Toaster’s toast. Blenders blend. Ice makers make ice. We expect our kitchen appliances to do what they are designed to do. When they do not work, it can be frustrating.
A Kenmore refrigerator ice maker will not work properly if the water supply line is pinched or clogged. This not only affects the quality of the water but also the water pressure. If the ice maker cannot detect water in the ice mold, it will not make ice.
If your Kenmore refrigerator’s ice dispenser is not working properly, or at all, this article will help you troubleshoot the issue. Some of the suggestions overlap but this will enable you to narrow down what the issue is. Some suggestions are simple and safe to do yourself, but others will require the services of a qualified Kenmore technician.
Kenmore Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Not Working
Few things in life are as annoying as going to the ice dispenser and nothing happens. Especially if you have been working outside on a sunny and humid day.
If your Kenmore refrigerator is not dispensing ice, check the temperature. If the temperature in the freezer is too warm, this will prevent the ice from forming. If the temperature is too low, water will freeze before it gets to the ice mold. Try adjusting the temperature accordingly.
Here are three other components that, if not working properly, will prevent the ice maker from not working properly.
The Condenser
The condenser is responsible for cooling down the extremely hot refrigerant vapor from the compressor and turning it into a liquid so it can be frozen into ice. Dirt, dust, grease, and hard water buildup will prevent the condenser from accurately sensing the temperature of the refrigerant and cooling it down.
Cleaning the condenser involves more than warm soapy water. Special cleaners and C02 tanks are needed to do the job properly. A Kenmore professional will be able to do the job safely and efficiently.
The Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve is an electronically controlled valve located on the back of the refrigerator. The valve opens to supply water to the water dispenser and ice maker. If the valve is faulty, this will prevent sufficient water flow to your Kenmore ice maker.
The Ice Maker Module
The icemaker module is located inside the ice maker and has sensors that monitor the temperature, water levels, and the on/off switch of the ice maker. If any of these sensors fail, the whole module becomes inoperative. Unfortunately, replacement parts are not available for the module. The only way to fix the module is to replace the entire ice maker
Kenmore Ice Dispenser Not Making Ice
Sometimes it is the simplest of reasons why the ice maker is not working. The first place to start is the signal arm. The arm can easily get bumped by objects in the freezer.
If your Kenmore ice dispenser is not making ice, make sure the singal arm on the ice bucket is in the correct position. If the arm is bent or broken this will also prevent the ice maker from working properly.
After checking the signal arm, if you continue to not have ice, check the water supply sources. Here are some items to troubleshoot the issue further.
Check The Filter
The filter is responsible for filtering out any debris and harsh chemicals in the water. If the filter becomes clogged, this will prevent water from making its way to the ice maker. Ideally, the filter should be changed every 6 months or sooner depending on the type of water in your area.
Check The Water Line
The water line is located behind the refrigerator. If the refrigerator gets pushed back too far, it is possible for the line to become pinched, or kinked. Simply pull the refrigerator away from the wall to check the hose.
Check the water line for frozen water. If there is frozen water in the line, you can use a hairdryer to thaw the water. Another option is to unplug the refrigerator until the line thaws.
Check The Water Inlet Valve
As mentioned before, the water inlet valve controls the water entering the refrigerator. If the valve is clogged or broken, water will not be able to enter the ice maker. It will also greatly affect the water pressure needed to reach the ice maker.
Kenmore Ice Maker Not Dispensing Ice
The advantage of having an ice dispenser is you don’t have to open the freezer door every time you want ice. The solution to the problem could be a simple one, or it may require a Kenmore technician to visit you.
If your Kenmore ice maker is not dispensing ice the problem could be something as simple as the door switch on the refrigerator. Another possibility is the heating element. If the ice is unable to come out of the ice mold, no ice will be in the dispenser.
Checking the door switch is the simplest of suggestions. The other reasons are more involved and will require a Kenmore technician to accurately diagnose the problem.
Door Switch
The door switch prevents ice or water from being dispensed while the refrigerator door is open. To test the door switch you will need a small bowl and possibly an extra set of hands. This one may be a two-man (or woman) job.
Step 1: Locate the switch on the inside of the refrigerator door.
Step 2: Hold the small container under the ice chute.
Step 3: Depress door switch
Step 4: Have the helper press the ice dispenser lever on the door.
If no ice comes out, the door switch may be defective. Since this repair involves opening up the frame of the refrigerator it would be best to leave this one to the Kenmore professionals to repair.
Faulty Dispenser Control Board
The control board is the brain of the operation. It controls the inner workings of your freezer and ice maker. If the control board is not working properly, it will stop supplying power to the dispenser.
Heating element
Yes, you read that correctly. There is a heating coil located underneath the freezing tray. When the ice is ready to be released from the mold, the heating coil warms up the ice tray just enough to loosen the ice cubes so they will release. If this element is not working, your ice will remain frozen in the mold.
Kenmore Ice Maker Freezing Up
This may seem like an oxy-moron – the ice maker freezing, but it is a real problem. We all want ice, just not all over the freezer.
If a Kenmore ice maker is freezing up, check the water supply pressure. If there is not enough water reaching the ice tray, the sensor will not detect that any water is in the tray. Water will continue to fill the ice tray, causing ice to continue building on itself and forming a large frozen mass.
If the freezer door does not seal completely, warm air will get inside the freezer, causing the ice to slightly thaw and then refreeze, forming a giant ice sculpture. You can check the seal of the freezer door by placing a sheet of paper in the door. If you can easily pull the paper out, this means the seal is not tight and needs to be replaced.
Kenmore Ice Maker Not Getting Water
Without water, you will not have ice. As you may have already noticed in reading this article, the recurring theme is to check the water supply line. This time is no different.
If your Kenmore ice maker is not getting water, the first place to check is the water supply line. Make sure the correct water line is being used to supply water to the ice maker. Also, check the water line for any kinks or debris that could impede water flow.
If the water supply line is not the issue, you can do a reset on the ice maker by following these steps:
Step 1: Remove the face cover plate on the ice maker. It should come off easily with a simple tug.
Step 2: Find the on/off switch.
Step 3: Turn off the ice maker
Step 4: Unplug the refrigerator for 3 to 5 minutes
Step 5: Plug in the refrigerator and turn on the ice maker.
Step 6: Replace the cover plate and wait.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on October 7, 2021.
Kenmore Ice Maker Not Turning
You have made sure water is flowing to the ice maker and the thermostat is at the correct temperature. You patiently wait a couple of hours for the first pieces of ice only to find out there is no ice in the ice bucket. Here are two reasons why your Kenmore ice maker is not turning.
Frozen Auger Motor
The auger is what rotates to push ice out into the ice bucket. If the ice maker has not been used for a long time, the cold temperature inside the freezer will cause the motor to freeze. You can force the motor to run and warm itself up but this is not recommended because you could do more harm than good by forcing it.
Sometimes water can get in behind the freezer wall, freezing the motor. This is a serious, and potentially expensive problem if not corrected. You will need to call a Kenmore service technician to diagnose the issue and do the repair.
Faulty Infrared Sensor
The infrared sensor sends out a continuous signal across the top of the ice bucket. When the ice reaches this signal, the ice maker automatically stops making ice. When the ice goes below the sensor, more ice is made.
If your Kenmore ice maker is not turning out ice, the infrared sensor could be faulty. The sensor will inaccurately detect ice when there is no ice. This will prevent the water supply valve from turning on to supply water to the ice maker. A Kenmore service technician is needed for this repair.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on October 7, 2021.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on October 7, 2021.