How to Fix a Kitchenaid Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working

Ice makers are great for having a convenient and consistent supply of ice. However, occasionally they can fail to work properly. Fortunately, if your Kitchenaid ice maker is not working, our guide is here to help you troubleshoot the most likely causes. In most cases, a defective ice maker is caused by a defective water inlet valve. However, it can also be caused by some more simple-to-fix issues, such as a frozen water supply tube or the freezer temperature being set too high.

Keep reading to fix your Kitchenaid refrigerator ice maker.

This guide applies to most Kitchenaid refrigerator models, including the following:

4KFRF19MTW00

4KSRF22DTW00

4KSRF36DTX1

4KSRF36DTX2

4KSRF42DTX2

4KSRS22QAA01

KBFS20EVMS13

KBFS22EWMS9

KFCS22EVMS4

KFCS22EVMS8

KRFC300ESS01

KRFC302ESS00

KRMF706ESS00

KRMF706ESS01

KRSC503ESS00

KRSF505ESS00

KSC24C8EYY02

KSCS25FKSS02

KSCS25INSS00

KSCS25INSS01

KSF26C4XYY03

1. Check the temperature

Kitchenaid recommends that the freezer temperature be set to zero and the refrigerator temperature be set to 37 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too warm or cold, the ice maker will not be able to make ice. The refrigerator or freezer can be adjusted 5 degrees, either way, to fix problems with the ice maker not making proper ice cubes, an ice blockage in the water supply tube, or a frozen tray of ice.

2. Check the water supply line

One of the easiest fixes for an ice maker that does not work is to make sure the water is turned on and that the water supply line is connected. The water supply line connects to the refrigerator’s water inlet valve.

If the water line is connected to the water inlet valve, the valve itself may be defective, which is discussed below. Also discussed below, the ice maker requires at least 20 lb of water pressure per square inch to work properly.

3. Check the water inlet valve

The water inlet valve should open when the ice maker requires water. However, over time the water inlet valve can either fail electrically or the valve can become blocked with mineral deposits, which do not allow the valve to open correctly.

If the water inlet valve is blocked with mineral deposits, it will usually make a humming noise, but the ice maker will not receive any water. A mineral deposit blockage usually means the water inlet valve needs to be replaced, as trying to clear the blockage usually fails to provide a long-term fix for the problem.

Like a mineral deposit blockage, if the water inlet valve fails electrically, it will need to be replaced rather than attempting to repair it. An electrical fault usually occurs when the valve’s solenoid coils burn out. To check if the water inlet valve has failed electrically, the valve needs to be tested with a multimeter for continuity (a continuous electrical path). If the valve does not have continuity, it will need to be replaced to fix the ice maker problem.

4. Check the water pressure

As mentioned above, for your Kitchenaid refrigerator ice maker to work correctly, it requires a minimum of 20 psi to function properly. The water pressure can be checked by removing the water supply line from the water inlet valve and checking for a strong flow of water while holding the waterline over a bucket. A water pressure gauge can also be purchased and used for a more accurate check of the water pressure.

5. Check for a frozen water supply tube

The water supply tube provides water for the ice maker. Sometimes, an ice blockage can form in the tube, which prevents the ice maker from working. You should be able to see the water supply tube in the ice maker, and if it has an ice blockage, a hairdryer set to a low heat can be used to defrost the ice and get the ice maker working again.

Note that a frozen water supply line is usually caused by a faulty water inlet valve or the freezer temperature being set too low.

6. Does the water filter need to be changed?

The water filter in a Kitchenaid refrigerator should be changed every 6 months. If the water filter is not changed during this time the filter becomes clogged, which prevents the ice maker from working correctly. Making sure to change the water filter every 6 months will help prevent ice maker problems from occurring.

7. Is there ice buildup on the evaporator coils?

The evaporator coils are usually located in the back of the freezer with the evaporator fan. If there is a lot of frost buildup over the evaporator coils, the freezer can struggle to reach the temperature it needs to ensure the ice maker works correctly.

Ice buildup is usually caused by a faulty heater, defrost thermostat or cold temperature thermostat. These components can be checked with a multimeter for continuity to determine if they need to be replaced.

Ice buildup on the evaporator coils can be removed by defrosting the freezer or by applying a low heat from a hairdryer. If using a hairdryer to defrost ice buildup, be careful not to damage any components by applying too much heat.

8. Has the ice maker been turned off?

It may seem too simple, but many people do not realize their ice maker has an On/Off switch. The On/Off switch on a Kitchenaid refrigerator ice maker is usually located on the top right side of the freezer. Kitchenaid refrigerator ice maker models that have a wire shutoff arm can be turned off by lifting the arm or turned on by lowering it.

Make sure the ice maker is turned on before accessing components like the water inlet valve or door switch.

9. Check the door switch is not defective

Kitchenaid refrigerators have a door switch inside the freezer and refrigerator compartments that turns off the water and ice dispenser when the refrigerator door is open. If the ice maker is not receiving water because of a faulty door switch incorrectly telling the refrigerator that the door is open, the door switch will need to be replaced to get the ice maker working again.

Both door switches can be checked by opening the doors and looking to see that the light comes on. If the light does not come on, the door switch likely needs to be replaced.

Leaving either door open should also trigger an alarm, but this will depend on the model. If there is no alarm when the door is left open, it also indicates a faulty door switch.

The door switch is typically located in the top left corner of the refrigerator, but its location can vary depending on the model. The door switch can be tested with a multimeter for continuity to determine if it needs to be replaced. If you have determined that the door switch has failed, it can be removed with a putty knife, and a new door switch can be installed relatively easily.