GE Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Won’t Work/Stop/Open/Close

Some models of GE refrigerators come with an ice dispenser to make cooling down your drinks more convenient. The touch panel manages the dispenser and will release ice at the user’s command. But what should you do if your GE refrigerator’s ice dispenser isn’t working right?

If the ice dispenser in your GE refrigerator won’t work, there’s a problem with the control board or the solenoid. These pieces wear down over time or can become damaged during an electrical failure. Luckily, you can repair a fault ice dispenser at home with a screwdriver.

This article will explain why your GE refrigerator’s ice dispenser isn’t functioning correctly and what you can do to fix it.

GE Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Not Working

The most common reason for a failure in your ice dispenser is a damaged control board. A faulty control board can’t supply the dispenser with sufficient power for it to function. Therefore, replacing the dispenser control board will solve this problem.

Follow these steps to service your control board:

Power down the refrigerator. Disconnect it from the socket too.
Find the control board. The control board for your ice dispenser may be located right behind the touch panel.
Where applicable, remove the touchpad that controls the ice dispenser.
Remove the panel surrounding the dispenser control board with a screwdriver.
Examine the control board. Check for burns and bad wiring. Additionally, you can test the board with a multimeter for continuity.
Remove the cables that connect to the damaged control board. Dispose of the broken piece.
Connect the cables to the replacement board. Your particular model may leave out some wires, and this is normal.
Cover the board. Replace the screws.
Turn on the fridge. Test the ice maker.

In most cases, this will solve the problem. However, replacing the dispenser control board at home could void your warranty, so consult your user manual before attempting this project.

GE Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Won’t Stop

An ice dispenser that continuously produces ice has a broken motherboard or a damaged touchpad control. A broken motherboard will also interfere with the other standard functions of your refrigerator. If the ice dispenser is malfunctioning along with other components, call a technician to replace the motherboard for you.

On the other hand, if the touchpad control malfunctioned, you can replace this part at home. When the control pad breaks, it can send messages to your ice dispenser to permanently stay on. Use a multimeter to test the control before trying to replace it.

Once you’ve found the right replacement piece, use these steps to repair the fountain control:

Release the touchpad.
Unfasten the three clips hidden at the bottom of the board.
Disconnect any wires connected to the board.
Attach the wires to the replacement.
Mount the new board onto the appropriate clips.

If this approach is unsuccessful, then the main control board needs repair. Contact a GE technician to test the board and order a replacement, if necessary.

Alternatively, you can follow the at-home guide. This approach should restore normal functions to your board once again.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 24, 2021.

GE Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Motor Not Working

If the ice dispenser’s motor has broken down, you may need to replace the auger motor or the dispenser actuator to correct the problem.

The auger motor is responsible for spinning the blades in your dispenser; thus, the dispenser won’t release ice when this breaks. For older refrigerators, the engine may burn out from usage. However, something as simple as a blackout can also cause your motor to fail.

Before calling a repairer, you can test the motor at home to discover if it’s the source of your problem. To check the motor, remove the ice bucket and turn the roller by hand. If the roller spins easily, the final step is to use a multimeter and check its power.

If the multimeter shows a lack of continuity, ask a professional to replace the motor. Otherwise, the dispenser actuator is the problem. In either case, you must contact a maintenance specialist to fix this issue.

GE Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Slow

Your GE ice dispenser will run slowly if:

The freezer’s temperature is too high. Decrease the temperature to around 0 to 2° F (-17.78 to -16.67° C).
Your water filter is clogged. Check the filter and replace it if necessary.
Your fridge is empty or has little food. Place more items in the refrigerator to stabilize it and increase ice production.

When your dispenser is working slowly, you don’t need to call a technician. Try these above methods first.

GE Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Not Working But Ice Maker Is

If your ice dispenser stops working, but the water is still being released, there may be ice stuck in the chute, or there’s frost on the auger motor.

To remove any obstructions stopping the ice, push a stick down the chute from the inside of your refrigerator. This method will release any jammed debris and allow the ice to dispense freely.

If this doesn’t work, you have to melt the ice that’s freezing your auger motor. Select the cubed ice option on your dispenser. Afterward, hold the release paddle at the front of your refrigerator for one minute. The dispenser should begin working now.

When these fail, schedule a service for your refrigerator immediately.

GE Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Flap Not Opening

When the ice dispenser’s flap isn’t opening, there’s likely a broken cable in the refrigerator. The wire harness that controls the flap is positioned under the fridge’s bottom or near the top door hinge cover. It’ll be a black wire that leads into the freezer door.

Test the wire with a multimeter to confirm whether it works or not. If damaged, replace the wire to restore the flap’s normal functions.

GE Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Door Not Closing

An ice dispenser that doesn’t automatically close its door has a broken solenoid. Replacing the solenoid takes less than an hour and can be done at home using these steps:

Remove the touchpad assembly with your hands. Alternatively, you can pry it off with a screwdriver.
Use a hand-held drill or a screwdriver to remove the four screws in each corner.
Remove the housing. The ice dispenser door and the solenoid will be visible. The solenoid is the black box next to the flap.
Unscrew the two bottom screws securing the solenoid.
Lightly unscrew the top screws that secure the metal part. Don’t take these screws out.
Lift the ice dispenser door.
Pull the solenoid out.
Install the new solenoid. Ensure that you raise the flap before doing this.
Insert the top portion of the solenoid onto the available lever.
Tuck the top left portion of the solenoid under its appropriate screw.
Replace the bottom screws. Tighten the top one as well.
Position the housing back in place.
Secure the screws but don’t overtighten them. Tight screws will crack the housing.
Plug the wires back into the touchpad and secure it.

How To Fix Ice Dispenser on GE Refrigerator

The General Electric company provides instructions on how to reset the ice dispenser in most models. For many, a reset is all you need to fix a broken dispenser. Follow these steps:

Switch the ice maker off; the power switch is near the icebox inside the refrigerator.
Wait 14 seconds.
Rapidly press the dispenser paddle four times.
Wait three minutes for the ice rake to turn and the ice mold to fill with water.

Afterward, you can turn on your ice maker, and it should function normally.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 24, 2021.

How To Fix Ice Dispenser Door on GE Refrigerator

The ice dispenser door will break due to corrosion and normal wear and tear. To repair the door, follow these steps:

Disconnect power to the refrigerator.
Remove the escutcheon from around the dispenser, if applicable. Pull along the side and remove the plastic tabs; there should be about eight tabs.
Pry the control panel off with your fingers or a screwdriver.
Disconnect the wires. Tug at the plastic piece and not the cables themselves to avoid damage.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws that secure the door’s housing.
Lift the housing off of the opening. This will expose the ice dispenser door.
Unmount the door from its plastic clips.
Install the new door. Make sure the tabs are pointing to the top.
Replace the housing. Fasten the screws and be careful not to overtighten them.
Replace the control panel. Reconnect any wires that you removed.
Fasten the escutcheon. Align it properly and snap the tabs into position.