Are you wondering how do you reset a Whirlpool ice maker? Lots of individuals ask the same question, and we’re here today to help you clear things out.
Basically, there are two common reasons as to why you’d want or need to reset an ice maker. First is that you are having problems with the ice production of the machine, and the other is when you’re cleaning it. Regardless of your reasons, the process is quite easy.
How Do You Reset a Whirlpool Ice Maker?
Resetting a Whirlpool ice maker is not too complicated. In fact, all you have to do is to press the On and Off button, and you’re good to go! By resetting, you are prompting the system to return to its normal operation. This is the first thing to do when the ice maker suddenly stopped producing ice.
Aside from learning how do you reset a Whirlpool ice maker, there are many other troubleshooting methods that you need to keep in mind. This is to ensure that your ice maker remains reliable, especially during the summer months, when barbecue parties are happening every weekend.
Troubleshooting Your Whirlpool Ice Maker
A Whirlpool ice maker is one of the best ice makers in the market. Nevertheless, as with any on-demand kitchen appliance, there will be problems too. You don’t need to worry because these common problems can be resolved without the need to hire a professional.
Below, we listed the most common ones and provided solutions to each in order to help you save money from costly repairs.
Problem 1: The Ice Maker Is Not Producing Ice
This is practically the most common problem that every ice maker encounters, not just ones from Whirlpool. You will surely experience this multiple times when using an ice maker, and it has various causes as well. How do you deal with this simple problem?
Check If the Ice Maker Is Turned On
Don’t jump into conclusions when your ice maker is not producing ice. Do not assume that the problem is very complicated and that you need to shell out cash to replace some of its parts. Sometimes, it is not working because you simply forgot to turn on the ice maker.
This happens all the time. Most homeowners ask for help from a technician only to find out that they actually forgot to turn on the ice maker. If your ice maker is not producing ice, calm down first and check if it is indeed turned on.
Check the Ice Maker If It Is Jammed
This is another simple problem that might result in an ice maker not producing ice. The first thing to do is to check the ejector arm of your ice maker and make sure that ice is not jammed there.
If there is ice jammed there, don’t worry because it would be very easy to remove. You just need to use the ice scraper from your fridge or plastic to prevent damage to the ice maker. Always remember not to use anything sharp as it can damage the ice maker.
Check the Water Supply Line
When your ice maker is not producing ice, the problem usually involves the water supply line. You have to check everything in it. Here is a simple list of what you need to look at:
- Check if it is properly connected to a cold water supply
- See if the water shutoff valve is opened
- Look for kinks in your water supply line as it can reduce water flow
- Straighten the water supply line to stabilize water flow and pressure
- Don’t push your refrigerator too far back to prevent any issues on the waterline
Problem 2: The Motor Makes a Humming Sound Without Producing Ice
This is another problem that might involve the dispensing motor itself. Usually, if the motor is the problem, it means that your Whirlpool ice maker has been with you for many years.
If the motor breaks down when your ice maker is still considered brand new, that means that it is still under warranty, and it can be replaced with a brand new model. However, we cannot simply jump into conclusions. What we mentioned was just the worst-case scenario; you can still do something to know if the problem is already in the motor or not.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you:
Step 1: Remove the ice bin and the bracket holding the drive that links the motor.
Step 2: Pull the driveshaft up.
Step 3: Close the door and try turning the ice maker on.
If these steps failed to fix the problem and the motor is just humming without dispensing ice, the problem is probably the dispensing motor. This will be a bit complicated, so it is better to ask for a technician to help you and to check the problem again.
Problem 3: Frost in the Ice Shoot or Bin
Usually, the frost in the bin or ice shoot is caused by an air leak. This is very unusual because ice makers only make ice; it is not a frost machine. There is no reason for the ice shoot or bin to freeze. If you want to check if there air leaks in your ice maker, here are a few things to follow:
Step 1: Remove the ice bin and use a flashlight on the ice shoot.
Step 2: Check the outside part of the dispenser shoot and see if there is light leaking from there.
Again, if there are any air leaks, call a professional. He can handle this quickly. If you try to do this on your own, it is possible that the problem would only worsen, especially if you don’t know what to do.
Problem 4: Dirt or Flakes in the Ice Cubes
This is a very common problem as well, and you might notice that your ice cubes are dirty. This is usually because of the water filter inside. If you don’t clean the water filter regularly, dirt will pass through it, and it will mix with the water that is being frozen.
This is a serious problem that requires a simple solution. If you see ants, dirt, or other particles in your ice cube, try to clean the filter. However, if you noticed that the particles are like plastic, check the mold of your ice maker.
