When it comes to food and drinks…
I love my steak medium-rare…
My fries crispy…
And my pizza piping-hot.
As for drinks…
Anything really cold.
That’s why I felt annoyed when my Samsung fridge couldn’t make ice.
Fortunately, it turned out to be easily fixable.
Continue reading to discover:
- 9 effective ways to fix your Samsung refrigerator’s ice maker.
- The number 1 cause that’s preventing your Samsung fridge from making ice.
- Ice maker-related error codes you may encounter and what they actually mean.
- And a lot more…
Why is my Samsung refrigerator not making ice?
Your Samsung refrigerator isn’t making ice due to ice buildup. When the ice maker’s frozen over, it won’t be able to produce and dispense ice. You may do a force defrost to fix this issue. You may also use a hair dryer to melt the ice buildup. Another effective fix would be to reset the ice maker.
Samsung refrigerator not making ice: 9 fixes
#1: Check for any ice buildup
Samsung refrigerators are among the best in the market.
But the one major complaint among owners is the ice maker. Apparently, that particular Samsung refrigerator component is the most prone to malfunctions.
In fact, many have already filed a lawsuit against Samsung due to defective ice makers.
But before thinking of filing one yourself…
Let’s try different approaches that are more straightforward.
Because, for the most part, you can easily troubleshoot ice maker problems.
And the number 1 cause of these problems is ice buildup. Where the ice maker’s completely frozen over.
This usually happens when you don’t dispense ice often.
Eventually, the ice maker’s ice would begin to fuse or form into clumps.
So check for any ice buildup.
You may remove the ice maker’s bucket so you can inspect the ice maker’s surface better.
Once you’ve confirmed that it’s an ice buildup issue…
The next step is to remove those chunks of ice.
There are 2 ways you can do that.
One is by force defrosting your Samsung refrigerator’s ice maker.
Another way is by using a hair dryer.
Pro tip: Before defrosting, place a cloth on the bottom of the ice maker. The cloth will be for catching the water from the melted ice. This will make it easier for you to clean up.
How to force defrost your ice maker
Step #1: Press and hold the Freezer and Lighting buttons for about 8 to 10 seconds.
The Freezer button’s in the top right. While the Lightning button’s in the middle left.
Step #2: Let go of the buttons once you hear a beeping sound.
Step #3: Select FD using the Lightning button.
The force defrost process should then begin.
It usually takes around 20 minutes to finish. And your refrigerator will beep continually while it’s ongoing.
How to defrost the ice maker using a hair dryer
Step #1: Set the hair dryer on Cool or Low Heat.
Note: Your Samsung refrigerator’s ice maker is made of plastic. If the air in your hair dryer’s too hot, it might damage the ice maker.
Step #2: Blow the hair dryer all over the ice buildup. Do this for around 10 to 20 minutes.
Step #3: Once the ice has melted enough, you may try to remove them manually.
Now I know a visual guide would also help.
So here’s a quick video on how to remove ice buildup using a hair dryer:
You might also like: Samsung Ice Maker Keeps Freezing Up: 9 Quick Fixes
#2: Ensure that the ice maker is on
Now if you’ve checked the ice bucket and there’s no ice at all…
It may very well be because the ice maker’s off.
It’s possible that someone from your household may have accidentally turned it off. Especially since all it takes is pressing a button.
So ensure that the ice maker’s on.
For most Samsung refrigerator models, you’ll find an Ice Off icon. If your refrigerator has that, turn it off by pressing it.
On the other hand, refrigerators with a top freezer have an Ice On icon. For this, you’d need to switch it on. Also by pressing the icon directly.
There are also models with dual ice makers. You’ll see 2 Ice Off icons. But only 1 button to control them.
If you own a refrigerator model like this, just keep pressing the button until both Ice Off icons are off.
And lastly, there are also what’s called the Family Hub models.
You’d need to go to the Fridge Manager app to turn on your ice maker for these refrigerators models.
Here’s how:
- Launch the Fridge Manager app on your phone.
- Select Fridge Settings.
- Select Ice Maker and toggle it on.
#3: Level your Samsung refrigerator
Something as simple as your refrigerator’s position can also cause many problems.
According to Samsung, a tilted refrigerator may encounter the following issues:
- Noise.
- Water leaks.
- Cooling problems.
- Shelf and door alignment issues.
And it’s also a possible cause of your refrigerator’s failure to make ice.
So take a good look at your refrigerator.
Ensure that it isn’t leaning one way. And that it’s perfectly level.
But if it’s slightly tilting, then you’ll have to make some adjustments.
And it’s actually easy to level your Samsung refrigerator.
Just make sure you have the following tools:
These are the steps on how to level your Samsung refrigerator:
Step #1: Place the leveling feet on top of your refrigerator. This is to check how much it’s tilting.
Step#2: Adjust the foot of your refrigerator. Particularly the side where it’s leaning towards.
For example, if it’s leaning left, adjust the left-side foot.
You may do that by turning the foot using your flat-head screwdriver.
Turning the foot clockwise will raise that side of your refrigerator.
Step #3: Check again using the leveling feet.
If your refrigerator’s still favoring one side, repeat Step #2. And keep adjusting until both sides are level.
#4: Check if there are problems with the refrigerator door
Another area to check is your refrigerator door.
