Why is my Samsung ice maker making clicking noises? [How to Fix]

Why is my Samsung ice maker making clicking noises [How to Fix]

Uh-oh, what’s that clicking sound? Don’t tell me the Clickers from The Last of Us are real and are out to get us! 

Oh wait, it looks like it’s just your Samsung ice maker making all those clicking noises. 

It may feel like a relief since the Clickers aren’t real (at least we hope), but we can’t ignore the clicking noises from your ice maker because it will become a troublesome issue if we don’t do something about it soon.

You don’t need to worry because this article will provide you with all the information you need to troubleshoot and fix your Samsung ice maker’s clicking noises.

We’re even throwing in other useful guides and instructions you need to know if other kinds of strange noises happen to come from your Samsung ice maker.

The guides will be straightforward and easy to follow. Most of the troubleshooting can be done by yourself, but a few may require professional assistance if you find difficulty completing any necessary replacements and/or repairs.

Why is my Samsung ice maker making a clicking noise?

Automatic ice maker in refrigerator

Clicking noises from Samsung ice makers are common whenever the internal wiring of the ice maker becomes defective and is due for a replacement.

Other problems can include issues within the refrigerator’s water line or the water valves.

How to Fix Clicking Noises in a Samsung Ice Maker [Causes and Solutions]

The table below lists down the most common problems that cause a Samsung ice maker to make clicking noises:

ProblemSolution
Disrupted Water Supply ConnectionInspect the waterline of the refrigerator for any issues (e.g. damage to the tubes, low water pressure, etc.). 

This is located in the back compartment of the fridge and should be connected to your home water supply.

If there are any issues, address them accordingly. Replace any damaged tubes with new ones, make sure that the line has no clogging from bent/tangled tubes, check if the waterline is frozen, and keep the water pressure steady. 
Frozen Water ValveAccess the water inlet valve located at the back bottom compartment of the refrigerator. Inspect the valve and its surroundings for any frost buildup.

To remove the frost buildup, defrost the refrigerator. Clean the water valve and the surrounding area with a cloth and water.
Faulty Internal WiringDiagnose if your ice maker’s assembly has faulty wiring issues.

Make sure that the problem is not within the water line and water valve.
After this, check if the ice maker can produce ice. If not, then there is faulty wiring in the assembly.

If you were able to diagnose the faulty internal wiring, the assembly needs to be replaced.

Performing the replacement on the assembly is difficult for anyone who isn’t a professional. It is recommended to simply call one in to do the replacement.
Quick Note:

If there are any parts that need replacing, it’s important to find the correct model. This can easily be done by referring to the user manual or checking the serial number of your refrigerator.

Disrupted Water Supply Connection

The waterline may encounter multiple issues that prevent water from flowing from its source to the refrigerator. A disrupted water supply connection also prevents the ice maker from producing ice, which causes the clicking noise.


The waterline can experience clogging from a damaged hose, low water pressure, and frost build-up within its water tubes. Overall, these issues are not difficult to troubleshoot. We’ve listed how to approach each of them below:

Solutions:

Shut Supply Valve: Make sure the supply valve is turned on to allow water to flow into the refrigerator. Locate your refrigerator’s local water supply (you can usually find this under the kitchen sink or a compartment behind your refrigerator) and turn the valve on.

Bent/Damaged Waterline Hose: Check if the waterline hose has any bends or damages. The bends are easily remedied by simply straightening them out, although any sign of visible wear on the hose requires replacement.

Here are the steps for replacing your refrigerator’s waterline hose:

  • Step 1: Shut off the water supply valve. This is to make sure that water stops flowing from the supply to the refrigerator while performing the replacement.
  • Step 2: Cut off the damaged parts of the old hose. The entire waterline doesn’t need to be replaced, so only remove the damaged segments.
  • Step 3: Use hose extensions to connect parts of the old hose with the new hose segments.
  • Step 4: Make sure that the extensions are intact to avoid possible water leaks.

If you find any difficulty fixing the waterline’s hose, remember that you can always call for professional help to fix the problem.

