Despite Samsung’s reputation for designing and manufacturing reliable household appliances, their ice makers can be a little temperamental and stop working from time to time. It doesn’t happen often, but in the event that you do experience a problem, Samsung made sure you can implement a simple reset sequence.
In this article, I set out step-by-step instructions on how to implement the reset, and get your ice maker back up and running.
I will also provide some useful maintenance tips and tell you where you can go for any additional support should you need it.
When To Consider Resting Your Samsung Ice Maker
Performing a reset shouldn’t be your first port of call, in fact, resetting the appliance should be a last resort after all other aspects of troubleshooting have been carried out. For example, if the ice maker has been turned off for some reason, don’t reset it. Instead, turn it back on and wait 24 hours, before deciding whether it needs a reset.
Note: When performing a reset on your Samsung ice maker, avoid pressing the test button repeatedly. This could cause ice to jam or water to overflow the machine. Samsung recommends resetting their ice makers no more than once per day.
There are only a handful of reasons to reset an ice maker, and these include:
- No Ice Freezing: The ice maker is not freezing ice at all.
- Ice maker Not Discharging Ice: The ice maker is not dispensing the ice it is making.
- Ice maker Components Frozen: Any of the ice maker parts are covered in a layer of ice.
- Performing A Visual Inspection Of The Ice Maker: If you are moving the refrigerator or selling it, you may want to ensure the ice maker is working properly, in which case you would perform a test using the test/reset button located behind the ice maker.
How To Troubleshoot And Reset A Samsung Ice Maker
Before jumping to reset your ice maker, make sure you have checked that the refrigerator is set correctly and that the ice maker has sufficient water supply and time to freeze ice. So first check:
- Is the ice maker turned on? If the ice maker is not dispensing any ice at all, it is possible that the machine wasn’t turned on in the first place.
- Is the water supply connected correctly? To make ice, your Samsung ice maker needs water. Check to make sure the water supply hose is connected and securely tightened, and that water is flowing into the machine.
- Have you allowed enough time for the ice maker to do its job? Ice makers can take a full day to make ice and fill the ice bucket. If you have just recently plugged your refrigerator in, wait a full 24 hours before resorting to a reset.
If after eliminating all three of the checks above and your ice maker still isn’t functioning properly, a reset may be in order. You can perform a reset by following the guide below.
Resetting A Samsung Ice Maker Via The Control Panel
If your Samsung refrigerator is a French door model with an ice maker in the left-hand door and a digital control panel, you may think you can reset the ice maker using the control panel. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible. Instead, you need to reach inside the fridge to conduct the reset. Here’s how:
- Open the left-hand door of the refrigerator.
- Locate the ice bucket. It should be in the top left corner of the unit.
- Find the latch release on the right side of the bucket and squeeze it to release it.
- Remove the ice bucket.
- Look for the reset/test button. It is a rectangular rubber button on the right side of the ice maker. For 2010 and later models, press the reset button until you hear a chime. For older Samsung refrigerators, press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds before releasing. In both situations, you should hear the ice maker begin running.
- Reinstall the ice bucket.
- Wait 24 hours for complete results. If your ice maker is functioning properly, it will produce approximately two trays of ice every three hours.
Manually Resetting A Samsung Ice Maker
If your Samsung fridge has no control panel in the door, the process for resetting the ice maker is similar to the method described above. The only difference is the location of the ice maker. In this case, follow the instructions below.
- Open the freezer drawer and look to the back left side of the freezer compartment to locate the ice maker.
- The test/reset button is located at the front of the machine on the underside just past the cover.
- Press and hold the button for a full ten seconds or until you hear the ice maker motor kick in.
- Wait 24 hours for a full reset to take place. If the appliance is working as it should, it will make about two trays of ice every three hours.
What If Your Samsung Ice Maker Is Not Resetting
If you press the reset button and do not hear a chime or the motor starting to run, you can try unplugging the refrigerator for two minutes. After plugging the unit back in, try performing the reset again. If the reset still fails, it may be time to replace your ice maker.
Tips For Maintaining Your Ice Maker
Now we have established that you shouldn’t need to reset your ice maker that often, especially if you conduct regular maintenance to keep it in good working order. Here are a few tips for maintaining a Samsung ice maker allowing you to keep the resetting to a minimum.
- Don’t ignore the filter icon (on models with a digital control panel in the door). Change out the water filter regularly to keep your ice cubes clear and taste great.
- Remove the ice tray and empty it every two weeks. Use this opportunity to clean the tray and inspect it and the gasket for any cracks.
- To prevent “clumpy” ice, be sure to dispense a little bit of ice regularly.
- If you are going on vacation, turn off your ice maker. This will save wear and tear on the machine.
Seeking Professional Support
When you purchase a Samsung refrigerator, you gain access to the Samsung Member’s App. You can find support, advice, and recommendations via this app, or you can visit the Samsung website for live chat support on a computer, mobile device, or tablet.
By this point, I hope you are finally enjoying an ice-cold beverage supplied by a recently reset Samsung ice maker. If, after following my step-by-step instructions above, your ice maker still isn’t functioning properly, don’t hesitate to contact Samsung Support. No doubt they will do their utmost to get your ice maker back up and running, but just be aware that you may end up having to replace your ice maker instead.
Andy has over 8 years of experience working on residential household appliances, performing diagnostics, and repairs across most major brands. He graduated from the Denver Institute of Technology, is NASTeC certified, and has worked for Mr. Appliance. Andy has contributed to features on major publications including Better Home & Gardens, Family Handyman, and Yahoo.com.
