Frigidaire Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working

So your Frigidaire refrigerator ice maker is not working. You're staring at an empty glass and a freezer full of nothing but frost. It's annoying, especially when you have company coming or you just want a cold drink without wrestling a tray.

The good news is that most ice maker failures boil down to just a handful of causes. The three most common are a stuck shut-off arm, a clogged water filter, and a frozen fill tube. And if your freezer has crept above 10°F, that alone can shut the whole system down.

Let's walk through the possibilities and get you back to making ice.

Quick Answer

For a Frigidaire refrigerator ice maker not working, start with the shut-off arm. Push it down if it's stuck up. A silent ice maker means a power or control issue.

A clicking one points to a water supply problem. Most fixes cost under $100 and take less than 30 minutes.

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Where to Start — What Kind of "Not Working" Are You Dealing With?

Before you pull out any tools, you need to figure out which branch of the problem tree you're standing on. Frigidaire ice makers fail in three distinct ways, and each has a different root cause.

Is the ice maker completely silent? No motor hum, no click, nothing at all when you press the test button? That's your first branch.

Do you hear a click followed by running water, but no ice ever appears? Or worse, a click with no water sound at all? That's your second branch.

Is ice being made, but the cubes are tiny, hollow, or misshapen? Or does the ice maker fill up fully but fail to dump? That's your third branch.

Your answer determines which diagnostic path to follow. If you're not sure, start with the simplest check first. Open the freezer door and look at the ice maker arm.

On most Frigidaire models, the arm must be down for the ice maker to operate. If it's stuck up, the ice maker thinks the bin is full. Push it down firmly.

You should hear a click. If clicking happens, wait 24 hours. Many people call a repair person over what's essentially a switch in the wrong position.

Branch A — The Ice Maker Is Silent (No Motor, No Clicking, No Water)

This is the most common complaint. You pull the bin out, look at the ice maker, and nothing happens. No sound at all.

Here's where to look.

Start with the mullion switch. That's the little button on the top edge of the freezer door frame that gets pressed when the door closes. When it's not pressed, the refrigerator thinks the door is open and shuts off power to the ice maker.

That prevents frost buildup. If that switch is broken or stuck, your ice maker will be completely dead. Open the door and press the switch with your finger.

Listen for a click. If you hear nothing, the switch is likely faulty.

Next, check the ice maker's own power switch. Some Frigidaire models have a small on/off switch on the side or bottom of the ice maker module. It's easy to accidentally switch it off when you're cleaning or removing the ice bin.

Look for it and flip it back on.

If both switches check out, you're likely dealing with a failed control module. That's the circuit board inside the ice maker that tells it when to run. You can test it with a multimeter, but the easier route is to force a manual harvest.

On most Frigidaire ice makers, there's a small hole on the side with a metal contact inside. Use a paperclip to bridge that contact to the metal housing. If the ice maker clicks and starts cycling, the control module is fine and your problem is elsewhere.

If nothing happens, the module is dead.

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A new control module runs about $50 to $80 and is usually easy to replace. Unplug the refrigerator, pop off the old module, snap in the new one. That's it.

But before you order a part, rule out the simpler causes first. You don't want to replace a perfectly good control module because you missed a stuck switch.

Branch B — The Ice Maker Clicks But Produces No Ice (Water Supply Problem)

You hear a click. Maybe even a hum. But no water fills the ice mold.

That clicking sound is the water inlet valve trying to open. When it can't, you get nothing.

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The most likely culprit is the water filter. Frigidaire refrigerators with built-in filters can stop water flow to the ice maker when the filter is clogged or past its six-month lifespan. Pull the filter out and look at it.

If it's dirty or discolored, replace it. But here's a trick. Many Frigidaire models come with a bypass plug that fits into the filter housing.

If you install that plug, the water bypasses the filter entirely. That's a great way to test whether the filter is the problem.

If the filter isn't the issue, you're looking at a frozen fill tube. The water line that runs to the ice maker can freeze up if the freezer is too cold or if there's a leak causing frost buildup. A frozen fill tube often comes with a small puddle of water under the ice maker.

To check, look at the fill tube. If it's covered in frost or ice, thaw it out with a hairdryer on low heat. Keep the hairdryer moving and don't blast the same spot for too long.

The third possibility is a failed water inlet valve. This valve sits behind the refrigerator, usually at the bottom. It opens when the ice maker calls for water.

