Informational Guide

Kitchenaid Ice Maker Not Working

by Ian Haynes

Ice makers are one of the most effective ways to keep you cool. KitchenAid is a brand with over 100 years of experience creating home appliances, and their ice makers have a good reputation with users as being durable. However, it’s important that you maintain your ice maker properly to get the most from it 

In this guide, we'll help you with KitchenAid ice maker troubleshooting so you can understand what the problem is and some tips on how to resolve the issue. 

If your KitchenAid ice maker stops working or starts to produce small or inconsistent quantities of ice, then there's something wrong. There's a variety of reasons this can happen, but we've made a list of the most common reasons so you can troubleshoot your device and try to resolve the issue: 

Kitchenaid

Ice Maker Not Turned On 

It's not always obvious that your KitchenAid ice maker isn't turned on. Within your device, there will be a thin wire shutoff arm that prevents any ice from being released. Make sure that this bar is turned to a downward position. When it's upright, the ice maker will shut off.  

Freezer Temperature Issues 

Your KitchenAid ice maker relies on the temperature within your refrigerator and freezer to work. The temperature of your refrigerator is controlled by an internal thermostat and needs to be set to under 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too high, or there’s an issue with your freezer's temperature, then your ice maker won't produce any ice. Try adjusting the thermostat to a lower setting, and if this doesn't work, get a professional to check your fridge.  

Clogged Water Filter 

If your KitchenAid ice maker has stopped working, then you should check the water filter. This filter is used to purify the water before it's turned into ice, removing any tiny dirt or impurities which can impact the ice quality. These filters aren't designed to last forever, and over time they will become blocked with dirt. This impacts the flow of water and can prevent your machine from making any ice.  

You can solve this problem by replacing your water filter. Turn off the electricity and the water supply first to do this safely. Remove the water filter cap and unscrew the current filter. Screw the new one in and close everything back up. More detailed information about this can be found in your KitchenAid user manual 

Frozen Water Line 

Your water line is used to transport water over the cooling coils to create the ice. Over time, this water line can become frozen and stop the machine from working. The best way to defrost this is using a hairdryer. Once the water line is defrosted, it will allow water to flow through your ice maker and get rid of any other unwanted frozen parts.  

Kinked Water Line 

If the supply of water is inconsistent, then ice will become smaller, irregular, or won't be produced at all. Your water line is found at the back of the ice maker and can become kinked. Straighten out the pipe to improve the water flow and get the ice maker working again.  

Faulty Water Inlet Valve 

Your inlet valve is the route water takes into your ice maker so it can be filtered and frozen. This opens and closes based on instructions from the control board, but if it's faulty, it could be getting too little or too much water in. If there's little or no ice being made, or you notice a leak around the inlet valve, then there's probably an issue. You will probably need to replace the valve by turning off the water supply, removing the connections with a plumber's wrench, and then attaching the new valve. This is relatively straightforward, but you may want to consult a professional if you are unsure.  

Sensor Not Working 

Your sensor is located in the ice bin within your ice maker. This detects how much water is in the bin and whether more ice needs to be added. If your sensor is faulty, then ice won't be created, and you won’t have any available when you need it. Open up your ice maker to check if it’s working correctly. If not, you’ll need to get a professional to come and look at the sensor and replace it.  

Leaking Ice Maker 

If water is leaking from your KitchenAid ice maker, it could mean that there’s not enough water available to make ice. It could also mean that your refrigerant is leaking, and it won't be cold enough to make ice. If you notice any stray water around the edges of your ice maker, then check the whole unit for any damage or cracks. If you can, fix them up, but if not, you may need to replace the whole machine.  

You can normally perform basic troubleshooting and repair work on your ice maker yourself, but for anything more complicated involving electrics, it's much safer to get a professional involved. KitchenAid generally offers a 1-year warranty on their products, so if a component stops working within this time, they should pay to replace it.  


Popular KitchenAid Ice Maker Models (Common Problems & Troubleshooting Tips) 

KitchenAid ice makers are all fairly similar, but there are some nuances to each. Knowing the common problems with your specific model can help save you time troubleshooting the problem and help you get the ice maker working again properly.  

One of the best things about KitchenAid refrigerators is that you can replace almost all of the components within them. This helps to save you money as you won't need to replace the whole unit very often. In addition, you can find most repair parts on the KitchenAid website, so once you've done your troubleshooting and found the issue, you can get the parts directly.  

