My Ice Maker Does Not Work and Thick Ice Has Formed

Blockages

• When thick ice forms, it blocks your ice maker from dispensing ice. Your ice maker may be working but unable to dispense new ice due to a clump below. Carefully pull out the large clump of ice. Cleaning blockages may fix the problem. If you don't use much ice, turn off the ice maker periodically to stop ice production. Excessive ice production can cause clumping.

Temperature Settings

• Changing your freezer's temperature setting may signal the ice maker to stop working, and old ice can melt into a clump. Freezers typically need to be at or below 5 degrees F. to make ice. Adjust the thermostat down incrementally, allowing 24 hours for the ice maker to restart. A freezer with a malfunctioning thermometer may not make ice. Replacing a faulty thermometer will correct the problem.

Water Supply Valve

• If your water supply valve becomes shut, your ice maker won't get water to make new ice. If the water supply valve has become filled with ice, melt the ice with a blow dryer so the valve can begin passing water again. Sediment can also block the valve. Unscrew the valve filter with your screwdriver and dispose of any sediment that's causing the problem. Screw the filter back in. Fixing any water supply valve issue will enable the ice maker to resume working.

Tips

• If you stop using your ice maker for long periods of time, ice cubes will melt together when your freezer goes through defrost cycles. This leaves a thick block of ice that can block the valve and stop your ice maker from working. If you're going away for a long period, shut off the ice maker and turn it back on when you return home.