A Samsung refrigerator is supposed to make around 120 ice cubes daily. As such, if your refrigerator is not producing any ice, then something is definitely wrong with the appliance.
If your Samsung refrigerator isn’t making ice, one of the following 12 reasons could be the cause:
- Refrigerator operation time and set temperature.
- The refrigerator ice maker function is deactivated.
- The refrigerator is not level.
- The Child Lock feature is on.
- The refrigerator doors aren’t closed completely.
- The refrigerator is overstuffed.
- Water supply Issues.
- The water filter is dirty.
- Ice buildup in the ice container.
- A defective component in the ice maker assembly.
- A defective ice maker auger.
- A malfunctioned ice level control board.
I’ll explain each of these causes of a Samsung refrigerator not making ice in detail, beginning with the simplest to the more complex ones. You’ll also find a troubleshooting tip for each problem. Keep reading to learn what you need to do when faced with any of the above issues.

Important Tip!
Before proceeding to troubleshoot your Samsung Refrigerator for any of the reasons for the ice maker not working, reset the ice maker first to see if it resumes making ice.
1. Refrigerator Operation Time and Set Temperature
If your fridge is turned on after staying for a long time without being used, you’ll need to wait for at least six hours before it can start making ice. However, if the refrigerator has been in operation for 6-12 hours but still won’t make ice, the set temperature may be too high.
How To Fix
First, ensure your refrigerator has been running for more than 6 hours before trying to get ice from the appliance.
If your refrigerator has been on for 6-12 hours but there’s still no ice, check the temperature setting. The refrigerator should be set at -15°C (5°F) or lower. If it’s not, reset it to the correct temperature.
2. The Refrigerator Ice Maker Function Is Deactivated
To make and dispense ice, the ice maker function on your refrigerator needs to be activated. If the ice maker icon on the control panel is in the ICE OFF mode, the Samsung refrigerator won’t be making any ice. Your refrigerator will also not respond if you press Cubed Ice or Crushed Ice.
How To Fix
Setting the ice maker function on your Samsung refrigerator will vary from model to model. Check your Owner’s Manual, which should show one of these options:
- Tap the lock button once to activate the ice maker. Don’t press it continuously, as this will activate the control lock function.
- Press the ‘Ice Type’ option. This will activate cubed or crushed ice.
- Find the ‘Ice Maker’ button on the control panel and press it down for 3 seconds. Doing so will activate ice production.
- Check the ice maker function to see if it’s in the ICE OFF mode. If so, press the dispenser lever for >5 seconds to automatically activate the ice maker. You can then select the Cubed Ice or Crushed Ice as desired.
- Tap ‘Fridge Manager’ on the home screen. This is specifically for Samsung Smart Home refrigerators. Tap, ‘Fridge Settings’, and ‘Ice Making’ to enable the ice-making function.
3. The Refrigerator Is Not Level
Leveling your refrigerator is crucial for proper fridge function and storage. If your Samsung refrigerator is not level, the ice maker function may not work properly or might fail to work altogether.

How To Fix
To level your Samsung refrigerator and get the ice maker function working, follow these steps:
- Locate the leveling legs at the front, underneath the fridge. You will need to open the doors for easy access. Refrigerators with a leg cover will also require you to remove the cover first.
- Use a screwdriver to rotate the leveling leg on each side until they are as high as possible. You can then make adjustments to ensure the fridge is level on all sides: front, back, left, and right.
- Reinstall the leveling leg cover and close the refrigerator door.
- Test if the refrigerator resumes ice making.
4. The Child Lock Feature Is On
A Samsung fridge’s child lock feature prevents unintended settings changes by kids or accidental pressing on the control panel. Some fridge functions are deactivated if the child lock icon is lit, including the ice maker function.
How To Fix
If the Child Lock function is engaged, pressing the button for 3 seconds will deactivate it. You will hear a chime once the Child Lock feature is disengaged.
5. The Refrigerator Doors Aren’t Closed Completely
Your Samsung refrigerator ice maker won’t dispense ice if the doors are not closed completely. A fridge door may not be properly closed if an object rests between the door and the fridge wall or if the door seal is not attached properly.

