JennAir Ice Maker Not Working? Here’s What to Do

Ice-cold drinks are a must, especially in warmer weather. If the ice maker attached to your JennAir fridge isn’t working properly, don’t pull out your old ice cube trays just yet! There are a few solutions you can try that are doable for even a novice DIYer—read on to find out what to do!

This guide applies to all popular models of JennAir ice makers, including:

A501BT

IM107

IMS105

IMS106/BY09A

IMT106/BYO7A

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JCB2388ARA

JCD2289AES

JCD2295KES

JCD2389DES

JCD2389GES

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JFC2087HRP

JFC2087HRS

JFC2089HEP

JFC2089HES

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JFC2089HTB

JFC2290REP00

JSD2695KES

JSD2789GES

Try resetting

Sometimes, the easiest solution is the answer! First, check your JennAir control panel and make sure that the ice maker is set to “on.” If it isn’t, turn it on and wait to make sure it’s working. 

If it is set to on, you can try a hard reset on your fridge to see if that solves the problem. Here’s what to do. 

• Disconnect your fridge from the power, or turn it off at the circuit breaker. 
• Leave your fridge without power for five minutes.
• Restore power to your JennAir refrigerator.
• Check to see if the ice maker is functional. If not, move on to one of the other fixes in our guide. 

Clear any obstructions

The next step is to make sure that the ejector arm of your JennAir ice maker isn’t obstructed or jammed. This can happen if your ice maker tries to harvest ice that is not fully frozen—water can then spill and freeze on the ejector arm, freezing the mechanism in place and preventing your ice maker from working properly. Here’s how to fix it:

• Examine the ejector arm to see if it’s jammed or frozen. 
• See if you can manually remove any ice that is stuck to the arm, or any ice that is where it shouldn’t be. You can use a toothpick or pencil if the ice is somewhere you can’t reach easily. Be very careful—the mechanism is quite delicate and can easily break if you force it. 
• If you’re finding it hard to remove the ice, try using a hair dryer on a low setting to melt the ice. 
• Once the ice maker arm can move again, dry any excess water so that the same problem doesn’t occur. Now, wait to see if the ice maker is functioning normally again. 

Check the water supply line

It may sound obvious, but your ice maker can’t work without a water supply! If water isn’t flowing to the ice maker, you may notice it making a buzzing noise as it tries to make ice without water. You may also notice items in your fridge start freezing, or food in your crisper drawers may ice up. If this is your issue, check the following things:

• Make sure the water supply is turned on and properly connected. 
• Make sure that the water supply line doesn’t have any kinks. A kinked line won’t be able to supply enough water for the ice maker. 
• Check that the supply line isn’t pinched—this can happen if your JennAir fridge is placed too close to the wall. 
• Check to see if the water supply line is frozen. The line itself should be flexible, so if you feel an icy blockage inside, this may be the culprit. Use a hairdryer to melt the blockage to ensure water is flowing again. 

Change water filter

Water filters should be changed regularly to ensure your water is kept clean and fresh. If you don’t change the filter frequently enough, the filter can get blocked by minerals and debris, which prevents water from flowing to your JennAir ice maker. If you’ve recently installed a water filter and your ice maker has suddenly stopped working, the issue could be that you’ve installed it incorrectly. Here’s how to check:

• Firstly, if you haven’t changed your water filter in the last six months, make sure you replace it. Purchase a new filter from a JennAir-approved retailer.
• Following the instructions in your user manual, remove the old filter and install the new one. 
• If you’ve recently installed a filter, look at the manual instructions and double-check the filter is properly in place. 
• Once you’re confident the filter is placed correctly, flush the system with water. It’s essential to do this step as it gets rid of any bubbles that may be stuck in the water lines. Air bubbles can mean your water dispenser won’t flow properly, and your ice maker may only make tiny ice cubes. 
• Press the water dispenser for five seconds, then wait five seconds. Repeat this process for two minutes, until the water is flowing freely without any air. Your water dispenser and ice maker will now be ready to use. 

Check thermostat

If your freezer thermostat is set too low, your ice maker won’t be able to make ice. Ideally, your freezer should be set at or below 0°F (-18°C). Check the setting on your thermostat, and adjust if necessary. 

If the thermostat is set to the correct temperature, but the ice maker isn’t working, and the freezer doesn’t seem cold enough, you may have a faulty thermostat. Here’s what to do:

• After turning off your fridge, locate your thermostat. Consult your JennAir manual for instructions for your model. 
• Test the thermostat with a multimeter to ensure it’s functioning properly. A working thermostat should show different continuity readings when the thermostat temperature is adjusted. 
• If it’s faulty, order a replacement part that is compatible with your freezer.
• If you’re confident performing electrical DIY, you can install the new thermostat yourself; otherwise, seek help from a technician. 
• Once the thermostat is installed, check to ensure your ice maker issue has been resolved.