to manually break it up.

Justin

Top Answerer

This could be for a number of reasons. The icemaker may be cycling before the ice is completely frozen, causing the new cycle of water to enter the tray. If this continues, have a professional appliance technician fix the problem for you.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 11