Low Water Pressure: Checking the water pressure of your waterline is simple – all you need is a water pressure gauge to get started.

  • Step 1: Shut off the water supply valve. This is to prevent the water from flowing so you can attach the gauge properly.
  • Step 2: Detach the refrigerator from the waterline. There should be a connector on the hose that you can disconnect.
  • Step 3: Attach the water pressure gauge to the end of the hose and make sure it is secured tightly.
  • Step 4: Turn on the water supply valve and observe if the water pressure gauge reaches at least 20 psi. Anything lower than 20 psi means the pressure in the waterline is low and needs to be adjusted accordingly.

If the water pressure doesn’t reach 20 psi, check the water supply valve first. There are some cases where the supply valve is only turned slightly or halfway, which causes low water pressure in the waterline.

It’s also important to make sure that there are no bends or damages since these also affect the water pressure and flow of water within the waterline.

In case everything looks fine but the water pressure is still low, the problem may be caused by low water pressure in your home’s water supply. It is best to contact your local water utility provider to inspect and fix the problem.

Frozen Water Tube: A frozen water tube inside your refrigerator is usually caused by very low temperature settings. Troubleshooting this issue is simple and only requires some simple changes in your refrigerator.

  • Step 1: Place the refrigerator in Forced Defrost mode by pressing the “Freezer” and “Lighting” buttons until it beeps. 

Press and cycle through the different modes on the control panel using the “Lighting” button until “Fd” appears. Press “Fd” to activate Forced Defrost.

  • Step 2: Let the refrigerator defrost. The Forced Defrost mode takes about 20 minutes to finish.
  • Step 3: Set the temperature of the refrigerator to 38°F. This can be done by pressing the “Fridge” button on the control panel, which will cycle through different temperatures.
  • Step 4: Set the temperature of the freezer to 0-10°F. This can be done by repeatedly pressing the “Freezer” button on the control panel until you’ve landed on the desired temperature setting.

Frozen Water Valve

The water valve that allows water to flow inside the refrigerator’s water dispenser and ice maker can freeze over if the temperature is set too low. Don’t worry though, the fix is simple and straightforward enough and can be done by yourself.

Solution: Defrost the refrigerator to thaw the ice from the water valve.

  • Step 1: Defrost the refrigerator by initiating the Forced Defrost mode. Press the “Freezer” and “Lighting” buttons until you hear beeping. 

Press and cycle through the different modes on the control panel using the “Lighting” button until “Fd” appears. Press “Fd” to activate Forced Defrost.

  • Step 2: After letting the refrigerator defrost (it should take about 20 minutes), power off and unplug the refrigerator. This is to avoid any electrical shock while accessing the bottom back compartment.
  • Step 3: Locate the water valve inside the bottom back compartment. This is typically located somewhere on the right side and is connected to water tubing.
  • Step 4: Make sure the valve isn’t frozen anymore and then clean it with a piece of cloth.
  • Step 5: If the valve looks to be in good condition, finish up and return the refrigerator back to its normal state.
  • Step 6: Make sure to set the temperature of the refrigerator and freezer to 38°F and 0-10°F respectively to avoid freezing problems in the future.

If the water valve looks to have some wear and damage, it is recommended to have it replaced. Here are the steps to do so:

  • Step 1: Power off and unplug the refrigerator. Also, make sure to turn off the water source supplying the refrigerator to avoid unwanted leaks.
  • Step 2: Access the water valve located at the bottom back compartment of the refrigerator.
  • Step 3: The water valve should have electronics connected to it. Disconnect them from the valve.
  • Step 4: Using a wrench, remove the bolt connecting the water line’s tube to properly disconnect the tube from the valve.
  • Step 5: Using a flathead screwdriver, pry and remove the locks of the two tubes connected to the bottom part of the valve.
  • Step 6: Carefully pry and pull out the two remaining tubes to fully disconnect the water valve from the refrigerator.
  • Step 7: Follow the steps in reverse using the brand-new water valve to install it.