How To Fix
Test if your fridge door is closed completely by placing your hand around the door edge to see if you can feel cold air escaping. You can also place a piece of paper between the door and the fridge wall and try pulling the paper out. If there’s no struggle pulling out the paper, the fridge door isn’t tightly closed.
Have the fridge door repaired if it doesn’t close tightly.
6. The Refrigerator Is Overstuffed
Although a refrigerator maintains temperatures better when full, overstuffing your Samsung refrigerator restricts airflow around the stored food. This causes the fridge to work harder or struggle to maintain the required temperature.
If that’s the case, the ice maker may not run until the right fridge temperatures are maintained, and the whole ice-making process may stall.
How To Fix
To avoid overfilling your fridge and prevent the ice maker from malfunctioning, follow the Samsung tips for organizing your refrigerator. This will ensure that your fridge is properly stuffed and that the foods are properly organized to allow proper airflow and facilitate fridge temperature balance.
You can watch this video for a visual guide on how to organize your Samsung refrigerator:
7. Water Supply Issues
Your fridge uses water to make ice. If the water supply has issues, the ice maker will not function.

Water supply issues that cause your Samsung refrigerator not to produce ice include:
- Improper water connection from the main water supply or supply tank to the refrigerator.
- A partially open or closed water valve.
- A damaged water hose.
- Low water pressure.
How To Fix
Depending on which of the above issues is affecting your Samsung refrigerator water supply, perform the appropriate troubleshooting task from the ones listed below:
- Check to ensure the refrigerator water pipe is connected correctly to the water supply pipe. The arrows of both pipes should indicate water flow into the fridge. For models with two water lines (RS27T & RS22T), ensure that the water lines aren’t cross-connected, as this will cause the ice maker not to function.
- Locate the water valve where the refrigerator and main water supply pipes meet. Once you do, ensure that it is fully open.
- Check if the refrigerator water hose is leaking. If not, check if the hose supplying water to the fridge is damaged and leaking, causing the water not to get into the refrigerator.
- Check to confirm that the water pressure is high enough to send water into the refrigerator. A 30psi water pressure is required for an ice maker to function.
To test the water pressure, collect water from the pipe supplying the fridge into a measuring can. If the can collects 150 ml (5 oz) of water in 10 seconds, the water pressure is good. If not, check the pipes for kinks or the filter for blockage.
Note that water pressure issues in your refrigerator can be caused by pressure issues in the main home water supply line. In this case, you’ll need to contact the municipal supplier or use a booster pump.
8. The Water Filter Is Dirty
A refrigerator water filter ensures that the water making your ice is clean and free of impurities. If the filter is dirty or clogged, the water will not pass through, and the ice maker will not function.
Samsung recommends you change your refrigerator water filter every 6 months. You can follow the status of your fridge water filter on the control panel: when the filter is new, the filter light is green, blue, or yellow. Towards the end of 6 months, the filter light turns purple. The filter light is usually red when it’s time to change it.

How To Fix
Follow these steps to change your Samsung refrigerator water filter:
- Refer to your Refrigerator Owner’s Manual to see the location of the filter.
- Cut the water supply to the fridge.
- Rotate the filter anticlockwise to remove it.
- Push in the new filter where the old one was and turn it clockwise to fix it. The lock sign should fit with the filter housing.
- Turn on the water and dispense some to ensure the filter is in place.
- Press the filter reset button, so the light is green/yellow/blue, depending on your model.
You can watch this video by Samsung for a visual demonstration of the steps:
Note that the filter type will differ with refrigerator models.
9. Ice Buildup in the Ice Container
The ice cubes in the ice container can form into masses and cause the ice dispenser to block if:
- You have not turned on the ice maker for a long time.
- Your fridge is set at extremely low temperatures.
How To Fix
To resolve ice buildup in a refrigerator ice bucket, follow these steps:
- Remove and empty the ice container. The way to remove the container will depend on the fridge model. Check your User Manual.
- With the ice bucket out, empty the clumped-up ice into a sink.
- Replace the ice bucket in the refrigerator and turn on the ice maker.
In step 1 above, your User Manual should show one of these ways of removing the refrigerator ice bucket:
- Lift the ice bucket slightly and pull it out using both hands.
- Hold the side handle of the refrigerator ice bucket and remove it.
- Lift the lid of the ice bucket and pull the bucket out.
- Gently pull out the ice bucket from below the ice maker.
Note: Always turn off the ice maker if you won’t be using ice for a long time. Ice that is left for long in the bucket easily clumps up.
10. A Defective Component in the Ice Maker Assembly
The ice maker assembly is the part in your fridge that makes ice. It does this by letting water from the inlet valve into the tray, freezing it to form ice cubes, and dispensing the ice cubes into the ice bucket. If a part of the ice maker assembly is defective, the entire ice-making process is halted.
If you’ve checked all the other issues described above and they are not the reason for your Samsung refrigerator not making ice, the ice maker assembly could be the problem. You’ll have to replace the entire ice maker assembly if one of its components is defective because the components are not usually sold separately.

