How to Reset Ice Maker

Author: nicO (and one other contributor)

Ice makers typically fail for a few reasons, and if your ice maker isn't making ice, only crushing ice, not dispensing ice, or won't stop making ice, review the hyperlinked guides first. After resetting power to the refrigerator, if you still don't have ice after a 24 hour period, you may have to reset the ice maker.

While resetting ice makers varies on a brand basis, the general procedures are the same for each make and model. When in doubt, follow all of the following steps for any make and model ice maker. Put rags and the ice bucket beneath your ice maker to prevent water from accumulating during these tests.

Flip the ice maker switch off for 5 seconds, then flip it on.
Press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds.
Cycle the feeler arm up and down several times.

The unit should be in test mode now and will run a manual ice harvest cycle. Watch as the arm moves, and the tray dumps or otherwise ejects cubes. A fill cycle will then start. Your ice maker has been reset.

Whirlpool ice makers are the most common ice makers out there. Follow these steps:

Pull the plastic cover off the ice maker control module.

This should expose a white or metal timing gear labeled with "DO NOT TURN MANUALLY".

Use a jumper wire — an insulated 12 gauge copper wire that's stripped at the ends — and jump points 'T' and 'H' on the front of the unit.

If the ice maker is working, it will respond to the jumper wire, turning the timer wheel. Leave the jumper in for 5-10 seconds until a click is heard. The manual harvest cycle has been initiated.

If your ice maker is making ice but won't trigger automatic harvest cycles then you'll have to replace the modular head or entire ice maker assembly.

Remove the ice bucket. Older units have a tab on the upper right that needs to be depressed. Pull the bucket out and up.
Find the blue reset button on the side of the head module labelled "test switch".
- If you cannot remove your ice tub, perform a manual defrost of the ice tub. Use a steamer on the outside of the ice tub to melt and break the seal.
  - Warning: Do not use a heat gun or a hair dryer, as you can melt and damage the plastic components.
Press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds, and wait for a single chime.
- Don't press the test button repeatedly, as water may overflow or jam ice.
Reinstall the ice bucket to capture any water. A chime will signal the cycle is running, and will stop when the cycle is done.
- Multiple chimes may indicate other issues with your ice maker. If you hear no chime and see movement of the ice maker, it has been reset. If you hear no chime and no movement, turn the entire fridge off for two minutes before running the test again.
You may have to wait up to 24 hours after resetting before your appliance starts making ice again. Then, ice makers will produce 2 trays of ice every 3 hours.

Here is further ice maker reset advice from Samsung.

The ice maker arm has a spring whose tension keeps the arm towards the front of the machine. The spring can shift out of place as ice freezes and the arm moves.

Realign the spring and turn the ice maker off.
After restarting, cycle the arm three times to reset the ice maker.

Like the other ice makers on the list, you'll want to first open the ice compartment so you can see the ice maker.

Find the reset button on the bottom of the left side of the ice maker. Press and hold this button for 5 seconds and then observe its harvest cycle. The tray will twist and invert itself.

After reseting with the other methods without success, try a classic reset. Finding the electrical outlet and unplugging the cord may be challenging if your appliance is installed and heavy.

Instead, locate the breaker panel and turn off the circuit breaker assigned to your appliance. Wait one minute and then reset the power.