During hot and humid days, you can always rely on our ice makers to give us the chilly satisfaction of an ice-cold beverage. But one of the most jarring problems you can face is your Samsung ice maker freezing up and stopping ice production.
When this happens, there is no need to get all hot-headed.
In this article, we will tackle all things that could go wrong with your Samsung ice maker and how you can fix them yourself in the comfort of your own home!
Why is my Samsung ice maker freezing up?
Ice makers freeze up due to a frozen or clogged inlet tube. An inlet tube is what delivers water into your ice maker.
Another reason for the freeze-up could be dirt and excess moisture getting into the appliance and causing frost build-up over time.
There are simple steps that you can take to fix your ice maker once you identify the problem at hand.
But first, consult the manufacturer’s instructions to be familiar with your ice maker parts, and remember to unplug the appliance before performing any do-it-yourself repairs.
How do I fix a frozen Samsung ice maker?
To fix a frozen ice maker, you need to identify the cause of the problem. It can be that you have a frozen or clogged inlet tube that is causing the ice maker to freeze up.
Then you need to thaw out or clean the inlet tube.
Here are ways to do that:
| Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Frozen Inlet Tube | • Turn the refrigerator off then remove the ice maker. Find the inlet tube at the back of the ice maker. • Scrape and thaw out the frost surrounding the inlet tube. |
| Clogged Inlet Tube | • Turn the refrigerator off then remove the ice maker. Find the inlet tube at the back of the ice maker. • Carefully remove the tube and clean it using a soft brush. Lastly, rinse the inlet valve and the area surrounding it. |
Frozen Inlet Tube
A frozen inlet tube could be caused by excess moisture and the temperature in the appliance being too low.
When this happens, frost prevents water from being carried into the ice molds, thus causing the freeze.
If you do encounter a frozen inlet tube, you will need to thaw it out.
Solution: Locate the power button and shut off the device before doing any repairs.
Remove the ice maker and examine the tube. If it is hard and cold, then it is indeed frozen.
Gently scrape the frost around the tube off with a dull knife.
Allow the tube to thaw by disconnecting it and letting it defrost in the sink. You can speed up this process by gently pouring warm water around the tube.
Wipe off the melted ice before putting the ice maker back together.
But if your ice maker’s inlet tube isn’t frozen, it may be clogged instead.
Clogged inlet tube.
A clogged inlet tube can be caused by dirt and debris that entered your appliance. When this happens, the ice maker cannot fill the ice molds with water.
Solution: Turn your ice maker off then locate the inlet tube.
Carefully dislodge it from its position using a flathead screwdriver.
Remove any dirt and debris in the inlet tube by running it under water and using a soft brush to scrub the dirt off.
Next, wipe the area surrounding the tube with warm, soapy water.
Wipe the inlet tube dry before placing it back into the ice maker.
Turn your ice maker on and let it run for one cycle.
Now that we know the reason your ice maker keeps freezing up, let’s find out how we can prevent this from happening again.
How do I prevent a Samsung ice maker from freezing up?
To prevent your Samsung refrigerator ice maker from freezing, you should check if the refrigerator door and ice route flap are closed properly.
Regularly check for proper ventilation inside the freezer and clean the condenser coils when needed. Lastly, reset the temperature to zero degrees.
Make sure the refrigerator doors are properly closed.
A Samsung refrigerator ice maker freezes due to warm air getting inside and causing condensation, which can be caused by gaps in the ice maker housing, stuck ice chutes, or cracked ice buckets.
To prevent this, take note of the following:
- Ensure the freezer door is properly closed each time it is opened.
If the door is closed improperly, warm air will get into the freezer, especially in humid areas. If the door is held open for too long, moisture enters the appliance, causing it to freeze up.
- Clean the fridge’s door seal.
Using warm water and mild soap, wipe the door seal to ensure that no more dirt and excess debris prevent it from closing.
If ice keeps the freezer door ajar, chip away at the ice carefully. If that does not help, it may be time to replace the seal altogether.
Ensure that the ice route flap is closed.
The route flap of a Samsung fridge ice maker has to sit flush against the housing. Make sure to remove any blockage that keeps it open.
If not, humid air can come into the freezer through the route flap and cause frosting. A regular check of the route flap ensures that the Samsung ice maker does not freeze up when you need it.
Check if the inside of the ice maker has proper ventilation.
Check that nothing is blocking the freezer’s air vents and ensure there is enough airflow around the compartment.
The best fix to this is to free up some room by moving items around and avoiding overstocking the freezer. Keep it at least ¾ full to allow air to flow freely and absorb cold air.
There must be enough space between items in the freezer so that there is better air circulation in the compartments.
Reset the temperature.
The optimal temperature to set your appliance at is zero degrees. Anything below that is too low.
To reset the temperature in your freezer, you first need to locate the “Freezer” button on the control panel.
Lightly press the button until you hear a beep and the light indicators show what temperature the freezer is currently at. Keep pressing until you get to the optimal temperature of zero degrees.
Regularly clean the ice maker’s condenser coils.
Excessive cooling from dirty condenser coils can cause the ice maker to freeze. The refrigerator may attempt to compensate for the slack by running more than necessary, which can result in overheating and warmness inside the unit.
When this happens, the heat generated from the condenser could cause excess moisture that will build up frost over time.
To clean the condenser coils, first, you need to unplug and empty the freezer then check the drain at the back wall.
Check the coils at the bottom of the freezer and clean them with a condenser brush or vacuum brush. To keep the coils in good condition, clean them regularly.
After cleaning dirt off the coils, unclog the ice maker’s defrost drain.
Pour hot water over the drainage hole and make sure the water runs free into the drain pan before stopping.
If there is debris and other foreign matter in the drain, use a stiff wire to remove it or pour a mixture of hot water and vinegar down the hole.
Wipe the unit completely dry before plugging it back in for use.
Now that you know the essential steps to remedy your frozen ice maker, it is only a matter of consistency and performing regular checks on the appliance.
This way, you can prevent future damage to your ice maker and enjoy sipping on a cool beverage whenever you need it!
