How Do I Cycle My Whirlpool Drawer Freezer Ice Maker
Is your Whirlpool ice maker on the blink? This article will show you how to reset it in a jiffy!
To reset your Whirlpool ice maker, do one of the following:
- Adjust the feeler arm
- Press the reset button
- Press the on/off switch
- Unplug the appliance
Resetting a Whirlpool ice maker is super simple. Are you ready to find out how to reset yours now and enjoy a refreshing drink after dinner tonight?
Then let's dive in to the ice-cold details.
How to Reset A Whirlpool Ice Maker (In Under 5 Minutes)
Is your Whirlpool ice maker making slushies instead of ice cubes? Or has it stopped working altogether? Whatever the case, a simple reset should solve your problem.
Check out the following steps that will explain what you should do to reset your Whirlpool ice maker.
Adjust the Feeler Arm
Adjust the what? Ok, I get it. When you first read this step you might conclude that you've bitten off way than you can chew trying to fix this alone. But trust me, adjusting the feeler arm is simpler than it sounds.
The feeler arm is the sensor inside the ice maker that stops it from making too much ice. It alerts the ice maker when the ice tray is full.
If the feeler arm is stuck, it won't be able to adjust itself according to the ice level in the tray. This will make the ice maker think that the tray is full when it isn't. The feeler arm could be stuck for a few reasons. Here are some of them:
- The feeler arm is frozen
- The screws or springs on the feeler arm are stuck in place
So what can you do if the feeler arm is frozen or if the screws and springs are stuck? Manually push down on the feeler arm. This should cause ice to break away from the arm. Push the feeler arm down repeatedly. This should loosen up the springs and screws if they have gotten stuck.
How will you know if it has worked? Can you hear the tank in the ice maker begin to fill with water? If pushing on the feeler arm has loosened up the mechanism it will do this as it prepares to make more ice.
Press the Reset Button
If you don't think there's a problem with the feeler arm, you should try pressing the reset button.
If you don't know where the reset button is on your ice maker, you should check your user guide. But let's be honest. Who really holds on to a user guide nowadays? If you can't find it, (or know that you've already chucked it) look for your reset button in the following places:
- At the bottom of the ice maker
- Above the ice tray
- Underneath the ice tray
If that fails, you can simply Google it! Almost every manual is available online these days. Whirlpool host all of theirs online here:
https://www.whirlpool.com/services/manuals.html
Once you have located the reset button, do the following:
- Press and hold the reset button.
- Hold onto the button for ten seconds or until you hear a beep inside the unit.
Press the on/off Switch
If you can't find the reset button nor the feeler arm, you can try pressing the on/off switch. This switch should also reset the ice maker and should get it working again properly.
But where can you find the on/off switch? You should be able to see it in one of two places:
- Underneath the ice tray.
- Underneath the ice tray and cover plate. (For some Whirlpool ice maker models you have to remove both)
Once you have located the on/off switch, do the following:
- Remove the ice tray and cover plate (or just the ice tray). You can do this by simply pulling on them.
- Turn the switch from on to off.
- Unplug the ice maker at the mains.
- Wait 10 minutes.
- Plug the ice maker in again.
- Turn the switch from off to on.
- Replace the ice tray and the cover plate as necessary. This should reset the ice maker.
Unplug the Appliance
So what can you do if you are still struggling to reset your ice maker? If you are having trouble locating the reset button or the on/off switch, unplug the appliance. Doing so will reset the ice maker.
Once you have unplugged the appliance you should do the following:
- Wait ten minutes before plugging it back in.
- Once plugged in, push on the feeler arm a couple of times. This will force water to pour into the ice maker which it will then cool and form into ice.
What You Should Do if the Ice Maker Still Won't Reset?
Ok, so you've tried every trick in the book and you're about ready to throw in the towel. You've:
- Adjusted the feeler arm
- Pressed the reset button until you were blue in the face
- Frantically pressed the on/off switch
- Unplugged the unit
What can you do once you've tried everything but the ice maker still won't play ball? If you're still having problems, then the issue with your ice maker may be more complex. It will probably need more than a simple reset to fix it.
What kind of problems am I talking about? Your ice maker may have one of the following issues:
- A mechanical malfunction
- An electrical problem
- A damaged part such as the water valve
What should you do to fix problems like these? Take a look at the information below to find out:
| Problem | How to Fix It |
| A Mechanical Malfunction | If the problem is with the ice maker's mechanics, then you should call a professional to fix it. Attempting to fix mechanical problems on your own could invalidate your warranty. |
| An Electrical Problem | If the problem is electrical then you should call a professional to fix it. Attempting to fix electrical problems on your own could invalidate your home insurance. It could also render your ice maker's warranty invalid. |
| A Damaged Part | If one of the parts has broken, it may be simple for you to fix it with the help of spares. If the problem is with the feeler arm, removable ice tray, or cover plate, then you may be able to fix it yourself. If the problem lies with one of the internal parts, then you will need to call a professional to replace it. |
What should you do if you can't tell which category the problem falls into? In this case, consult your user manual. The manual will help you to troubleshoot some of the problems with the ice maker. This will help you to pinpoint the problem. If you don't have the manual, try contacting Whirlpool directly for more help.
Still Stuck?
Unfortunately, sometimes internet guides just can't solve an issue with a major appliance.
If you're still stuck, we recommend getting in touch with an appliance repair professional. A small repair fee might save you the cost of a breakdown, or even a new ice maker. Fill in the form below to get a free repair quote from our partnered appliance repair experts.
Why Do Ice Makers Need a Reset?
Ice makers are a little bit like humans.
(Hold on, there's an explanation coming.)
Before you go on vacation you might feel a little cranky, worn out, and exhausted. After your vacation, you feel like you've recharged your batteries and are ready to face the world.
Now, the reset button is kind of like a vacation for your ice maker. Your ice maker has had its buttons pushed a bunch of times and has worked non-stop around the clock. This could result in a confused and unresponsive appliance.
I know what you're thinking, aren't these appliances supposed to be smart? Yes! They are, but unfortunately, the smarter the technology, the more there is that could go wrong with it. So, a little reset here and there helps to clear the system of a backlog of conflicting data. It will help it unwind and run smoothly again. Just like a couple of cocktails on the beach for 10 days does for every one of us.
Conclusion
It's important to have a well-functioning ice maker. This is especially true when the warm weather comes. Has your ice maker stopped working? Then a simple reset may be just what it needs to give it a new lease of life. I hope this article has shown you how to reset your Whirlpool ice maker without calling a technician.
If this article has helped you, why not check out some of our other articles and free guides? You could even sign up for our email list!
Have a great day!
-Craig
How Do I Cycle My Whirlpool Drawer Freezer Ice Maker
Source: https://applianceanalysts.com/reset-whirlpool-ice-maker/