If you find any trouble replacing the water valve, don’t hesitate to call a professional to help you.

Faulty Internal Wiring

If you have inspected the water supply line and the water valve but did not find any problems, then the internal wiring of the ice maker assembly may be faulty and needs to be replaced.

Solution: Replace and install a new ice maker assembly in your Samsung refrigerator.

  • Step 1: Defrost the refrigerator by initiating the Forced Defrost mode by pressing the “Freezer” and “Lighting” buttons until you hear beeping. 

Press and cycle through the different modes on the control panel using the “Lighting” button until “Fd” appears. Press “Fd” to activate Forced Defrost.

  • Step 2: Wait for the Forced Defrost cycle to finish (about 20 minutes) and power off the refrigerator.
  • Step 3: Detach the ice bucket from the ice maker. Some models can be easily pulled out while others have a release button that needs to be pressed before being removed.
  • Step 4: There should be wire housing inside the ice maker. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws of the wire housing cover and carefully pull out the cover.
  • Step 5: Gently detach the wiring clips of the electronics to free the ice maker assembly from the appliance.
  • Step 6: Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws of the ice tray duct. Gently pry the ice tray duct with a flathead screwdriver to release it and gain access to the cooling coil.
  • Step 7: Check if the cooling coil has any frost buildup on it. If there is any, let the ice on the coil melt off first before proceeding forward.

    If there is no sign of frost buildup on the coil or you have let the ice melt after some time, use a flathead screwdriver to pry down the coil. Be very careful when doing this because any sort of damage to the coil can ruin the entire refrigerator.
  • Step 8: Release the old ice maker assembly from the housing by pressing on its locking tabs and gently pull it out.
  • Step 9: Install the new ice maker assembly by carefully sliding it into the housing and that it locks into place.
  • Step 10: Repeat all the other steps in reverse to fully install the new ice maker assembly and return the refrigerator to its original state.

Manually replacing the ice maker assembly is a difficult process for anyone without experience. It is highly recommended to simply call for a professional to replace the assembly with a new one to fix the problem.

Other Strange Noises and How to Fix Them

Apart from the clicking noise, a Samsung refrigerator’s ice maker can also produce other unwanted sounds such as grinding, knocking, and popping noises.

These sounds are caused by nothing out of the ordinary – usually some faulty refrigerator parts or incorrect settings.

How to Fix a Samsung Ice Maker Making a Grinding Noise

It’s normal for a Samsung ice maker to make a grinding noise while operating. However, louder volumes can mean something is wrong with the refrigerator’s fans.

Fixing this issue requires clearing the airway of the fans, diagnosing them through a continuity test, and replacing them if they are faulty.

To begin, your Samsung refrigerator has two different fan motors – the condenser fan motor and the evaporator fan motor.

The condenser fan motor is responsible for cooling the refrigerant to keep the refrigerator’s condenser from overheating. On the other hand, the evaporator fan motor maintains the circulation of cold air inside the refrigerator.

A malfunction in either of the two fans will cause abnormal temperatures inside your refrigerator. The faulty fans also cause the grinding noise you hear while operating the ice maker.

Solutions: Clear the airway of both the condenser and evaporator fans. You can simply check if they are spinning and make sure to clean any forms of obstruction (commonly dust buildup) that would prevent them from working.

If the airways are clear but the problem persists, get ready to power off and unplug the refrigerator to diagnose the two fans. Take caution in diagnosing either of the fan motors – the blades are sharp and the electronics are delicate.

Condenser Fan: The condenser fan is usually faulty if you don’t hear it spinning or if the refrigerator’s bottom compartment is radiating high temperatures.

Here are the steps for diagnosing the condenser fan:

  • Step 1: Access the bottom compartment located at the back of the refrigerator. Open it with a set of screwdrivers or a drill screwdriver.
  • Step 2: The condenser fan motor should be beside the compressor. Carefully disconnect it from the wiring.
  • Step 3: Perform a continuity test on the condenser fan motor using a multimeter. Any signs of resistance mean that the fan motor failed the continuity test and needs to be replaced.

