GE Ice Maker Not Working? (Here’s why!)

When we bought our GE ice maker, we just wanted crushed and cubed ice on demand. We were unaware of the maintenance and repairs required to keep the ice maker in optimal condition.

Although it seems overwhelming, troubleshooting a GE ice maker is usually pretty easy. However, finding the underlying cause of the issue can be a bit tricky.

Not to worry, that’s what we’re here for. 

Below, we will delve into several reasons that may cause your GE ice maker to stop working. We’ll also offer helpful tips and step-by-step solutions to help you resolve your problem.

Why is my GE ice maker not working?

A GE ice maker won’t work if your freezer’s temperature is too warm. Whether due to incorrect settings, a defective door gasket, or improper leveling, ice won’t form until you fix the issue.

Ice production may also stop due to a jam in the ice maker, a dirty water filter, and a defective feeler arm.

Before making any repairs to your ice maker, try these simple steps to kickstart ice production.

• Turn on the ice maker. When your ice maker is shipped to you, its power setting is set in the OFF position, so you have to manually turn it on to begin ice production.
• Use Quick Ice. Ice makers need sufficient time to produce ice, but if the demand for ice is high, activate Quick Ice to speed up the process by nearly 48%.

After following these steps, give your ice maker enough time to start a cycle and produce ice. If none of these works, keep reading below for more detailed solutions to fix your ice maker.

Troubleshooting a GE Ice Maker That Is Not Working

Fixing a GE ice maker that isn’t working can be as simple as setting the right temperature, organizing the freezer, replacing the water filter, adjusting the leveling legs, or changing a defective door gasket.

If the ice maker feeler arm won’t go down, check for obstructions, frost, or damage. 

Let’s take a look at the most common reasons why a GE ice maker won’t work. We’ll also walk you through the steps to troubleshoot it.

Causes	Solutions
New Ice Maker	Give your new ice maker at least 24 hours to get cold enough for ice production. The ice tray must reach 16°F(-8.9°C) before a cycle can start.
Incorrect Temperature	• Select the Freezer button on the control panel.  • Once it displays the current temperature of the compartment, tap the • • Freezer button again to make adjustments. • Set your freezer’s temperature to 0°F(-18°C) for optimal cooling.
Defective Door Gasket	• Take the new door gasket out of its package 1 to 2 days before installing it. Lay it out on a flat surface to eliminate warping. • Unplug the power cord and open the freezer door. • Use a flathead screwdriver to pull the defective gasket off the grooves of the freezer door.  • Clean the grooves with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Then, wipe the area dry before installing the gasket. • Install the new freezer gasket starting from the upper corners. Use your fingers to push the gasket into the grooves and secure it to the freezer door.
Underloaded Freezer	Keep your freezer ¾ full to keep its temperature stable.
Tripped Circuit Breaker	• Turn off all the lights and unplug the appliances connected to the tripped circuit breaker. • Locate the circuit breaker that keeps tripping. • Flip the switch on the circuit breaker to the OFF position. Wait for a few seconds and flip the switch back to the ON position. • Plug in the ice maker and confirm that it has power and is functioning properly.  • Plug in other appliances and lights one at a time to test if they are working correctly.
Improper Leveling	• Install your fridge on a stable and even surface. Place a carpenter’s level horizontally on top of the unit, then identify the higher side. • Unthread the screws on the base grille. Skip this step if it doesn’t apply to your unit. • Grab each side of the grille and pull forward to remove it.  • Locate the adjusting screw on the roller leg opposite the higher side. Use pliers or a wrench to rotate it clockwise to raise its height. • On models with leveling legs, insert a flathead screwdriver into the slot on the leveling leg. Rotate it clockwise to raise the height or counterclockwise to lower it. • Set the carpenter’s level horizontally on top of the fridge to check if it is level.  • Make the necessary adjustments until it is properly leveled from side to side. • Place the carpenter’s level vertically on the fridge to check if it is level from front to back. Keep the front ¼” higher than the back. • Reinstall the base grille.
Active Sabbath Mode	Simultaneously push the Settings, Water, and Light buttons for 3 seconds to exit Sabbath Mode.
Jammed Ice Maker Feeler Arm	• Turn off the ice maker. Use a wooden or plastic spatula to remove ice and other objects obstructing the feeler arm. • Turn on the ice maker once the obstruction has been removed. • Wait for it to reach the desired temperature for ice production.
Clogged Water Filter	XWFE: • Lay a towel underneath the water filter’s cartridge housing to absorb any spills. • Press the two front tabs on the housing. Carefully pull the housing down to access the water filter. • Tilt the filter down to a 45-degree angle. Then, slowly rotate it to the left until you can pull it out of the housing. • Align the ports on the new filter with the ports on the housing. Insert the filter and rotate it to the right until it locks into place. • Check if the arrow on the side of the filter aligns with the arrow on the housing. Then, push the filter up into the clips. • Close the lid of the cartridge housing. Dispense about 2 gallons of water to remove air bubbles in the system.
	RPWFE: • Place a small towel underneath the water filter housing. Open the filter door. • Swing the old filter to the right. Then, pull it out without twisting the cartridge. • Push the new water filter into the housing with the FRONT label facing outward. • Swing the filter back into place and close the door shut. • If the filter doesn’t swing, make sure it is properly seated. Just push it in until it engages. • Dispense about 2 gallons of water to purge air in the system.
	MWF: • Place a towel right under the water filter to absorb any spills when it is removed. • Rotate the filter to the left, then pull it down until it’s removed from its housing. • Remove the seal on your new filter.  • Fill it up with water from the faucet. • Align the arrow on the housing with the water filter. Insert the filter into the housing and rotate it to the right. • Dispense 1 ½  gallons of water to purge air from the system. • Push the Reset Filter button on the control panel for 3 seconds.
Malfunctioning Feeler Arm	• Unplug your refrigerator and open the freezer door. • Pull down the ice door latch to access the ice maker compartment. • Carefully lift up the bottom of the ice bucket. Tilt it out and pull it down to remove it. • Use a Phillips screwdriver to unthread the mounting screw on the feeler arm. • Pull the old feeler arm down carefully until it detaches from the ice maker assembly. Don’t lose the spring that goes with it. • Install the spring on the new feeler arm. Insert the longer prong into the arm. • Insert the shorter end of the spring into the slot on the ice maker assembly. • Reinstall the screw to mount the new feeler arm. • Insert the ice bucker into its place. Then, close and latch the door shut. • Close the freezer door and restore power to your fridge. • Give your ice maker at least 24 hours to cool down and start ice production.

