Refrigerator Won’t Dispense Ice: Top 6 Reasons and Fixes for Kenmore, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, and Other Brands (With Video!)

Is your refrigerator refusing to deliver that crushed ice relief on a hot day? You’re not alone. We’ve got a comprehensive guide—and a how-to video just below—to help you pinpoint and fix the issues that might be blocking your ice from flowing. Stay cool and fix your ice dispenser like a pro!

When you have a refrigerator that will no longer dispense ice, the issue can be caused by one of six components inside the refrigerator going bad or being damaged. If your refrigerator instead isn’t making ice, please visit this article for help. Before you start the steps to troubleshoot the issue, it’s essential to be sure you are safe while you work. When working with a refrigerator, make sure that the circuit breaker is off or the appliance is unplugged to prevent electrocution. The water supply should also be turned off under the kitchen sink. Once your refrigerator is safe to work with, proceed with this guide to troubleshoot which refrigerator part may be causing the problem and save money fixing it yourself.

When you have identified the part needed for your refrigerator, search below using your specific fridge model number to identify the exact part needed:

1. Auger Drum

The first thing to check on when a refrigerator isn’t dispensing ice is the auger drum. It takes the ice cubes in the ice bin and pushes them forward. This component has a blade that pushes the ice out and into the dispenser so it can fill your glass. The auger drum is typically made of plastic but will have a metal plate that locks the part onto the auger shaft. If the auger drum is damaged or not connected to the auger shaft, it could keep the fridge from dispensing ice.

If it’s not connected to the shaft, the drum will move freely on the auger and ice will not be pushed forward. You can find the auger drum in the ice bin on the auger shaft. The bin will need to be pulled out of the refrigerator to take a good look at it. After it’s out, look at the drum for any damage and, if needed, replace the part.

2. Auger Coupler

If the auger drum seems to be in good shape, the next thing to look at is the auger coupler. This component connects the auger motor to the auger itself. An auger coupler is often made of metal or plastic and will be found by the auger motor and auger. If this part is damaged, the sound of the auger motor may be heard but the coupler won’t drive the motor so that ice can be dispensed.

Sometimes, the auger coupler will be mounted on the auger in the back of the ice bin but others can be found mounted under the ice bin. In order to inspect this component, you will need to open the refrigerator door and pull the ice bin out. Locate the auger coupler and give it a visual inspection to see if there is any damage. If it is damaged, it will need to be replaced. Replacing this part can be done by removing the coupler through loosening it with pliers and then unthreading it from the auger shaft. The new replacement auger coupler can be threaded onto the shaft and the pliers will tighten it. At this point, the ice bin can be replaced and the refrigerator should go back to providing ice.

3. Dispenser Arm

If a refrigerator is no longer dispensing ice, one of the causes could be the dispenser arm. This is the component that you press a glass against when you want to dispense ice. There are many kinds of dispenser arms in various styles but all of them are designed to do the same thing. As soon as the dispenser arm is activated by touch, it presses on a switch. The switch opens a valve so that ice can come out of the dispenser. You’ll find this component located in the door dispensing area.

When a dispenser arm has malfunctioned or is no longer working, it may not be capable of pressing the switch that lets ice out. Inspecting the arm can give you better information about whether this is a problem or not. To get into the area with the dispenser arm, use a small screwdriver or a putty knife to pry off the frame of the control panel. Visually inspect the arm for any damage. If it is broken, it will need to be replaced.

Remove the housing and use tape to keep it out of the way before removing the screw to release the retainer. The old dispenser arm can then be removed and the new one can be installed. Position it over the bracket and insert the right pin into the hole and the left pin into the slot. Replace screws and place the housing back on before using the fridge. Plug the power cord back in and make sure the new arm is working.

4. Dispenser Switch

If the components above are all in good shape, the next thing to consider is the dispenser switch. This is a component that lets the valve know that it needs to open up to let out ice when the dispenser arm is activated. In many cases, the dispenser switch will have a button on one end and two terminals at the other end. After pressing the dispenser arm, it presses the button on the dispenser switch, which leads to the valve opening so ice can come out.

Refrigerators that have dispenser arms will typically have the dispenser switch located behind the frame of the control panel. Refrigerators that have actuator pads instead of dispenser arms will have a button located right behind the pad. If ice is no longer dispensing from the fridge, it could be a sign that the button has failed. Getting access to an actuator style button will require removing the pad. The fridge with a dispenser arm will need to have the control panel frame removed using a small screwdriver or a putty knife.

Once you have access to the switch, the next step is removing the wires so they can be tested for continuity. Take a multimeter and set it to continuity before touching one probe to each terminal and then pressing the button for the switch. If no reading shows up when pressing on the button, the switch will need to be replaced. Replacing the switch may require a screwdriver, drill, and bit set.

5. Dispenser Switch Bracket

A refrigerator that is no longer dispensing ice may also have an issue with the dispenser switch bracket. This is the part that holds the dispenser switch itself. It’s responsible for holding the switch in the right position for it to let ice out into a glass. This component is inside of the dispenser area and typically located behind the control panel. If the bracket is damaged in some way, the switch might not be held in the right place. This creates a situation where the dispenser arm can’t hit the switch to dispense ice.

Use a putty knife or a small screwdriver to release the frame of the control panel and remove it from the refrigerator. Next, find the bracket and look it over for any kind of damage. If you find that the part is broken or no longer functioning, it will need to be replaced.

6. Ice Dispenser Solenoid

Finally, if the other components have been in good shape, you’ll want to inspect the ice dispenser solenoid. It is responsible for opening and closing the door to the ice chute. This solenoid is a small component that opens and closes the ice chute so the ice can come through. It’s made of a coil with terminals and a plunger that attaches to the door arm.

If you have a refrigerator with an ice dispenser solenoid, it can be found in the ice dispenser area of the refrigerator. It’s typically behind the control panel. If the solenoid has failed, the door to the ice chute is not going to be capable of opening so ice cannot leave the dispenser. Use a small screwdriver or a putty knife to remove the control panel frame from the refrigerator to get access to the ice dispenser solenoid.

After you can reach the solenoid, you will need to disconnect the wiring harness or remove the wires so you can continue the process. For a solenoid with a wiring harness, a multimeter probe should be inserted into each side to test for continuity. Those with a solenoid with wires will want to place the probes of the multimeter to the two terminals. If there is no continuity, the ice dispenser solenoid has gone bad and will need to be replaced.

Where To Find Us 

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