One common problem for Frigidaire refrigerators is when the ice maker stops working but the water dispenser still works or works slowly. If this happens to your refrigerator, don’t worry!
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Frigidaire Ice Maker Not Working: Causes and Solutions
There are a few possible causes and solutions to get your ice maker working again.
Check that the Ice Maker Switch is Turned On
If the ice maker in your fridge isn’t working, make sure that the ice maker switch is turned on. This switch sometimes gets turned off by mistake, so that’s usually the first thing that you should check. If the switch is on but the ice maker still isn’t working, use an Ohm meter to check the switch for continuity. If there’s no continuity, then you might have to replace the switch.
Freezer Temperature Above 10 Degrees F (-12 C)
If your ice maker stops working, one thing that you should do is check the temperature of the freezer. If it’s above 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius), then the ice maker won’t work as expected. It functions best when the freezer temperature is between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -15 degrees Celsius).
If the freezer temperature is too high, check to ensure that the condenser coil is clean and the condenser fan is working properly. Also, check the evaporator coil for frost. If there’s too much frost build-up, it can prevent air from circulating through the coil properly. In that case, you’ll have to inspect the defrost components for failure.
Faulty Door Seal
A faulty door seal is one of the most common causes of an unstable temperature in your fridge. In absence of a proper seal, warm air can seep into the fresh food door, throwing off the sensor that controls the temperature.
This causes the compressor to run overtime to maintain the expected 37-degree temperature for fresh food, which in turn causes the freezer temperature to fall well below zero. This can freeze the tip of the water tube that provides the ice maker with water, and ultimately cause your fridge to malfunction.
It’s important to understand that for the correct door suction and sealing, the doors should be self-closing. This way, their own weight helps maintain the seal. Also, the legs or leveling rollers should be adjusted to tilt the appliance back slightly. When the correct seal, the defrost cycles will thaw the water tube within 24 hours and ice making process will start.
Law Water Pressure and Clogged Filter
In addition to freezer temperature and faulty door seal, a Frigidaire ice maker not working could be due to a clogged water filter. So consider changing the water filter. If the ice maker is still not functioning, then it could be that the water pressure in your house is too low. The water inlet that delivers water to the ice maker is meant to work with a minimum of 20 psi of water pressure.
Faulty Water Inlet Valve
If the ice maker in your fridge isn’t working, another cause could be that the water inlet valve is defective. Note that the water inlet valve is an electrically-controlled mechanical valve that opens to deliver water to the ice maker. If this water inlet valve is faulty, or if it doesn’t have enough pressure, it won’t allow water to flow through. And consequently, the ice maker won’t make ice.
To ensure that the valve is functioning properly, the water pressure to the valve must be at least 20 psi. If there’s sufficient water pressure, get a multimeter and check for power continuity to the water inlet valve. If the water inlet valve has sufficient pressure and is receiving power, but the ice maker isn’t filling with water, then it means the water inlet valve is the problem and requires a replacement.
Faulty Door Switch
In case your Frigidaire ice maker is not functioning, the door switch might be the problem. The freezer door switch does two things when the freezer door is opened: it switches on the freezer light and shuts off the ice maker and dispenser.
Therefore, if the door switches malfunctions or becomes faulty, the dispenser won’t operate. You can check the switch for continuity with an Ohm meter. If it doesn’t have continuity, then you will have to consider a replacement.
Faulty Maker Assembly
Another common reason why a Frigidaire ice maker is not working is that the icemaker assembly is defective. Note that there are several components in the control module of the ice maker that can fail and most of them can’t be bought separately.
Moreover, ice makers don’t usually last very long, so it might not be worth fixing it. In case other parts like the shut-off arm or water inlet valve or shut-off arm have been ruled out, and the only thing left is the ice maker itself, then you might have to replace the entire unit.
Ice Level Control Board
A malfunctioning ice level control board may cause a Frigidaire ice maker to stop working. The fridge’s infrared light beam detects ice in the bucket. The beam interrupts as the ice level rises, shutting off the ice producer. As ice is used and drops below the beam, the ice maker restarts. However, a broken ice level control board will stop the ice maker from creating new ice.
Ice Maker Mold Thermostat
If you find that the ice maker isn’t working, there might be something wrong with the ice maker mold thermostat. This thermostat is located inside the control module of the ice maker, and its purpose is to monitor the temperature of the ice mold (or ice tray).
Once the mold reaches the optimal temperature, the ice maker should start a harvest cycle by ejecting the ice cubes and refilling them with water. If the mold thermostat is faulty, then the ice maker won’t advance to this stage. You can check the thermostat for continuity using a multimeter, and replace it where necessary. Keep in mind that for optimum performance, the freezer temperature should be between 0-5 degrees.