How To Fix
Follow these steps to replace a defective Samsung refrigerator ice maker assembly:
- Disconnect power to the refrigerator.
- Open the left refrigerator door.
- Remove the ice bucket.
- Unscrew the cover on the ice wire harness and pull it out.
- Remove the screws holding the lower ice maker cover.
- Disengage the refrigerant tube at the bottom of the ice maker assembly.
- Lower the retaining tab at the top and carefully pull out the ice maker assembly.
- Install the new ice maker assembly by positioning it where the old one was. Push the assembly until you’re sure it is firmly seated in its place and the refrigerant tubing is repositioned where it was.
- Replace the ice maker cover and ice bucket.
- Shut the refrigerator door and switch on the appliance. Wait for the refrigerator to make ice (6-12 hours) before dispensing.
You can watch this Repair Clinic video for a step-by-step visual demonstration of how to replace a Samsung ice maker assembly:
If the ice maker replacement procedure seems complex and you’re not sure you can perform it successfully, hire the services of a trained fridge technician.
11. A Defective Ice Maker Auger
The ice maker auger is the component that stirs and dispenses ice when you give the command. If this component fails, the ice maker will not dispense ice, giving you the impression that the ice maker isn’t working. A defective auger may also cause the ice maker to make a lot of noise. Unfortunately, you’ll have to replace a faulty ice maker auger.
How To Fix
To replace a defective Samsung refrigerator ice maker auger, follow steps 1-8 as with ‘replacing a defective ice maker assembly’ above, then proceed with steps 9-12 below:
- Disconnect the wire harness below the auger motor and pull out the ice auger motor.
- Place the new ice auger motor in place of the old one and push it till it clicks into place.
- Follow the reverse steps to reinstall the auger wire harness, the ice maker assembly, the refrigerant tubing, the ice maker cover, and the ice bucket.
- Close the door, power the refrigerator, and then wait for the fridge to make ice before dispensing.
This video by Repair Clinic is a visual guide for replacing a Samsung refrigerator ice maker auger:
Note: Changing a Samsung refrigerator ice maker auger is a complex process. Consider calling in a trained Samsung refrigerator technician if you don’t feel up to the task.
12. A Malfunctioned Ice Level Control Board
Some Samsung refrigerators have an infrared beam to control the ice level in the bucket. This beam is turned off when the ice bucket is full, sending a signal to the control board to stop the ice maker. The control board alerts the ice maker to start producing ice when the ice level goes below the beam.
If the control board malfunctions, it will not receive the signal from the beam regarding when to start and stop the ice maker. As a result, the ice maker may be stuck at the position where no ice is produced. Therefore, the ice maker won’t be able to dispense any ice. A faulty ice level control board needs to be replaced.
How To Fix
If your refrigerator’s ice level control board is receiving power and you have assessed the ice maker for all the above issues, the control board may have malfunctioned.
Call in a trained Samsung refrigerator technician to assess the control board and replace it if needed.
As a general rule, it’s important to dispense ice from your refrigerator frequently if the ice maker is turned on. This promotes normal ice maker function. If you don’t need to dispense ice frequently, it’s advisable to turn off the ice maker.

Steve Rajeckas is an HVAC hobbyist with an avid interest in learning innovative ways to keep rooms, buildings, and everything else at the optimal temperature. When he’s not working on new posts for Temperature Master, he can be found reading books or exploring the outdoors.