How to Replace Your Samsung Icemaker When It’s Not Making Ice

When your icemaker suddenly stops making ice, there are a handful of different parts that could be causing the malfunction. If you have a Samsung refrigerator, a simple way to restart the system is to press and hold the test button at the bottom of the icemaker for at least three seconds. However, sometimes a broken icemaker assembly simply has to be replaced. Order replacement part DA97-05037D for a new Samsung ice maker assembly and then follow these instructions.

1. Unplug the refrigerator and turn off the water.

The first step before performing any repairs, replacements, or maintenance is to completely unplug the appliance. This keeps you and the surrounding area safer from electrical injuries. Also, the ice maker assembly connects to a water inlet valve. So it’s important to turn off the local water connection to prevent leaks and flooding. The local water valve should be behind your refrigerator.

2. Access the icemaker assembly.

First, open both French doors in the refrigerator section and then the freezer door. The ice maker assembly is in the top left corner of the lower freezer section. In order to easily access it, you’re going to remove all of the freezer doors and, in the next step, the freezer door itself.

To start, lift up the top drawer to pull it free of the latch on the rollers,  then pull it out at an angle. Lift it up entirely to remove, and then set it aside.

Next, remove the adjustable shelf bracket that’s attached directly to the back of the freezer door.  Pull it up to detach it from the locking tabs on the door by pulling up and then away lift up the back end of the basket, then the front, then remove

3.  Remove the freezer door.

The freezer door is attached to the refrigerator by bolts on the opening and closing rails. Remove the two sets of two bolts (on the left and right side) of the rails securing the door in place. Then you can lift the door up and away to set it aside. Push in the rails and hinges so you can easily reach the icemaker assembly in the now-empty freezer. 

4. Remove the icemaker.

First, pry the front cover off with a flat head screwdriver and set it aside. This will give you access to the screws in the cylindrical grooves that attach the icemaker assembly to the top of the freezer. Remove them with a Phillips screwdriver while supporting the weight of the icemaker with your other hand.

Next, slide the icemaker forward off the grooves. Continue to support the weight of the assembly instead of pulling it out; it’s still attached to the main refrigerator by electrical wiring. Find the clip plugging the icemaker’s wire harness to the matching fridge wiring, and depress the locking tab to detach it. Then you can fully remove the old assembly and set it aside. 

5. Install the new icemaker.

To start, orient the new ice maker in place so the cutout for the water inlet valve is on the right side, and the grooves for the two front screws are toward the front. Next, gently pull the length of the wire harness free from the tab holding it against the side of the assembly. You’ll need the extra length now, but you’ll secure it back in place later.

While you’re holding the assembly, plug the wire harness in and then swivel the ice maker to put the excess length back in the tab. Next, orient the icemaker in place and align the water inlet valve through the hole near the top right corner of the icemaker. You don’t need to specifically attach it to this part, but the inlet valve does need to freely slide into place.

Once it’s in the right position, press it against the ceiling and slide it back so the back locking tabs engage. Then, as you continue to hold it in place, tighten the two Phillips screws in the front grooves of the assembly. The new model may not have a cover, but, if it does, align it with the locking tabs and press it in until the tabs click and engage.

6. Reattach the freezer door.

To start, extend the hinges and rails and hold the door in place against the fully extended rails. Slowly lower it at an angle so it fits against the tabs and then lowers the bottom to straighten it in place. Resecure the door to the rails with the two sets of two bolts., being sure to support the door’s weight until all four bolts are engaged.

7. Reassemble the freezer.

Before you begin, make sure the door is fully extended. Then lower the bottom basket’s front edge into place against the rails before lowering the back edge. Next, reinstall the adjustable shelf. Align both end brackets with the locking tabs on the inside of the door and press down until they click and engage.

After that, install the top basket. This part should be supported by mechanisms on the top and bottom of the basket, so it’s slightly difficult. First, align the basket with the bottom rail and partially close the door to bring the top back corners of the basket closer to the top rails within the freezer body. The top of the basket should fit along inside those grooves.

Once it’s in place, set the front bottom rollers on the rail and slide the drawer in. Make sure it moves smoothly open along the rails before moving to the next step.

Then, shut the freezer door and the refrigerator doors. Plug the refrigerator back in and turn on the local water connection.

8. Press the test button.

At the bottom of the icemaker, you will see a test button. Press that button and hold it for at least three seconds. This should start the ice maker. Watch for leaks and malfunctions during the first trial run, but your icemaker should now be producing ice!

For more repair tips and parts replacement how-to guides, search through our online resources.