Whirlpool ice maker making ice but not dumping

Having ice ready whenever you want or need it is a luxury we all take for granted, that is, until you reach to get some ice from the freezer and there is none.

Ice makers fail. It's an unfortunate reality of owning a refrigerator with an ice maker.

On the bright side, ice makers are also relatively simple machines that, for the most part, all operate the same way. And you may be able diagnose and repair a faulty ice maker yourself before forking over cash for an expensive service call.

Here's how to fix some common ice maker problems.

When ice is not ejecting

If you find ice inside the ice mold, it means your ice maker is receiving water and the problem likely isn't with the water supply. Instead, it's most likely a mechanical or electrical problem.

Cause: When moving things around in the freezer, it's not uncommon to accidentally nudge the control arm into the off position, which halts production of ice.

Fix: This is an easy fix. Locate the metal control arm and move it to the down or on position.

Cause: If the control arm is in the on (down) position and the mold is filled with ice, the problem likely lies with the motor, gearbox or electrical connection.

Fix: Start by making sure all electrical connections are properly seated. Slide the refrigerator out from the wall, turn off the water supply valve and disconnect it from power. Locate the quick release plug on the back wall inside the freezer. Unplug the connection it and reconnect it to ensure it's fully connected.

Manually remove any remaining ice from the mold by adding some water and letting it sit for a minute. The ice will begin to melt and should be easier to remove.

Restore power to the refrigerator and lift the control arm to the off position. Lower the control arm back down and wait for approximately 10 seconds for the solenoid to engage and fill the mold with water.

Wait three to four hours for the ice to freeze and see if the ice now ejects. If not, it's likely that you will need to replace the motor or gearbox.

When it's not making ice at all

If your ice maker isn't producing ice at all or is producing crescents or cubes that are smaller than usual, it's typically indicative of a clog somewhere along the supply line.

Cause: A common cause for a clog is frozen water in the line.

Fix: To repair a frozen line, slide the refrigerator and unplug it. Locate the shut-off valve, typically underneath the sink or behind the refrigerator. Turn the valve to the closed or off position. Fill a turkey baster with warm water and pour the water over the water line. Alternatively, you can defrost the water line with a hair dryer or by letting the refrigerator sit unplugged for upward of two hours.

Restore power to the refrigerator and listen for the water supply to fill the ice mold.

If the clog is anything but translucent, consult with a professional for help removing the clog.

Cause: There is also a possibility that the water filter for the ice maker is clogged.

Fix: Locate and replace the water filter. Filters for ice makers are typically located inside the refrigerator (to keep them from freezing).

When cubes are too big or small

Cause: If the ice crescents are too big or there is no clog and they're still too small, chances are, the ice maker just needs a little adjustment.

Fix: To adjust how much water the ice mold is filled with each cycle, first remove the cover from the ice maker. It's the white plate on the frontmost part of the ice maker assembly and it should pull off rather easily. If you're having difficulty removing it, use a flat head screwdriver to gently pry it away from the housing.

Under the cover, you should see a screw and spring assembly, along with a plus and minus indicator. This controls the dosing for water. Screw in (toward the minus symbol) to decrease the amount of water per dose and out (toward the plus) to increase the amount of water per dose.

Nothing is worse than opening your freezer on a hot day and finding your Whirlpool French door refrigerator not dispensing ice. We’ve come to rely on our refrigerator ice maker, so it’s frustrating when we see our ice maker not working.

Before you call in the professionals, there are several common reasons you can check yourself to see why your Whirlpool ice maker not making ice.

Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator Not Dispensing Ice – Top 4 Reasons

There are many reasons why an ice maker won’t work. It’s hard to know where to start, but we made this guide of ice maker troubleshooting tips to help you find the answer:

Ice Crusher Blades Jammed

What it Does: A common cause for a Whirlpool ice maker not working is jammed ice crusher blades. If your refrigerator has a crushed ice option, then its dispenser system will have these blades.

How to Fix it: Check the blades to see if they are jammed with ice. If so, pour warm water over them until the ice melts. However, if the blades are damaged or broken, they will need replacement.

Ice Maker Auger Motor Burned Out

What it Does: If you find your ice maker making ice but not dumping, check the auger motor. This part is responsible for pushing ice through the system and into the ice bucket.

How to Fix it: Check to see if your Whirlpool ice dispenser auger won’t turn. If it moves freely, the motor may not be functioning correctly. Use a multimeter to test the power supply to the auger. The auger motor needs to be replaced if it’s getting power but not working.

Ice Dispenser Switch Off or Defective

What it Does: Multiple switches send power to the ice dispenser. A failed switch leads to a Whirlpool ice maker is not working.

How to Fix it: Test each switch with a multimeter. If one doesn’t have continuity, replace the switch.

Dispenser Control Board Failure

What it Does: The dispenser control board manages most of the ice dispenser systems. If it fails, you’ll find your Whirlpool French door refrigerator ice maker not dispensing ice.

How to Fix it: Before determining a control board failure, check each ice dispenser component with a multimeter. A single part failure is more likely to happen. However, if the entire ice maker is not working, then the control board is likely the cause and will need replacement.

If you still have a Whirlpool French door refrigerator ice maker not dispensing ice, contact Service Care today for your ice maker repair.

Why is my Whirlpool ice maker not dumping ice?

Why is my ice maker making ice but not dispensing?

How do I get my ice maker to dump ice?

How do I force my Whirlpool ice maker to cycle?