New Ice Maker

Did you recently get an ice maker installed in your GE refrigerator? If you’re wondering why it’s not producing ice yet, it’s probably because it needs more time to reach the right temperature.

A newly installed ice maker will need about 24 hours to get cool enough to start ice production. This is completely normal and doesn’t require repairs.

Solution: Give your new ice maker at least 24 hours to get cold enough for ice production. The ice tray must reach 16°F(-8.9°C) before a cycle can start.

Incorrect Temperature

A GE refrigerator must be set to 37°F(2.8°C), while the freezer must be set as close to 0°F(-18°C) for the ice maker to function properly. If your unit is too warm, your ice maker will either take too long to freeze water in the tray or it can’t freeze the water at all.

Not to worry, you can change the settings on your freezer with a few taps on your control panel. If your unit has no other issues, your ice maker should be able to produce ice once it reaches the desired temperatures.

Solution: Set your freezer’s temperature to 0°F(-18°C) for optimal cooling. To change the freezer settings on a GE French door model, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Select the Freezer button on the control panel. It will display the current temperature of the compartment.

• Step 2: Click on the Freezer button again to adjust the temperature. 

Each time you tap the button, the temperature increases by 1°F. Once you’ve reached the limit, it will automatically cycle down to the lowest limits.

Defective Door Gasket

The gasket is the airtight rubber seal that goes around the door. It keeps cool air from escaping your unit and prevents warm air from entering it.

A cracked, torn, or loose gasket will raise the temperature of your fridge, preventing it from producing ice. At the same time, it forces the internal components to work harder, which may lead to premature failure.

Every 12 months or so, perform the paper test to check the effectiveness of your door gasket. Just slip a piece of paper or a dollar bill between the gasket and the freezer, then carefully pull it out.

If the paper slips out so easily, your door gasket is no longer in good condition. Unfortunately, you can no longer fix it, but you can replace it with a new airtight seal.

What you’ll need:

• Flathead screwdriver
• New door gasket

Solution: Prep your new door gasket 1 to 2 days before installing it. Take it out of its package and lay it out on a flat surface to eliminate warping.

• Step 1: Unplug the power cord and open the freezer door.