Every time you open it, the ice production stops temporarily.
And the warm air from the outside makes it harder for your fridge to make ice.
So ensure that there’s no problem with the door. And that it closes properly.
Moreover, check the contents of your fridge. See to it that none of them are preventing the door from completely closing.
And make sure that you push the shelves and drawers properly.
Now, if it’s a door seal problem, check for any dirt or debris buildup.
Grimes can impact the door seal’s adhesive properties. You won’t be able to close your fridge at all when dirt accumulates around this area.
You may remove the dirt by wiping the seal with a dry cloth and warm water.
#5: Look for error codes
Error codes can also help you diagnose your Samsung fridge’s problems.
Sometimes, you might see your Samsung refrigerator blinking. Other times, you’ll see a code on the LCD display.
For ice maker issues, pay attention to the Ice Off icon.
Even if you’ve turned it off, you may see it blinking.
When that happens, it means there’s a problem with the ice bucket. Either the ice maker couldn’t detect it. Or you didn’t place the bucket correctly.
To fix that, remove the ice bucket. And then carefully reinsert it.
Another error that you may see on your fridge’s display: OFF OFF, OF OF, or O FF.
This means your refrigerator’s in a Cooling Off mode. Where your fridge completely shuts off its cooling system.
This mode will also prevent your refrigerator from making ice, among others.
To switch off the Cooling Off mode:
- Press and hold the top 2 buttons on the left side of your fridge.
- Wait until you hear a ringing sound.
- Let go of the buttons.
Afterward, check your fridge’s display. If you still see the Cooling Off error code, repeat all 3 steps.
Other ice maker-related error codes include:
- 8E.
- 14E.
- 39C.
- 39E.
Those refer to more serious issues. If you actually see any of those codes, jump to the Bonus section of this guide.
#6: Perform a power cycle on your refrigerator
A power cycle essentially means restarting your device. It helps fix many issues.
That’s why this is another fix you can do for your fridge’s ice maker problem.
How to power cycle your Samsung fridge
- Unplug your fridge from the power source.
- Wait for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Plug it back into the outlet.
Alternatively, you may also power cycle via your circuit breaker.
Just switch it off. And then switch it back on after around 10 minutes.
In addition, you may also reset your Samsung refrigerator through its buttons.
How to reset your Samsung refrigerator via the buttons
- Press and hold the Energy Saver and Lightning buttons.
- Wait for the LCD screen to blink.
- Let go of the buttons.
#7: Check if there are issues with the water line
The water line is what connects your Samsung fridge to your home’s water supply.
And if your refrigerator doesn’t get enough water, it’ll also struggle to produce ice.
So this is another component that you should check.
First, ensure that the water line’s connection to your fridge is secure. If you find any leaks, you should tighten the connection.
Also, see to it that the water supply valve’s on.
In addition, make sure that the water line’s hose isn’t bent or twisted. And that nothing’s obstructing the water flow.
Finally, check for any damages. And if you spot 1 or a few, you’ll need to replace the water lines.
But the good thing about water lines is they’re easy to replace.
Here’s how to do it:
- Shut off the water supply valve.
- Remove one end of the water line from the pipe clamp.
- Disconnect the other end from your fridge.
- Connect the new water line to the pipe clamp.
- Connect the other end to your refrigerator.
- Switch on the water supply valve.
#8: Replace the water filter
You also need to check your water filter in addition to the water line.
Sometimes, the poor water pressure from the water line is due to a clogged filter.
This happens when the filter has already accumulated too much debris.
Water filters are generally good to use for around 300 gallons of water. Which, on an average household, would be about 6 months of usage.
Beyond that, you should replace it.
These are the steps to replace your fridge’s water filter:
- Shut off your water supply.
- Remove the water filter’s cover.
- Twist the filter counterclockwise to unlock it.
- Remove the filter.
- Remove the new filter’s protective cap.
- Insert it into the filter housing.
- Twist the new filter clockwise to lock it in.
Note: You should only use official Samsung water filters for your fridge. Otherwise, your refrigerator’s filtration system might not work properly.
#9: Reset the ice maker
When none of the other fixes solved your ice maker problem…
You may opt to reset the ice maker itself.
And if you do this, do it only once per 24 hours. Performing a reset more often may cause more damage to your fridge.
Before resetting, ensure you know where the ice maker’s Test button is. You’ll need to press that to begin the reset process.
The Test button can be hard to find for many people. And it varies per refrigerator model.
If your ice maker’s on your top or bottom freezer, the Test button’s on the bottom of the ice maker.
And if you have a side-by-side freezer, the button’s on the ice maker’s right side.
Once you’ve found the Test button, proceed with these steps:
- Take out the ice bucket.
- Press and hold the Test button until you hear a ring.
- Place the ice bucket back inside the ice maker.
On average, resetting the ice maker should take around 5 to 7 minutes.
Then wait for 8 to 24 hours to see if this solves your fridge’s ice production issue.
Bonus: Contact Samsung for repair
If after resetting the ice maker, your fridge still isn’t producing ice…
Your Samsung refrigerator’s likely going to need some repair.
Samsung actually offers a 2-year warranty for ice maker-related issues. This includes parts replacements and labor.
You may chat with a Samsung agent via their website for more details.
In addition, you may also contact their tech support team at 1-800-SAMSUNG.