Whirlpool Ice Maker Arm Stuck in the Up Position? (SOLVED!)

Gone are the days of refillable ice trays. With our Whirlpool ice maker, we get a constant supply of fresh ice, and we get to choose what type of ice to dispense.

Preparing smoothies for the kids or a cold brew for yourself before the morning commute is so much easier—that is until the ice maker arm malfunctions and gets stuck in the up position.

Once the bin runs out of ice, your ice maker can’t produce more ice until the shutoff arm is fixed. Lucky for you, we know how to do it.

So you never have to use those refillable trays again, we will show you how to troubleshoot a Whirlpool ice maker’s shutoff arm that won’t go down.

Why is my Whirlpool ice maker arm stuck in the up position?

If your Whirlpool ice maker’s shutoff arm is stuck in the up position, something inside the freezer might be obstructing it, preventing it from going down. It might also be frozen over, causing it to jam.

A damaged shutoff arm can’t be repaired. You must replace it to continue using the ice maker.

Here are simple troubleshooting solutions that you should perform before making any repairs to your ice maker.

• Manually lower the shutoff arm. Carefully but firmly lower the arm, but don’t force it to prevent damaging it.

• Reset the ice maker. Flip the switch on the ice maker to the OFF position, then flip it back to the ON position again.

If none of these quick fixes have resolved your problem, keep reading our guide below for more detailed solutions. We will give you easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips to troubleshoot the shutoff arm.

Causes and Solutions

In most cases, you can fix a Whirlpool ice maker arm stuck in the up position by removing obstructions. It could be frost or food packaging in the freezer compartment.

If the shutoff arm is misaligned, reinstall it properly. However, if it is cracked or bent, a replacement is necessary.

Here’s an overview of what causes an ice maker arm to get stuck in the up position. We also have simple, step-by-step instructions to help you troubleshoot it.

Causes	Solutions
The shutoff arm is obstructed.	• Check the freezer and make sure nothing is obstructing the shutoff arm.  • If necessary, move the food around the compartment to prevent the arm from getting blocked.
The shutoff arm is frozen.	To activate force defrost: • Push and hold the door switch while pressing the refrigerator (-) minus button 3 times within 6 seconds. • Make sure Fd appears on the display before moving on to the next step. If it doesn’t, repeat this step. • Press the refrigerator (+) plus button to select the long defrost (L) option. Click on the (-) minus button to confirm your selection.
To manually defrost your fridge: Unplug the power cord and leave the doors open for at least 8 hours.
The shutoff arm is misaligned.	• Unplug the power cord, or turn off the power at the circuit breaker. • Open the freezer door and loosen the screws on the upper corners. Lift the door off the struts and set it aside. • Pry on the locking tab on the drawer stop using a small flat-blade screwdriver, then pull it out to remove it.  • Repeat the same step on the opposite side of the freezer door. • Slide out the top drawer and remove it from the compartment. • Tilt the bottom drawer up on the front and push it to the back to release the locking tabs. Then, carefully lift it up to remove it. • Look for a wire connector on the ice maker, depress its locking tab, and pull it out to unplug it. Repeat the same step until all wire connectors are unplugged. • Use a 1/4” nut driver to unthread the screws mounting the ice maker. • Pivot the front of the ice maker and pull it toward you to release it from the retaining tabs. • Inspect both ends of the shutoff arm. Insert one end into the ice maker body and the other into the fill cup.Check if the shutoff arm can move down. • Insert the retaining tabs on the ice maker into the slots on the freezer wall, then replace the screws to keep it secure. • Plug in all the wire connectors on the ice maker. • Lower the shutoff arm to turn on the ice maker. • Insert the bottom drawer at an angle and tilt it down until it is properly seated on the slides. Align the retaining tabs with the slots on the rails. • Align the rear wheels on the top drawer with the rails. Gently push the drawer into place, then reinstall the drawer stops. • Align the hanging tabs on the door with the door struts. Tighten the bolts once the door is fully seated. • Shut the freezer door and restore power to your unit.
The shutoff arm is defective.	• Unplug your refrigerator, and open the freezer door. • Loosen the screws on the upper corners of the door. Carefully lift the door off the struts and set it aside. • Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to pry on the locking tab on the drawer stop, then pull it out to remove it.  • Repeat the same step on the opposite side of the freezer door. • Slide out the top drawer and remove it from the compartment. • Tilt the bottom drawer up on the front and push it to the back to release the locking tabs. Then, carefully lift it up to remove it. • Unplug all 3 wire connectors on the ice maker by depressing their locking tabs. • Unthread the screws mounting the ice maker. • Pivot the front of the ice maker and pull it toward you to release it from the retaining tabs. • Remove the shutoff arm starting from the end opposite the fill cup.  • Install the new shutoff arm by threading it into the fill cup, then insert the other end into the ice maker. • Mount the ice maker by inserting the retaining tabs into the slots on the freezer wall. Then, reinstall the screws to secure the ice maker in place. • Plug in the 3 wire connectors on the ice maker. • Flip the new shutoff arm down to turn on the ice maker. • Reinstall the bottom and top drawers. Then, reinstall the drawer stops. • Align the hanging tabs on the door with the door struts. Tighten the bolts once the door is fully seated. • Close the freezer door and restore power to your unit.
The ice maker is damaged.	Call a repair service or contact the manufacturer.