• Step 2: Use a flathead screwdriver to pull the defective gasket off the grooves of the freezer door. 

• Step 3: Clean the grooves with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Then, wipe the area dry before installing the gasket.

• Step 4: Install the new freezer gasket starting from the upper corners. Use your fingers to push the gasket into the grooves and secure it to the freezer door.

Underloaded Freezer

How you stock your freezer can affect its temperatures. As a result, it will impact the production of ice in your unit.

Each time you open the freezer door, warm air seeps in. If it’s empty, your unit will work harder to cool down the air.

The frozen goods in your freezer make it easier to retain the cold. Thus, you should keep it stocked to prevent a variety of performance issues.

Solution: Keep your freezer ¾ full to keep its temperature stable. 

Tripped Circuit Breaker

An overload is a common reason behind a tripped circuit breaker. If you plug in too many appliances in a circuit, exceeding the limit of the circuit, your breaker automatically turns off power to prevent overheating.

Solution: Turn off all the lights and unplug the appliances connected to the tripped circuit breaker. Follow these steps to reset the circuit.

• Step 1: Locate the circuit breaker in your household and identify the one that keeps tripping. The switch would be out of place when a breaker trips.
• Step 2: Move the switch on the circuit breaker to the OFF position.
• Step 3: After a few seconds, flip the switch back to the ON position.
• Step 4: Plug in your refrigerator. Confirm that it can turn on and operate properly.

Turn on the lights and plug in the other appliances in the circuit. If it trips, the appliance or light may have faulty wiring. 

We recommend contacting a licensed electrician who can help you resolve the issue.

Improper Leveling

Improper leveling prevents your GE refrigerator from performing at optimal condition. If your unit isn’t leveled properly, it can also cause fluctuations in temperature, which not only impedes ice production but also leads to food spoilage. 

The front legs of your GE fridge must be raised ¼” higher than the back legs. Thus, the doors on a leveled fridge should close when you open them at a 45-degree angle.

What you’ll need:

• 3/8” wrench
• Flathead screwdriver
• Carpenter’s level

Solution: Install your fridge on a stable and even surface. Place a carpenter’s level horizontally on top of the unit, then identify the side that is higher.

• Step 1: Unthread the screws on the base grille. Grab each side of the grille and pull forward to remove it. 

On some models, the base grille isn’t secured with a screw. In such cases, simply pull it off the fridge and set it aside to access the leveling legs.

• Step 2: Locate the adjusting screw on the adjustable roller opposite the side that is higher. Use pliers or a 3/8” wrench to rotate it clockwise and raise its height.

For example, if the right side of the fridge is higher, you must raise the left leveling leg to level your unit.

On models with leveling legs, insert a flathead screwdriver into the slot on the leveling leg. Rotate it clockwise to raise the height or counterclockwise to lower it.

• Step 3: Set the carpenter’s level horizontally on the top of the fridge to check if it is level. Make the necessary adjustments until it is properly leveled from side to side.

• Step 4: Place the carpenter’s level vertically on the fridge to check if it is level from front to back. Keep the front ¼” higher than the back.

• Step 5: Reinstall the base grille. 

Active Sabbath Mode

Select GE refrigerator models have a Sabbath Mode, which allows observant Jews to continue using the appliance during special holidays or the Jewish Sabbath. If it is activated, your fridge and freezer compartments will continue to operate normally to prevent food spoilage. 

However, your fridge won’t respond to your inputs on the control panel. The lights and the ice maker will also be disabled until you exit this mode.

Not to worry, this means nothing’s wrong with your ice maker. After disabling Sabbath Mode, it should turn on and start producing ice again.

Solution: Simultaneously push the Settings, Water, and Light buttons for 3 seconds to exit Sabbath Mode. 

Jammed Ice Maker Feeler Arm

Sometimes, ice can obstruct your ice maker’s feeler arm, preventing it from moving freely during cycles. If the arm is raised, the ice maker automatically stops ice production and will resume only when the arm goes down.

If an obstruction is preventing the arm from going down, removing it should fix your problem. However, if you see any signs of damage on the arm, it will require replacement, which we will also cover in this guide.

Solution: Turn off the ice maker. Use a wooden or plastic spatula to remove ice and other objects obstructing the feeler arm.

Turn on the ice maker once the obstruction has been removed. Then, wait for it to reach the desired temperature for ice production.