Replace the condenser fan if you find it to be faulty and malfunctioning or if it failed the continuity test. Do this by repeating the steps mentioned above in reverse but with a brand-new condenser fan on standby.

Evaporator Fan: Check if the airflow inside the refrigerator is weak despite having high settings. If so, then it is likely that the evaporator fan is defective.

Here are the steps for diagnosing the evaporator fan motor:

  • Step 1: Locate the evaporator fan motor compartment. This should be at the back of the freezer/refrigerator.
  • Step 2: To access the compartment and remove the cover properly, carefully remove the shelves and panels of your refrigerator first.
  • Step 3: Remove the cover of the compartment using a set of screwdrivers or a drill screwdriver. Locate and access the evaporator fan motor.
  • Step 4: Disconnect the evaporator fan motor from the electrical wiring.
  • Step 5: Perform a continuity test using a multimeter to diagnose it. Any signs of resistance mean that the fan motor is defective and needs to be replaced.

Replace the evaporator fan motor if you find the airflow inside the refrigerator to be weak or if it fails the continuity test. This could be done by repeating the steps above in reverse but with a brand-new evaporator fan in hand.

Take caution in diagnosing and replacing either of the fan motors – the blades are sharp and the electronics are delicate. Always call a professional for help to replace the fans if you find it difficult to do so.

How to Fix a Samsung Ice Maker Making a Knocking Noise

A constant knocking noise from a Samsung ice maker means that its fan is faulty and is due for replacement. 

Access the defective fan by popping the cover off the ice maker’s back panel, disconnect the old one, then install a new fan.

The broken ice maker fan will not be able to spin properly and would often cause a bothersome knocking noise. Not only that, but the faulty fan can cause ventilation problems inside the ice maker and compromise its ice-making functionalities.

Solution: Replace the old ice maker fan with a new one. Here are the steps to do so:

  • Step 1: Power off and unplug the refrigerator.
  • Step 2: Access the ice maker’s back panel by popping off its cover (some covers may require a screwdriver set while others can be simply pried open).
  • Step 3: The ice maker fan should be located somewhere at the back. Disconnect its electronics from the ice maker to retrieve it.
  • Step 4: With your new fan, connect its electronics to the ice maker and carefully secure it into place. Close the ice maker to finish up the replacement.

If you have any sort of trouble replacing the ice maker fan with a new one, don’t hesitate to call for a professional to help you with the steps and instructions.

How to Fix a Samsung Ice Maker Making a Popping Noise

Popping noises are normal for a Samsung ice maker. Changes in temperature can cause plastic parts to contract or expand, but this will fade away as the refrigerator ages.

If the popping persists, it’s caused by a broken water valve inside the refrigerator. Replacing it should stop the popping noise.

It was mentioned earlier that a frozen water valve can cause the ice maker to create clicking noises, and now a broken one creates a popping noise. A broken valve can also cause leaks and disrupt the functions of other components (e.g. the water dispenser).

Solution: Replace the broken water valve with a new one, here are the steps to do that:

  • Step 1: Power off and unplug the refrigerator. Turn off the water source supplying the refrigerator to avoid unwanted mess.
  • Step 2: You can locate the water valve at the bottom back compartment of the refrigerator.
  • Step 3: The water valve has electronics connected to it. Carefully disconnect them from the valve to get started with the replacement.
  • Step 4: Use a wrench to remove the bolt connecting the water line’s tube to properly disconnect the tube from the valve.
  • Step 5: Use a flathead screwdriver to pry and remove the locks of the two tubes connected to the bottom part of the valve.
  • Step 6: Carefully pry and pull out the two remaining tubes to fully detach the water valve.
  • Step 7: Follow the steps in reverse but with the new water valve to install it. Finish up by putting everything else back into place.

If you find any trouble replacing the water valve, don’t hesitate to call a professional.


Now that you know why your Samsung ice maker could be making strange clicking noises (and other noises too), you should be able to troubleshoot the problems accordingly and have a solution for each of them.


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