My Ice Maker Is Stuck in Ejection Mode

Symptoms

• When an ice maker gets stuck in ejection mode, the unit keeps pushing out new ice even if the ice bin is full. A stuck ice maker continues to push out new ice until you manually turn off the ice maker or solve the problem. A visual inspection of the ice bin indicates ice overflowing the unit or cascading to other parts of the freezer. A metal arm attached to the ice bin typically regulates ice production, but it isn't working at the moment.

Fix

• Pull the ice bin out from the freezer. Grasp the bin and lift out, then up. If you have too much ice, dispose of the extra ice or prepare ice bags to store in the freezer. Check the freezer for ice cubes stuck to the wire signal arm, which controls ice production. Pull cubes off. If they're stuck, wet a washcloth under hot water, then wrap the warm cloth around the ice cubes to melt and loosen them. Push the plastic cube holding arm up, slide the ice bin back into the unit and make sure the bin is nestled in place.

Tips

• If you try to use a different ice bin than the one that comes with your model ice maker, this might be causing the problem. The new bin might not work with the shutoff arm, leaving your ice maker in ejection mode. Food stored in the freezer can fall into the ice bin and prevent the shutoff arm from raising or lowering, keeping the unit in ejection mode. Store food on shelves to prevent this problem.

Off Switch

• If you can't fix the ice maker immediately, shutting the unit off prevents ice from overflowing. Open the freezer and find the metal feeler arm that regulates the ice maker. Push the arm up until it snaps or locks into place. If the ice maker has a plastic paddle instead of a metal feeler arm, examine the ice maker or refrigerator control panel for a power switch. Turn the power switch to off.