7 Common Samsung French Door Ice Maker Problems & Fixes!

While Samsung French door refrigerators are known for their unique, high-performing ice makers, sometimes the ice makers fail. Thus, you have to be wary of the commonest Samsung French door ice maker problems and know how to fix them, as the majority are DIY.

Common problems of the Samsung French door ice maker include the ice maker failing to make any ice, not making enough, freezing up, or getting stuck. Other problems include the ice maker making small or dirty ice or being too noisy.

Interestingly, most of these issues are avoidable with good fridge freezer maintenance, and it explains why some people complain about the Samsung French door ice maker while others don’t.

Without further ado, let’s get into the troubleshooting guide. However, check out the summary below if you are in a hurry to discover the probable causes and fixes of the commonest Samsung French door ice maker issues.   

Quick Troubleshooting Guide for Samsung French Door Ice Maker Problems

The Commonest Samsung French Door Ice Maker Problems Solved!

Below is a detailed guide for fixing the seven issues in the table above:

1. Ice Maker Failing to Make Any Ice

Do you wonder, ‘why is my Samsung French door fridge not making ice?’

Often, the cause is something as minor as not turning the ice maker on, cross-connecting the water lines, insufficient water pressure, disconnected water line, or a faulty water filter.

Thus, it’s essential to check all these four possibilities.

Fix

a) Ice maker being off

You cannot expect your ice maker to work if it’s off. So, you must turn it on if you already haven’t.

b) Water lines cross-connected

Some Samsung French door units require you to connect a pair of water lines. If you unintentionally cross-connect them, the ice maker may fail to work.

Hence, check the water line to ensure you aren’t cross-connecting anything.

c) Insufficient water pressure

Your ice maker depends on the water supply to make ice. If there is no sufficient pressure, the water supply won’t feed the ice maker. Subsequently, the ice maker won’t make any ice.

The water line should be able to fill up ¾ cup in under 10 seconds. If that’s not the case, you should adjust your water pressure from the main. 

It’s also good to be paying attention to your entire house’s water pressure, which you can do with a water pressure gauge Just ensure you reach 20 PSI.

d) Disconnected water line

Sometimes the water pressure may be okay, but if you don’t connect the water line to the ice maker, the ice maker won’t have any water to turn into ice. Consequently, check to ensure you join the water line to the ice maker before powering it in.

e) Faulty water filter

Lastly, check the condition of your water filter. This filter is usually good for six months. Once six months are over, it’s likely to be dirt-obstructed and defective. So, replace the water filter if it has been six months since you last did.

2. Ice Maker Not Making Enough Ice

Sometimes the ice maker may make ice but only just a tiny amount. You expect a French door Samsung unit to make enough. So, a small enough is not enough.

Interestingly, some of the causes are similar to those of the first problem. I’m talking about insufficient water pressure and a defective water filter.

But still, sometimes the ice maker makes a small amount of ice because you rarely dispense the ice, the refrigerator is unstable, or you open its door a lot, pausing ice production.

Fix

a) Insufficient water pressure

It’s essential to adjust the water pressure to 20 PSI for the ice maker to work optimally. And like I mentioned, a water pressure gauge can help you here.

b) Defective water filter

Change your unit’s water filter if it has been six months since you last did it. The chances are that it’s dirt-clogged by then.

c) When you don’t dispense often

Samsung French door fridge ice makers are made only to hold 2 pounds of quality ice at a go even though they can produce 10 pounds daily.

So, unless you dispense the ice often, the production will decrease. And if the ice bucket becomes full, the ice production stops.

d) Unstable unit

Is your Samsung refrigerator resting on uneven ground? If it is, it’s likely to vibrate when running, which interferes with ice production. Thus, ensure you station the unit on a level surface.

e) When you open the fridge door a lot

Opening the fridge door only slows down the ice production as the warm air from outside makes it harder for the ice to freeze. So, if you want to improve the ice production, reduce the number of times you open the refrigerator.

Besides, opening up the unit often encourages more heat escape, raising your electricity bill.

3. Ice Maker Frosting/Freezing Up

The ice maker can also frost up or freeze up, which is common when using incorrect freezing temperatures. Usually, the suggested freezer temperature is -2 – 0⁰F. Anything out of this will interfere with the ice maker’s operations.

Another reason why some Samsung French door ice makers fail is a motor failure. Other reasons include a clogged water filter, frozen water line, or faulty water inlet valve.

Let’s look at the fixes for these problems below:

a) Incorrect freezing temperature

Adjust the freezer’s temperature to about -2 – 0⁰F if that’s not the case.

b) Failed motor

Check for obstruction around the evaporator motor, remove it, and reset the unit to default. You can reset your Samsung unit by pressing the restart switch and holding it for a few seconds until the ice maker rattles.

c) Clogged water filter

Replace your unit’s water filter if it has been six months and counting. It’s likely to be dirt-clogged.

d) Frozen water line

Check your unit’s water line for freezing. If the piping is frozen, try to run hot water through it or pass a hair dryer. If that doesn’t work, replace the frozen water line.

e) Faulty water inlet valve

Don’t forget to check the condition of the water inlet valve. Use a multimeter to test its continuity. If it doesn’t show continuity, it’s highly likely to be defective, needing a replacement.

