Most people choose a quality refrigerator because they want something in their home that is going to be convenient with very few problems. Most refrigerators work quite well for many years and when problems do occur, they are typically easy to address.
If you have selected a Whirlpool refrigerator, then you likely are enjoying the many conveniences it has to offer. Not only do they keep food and beverages cold, but they also dispense both ice and water quickly and conveniently.
Of course, as is the case with any mechanical device, problems are always possible. That includes problems with your Whirlpool ice maker. If you are experiencing such difficulties, you will be happy to know that in most cases, the solution takes a matter of minutes and can easily be done by most homeowners.
If you do have a problem with your Whirlpool ice maker and it is beyond your ability to fix, then finding a qualified technician is your next step. There are technicians that are Whirlpool-specific, and they often provide the best choice for any repair. Handymen may be able to handle the situation, but it is a choice that you need to weigh carefully.
Below, we will take a look at some of the more common reasons why a whirlpool ice maker may be causing problems. It will cover issues such as no ice being made, the ice maker freezing over, not filling with water, or not freezing the water into ice cubes.
Whirlpool Ice Maker Not Making Ice
Most people tend to categorize the issues they are having with the whirlpool ice maker by simply saying it is not making ice. Although that may or may not be true, it is actually a number of complex issues that may be leading to the problem.
Generally speaking, a whirlpool ice maker will not stop making ice unless there is a specific problem leading to it. This could include the temperature of the freezer being set too low, the input tube freezing up, a motor being burned out or a sensor not operating properly. Most of these issues can be fixed easily by the homeowner.
Of course, it would be almost impossible to break down every situation that could lead up to an ice maker not creating ice. In some cases, you may even discover that ice is being generated but it is not being dispensed. You might also find that the issue could be corrected with a simple flip of a switch.
In order to look into why a Whirlpool ice maker is not making ice, we have considered a few of the more common issues that lead to this difficulty. You can look down through these issues and choose the one that most closely identifies the problem you are experiencing.
Whirlpool Ice Maker Keeps Freezing Up
There are a number of ways that a whirlpool ice maker may be freezing up and a number of reasons why it could be occurring. Here are some of the most common and how to fix or prevent them.
Freezer Set Too High
If the freezer temperature is set too high, there may be enough time for the ice to thaw temporarily and refreeze into a single block. This is an issue that is easy to correct.
In order to correct this problem, remove the frozen ice block from the ice bin or break it up with a wooden spoon or paddle. The idea is to start from scratch to determine if the temperature is set properly.
Reset the temperature a few degrees lower and see if it corrects the problem.
Heating Elements
Most homeowners are surprised to learn that the ice maker actually has a heating element associated with it. It isn’t to thaw the ice completely but rather, to thaw it enough that it will stay separated and eject from the ice maker effectively.
If the heating element is not working properly, it could heat the ice too much and cause it to thaw temporarily. If it thaws too much, then the moisture between the ice cubes would cause it to refreeze again.
Not Using the Dispenser Often Enough
If you are going days or perhaps weeks between using the ice dispenser, it will eventually freeze over into a solid mass. You may find that it works for a few days after you correct the issue, but then it refreezes again.
Ice makers were meant to be used and designed for continual use. It may just be a matter of using it more frequently. If you can get a cup of ice every day from the ice dispenser, it may help to keep the ice from freezing in the bin.
Damaged Seal
In some cases, the ice bin is going to be inside the refrigerator unit. This makes it convenient, especially when the freezer is on the bottom of the unit.
If a seal is not sealing properly, it can allow warmer air from the inside of the refrigeration compartment or from outside of the refrigerator to enter into the compartment that is kept at a colder temperature. This may allow the ice to thaw and refreeze into a larger clump.
You can check for this possibility by thawing everything completely and wiping down the dispenser door and seals surrounding the bin. Be cautious not to damage anything in the process.
Whirlpool Ice Maker Not Filling/Getting Water/No Water
In order to make ice, the Whirlpool ice maker needs a steady flow of water into it. This water that is coming into the ice maker is from the same source as the water that is dispensed in liquid form from the dispenser.
There may be a number of issues that could lead to an ice maker not filling because it is not getting water. Many of these issues can easily be corrected by the homeowner.
Clogged Filter
Most homeowners tend to ignore the warning that the filter needs replaced. Eventually, the warning will go away or it will just become a part of the refrigerator that we continue to ignore.
The problem is, if the filter gets clogged, especially in areas where hard water is a problem, it can keep the water from flowing. Most homeowners are surprised with how much extra water flows from the dispenser after the filter is replaced.
Whirlpool water filters are easy to access and change. You simply twist the filter, remove it and insert the new one. If that was the issue, you should see a change immediately.
Frozen Tube
The tube that enters the dispenser from the filtered water tank needs to remain open. If it becomes frozen or otherwise clogged, then the water is not going to enter the dispenser so ice cubes can be created.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on August 28, 2021.
If the tube is frozen, you can typically thaw it with a hairdryer within a matter of minutes. Be cautious not to use a heat gun, as you can damage the surrounding plastic and the tube itself. If it is clogged with debris, you may need to use a toothpick to remove the clog.
In order to keep the tube from freezing again, turn the temperature of the freezer up a few degrees. Bear in mind that it is a balancing act because if the freezer is too warm, then the ice will likely thaw slightly and freeze into a clump.
Bad Sensor
There are sensors in place that allow the ice maker to know if there is already too much ice in the bin. When the sensor is tripped, then no more water will flow into the ice maker and no additional ice will be made.
There may be a number of different types of sensors, including electronic eye, switch, and arm sensors. At times, it’s just a matter of manually flipping a switch, so to speak, and turning off the sensor that is stopping the water from flowing.
Whirlpool Ice Maker Not Freezing Water
If your ice maker is no longer freezing water into cubes or if the cubes are smaller than they used to be, there are a few things to check into.
Supply Line Clogged
The supply line needs to be flowing freely or the ice may not be produced as quickly as it should. In some cases, it could be a frozen supply line but even a kink in the line outside of the refrigerator could lead to this problem.
Defective Ice Maker
If it seems as if everything is in order but your ice maker is still not freezing water, it may be possible that the unit itself must be replaced.
Some homeowners will be able to make the replacement but it may also require the use of a qualified repair service. In addition, there may be times when specific parts can be ordered and replaced but at other times, the entire unit has to be ordered and replaced.
Having a Whirlpool ice maker that is not working properly is inconvenient, to say the least. There may even be times when it can be hazardous, such as if it is not freezing and water is leaking onto the floor under the refrigerator.
By addressing the issue as soon as possible and doing some simple troubleshooting, you can determine if it is an issue you can correct on your own or if further help is needed.
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Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on August 28, 2021.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on August 28, 2021.