The shutoff arm is obstructed.

Whenever your ice maker shutoff arm is locked in position, the first thing you need to do is check for obstructions. In most cases, old ice and other items in the freezer can get lodged between the arm, preventing it from moving properly.

Solution: Check the ice maker for obstructions that interfere with the movement of the shutoff arm. If necessary, move the food around the compartment to prevent the arm from getting blocked.

The shutoff arm is frozen.

Your freezer compartment must be set as close to 0° F (-18° C). If your freezer reaches 10° F (-12° C), it will cause the ice maker assembly, including the shutoff arm, to freeze over and jam.

Different factors can cause frost to accumulate in your freezer. For starters, opening the door for a long time or frequently will allow heat and moisture to enter the compartment, which can turn into frost.

To remove the ice build-up on the shutoff arm and the ice maker, you must defrost your refrigerator. There are two ways to do this: a force defrost or a manual defrost.

Whatever method your choose, you must transfer the perishable goods from the fridge to coolers to prevent food spoilage.

Solution: To activate the force defrost mode on your Whirlpool refrigerator, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Push and hold the door switch. At the same time, press the refrigerator (-) minus button 3 times within 6 seconds.

Make sure Fd appears on the display before moving on to the next step. If it doesn’t, repeat this step.

• Step 2: Press the refrigerator (+) plus button to select the long defrost (L) option.

• Step 3: Click on the (-) minus button again to confirm your selection.

After, the display will revert to the normal mode. Then, you’ll hear the compressor and fans turn off.

The shutoff arm is misaligned.

Is your freezer always packed? While unloading or unloading food from the compartment, you probably knocked the shutoff arm out of alignment, causing it to jam in the UP position.

One end of the shutoff arm should be connected to the ice maker’s body while the other end connects to the fill cup. If the shutoff arm is misaligned, it will stay locked in position until you manually reinstall it in your ice maker. 

Although it is usually an easy fix, the steps may vary depending on your fridge model and ice maker.

What you’ll need:

• 1/4” nut driver
• Small flat-blade screwer

Solution: To fix a misaligned shutoff arm, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the power cord, or turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
• Step 2: Open the freezer door and loosen the screws on the upper edges of the door.
• Step 3: Lift the door off the struts and set it aside.
• Step 4: Pry on the locking tab on the drawer stop using a small flat-blade screwdriver, then pull it out to remove it. Repeat the same step on the opposite side of the freezer door.
• Step 5: Slide out the top drawer and remove it from the compartment.
• Step 6: Tilt the bottom drawer up on the front and push it to the back to release the locking tabs. Then, carefully lift it up to remove it.
• Step 7: Look for a wire connector on the ice maker, depress its locking tab, and pull it out to unplug it. Repeat the same step until all wire connectors are unplugged.
• Step 8: Use a 1/4” nut driver to unthread the screws mounting the ice maker.
• Step 9: Pivot the front of the ice maker and pull it toward you to release it from the retaining tabs.
• Step 10: Inspect both ends of the shutoff arm. Insert one end into the ice maker body and the other into the fill cup.
• Step 11: Check if the shutoff arm can move down.
• Step 12: Insert the retaining tabs on the ice maker into the slots on the freezer wall. Replace the screws to secure the ice maker.

