Kenmore Icemaker Will Not Fill With Water

Copper Supply Lines

• Copper supply lines are among the most durable material available for most plumbing applications, including ice maker lines. Your Kenmore ice maker contains a small connection port on the back of the unit. This is where a compression nut connects the supply line to the ice maker. Copper supply lines resist corrosion and can be bent up to 45 degrees during installation. Most copper supply lines are connected to the main water line using a saddle valve that pierces the main pipe.

Plastic Supply Lines

• Plastic supply lines for Kenmore ice makers are actually made out of a special type of PVC plastic that resists corrosion. It's critical to use only plastic supply lines that are labeled for use with ice makers or water dispensers, because regular plastic pipes will corrode and possibly burst. Plastic lines cost about half as much as copper lines, but they are not designed to last as long as metal pipes. For this reason, plastic lines must be inspected about every five years for signs of wear and tear.

Kinks and Low Pressure

• One of the most common reasons for a lack of water pressure to the ice maker is that the supply line has a kink or sharp bend in it. Kinks will cause the water pressure to be greatly reduced. When there is a significant kink in the line, it's possible that no water will reach the ice maker. Both copper and plastic supply lines are susceptible to kinks. Check your lines by pulling the refrigerator away from the wall and inspecting the entire length of the supply line. Remove kinks as they appear in order to improve performance.

Frozen Water Lines

• Another common reason why water may not reach your ice maker is because the water line itself has frozen. This can happen when water lines are exposed to cold air. Avoid installing water lines for ice makers inside uninsulated basements or crawl spaces, as these areas are more prone to freezing temperatures. Copper supply lines freeze more easily than plastic, as the metal conducts cold air better than plastic lines. It's possible to thaw frozen supply lines using a hair dryer.