Kenmore refrigerators are renowned for their reliability and durability, but some users do occasionally encounter issues with the ice maker not working on their appliance.
Thankfully, this problem is not usually a sign that something is seriously wrong with your fridge, and it can often be resolved by yourself without calling in a technician.
In this guide, we will list the most likely causes along with the solutions for fixing them, so you can get your Kenmore fridge producing ice again ASAP.
Here are five potential reasons why the ice maker on your Kenmore fridge is not working:
The first thing worth checking is that the freezer compartment is at the correct temperature. That’s because ice makers on most modern refrigerators, including Kenmores, have a built-in thermostat that automatically halts ice production if the freezer temperature exceeds 10°F (-12°C).
To see if this is the case, place an appliance thermometer inside the freezer compartment and leave it there for at least 30 minutes for an accurate reading. If the freezer compartment is too warm, there are several possible causes:
If you find that your ice maker suddenly stops working, there’s a chance that it was accidentally turned off. There are a few ways you can pause or turn off the ice maker, including:
To troubleshoot these, simply look for a physical on/off button on the ice maker and ensure it’s switched on, check the ice maker is turned on at the control panel, and make sure the feeler arm, which pauses ice production when the ice bin is full, can move freely and is not obstructed or stuck in the “off” position.
It goes without saying that if your Kenmore refrigerator is not receiving enough water, its ice maker cannot produce ice properly. However, there can be several reasons why this might be the case, with the most common being:
To check, start by pulling your fridge away from the wall so you can access the water line. Inspect the entire water line, ensuring it is properly connected to both the refrigerator at one end and the water supply valve at the other and that there are no kinks or blockages.
Next, check that the water supply valve is fully open and not shut off, meaning it should be turned counterclockwise (lefty-loosey) all the way.
Finally, if you have an old water filter that is due to be replaced, it could be clogged and inhibiting the water supply. In most Kenmore fridges, the water filter is located in either the top right or top left of the appliance or at the bottom of the door.
If you believe the water filter is over six months old or you are experiencing reduced water flow from the water dispenser or foul-tasting water, replace it with a new one.
Sometimes, part of the ice maker itself can become frozen, stopping it from working. There are a few common culprits, which include:
To troubleshoot these potential causes, follow these steps:
Many Kenmore refrigerators will not dispense water or ice when the freezer door is open. The door switch is the component that monitors whether the door is open and activates this feature. Therefore, if the door switch is faulty, it may send the signal that the door is open even when it isn’t.
You can check whether the door switch is working by pressing it manually when the freezer door is open. If the light goes out when you do this, it is working, if it stays on, it is faulty.
If you believe the door switch is faulty, you can replace it by following the steps below:
If you don’t feel comfortable carrying out this repair yourself or still haven’t been able to find the cause of your Kenmore ice maker not working, don’t hesitate to call in a professional to help you get your appliance fixed safely and promptly.
Disposing your refrigerator isn't as simple as throwing out the trash. There are dangerous chemicals…
Have you noticed water pooling on the kitchen floor around your freezer? Perhaps you’ve also…
There are several possible reasons why the ice maker in a Whirlpool refrigerator might stop…
It can be frustrating when your LG refrigerator stops making ice as it should. There…
Dealing with unpleasant odors in your refrigerator is always stressful, and fish smells might be…
It’s always stressful when you have an issue with your dishwasher—after all, no one likes…
Leave a Comment