KitchenAid KRMF706ESS01 

This KitchenAid refrigerator has a built-in ice maker with an LED control panel on the front and a lever for dropping ice directly into your glass. This type of ice maker works well and won’t break down too often, but the most common issue with the KitchenAid KRMF706ESS01 is linked to temperature. If your thermostat is set too high, or the ambient temperature of the room gets to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you won't get as much ice. It's worth keeping this ice maker and refrigerator in a cool room away from direct sunlight if possible.  

KitchenAid KFCS22EVMS8 

This refrigerator has a large built-in ice maker with a high-capacity ice bin. This allows you to store more ice and is well suited to larger households that might have a higher ice consumption. The most common issue with the KitchenAid KFCS22EVMS8 is the filter, and we've found that it needs to be replaced more often. You can pick up a replacement filter fairly easily and cheaply, and it’s simple to slot it in. Try to check your filter every 3-4 months to avoid any issues with your ice maker.  

KitchenAid KSRG25 

This KitchenAid fridge has an integrated water and ice dispenser designed to make life easier. We've found that there are a few issues with the internal freezing of the KitchenAid KSRG25, which impacts the machine's ability to provide cold water or ice at the touch of a button. To keep this running smoothly, you'll need to perform a few defrost cycles per year. Open up the ice maker and remove any visible ice that's built up on the pipes. Then, take a hairdryer and thaw the water intake pipe to help defrost the rest of the unit. This should help keep your fridge running correctly.  

KitchenAid KRFF507HPS 

This is another KitchenAid fridge with double French doors and an ice dispenser on the outside. The display and control screen is useful from a user perspective, but some issues can develop over time. The KitchenAid KRFF507HPS will work well for 5-10 years, but once things start to decline, it will impact the ice maker. Ensure you check for any leaking around the ice maker, as this might indicate your coolant is starting to leak. As your fridge gets older, you’ll need to carry out checks and maintenance more often to keep it running correctly.  

kitchen aid ice maker

How To Reset KitchenAid Ice Makers 

If the power trips in your kitchen, then your fridge will power down. When you turn it back on, you'll need to reset your ice maker in order to get it to cycle again. You'll also need to reset it whenever you turn it off or if there's a blockage in the machine you’re getting rid of.  

Start by checking that your wire switch is in the on position. There should be a light on the side of your ice maker just next to the filter reset button on the control panel. To reset the KitchenAid ice maker, you should hold this button down for 10-15 seconds until the light turns off. This will reset the fridge's system, and after waiting 30 seconds, you should press it again until it goes green.  

Remember to keep a close eye on this display as KitchenAid ice makers usually have a few different indicators to tell you what the problem is. This can save you a lot of time troubleshooting different issues.  


People Also Ask (FAQs)

Why is my KitchenAid refrigerator water dispenser not working but the ice maker is? 

If everything is working except the ice maker and the temperature is at the right level, the issue is usually with the air filter. Try to replace the filter and see if it starts producing ice again.  

How do I unfreeze a KitchenAid ice maker? 

If your KitchenAid ice maker is frozen, then the water intake pipe will be solid. Try to pinch the pipe, and if it won't move, you'll need to defrost it. Take a hot towel or your hairdryer, and direct it onto the intake pipe. This should help get the water flowing, which will defrost any other parts of your ice maker that may have got too cold.  

How do I test my KitchenAid ice maker? 

To test the resistance within a KitchenAid ice maker and whether there's enough power reaching the device, you can use a multimeter. Look for two motor jumper holes on the front of the ice maker underneath the panel and use the multimeter to measure the Ohms. The exact resistance you’re looking for should be found in your user manual. Make sure all power is off before you start any tests.  

How long do KitchenAid ice makers last? 

A KitchenAid ice maker should last 10-15 years if it’s properly maintained.  


Conclusion

KitchenAid is one of the market leaders for ice makers, and their machines are pretty resilient. From time to time you will encounter issues, but most of the time, you can troubleshoot and use the manual to diagnose the problem. Hopefully, this guide has provided some useful information and will help you fix your KitchenAid ice maker if it stops working.  

Ian Haynes is an expert writer who has successfully deployed over 500 plumbing pages and other related content. He has an excellent understanding of home plumbing issues and translates his experiences via Plumbing Lab so readers can have a better understanding of common household problems. Outside of his work, Ian likes exploring Brooklyn with his Labrador.

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