Whirlpool Ice Maker Not Making Enough Ice: Troubleshooting Guide

Having an ice maker that makes too little ice can be extremely inconvenient and frustrating. When your Whirlpool ice maker isn’t producing enough ice to meet your needs, it can put a damper on hosting events, cooling drinks on a hot day, or having readily available ice for injuries or food storage. Don’t worry – with some targeted troubleshooting, you can get your ice maker’s production back up in no time.

How Ice Makers Work

Before we jump into troubleshooting, let’s review how ice makers work so you have a better understanding of the internal components and functioning. This will assist you in pinpointing and resolving issues.

Ice makers go through a cyclical ice-making process that involves three main steps:

Water Enters Unit

An internal water pump or inlet valve allows water to enter the ice maker. This is often controlled by a small optical sensor which opens the valve when the water level drops. The water fills up the freeze plate or ice mold.

Water Freezes

Once the water has filled the freeze plate or ice mold, the refrigeration system kicks in. A compressor activates a refrigerant gas which circulates through evaporator coils. Fans blow cold air over the coils and freeze the plate, solidifying the water into ice cubes.

Ice Harvested

When the ice forms, a harvesting mechanism ejects the cubes from the freeze plate into the storage bin. Heat from the refrigerant gas is used to slightly thaw and release the ice. Once the bin reaches its maximum capacity, the production cycle stops.

Now that you understand the general internal workings, let’s get into the various troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve low ice production.

Troubleshooting Low Ice Production on a Whirlpool Ice Maker

There are several areas of a Whirlpool ice maker to inspect when troubleshooting low production of ice:

Check Water Supply and Flow

The most common reason for an ice maker to produce insufficient ice is inadequate water supply. Start troubleshooting here and work through these checks:

• Examine the water supply line – Ensure the line is tightly connected to the ice maker inlet valve. Check the entire line for cracks, blockages, or kinks that restrict flow.
• Try disconnecting the water line – Disconnect the line from the ice maker and run the water into a bucket. Verify adequate flow and pressure.
• Check inlet screen – Remove the inlet valve and inspect the screen for debris clogs. Clean screen if necessary.
• Test inlet valve – Use a multimeter to test the voltage to the valve during the ice-making cycle. If no voltage, replace the valve.
• Check water filters – Dirty water filters can reduce water flow. Replace the cartridge if needed.
• Confirm water pressure – House water pressure below 40 psi can cause low ice production. Check pressure.

Assess Refrigeration System

The refrigeration system is vital for cooling water into ice. Evaluate its functioning:

• Clean condenser coils – Use brush and vacuum to remove dust and debris buildup on coils and fans.
• Test compressor – Listen for odd noises from the compressor. Use a multimeter to check for problems. 
• Examine evaporator – Ice buildup on the evaporator can reduce cooling. Carefully defrost and clean.

READ MORE: How To Use A Multimeter To Check Appliance Parts

Evaluate Harvest Cycle

Ice has to eject properly from the freeze plate during the harvest cycle. Issues here can leave ice stuck, reducing yield:

• Test heaters – No voltage to the hot gas valve or harvest heater prevents ice release. Replace if faulty.
• Check ejector blades – Bent or blunt blades fail to remove cubes. Straighten or replace.
• Clear ice blockages – Look for ice clogs preventing ejection. Carefully remove.
• Adjust ice thickness – Thicker ice cubes can get stuck. Reduce ice size setting.
• Lubricate mold – Use food-grade silicon spray to lubricate the ice tray and promote ejection.

Examine Ice Mold and Ejector

In addition to the harvest cycle, the condition of the ice mold and ejector play a key role:

• Level ice mold – Adjustable legs can shift, tilting the mold. Level it for even ice thickness.
• Check mold insulation – Worn or missing insulation results in uneven freezing. Replace insulation.
• Clean ejector – Mineral scale on ejector assembly can prevent release. Descale and clean.
• Replace worn mold – Deep grooves in ice mold reduce cooling contact. Eventually, mold needs replacing.