Clogged Water Filter

A GE refrigerator’s water filter must be replaced at least every 6 months or whenever you notice a decrease in water flow. If your household frequently uses the dispenser or your water supply is hard, you might also have to replace it before 6 months.

If there’s too much dirt build-up on a filter, it may restrict the flow of water into your ice maker, preventing it from making a fresh batch of ice. Replacing it will restore the flow of water to the ice maker.

XWFE Water Filter

GE side-by-side refrigerators and bottom-mount freezers usually have an XWFE water filter, which replaces the XWF filters. Built with leak-sensing technology, this filtration system will automatically shut down the valve when it detects a leak in the filter.

What you’ll need:

• Towel
• XWFE water filter

Solution: To replace an XWFE water filter on a bottom-mount freezer, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Lay a towel underneath the water filter’s cartridge housing to absorb any spills.
• Step 2: Press the two front tabs on the housing. Carefully pull the housing down to access the water filter.
• Step 3: Tilt the filter down to a 45-degree angle. Then, slowly rotate it to the left until you can pull it out of the housing.
• Step 4: Align the ports on the new filter with the ports on the housing. Insert the filter and rotate it to the right until it locks into place.
• Step 5: Check if the arrow on the side of the filter aligns with the arrow on the housing. Then, push the filter up into the clips.
• Step 6: Close the lid of the cartridge housing.
• Step 7: Dispense about 2 gallons of water to remove air bubbles in the system.

RPWFE Water Filter

The RPWFE is GE’s most advanced filtration system, which is commonly used on select French door refrigerator models. 

It is usually mounted on the upper left corner of the fridge compartment. In other models, you’ll find the filter inside the left door.

What you’ll need:

• Towel
• RPWFE water filter

Solution: To replace the RPWFE water filter located in the upper left corner of the GE fridge, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Place a small towel underneath the water filter housing.
• Step 2: Open the filter door.
• Step 3: Swing the old filter to the right. Then, pull it out without twisting the cartridge.
• Step 4: Push the new water filter into the housing with the label FRONT facing outward.
• Step 5: Swing the filter back into place and close the door shut.

If the filter doesn’t swing, make sure it is properly seated. Just push it in until it engages.

• Step 6: Dispense about 2 gallons of water to purge air in the system.

MWF Water Filter

Other GE side-by-side refrigerators use an MWF water filter. You’ll find it in the top right corner of the main compartment. 

What you’ll need:

• Towel
• MWF water filter

Solution: To replace an MWF water filter, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Place a towel right under the water filter to absorb any spills when it is removed.
• Step 2: Rotate the filter to the left, then pull it down until it’s removed from its housing.
• Step 3: Remove the seal on your new filter. 
• Step 4: Fill it up with water from the faucet.
• Step 5: Align the arrow on the housing with the water filter.
• Step 6: Insert the filter into the housing and rotate it to the right.
• Step 7: Dispense 1 ½  gallons of water to purge air from the system.
• Step 8: Push the Reset Filter button on the control panel for 3 seconds.

Malfunctioning Feeler Arm

The feeler arm lets the ice maker know when the bin is full, which is a signal to stop ice production. 

A cracked or bent feeler arm will cause the ice maker to malfunction. It will either continue producing ice when the bin is full or stop producing ice at all when it is empty.

If it gets stuck in the up position, it will think that the bin is full even when it’s not. Until the feeler arm is replaced, your ice maker will be unable to start a cycle.

What you’ll need:

• Phillips screwdriver
• New ice maker shutoff arm

Solution: To replace an ice maker filter arm on a GE French door refrigerator, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug your refrigerator and open the freezer door.
• Step 2: Pull down the ice door latch to access the ice maker compartment.
• Step 3: Carefully lift the bottom of the ice bucket. Tilt it out and pull it down to remove it.
• Step 4: Use a Phillips screwdriver to unthread the mounting screw on the feeler arm.
• Step 5: Pull the old feeler arm down carefully until it detaches from the ice maker assembly. Don’t lose the spring that goes with it.
• Step 6: Install the spring on the new feeler arm. Insert the longer prong into the arm.
• Step 7: Insert the shorter end of the spring into the slot on the ice maker assembly.
• Step 8: Reinstall the screw to mount the new feeler arm.
• Step 9: Insert the ice bucker into its place. Then, close and latch the door shut.
• Step 10: Close the freezer door and restore power to your fridge.
• Step 11: Give your ice maker at least 24 hours to cool down and start ice production.