Long Term Fix

If your Samsung French door refrigerator continues freezing up even after making the above adjustments, it’s time you go for a long-term fix. Here are three options:

I. Icebox sealing

While the ice box reduces defrosting, you can seal it up to prevent warm air from getting into the ice maker and interfering with the ice production. You can do that with a food-grade silicone sealant.

ii. Drip Clips

Sealing the ice box will prevent warm air from getting into the ice maker from underneath. To avoid frosting over the evaporator’s fan belt, you should install drip clips.

They’ll redirect the thawed water down the drain, thus preventing icing issues.

iii. Replace the ice maker

If sealing the ice box and installing drip clips doesn’t work for you, your only remaining option is to replace the ice maker.

Here’s how to replace Samsung French door ice maker:

• Defrost the refrigerator freezer – you can do that by putting the unit in a defrost mode
• Power down the unit and unplug it
• Take out the ice bucket by following the instructions on your manual
• Use Philip’s screwdriver to uncover the ice maker
• Disconnect the wiring harness on the ice maker
• Use a flat screwdriver to pry down your unit’s cooling coil
• Slide-out the bad ice maker forward to take it out
• Slide the replacement ice maker in and fix it in position
• Reassemble everything back and re-plug the unit
• Connect the water supply and power the ice maker on to test it

4. Stuck Ice Maker

Here, we are not necessarily talking about the entire ice maker but the ice bucket. Sometimes, the ice bucket accumulates too much ice that it becomes hard to pull it out. That shows that the ice bucket is frozen and thus needs defrosting.

Fix

Use a hair dryer to defrost the ice bucket gently and then gently pull it out.

More Samsung French Door Refrigerator Freezer Ice Maker problems

5. Ice Maker Making Small Ice

If your water pressure is lower than 20PSI, your ice maker may make smaller ice cubes. It shows that the ice maker is not receiving enough water to freeze and make ice.

Fix

Check the water pressure using a pressure gauge to ensure it is at least 20 PSI. If it’s not, adjust it from your main water valve. Also, ensure the water line has no obstruction and replace the filter if clogged.

6. Ice Maker Making Dirty Ice

Regular ice by a Samsung ice maker is cloudy white. But if you see dirt particles on it, it shows the water filter is defective, the ice bucket is broken, or the water supply is contaminated.

Fix

Replace the water filter if it has been six months since you changed it, and inspect the ice bucket for damage. If the ice bucket is broken, replace it. But if your problem is a contaminated water supply, call your plumber for help.

7. Noisy Ice Maker

Lastly, noise is one of the most typical Samsung French Door Bottom Freezer ice maker problems. If your brand new refrigerator is making noise, the chances are that the motor fan is either loose or ice-obstructed.

Fix

Tighten the motor fan if it’s loose and remove any ice obstruction around it. You can hair-dry it to melt down the ice obstruction. But if the motor fan is too old, replace it.

How can I determine if the main control board of my Samsung refrigerator is defective?

To determine if the main control board of your Samsung refrigerator is defective, you can follow these steps:

1. Inspect for any visible signs of damage or a shorted component on the control board. Look for burnt marks, loose connections, or bulging capacitors. If you notice any of these issues, it may indicate a faulty control board.

2. Use a multimeter to check if voltage is reaching the control board. Turn off the power to the refrigerator and disconnect it from the electrical outlet. Refer to the refrigerator’s wiring diagram to locate the main control board.

3. Set the multimeter to measure AC voltage and carefully insert the probe into the appropriate terminals on the control board. Ensure you are following proper safety precautions while working with electricity.

4. Once the multimeter is properly connected, turn on the power to the refrigerator. The multimeter should display a voltage reading. This reading indicates that the control board is receiving the necessary voltage.

5. If the multimeter does not show any voltage readings or if the voltage is significantly lower than it should be, it suggests a potential issue with the control board. In such cases, it is likely that the control board is defective and may need to be replaced.

By performing these steps, you will be able to determine if the main control board of your Samsung refrigerator is defective. It is important to exercise caution and, if necessary, consult a professional technician for further assistance or to perform any repairs.

Closing Thought on Samsung French Door Ice Maker Problems!

Generally, there’s always an underlying reason behind a Samsung French door ice maker problem. And as shared, most of these issues are DIY fixable. Once you know what to look for, it becomes seamless to fix it. Hopefully, the above guide will make you think so!

Also Read:

• Common Samsung Twin Cooling Fridge Freezer Problems
• Why Your Samsung Ice Maker Doesn’t Work After Reset