Buzz
It's quite vexing when your ice maker suddenly ceases its ice-making operation. Fear not, for there are measures you can take to swiftly rectify the situation. Most likely, your ice maker is simply encased in ice and requires a prompt defrosting. Luckily, this can be accomplished with a few simple button presses. In the subsequent discourse, we shall elucidate the steps for resetting and defrosting your Samsung ice maker, thereby allowing you to indulge in refreshingly chilled beverages without delay.
Procedure
Initiate the ice maker reset.
Upon initiating a reset or 'test' of the ice maker, it should commence defrosting autonomously. Begin by opening the refrigerator and extracting the ice bucket. Next, locate the reset button positioned at the upper right corner of the ice maker and depress it for a duration of 5 seconds. A chime will signify the commencement of the reset process. Reinstall the ice bucket to capture the ice that will promptly be dispensed by the ice maker.
- The reset button might be denoted as 'Test.' Should the reset button on your Samsung ice maker not be situated at the top right corner, inspect the bottom.
- If the ice bucket is frozen or lodged in place, gently manipulate it and seek out any bucket release button or lever that your particular model may feature.
- In the event that the bucket is solidly frozen, refrain from utilizing a hairdryer or attempting to chip away at the ice, as this could potentially void your warranty. Samsung refrigerators incorporate intricate circuitry that could inadvertently sustain damage.
Give it a day to produce ice.
If the reset was successful, your ice maker should resume its normal operation within 24 hours. If no ice is produced within this timeframe, or if it fails to consistently freeze and dispense ice, then the reset did not effectively defrost the ice maker. In such instances, proceed to the next step: performing a manual defrost.
- For reference, a properly functioning Samsung ice maker typically produces 2 trays of ice every 3 hours.
Access the ice maker's interface if the reset fails.
Activate the interface by simultaneously pressing 2 buttons. If you own a tabletop model, press the 'power freeze' and 'fridge' buttons concurrently for 8 seconds. For a dispenser model, press both the 'freezer' and 'lighting' buttons for the same duration. Release the buttons once the screen goes dark and a beep is emitted.
Initiate a manual freezer defrost.
Press the 'lighting' button until 'FD' appears. Then, choose this option (which stands for 'forced freezer defrost'). A forced freezer defrost will dissolve all accumulated ice in the ice maker compartment—this could be the reason behind the ice maker's malfunction. In certain Samsung models, pressing any interface button will cycle through the options.
- Avoid selecting 'RD,' meant for forced refrigerator defrosts.
Allow 1 hour to pass.
After an hour, you can determine if the defrost was successful. Place a small towel in the ice compartment throughout the forced freezer defrost to absorb water as the machine thaws. For Samsung refrigerator owners, listen for continuous beeping during the defrost cycle. When the beeping ceases, the cycle is finished.
- The process typically takes about half an hour, though some models may require closer to 1 hour.
- Keep the fridge and freezer doors shut while the cycle is active.
Inspect the ice maker for ice accumulation.
If you observe liquid, the forced freezer defrost has succeeded. Remove the damp towel—extract it slowly to prevent ice chunks from falling onto it as the top of the ice compartment thaws. If ice remains on the ice maker walls, execute another forced freezer defrost cycle and reevaluate.
- If multiple forced defrost cycles yield no apparent ice melting, evacuate the fridge contents and execute a forced fridge defrost—choose 'RD' on the interface or disconnect your refrigerator. This defrosts both fridge and freezer compartments.
Use a towel to wipe away melted ice.
Leaving water in the bucket may lead to freezing and ice accumulation. Swiftly wipe down the compartment with a towel as well. Once everything is dry, reinsert the ice bucket and resume normal ice maker operation.
Seek professional service if the ice maker remains nonfunctional.
Samsung offers expert troubleshooting and updates. If you've already reset the ice maker and performed a forced reset without success, contact 1-800-SAMSUNG (726-7864). Persistent ice maker issues might necessitate a firmware update, so refrain from attempting manual defrosting.
- For Family Hub refrigerators connected to Samsung's SmartThings, ensure the fridge is linked to SmartThings for automatic firmware updates.
- Customer service is accessible daily from 8 am to 12 am EST.
- You can also text 'HELP' to 62913 for assistance from the customer service team.
Prevent future ice accumulation.
Perform a reset every few months to maintain your Samsung ice maker. If it's producing ice as expected, that's fantastic! If not, or if you notice ice accumulation in the compartment, simply press the reset button or initiate a defrost cycle. Typically, this maintenance task only needs to be done every 3 months.
- Ensure any spills in the compartment are promptly wiped up before they freeze.
Cheryl Mendelson, Renowned Homekeeping Expert
Samsung refrigerators occasionally require ice maker defrosts to address reduced ice production due to frost buildup. Turn off the freezer and use a hair dryer to carefully melt ice from critical components—the tray and blades in particular. Remove any melted water before it refreezes. Following electrical safety guidelines, this convenient process takes less than 30 minutes, restoring optimal chilling performance according to Samsung's recommendations. Don't settle for inadequate ice production; timely defrosts are the key to abundant ice once again.
