Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Making Ice, but Water Works

Ice is an essential commodity for every household. Who wouldn’t want to use cold and refreshing ice in their drinks or on a hot summer day? However, what if your Whirlpool refrigerator isn’t making ice but still dispensing water? 

A problem like this can be frustrating, but with a little effort, it can be fixed at home. In this article, we’ll discuss why your Whirlpool refrigerator isn’t making ice and how to fix it.

Check the Water Supply

Before jumping into anything else, make sure that your refrigerator is receiving water from the source. Verify if the water supply valve is open and allowing free flow of water into the machine. 

If the water supply valve is not open, open it completely to check if the water begins to flow to the refrigerator.

Ensure the water pressure is high enough (20 psi or higher) to allow the water to reach the ice maker.

Check the Temperature

Many a time, the freezer or refrigerator temperature can adjust with a mind of its own. If the freezer is too warm, the ice maker will not make ice properly. It can even freeze itself due to the constant heating and cooling of the freezer compartment. 

If the freezer is too cold, the ice maker components can frost over and eventually freeze.

The chill can even spread to the water line, freezing the water before it even gets to the ice maker.

Ensure the thermostat for the freezer is set to 0°F, and the refrigerator temperature is somewhere in the range of 33-40°F.

If the freezer is too cold and the ice build-up is very thick, consider defrosting your freezer.

Make Sure the Ice Maker Is Not Frozen

If your Whirlpool refrigerator isn’t making ice, the issue might be with the ice maker itself. To check this, pull out and inspect the ice maker. 

Look for any signs of frost build-up or an accumulation of snow or thick ice in the area where the water enters the unit. If you find such a build-up, thaw the ice maker by running hot water over it. 

If the water line itself is frozen, you will need to call a repair technician.

Remember, the ice maker should be free of any frost or ice accumulation to work properly. 

Clean the Ice Maker

The blockage in the ice maker can be the main reason it isn’t making ice. The ice maker can freeze over time or become clogged with a build-up of ice and frost. Check if the ice maker’s assembly has an accumulation of ice, debris, or any other obstructing material.

If the answer is yes, clean it with a soft cloth, hot water, and mild soap if it has gotten too dirty. If the obstruction is severe, it’s best to replace the entire ice maker assembly.

Check the Ice Maker’s Sensor

The ice maker’s sensor is responsible for signaling the machine to start making ice. However, the sensor can sometimes become dysfunctional, which could lead to the machine not making ice. You can try resetting the sensor by unplugging the refrigerator and then plugging it back in after a few minutes.

Other models have an ice maker control arm to sense the level and need for more ice production. Over time, this arm can become misaligned, and the ice maker will stop making ice.

Check for Clogs

Either as a product of too much ice or a wayward ice cube, blockages can occur.

Ice can freeze into a large clump in the bin, preventing the augur from turning and creating more ice.

Other times, a lost ice cube can fall incorrectly and clog the dispensing chute. Check the bin and chute for ice chunks, and remove them. You may also want to consider letting your freezer defrost naturally to give your ice maker a chance to break through the ice and free itself. Or you can break down these clumps by hand, using a kitchen spoon or spatula to free up the ice chute.

Check the Water Filter

Water filters are an essential component of modern refrigerators that help ensure that the water and ice are clean, fresh, and safe. If your water filter is clogged, it can cause the ice maker to stop working. 

To fix this, remove the filter from the refrigerator and replace it with a fresh one. You can order a replacement filter through the manufacturer’s website.

Replacing your water filter will vary on your model, but the instructions are as follows.

1. Locate the filter housing, either at the top right corner of your refrigerator or along the bottom left of the base grille.
2. Access the filter by opening the filter housing door or pressing the eject button.
3. Remove the filter by pulling, lifting, or twisting as your model requires.
4. Discard the old filter, and open the new one. Remove the protective coverings around the o-rings, but make sure the o-rings themselves are intact.
5. Insert the filter into its slot. Do not force the filter, but gently twist it until it slots into place. 
6. Close the housing.
7. Run four gallons of water through the new filter to flush out the system and remove any impurities.

A fridge that isn’t making ice can be frustrating, but it’s a problem that can be solved with a little effort. From water supply to ice maker sensors, there are several possible reasons why your Whirlpool refrigerator isn’t making ice. 

However, with the steps outlined above, you can solve the problem yourself without calling a professional. 

So, next time your Whirlpool refrigerator isn’t making ice, try out these fixes before seeking professional help. It’s possible that you can save yourself a great deal of money and effort.