If it's stuck closed, no water flows. You can test it with a multimeter. The coil should show resistance between 200 and 500 ohms.

If it reads open, the valve is dead and needs replacement. A new valve runs about $30 to $60 and takes 20 minutes to swap with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers.

Branch C — The Ice Maker Runs But Cubes Are Small, Hollow, or Won't Drop

This branch is trickier because the ice maker appears to be working. The motor runs, the arm moves, but the ice that comes out is disappointing.

Start with water pressure. Your refrigerator needs between 20 and 120 psi of water pressure to fill the ice mold properly. If your home has low water pressure, especially if you're on a well system, the ice maker might only get a partial fill.

That results in small cubes. You can test your water pressure at a nearby faucet. If it's below 20 psi, you'll need a booster pump or a plumber.

Next, check the freezer temperature. Ice forms best between 0°F and 5°F. If your freezer is warmer than 10°F, the ice maker will still try to run, but the cubes will be soft, hollow, or misshapen.

Use a thermometer to confirm. If it's too warm, adjust the freezer setting and wait 12 hours.

The last common cause in this branch is a failing mold thermostat. This little sensor sits inside the ice maker mold. It tells the control module when the ice is fully frozen and ready to be dumped.

When it fails, the ice maker might try to dump cubes that are still slushy, or it might never trigger the harvest cycle at all. The USDA recommends keeping freezers at 0°F for food safety, and Frigidaire's spec sheet lines up with that. You can test the thermostat with a multimeter.

At room temperature, it should read continuity. If it reads open, it's bad. Replacement thermostats cost about $15 and snap into place.

When Not to DIY — Signs You Need a Pro (And What It Costs)

Not every ice maker problem is a weekend project. Some issues genuinely require a professional. Here's when to call for backup.

If you've gone through all three branches and still have no ice, you might be dealing with a main control board failure. That's the big circuit board behind the refrigerator that controls everything. Replacing it requires disconnecting high-voltage components and often involves reprogramming.

One wrong move and you could shock yourself or damage the board further.

Also, if you see water pooling on the floor under the refrigerator, that's a sign of a cracked water line or a leaky valve. Water damage is no joke. It can ruin flooring, damage cabinets, and even cause mold.

If you suspect a leak inside the wall or under the refrigerator, turn off the water supply at the shut-off valve and call a repair service.

The cost of a professional service call typically runs between $150 and $250, plus parts. That's fair. A technician can diagnose in 15 minutes what might take you hours.

They also have access to factory service manuals and specialized tools.

But for most people, the problem lives in one of the three branches above. Start simple. Check the arm.

Check the switch. Check the filter. Most of the time, that's all it takes.

The Workflow in One Sheet — Quick Decision Guide

Here's the whole diagnostic in a simple table. Save it. Share it.

Use it next time.

As of 2026, Frigidaire still uses the same ice maker platform across most of its French door and side-by-side refrigerators. That means this guide applies to a huge range of model numbers, from the FRSS2323AS to the FFSS2615TS0. The parts might look slightly different, but the logic is identical.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Frigidaire ice maker take to start making ice?

After a reset or replacement, expect the first batch within 24 hours. The typical cycle runs every 90 to 180 minutes once the mold reaches temperature. If you hear clicking but see nothing after 48 hours, you're not dealing with normal startup.

Move to the water supply checks.

Why is my Frigidaire ice maker clicking but not making ice?

That click is the water inlet valve trying to open. When it can't, the problem is almost always a clogged water filter, a frozen fill tube, or a dead valve. Start by replacing the filter or using the bypass plug.

Then check the fill tube for frost.

How do I reset my Frigidaire ice maker?

Find the shut-off arm and push it up, then down, three times in a row. You should hear a click on the final push. This forces a harvest cycle and resets the control logic.

On some models, you can also unplug the refrigerator for five minutes.

Does replacing the water filter fix ice maker problems?

Yes, in a large number of cases. A clogged filter restricts water pressure to the ice maker, so the mold never fills completely. Frigidaire recommends changing the filter every six months.

If your ice cubes have been shrinking over time, change the filter first.

How much does it cost to repair a Frigidaire ice maker?

DIY parts range from $15 for a mold thermostat to $120 for a full ice maker module. A professional service call runs $150 to $250 plus parts. Most people can handle the repair themselves without any special tools, so try the diagnostics before calling for help.