Why Is My Freezer Not Making Ice Properly?

If your freezer is not making ice properly, you’re in the right place. When this problem arises, it’s usually the result of one or more of the components in your freezer becoming faulty, which causes your freezer to not cool down enough to create ice. 

Thankfully, most of the time this problem can be solved reasonably easily. Just check each of the components listed in this guide and you should be able to get your freezer making ice again quickly.

Please note that if your freezer doesn’t have an automatic ice maker, you can skip down to checking the temperature. 

The ice maker might not be installed correctly.

If you have a reasonably new refrigerator, you need to make sure the ice maker has been installed correctly. Sometimes, the hoses and other components aren’t connected correctly, which can stop the ice maker from working properly.

Here’s what to do:

1. Get your user manual and then find the ice maker section.
2. Double-check each component of your ice maker to make sure it’s installed correctly. The main components that people often overlook or install incorrectly are the valves and the hoses, which can end up with kinks and leaks that stop your ice maker from receiving water.
3. If you find any parts that aren’t installed properly, fix them, and then check if the problem has been solved. If not, proceed to check the next component in this guide.
4. If the ice maker is installed correctly, proceed to check the next component in this guide.

The freezer temperature might be too high.

If the temperature in your freezer is not set to the right level, it can stop your freezer from cooling down to a low enough temperature, and your ice maker will not work or the ice tray will not turn the water into ice. Your freezer needs to be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below to work correctly. 

Here’s how to check the temperature in your freezer:

1. Locate the thermostat in your freezer.
2. Make sure the temperature is set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. If it is set higher than that, adjust it and then close the freezer door. If the freezer is set to the correct temperature, proceed to check the next component.
3. After a few hours, check if your freezer is now making ice properly. If not, proceed to check the next component in this guide.

The condenser coils might be dirty.

If your freezer isn’t making ice properly, the next possible reason to investigate is if the condenser coils are dirty. When the coils get covered in dust or frost, your freezer isn’t able to cool down enough, so ice will not set properly.

Here’s how to check the condenser coils, and if necessary, clean them:

1. Switch the power off to your fridge and pull it out from the wall.
2. If the condenser coils have a cover over them, remove them.
3. If the coils are frosted, leave your fridge turned off for 1-hour or so to let them completely defrost, and then wipe them clean with a cloth. If the coils are covered in dust, give them a good clean.
4. Once clean, put the cover back on, push your fridge back against the wall, and switch the power back on.
5. After a few hours, check if your ice maker or ice tray is full of ice. If not, proceed to check the next component in this guide.

The condenser fan might be faulty.

If dirty condenser coils weren’t the cause of your ice maker not working, the next component to inspect is the condenser fan. This fan helps the coils stay at the right temperature, so they don’t freeze over. If it becomes faulty, your ice maker might not work.

To inspect the condenser fan, you need to:

1. Switch the power off to your fridge.
2. Locate the condenser fan (it’s at the back of your fridge).
3. If it has a cover on it, remove it.
4. Attempt to turn the fan around manually a full 360 degrees.
5. If anything is stopping it from being able to move, remove it. If the fan is bent out of shape and cannot be repaired, replace it.
6. If the fan turns around correctly and isn’t bent, test it with a multimeter.
7. If the test shows the fan motor has continuity, skip to checking the next component in this guide. If the fan doesn’t have continuity, replace it.
8. If replacing the fan doesn’t solve the problem, move on to checking the next component in this guide.

The evaporator fan might be defective.

Another possible cause of your freezer not making ice properly is if the evaporator fan has become faulty. This fan helps to distribute cold air from the freezer unit to the main fridge unit in your refrigerator. When it stops working, your freezer might become too cool or not cool enough. If the evaporator fan is making a loud grinding noise, this is a good sign it will need to be replaced. 

To inspect the evaporator fan, you need to:

1. Switch the power off to your fridge.
2. Locate the evaporator fan (it’s in the freezer compartment).
3. If it has a cover on it, remove it.
4. Attempt to turn the fan around manually a full 360 degrees.
5. If anything is stopping it from being able to move, remove it or let it defrost if it’s covered in ice. If the evaporator fan is bent out of shape and cannot be repaired, replace it.
6. If the fan turns around correctly and isn’t bent, test it with a multimeter. You can also test it once it defrosts if it’s covered in ice.
7. If the test shows the evaporator fan motor doesn’t have continuity, replace it.
8. If replacing the fan doesn’t solve the problem, you will need to get a technician to come and inspect your fridge.