Review Ice maker Placement

Finally, look at the location of the ice maker and ambient conditions:

• Airflow and ventilation – Ensure unobstructed airflow to the condenser according to manual guidelines.
• Ambient temperatures – The ideal air temp for ice production is 70-90°F. Relocate or cool the area if needed.
• Level installation – Check unit is properly leveled front-to-back and side-to-side. Uneven installation causes issues.
• Cleanliness – Dust buildup in the refrigeration system reduces efficiency over time. Keep the unit clean.

By methodically checking each of these areas, you should be able to diagnose the cause of diminishing ice production in your Whirlpool unit.

Adjusting Ice Cube Size Settings

If your ice maker makes ice but produces smaller or lighter cubes, adjusting cube size settings can potentially increase yield. Here’s what you need to know:

• Locate adjustments – Consult your manual for how to access and change cube size controls. Usually a dial or electronic interface.
• Understand trade-offs – Larger cubes take longer to freeze while smaller cubes freeze quicker but melt faster. Find optimal balance.
• Match usage – Consider how you use your ice. Larger cubes work well for direct drinks chilling. Smaller for food storage.
• Experiment – Try different size settings while monitoring ice production. Determine the best setting for your needs.
• Check condition – Worn or scaled ice molds can prevent proper cube sizing. Clean or replace if needed.

Adjusting the cube size higher may require extended freezing time but can increase the overall ice yield in your bin between harvests.

Maintaining Your Ice Maker

Proper maintenance is crucial to avoiding ice production problems and other issues. Follow these best practices:

Cleaning

• Wash the bin monthly – Use a mild cleaner and rinse the bin thoroughly. Avoid harsh chemicals.
• Check for scale – Soda, juice, and hard water leave scale inside the maker. De-scale every 6 months.
• Clean air filters – Air filters protect refrigeration components. Clean monthly.
• Wipe exterior – Keep the outside of the maker clean and dry to prevent rust and corrosion.

Maintenance

• Inspect water lines – Check lines every 6 months for cracks or leaks. Replace damaged lines.
• Test inlet valve – Valves can fail over time. Test annually and replace if needed.
• Check connections – Ensure water/power connections are snug. Tighten or repair loose connections.
• Monitor temperatures – Use a thermometer to verify freezer and bin temperatures are in spec.

Hygiene

• Sanitize system – Flush the ice maker with sanitizer twice a year. Keeps ice contaminant-free.
• Air dry bin – Prop open bin door to allow inner surfaces to fully dry and prevent slime buildup.
• Replace water filter – Change water filter cartridges every 6 months for clean water.

Following the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations and a routine maintenance schedule will maximize the lifespan of your ice maker.

Preventing Low Ice Production

Prevention is equally as important as troubleshooting when it comes to maintaining optimal ice production. Here are tips to avoid problems proactively:

Proper Installation

• Ensure the unit has adequate ventilation and meets clearance requirements.
• Level the unit properly from front to back and side to side.
• Dedicate a 15-20 amp electrical circuit to power the ice maker.

Routine Maintenance

• Change water filters every 6 months.
• Clean condenser coils every 6 months minimum to maintain efficiency.
• Monthly cleaning of ice bin, mold, ejector, etc.

Careful Operation

• Avoid placing hot items directly in the ice bin.
• Do not allow the bin to overfill past the recommended capacity.
• Keep the exterior clean and dry to prevent corrosion issues.

Suitable Location

• The ambient temperature of the install location should be 70-90°F.
• Humidity below 70% is ideal.
• Water pressure between 20-120 psi is recommended.

Taking preventative measures helps avoid many common pitfalls that can lead to underperforming ice production in a Whirlpool ice maker.

Getting your Whirlpool ice maker’s production back on track doesn’t have to be a mystery. In many cases, the problem can be pinpointed through common troubleshooting steps like checking the water supply, refrigeration system, ice harvest, and installation conditions. Adjusting cube size settings, performing regular maintenance, and taking preventative measures can also help maximize and maintain ice output.

Thank you for reading! We hope you found this information useful to get your icemaker working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our thousands of free videos and troubleshooting guides available. If you need replacement parts or some extra help, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, order parts, read our DIY blog and more.

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