The mold of your ice maker has a slippery coating, and they would break down after some time. As a result, the pieces would mix with the ice. The only way to deal with this is to replace the ice maker.
You don’t need to worry because this problem usually only happens when your ice maker is already old. It might take four to eight years before it happens, but always be vigilant and check it from time to time.
Problem 5: Cleaning Light Is Blinking
If the cleaning light is blinking or the “Cleaning Needed” is illuminated, it means that you have to clean your ice maker as soon as possible. The blinking light is not a problem on the control panel.
If you haven’t cleaned the ice maker for a long time, it makes sense that the system itself would recommend you to do it. Cleaning is usually done at least once every six to nine months or when you noticed that the ice production had decreased significantly.
The system and the air-cooled condenser have to be cleaned regularly to make sure that your ice maker will always operate at peak condition. Cleaning will also remove the minerals accumulated inside the ice maker.
Problem 6: The Door Is Not Closing Properly
If the door of the ice maker is not properly closing, it won’t produce ice, so you need to make sure that it is always closed tightly. However, there are some issues that can prevent the door from closing properly. Here are the things that you can do when the door of your ice maker is not closing properly.
Check the Ice Maker Level
You have to make sure that the ice maker is level to work properly and for the door to close tightly. If you are going to install an ice maker, you will have to make some adjustments, and it would take time before you achieve the right level.
Ice Scoop Is Blocking the Door
You have to check if the ice scoop is blocking the door. Check if it’s properly seating in its holder, as it is usually the cause of this problem.
Reversed Door Swing
If the door swing was reversed during its installation, the door catch should also be reversed. Otherwise, it won’t close properly.
Check the Door Gasket
You have to check if the door gasket is dirty or sticky because it can affect the closing and opening of the door. It has to be cleaned on a regular basis because dirt and other particles can build up on the surface and cause resistance.
So how do you clean the door gasket? Simple. Just use warm water and mild soap and wipe the door gasket gently. After that, dry it. For drying, you have to use a soft clean cloth. Never use paper towels because they might scratch the clear coat of the door.
Problem 7: Grid Is Not Cutting Ice
If the cutter grid harness is not yet cleaned, make sure that you clean it first before you start troubleshooting the problem. If the grid is still not cutting the ice after cleaning, we will proceed to the next step.
Check if the cutter grid harness and the ice level sensor harness are plugged in after cleaning. It might be misaligned when you are cleaning, so make sure that you plug it in properly.
Problem 8: Ice Maker Is Producing Too Much Ice
This is another issue that you will have to deal with when using ice makers. There are times when they would produce more ice than necessary.
The first thing to do is to check if Max Ice, Fast Ice, or Accelerated Ice is turned on. When this feature is on, the ice maker will produce more ice than usual for a 24-hour period. It is usually triggered if you are expecting guests in your house and you are expecting a high consumption of ice.
If you already turned off the Max Ice, Fast Ice, or Accelerated Ice feature and the ice maker is still producing a lot of ice, then there might be a problem with the bin sensor. The bin sensor is responsible for checking ice levels in your ice maker. Once the storage bin is full, the bin sensor will detect it and the ice maker will stop producing ice.
Here are the things that you have to remember:
- The bin sensor should not be blocked by any item inside the bin.
- Never store anything in the storage bin aside from the ice that the ice maker produces.
- Check the bin sensor if it is dirty. You can clean it with a soft towel and warm water.
Why the Need to Learn Ice Maker Troubleshooting Tips
Hiring a technician is extremely expensive, so it is always better to try and troubleshoot the ice maker on your own before asking for professional help. Basically, you cannot break down the ice maker to check its components if you don’t know anything about it, so most of the troubleshooting mentioned above are things that you can do even without experience or knowledge about ice makers.
Troubleshooting your Whirlpool ice maker helps you save more money. If you can fix the problem on your own, then you already saved a couple of bucks.
If your ice maker is still brand new, you can do the troubleshooting yourself since, more often than not, the problem is not too severe yet. However, if your ice maker has already been with you for many years, look for a technician to handle it.
Conclusion
Resetting your Whirlpool ice maker or dealing with other common problems requires a bit of knowledge about ice makers. You should know how your ice maker works so that you can at least detect and resolve simple problems without asking for the help of a professional. You just have to know what to do, the parts that you have to check, and you can resolve it on your own.
Of course, if these tips were not able to resolve the issue, don’t force yourself to deal with the problem. You can always call a technician to handle the issue and fix your ice maker. Complicated problems require more complicated solutions, so seek a professional’s help when needed.