Make sure the water fill tube is aligned with the fill cup to prevent the ice maker from leaking water. (whirlpool ice maker leaking water)

• Step 13: Plug in all the wire connectors on the ice maker.
• Step 14: Lower the shutoff arm to turn on the ice maker.
• Step 15: Insert the bottom drawer at an angle and tilt it down until it is properly seated on the slides. Align the retaining tabs with the slots on the rails.
• Step 16: Place the top drawer’s rear wheels on the rails. Push the drawer into place, then reinstall the drawer stops on both sides.
• Step 17: Align the hanging tabs on the door with the door struts. Tighten the bolts once the door is fully seated.
• Step 18: Shut the freezer door and restore power to your unit.

The shutoff arm is defective.

If there is nothing wrong with your ice maker’s receiver shutoff slide, you should inspect the shutoff arm for signs of damage. Check if it’s bent or cracked, then replace it if necessary.

Aside from obstructions like frost build-up or food packages, storing foreign items in the ice maker causes irreparable damage to the shutoff arm. It should only be filled with the ice that your unit produces.

Remember that the arm can sense the level of ice in the bin. Once it detects a full bin, it automatically raises to turn off the ice maker.

As long as it stays in the up position, your ice maker will continue to think that the bin is full. Thus, ice production won’t resume until the arm lowers.

Luckily, you don’t need to change the entire ice maker assembly. If only the shutoff arm is defective, you just need to replace that part.

What you’ll need:

• 1/4” nut driver
• Small flat-blade screwer
• New shutoff arm

Solution: To replace an ice maker shutoff arm on a Whirlpool bottom-freezer unit, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug your refrigerator, and open the freezer door.
• Step 2: Loosen the screws on the upper corners of the door. 
• Step 3: Carefully lift the door off the struts and set it aside.
• Step 4: Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to pry on the locking tab on the drawer stop, then pull it out to remove it. Repeat the same step on the opposite side of the freezer door.
• Step 5: Slide out the top drawer and remove it from the compartment.
• Step 6: Tilt the bottom drawer up on the front and push it to the back to release the locking tabs. Then, carefully lift it up to remove it.
• Step 7: Unplug all 3 wire connectors on the ice maker by depressing their locking tabs.
• Step 8: Use a 1/4” nut driver to unthread the screws mounting the ice maker.
• Step 9: Pivot the front of the ice maker and pull it toward you to release it from the retaining tabs.
• Step 10: Remove the shutoff arm starting from the end attached to the ice maker body.
• Step 11: Install the new shutoff arm by inserting one end into the fill cup and the other end into the ice maker body.
• Step 12: Mount the ice maker by inserting the retaining tabs into the slots on the freezer wall. Then, reinstall the screws to secure the ice maker in place.

Check if the fill tube is aligned with the fill cup. If necessary, make adjustments to keep them aligned.

• Step 13: Plug in the 3 wire connectors on the ice maker.
• Step 14: Flip the new shutoff arm down to turn on the ice maker.
• Step 15: Insert the bottom drawer at an angle and tilt it down until it is properly seated on the slides. Make sure the retaining tabs are aligned with the slots.
• Step 16: Align the rear wheels on the top drawer with the rails and gently push the drawer back into place. Reinstall the drawer stops on both sides.
• Step 17: Align the hanging tabs on the door with the door struts. Tighten the bolts once the door is fully seated.
• Step 18: Close the freezer door and restore power to your unit.

The ice maker is damaged.

If realigning or replacing the shutoff arm hasn’t fixed your problem, perhaps the ice maker itself is damaged. No matter how well you maintain the machine, it’s not going to last as long as the refrigerator.

On the bright side, replacement kits are available. That means you don’t have to buy a new fridge to continue enjoying ice on demand.

Diagnosing a defective ice maker can be tricky for the inexperienced. Thus, we recommend calling a professional for this.

Solution: Call a repair service or contact the manufacturer. 

Trained technicians can inspect the ice maker, diagnose the problem, and recommend the appropriate steps to repair it. Plus, they can replace your defective ice maker with a new one.

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