Samsung releases service bulletins for specific refrigerator models, consisting of a service bulletin number, a subject that addresses the problem and symptoms. Furthermore, they provide repair solutions too! They also let you know the changes that they are making in the manufacturing process to eliminate the problem.
Do make sure to go through the service bulletins and search for your model number. Identify your problem with the subject mentioned and verify the symptoms given in the service bulletin. This is undoubtedly a hectic and exhausting process. Let us get you a more straightforward way out.
Need for Service Bulletins?
Before we understand a way out, it is essential to understand why service bulletins are required. They are like guidelines for repair from the company itself. As they do manufacturing, they indeed give the best possible advice. The best part is if, in any case, their repair solution costs any further damage, then under warranty, you can either claim a free repair or replacement of the appliance.
Yet, many mechanics/familiar people go with more straightforward and cost-effective hacks. Well, we do not recommend you using hacks as any permanent damage caused to it can be more costly to repair, or even the appliance may get defunct. However, some hacks are trusted by many people irrespective of the service bulletin. So, make up your mind and go ahead with a smart move.
Problems and Solutions:
Ice maker problems could be due to various issues; let us talk about them one by one.
Air leakage in the ice room:
The Leakage happens due to a gap between the wall and the ice room floor. This is a common problem with some models which were manufactured before 2014. Samsung has improved its inspection with a better identification process. Now they check the gap and correct it if a problem exists.
Symptoms for this problem include Frozen water on the ice room floor, Leakage of water into the food section, and ice at the bottom of the ice maker. The best way to eliminate this problem is by applying a bead of RTV epoxy to the gap. This closes any gap which existed and improved the performance of the ice maker as it prohibits air leakage.
No ice formation by Icemaker:
Another common issue is that Ice maker will not perform their task, i.e., making ice. Firstly, make sure you have turned on the ice maker ‘ON.’ Many of us forget to it on, so change it from off to on.
Check the dispenser! Take a bowl or a cup and dispense water in it for 10 seconds. You usually should get a 3/4 cup of water or 1/2 bowl. If water does not dispense, then check on the waterline. Look whether it is connected or not. If you get less water than usual, then the pressure of the dispenser must have gone down, maybe due to the clogging of the water filter. Replace this water filter with a new one (preferably use only Samsung).
If the problem persists, then the low pressure must be increased. Contact a plumber and ask him to increase water pressure. Another cause can be RO plants, which tend to reduce water pressure if your refrigerator’s water line is attached to one then remove it. Another way is by resetting the ice maker.
Press the test button on the ice maker until you hear a chime (you may have to remove the ice bucket to view the ice maker). The test will end after 6 minutes. During a successful test, you will hear an ice drop in the ice bucket. At the end of the test, you will hear another chime.
Do not press the Test button repeatedly! This may cause water to overflow or can cause ice to jam, which further damages your ice maker. Samsung recommends not to perform the reset function more than once per day.
The ice maker is making a small amount of ice:
Either shift the ice forward in the ice bucket or keep removing the ice after 8 hours. Ice producing capacity is more significant than ice storing capacity, so know about your refrigerator’s ice storing capacity from the user manual. Check the water pressure of the dispenser by following the steps mentioned above. Level your refrigerator and ensure you keep your refrigerator doors closed.
Ice cubes formed are small, dirty, and cloudy:
Water consists of minerals, and when ice formation takes place, these minerals are entrapped in the ice, and hence ice appears cloudy. Also, to avoid clumping of ice, do empty the ice bucket at least once a week. Clumping can cause a decrease in the rate of ice production.
Small ice cubes are formed due to low water pressure. Follow the guide mentioned above to fix it. Dirty ice cubes are formed due to dirt in the water line or faulty water filter. Replace your filter or call a plumber if the problem persists.
The ice bucket is stuck:
Try to remove the ice bucket. If you cannot remove it, then call a mechanic or call Samsung customer care. Do not use force or any other means to remove it! It may cause permanent damage to the ice maker and ice bucket.
Formation of a large block of ice in the ice bucket:
Clear the ice and look for a white wire. If you find one, then call customer care and report the problem. If you do not see any wire, then remove the ice and use your refrigerator. If the problem persists, then call a mechanic or customer care.
Freezer Temperature is Above -12°C:
If the freezer temperature is above -12°C, the ice maker will not produce ice efficiently. The freezer temperature should be set anywhere between -18°C to -15°C for any ice maker to function correctly.
If the freezer temperature is high than the range given, then make sure that the condenser coils are free from any debris, and the condenser fan is functioning correctly.
If everything is fine, then check for any frost which must have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, then ice formation can hamper, so clear the frost and ice formation will be back to normal.
Door Switch:
The door switch automatically turns off the ice and water dispenser when the refrigerator door is open. In case there is a failure with the door switch, the dispenser may not turn on. Best way to check whether if the door switch is defective or not is by using a multimeter.
It is used to check whether the switch works or not. If the door switch does not work, then the multimeter will indicate it. You must replace the door switch, and ice formation will be back to normal again.
Ice Level Control Panel/Board:
Many refrigerators use infrared rays to sense the level of ice in the ice bucket. When the ice level reaches the top of the bucket, it interrupts the infrared rays. Further, the control panel shuts off the ice maker.
Again, when the ice level goes below the infrared rays, the control panel signals the ice maker to make more and more ice until it reaches back the same level. In case of any failure of the ice level control panel, the ice maker will stop making ice.
Failure may be either due to any physical damage or fault in the electricity supply. In case the ice level control panel is getting a proper electricity supply, and even if the ice maker does not work, then there must be physical damage due to it. Replace the ice level control panel in such a case.
Ice maker Thermostat:
The ice maker thermostat keeps a check on the temperature of the ice tray. Once the tray reaches the optimum temperature, the Icemaker ejects ice and refills the ice tray with water. In the case of a defective thermostat, the ice maker will stop making ice. To check if the thermostat is defective or not, you can use a multimeter. If the multimeter does not respond to the thermostat, then you must replace it.
Faulty Ice Maker part:
Even if one component of the ice maker assembly is defective, then ice formation can hamper. Since ice maker components are not sold separately, you have replaced the entire ice maker. Before replacing the ice, the maker ensures that the problems mentioned earlier do not exist. If none of the problems exists, then go ahead and replace the entire ice maker.
