Kenmore, the name literally says it all. If you ever want to know about a brand then I would highly suggest you look at its users’ experience. Happy customers mean the brand is a trustworthy one. However, if the customers are not happy then it means the brand is not doing justice. But along with this, you have to consider other factors as well because the brand name is not enough. Keep this thing in mind that not everything is perfect. If you really want to purchase any appliance and have a good experience with it then you have to understand that not everything is perfect. Even the brand which is famous among all will cause some issues for you.
Keeping this thing into consideration, if your Kenmore refrigerator ice maker isn’t working then you don’t have to panic as there are some fixes that you can apply in order to solve the problem. Just stay with me till the end in order to find out more.
Why Kenmore Refrigerator Ice Maker isn’t working?
Your Kenmore refrigerator ice maker isn’t working due to the following reasons. I highly recommend you to go through every mentioned reason below and try to find out its relevant fix.
- Faulty Water Inlet Valve
- Clogged/Blocked Water Filters
- Defective Ice Maker
Kenmore Refrigerator Ice Maker Troubleshooting Guide
Most commonly there are only three reasons which restrict your refrigerator’s ice maker from working properly. I will be explaining each and every troubleshooting step properly so make sure you follow it thoroughly.
1. Faulty Water Inlet Valve
Water inlet valve is an important part of your refrigerator. It is connected directly to the water supply of your household. If you want to know its exact placement then it would be at the back of your fridge. The working of this component is controlled electrically. The process cycle takes place like this; whenever the ice maker needs water the fridge will trigger open the valve and let the water flow on. After there is sufficient water, the fridge will close the valve automatically.
Possible Faults
There is no guarantee of the water valve as it can fail mechanically as well as electrically. If we talk about the latter one then the valve can get clogged or corroded. Because of this corrosion the valve might open partially or not at all. Consequently, the ice maker will receive no water and there will be no ice as well. In case the valve has experienced a short circuit, it will not work even if the fridge signals it to do so.
Solution
Unfortunately, there is no solution other than simply replacing the faulty water inlet valve. If you want to carry out the process on your own then do follow the below mentioned steps.
- Water supply should be off
- Make sure to detach the inlet valve from the hose properly
- Remove the panel and access the valve
- Make sure to remove all the wire connections which are connected to the valve
- Now it is time to replace the old valve with a new one
- Attach the wires in the same way as they were
2. Clogged/Blocked Water Filters
In order to understand this particular issue, it is important to know how the water travels from the valve into the fridge. As soon as the water reaches the fridge, it has to pass through a water filter. The core and sole purpose of water filters is that they remove all the impurities from the water and make it safe to drink. Once the water is perfectly cleaned, it will flow into the maker.
Possible Faults
Water filters remove the impurities present in the water. Now imagine what would happen if these filters become faulty? Of course, the water will stay impure and there will be impurities present inside it. It is common for the filters to become clogged or blocked with the passage of time. As a result, no water means no ice.
Solution
If you have purchased the water filters recently then there is no need to replace them. You can simply clean them properly so they can work efficiently. However, if the filters have completed their life i.e. 6 or more months then it is important to get them replaced.
- Make sure the water supply is OFF
- Find the water filters
- On success, you need to remove the old filters
- Replace them with the new ones
- Run a test cycle in order to see whether the problem exists or not
3. Defective Ice Maker
The third and last phase of the process involves an ice maker. First the water will flow from the valve into the fridge. Then the water will be cleaned on passing through the filters, at last the water will reach the ice maker compartment. This is where the ice-cube tray will be filled with water. The temperature in this compartment is below freezing temperature so that the ice cubes can be produced. Once the tray has successfully produced the ice cubes, they are ejected into the storage bin. This process cycle gets repeated every single time.
Possible Faults
There are multiple possibilities which one might consider in this area. Firstly, the compartment might fail to sense the ice cubes production. In case this happens then the next batch of the ice cubes will not be produced. Moreover, the ejecting arm which is responsible for ejecting the ice cubes into the tray might become faulty. Last but not the least, the ice maker can also experience a short circuit.
Solution
If you are considering getting the ice maker replaced then follow the below mentioned steps.
- Make sure to turn off the refrigerator
- Then shut off the water supply as well
- Empty the fridge compartment to make it spacious
- Unscrew the ice maker bolts
- Pull out the maker carefully
- Remove all the attached wires
- Take the new ice maker and replace it with the old one
- Make sure to join the connections as they were before
- Once done, check whether the issue still exists or not
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q – How do you unfreeze a Kenmore ice maker?
A – First, prepare a solution of vinegar and water. Use this solution to clean the pipes. If the water line is blocked with frozen water then defrost it by using a hair dryer. Hold the dryer 6 inches above the water line.
Q – How long does it take a Kenmore ice maker to make ice?
A – Unlike your refrigerator that operates 24/7 to keep your food fresh, the ice maker works in cycles. Each cycle is capable of producing 8-10 ice cubes under the time of 90 minutes.
Q – How do I know if my ice maker is ON or OFF?
A – If the horizontal paddle is extended out over the ice then it means the ice maker is ON. In case you want your ice maker to be OFF, slide the paddle back under the ice maker.
Wrap Up
An essential part of any refrigerator is the ice maker. If it starts to malfunction, you’ll have a lot of issues. In order to avoid significant costs down the road, it is best to address the problem as soon as possible. Please take a look at the reasons I gave and their solutions!