My KitchenAid Refrigerator Is Not Making Enough Ice

Written By
Chad Buleen
Chad Buleen
Published: Feb 3, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read
  1. Turn the water valve fully to make sure it is completely opened. If the valve is not all the way open, the ice maker will fill slowly.

  2. Tighten the water line's connection to the inlet valve on the back of the refrigerator. Turn the nut on the line clockwise to tighten it. A less-than-tight water line can allow water to escape the line instead of filling the ice maker.

  3. Replace a water line that has kinks in it. Make sure the refrigerator is not resting on the water line, thus causing a slower flow of water to the device.

  4. Wait at least 24 hours after the refrigerator is installed before expecting to see ice in the ice maker. It takes several hours to get the freezer to a cool enough temperature to produce ice. It takes about 72 hours for the ice maker to completely fill up with ice.

  5. Use a plastic utensil to dislodge ice cubes that are stuck in the dispenser chute. Allowing ice to build up in this chute will make it difficult for ice to dispense. Also use the utensil to break up ice that builds up around the dispenser arm. If ice freezes the dispenser arm, the ice maker can be permanently set to not produce ice.

  6. Remove the water filter from the refrigerator and press the button to operate the ice maker. If ice dispenses as it should after doing this, there is a good chance that the filter is not correctly installed or is dirty. Clean the filter or replace it with a new one.

Chad Buleen

Chad Buleen is a Society of Professional Journalists-award-winning newspaper journalist and magazine editor with more than 10 years experience. He is a senior magazine editor at an international children's publication. Buleen holds a…

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