How To Turn ice Maker On/Off Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator?
A refrigerator is essential to store your perishable foods until it’s eaten. But when it comes to daily convenience, an ice maker is one of the most important components of a refrigerator.
However, you might find it difficult to turn on or off the ice maker on a whirlpool french door refrigerator.
Turning on/off the ice maker for your whirlpool French door refrigerator can be very simple once you locate the on/off switch on the ice maker. You can turn the ice maker on/off by lowering the wire shut-off arm or lifting the shut-off arm.
Where Is the On Switch on a Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator Ice Maker?
A whirlpool ice maker on control is underneath. You can only use the control when you open the ice maker door.
However, when you do not need your ice maker, it’s best to turn it off, and when you are running low on ice, you can put it back on.
The power consumption of an ice maker adds up quickly, even when your ice tray is filled up.
They not only draw power when producing ice but also engage heating elements and prevent all the inner parts from freezing up while ensuring cold air circulates.
So it’s best to turn off the ice maker when you don’t need it.
How Do You Stop the Ice Maker on a Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator?
Stop the ice maker on your whirlpool French door refrigerator by turning it off using the on/off switch.
You can also stop the ice maker by using the metal feeler arm, which you can find beside the ice maker. Once you locate it, lift it gently to turn off the unit.
#1. When You Should Stop Your Ice Maker
- It would help if you switched off your ice maker when you wanted to defrost your refrigerator or the ice maker.
- When leaving your house for a long time, it’s best to stop your ice maker. Doing so will prevent your ice cubes from being stale and absorbing odors in your fridge.
- It’s best to stop your ice maker from working if you don’t want to go through the stress of changing water filters to get a block of pure and mold-free ice.
- Furthermore, when you leave your ice maker on for too long, the ice produced will be too much for your consumption. Thus, freeze up into a big lump of ice in the ice tray.
- When your fridge is not connected to a water line or does not have a dispenser, but the ice maker continues whizzing, it would help if you switched it off.
- If you do not turn off your ice maker for a long time, some parts of your freezer might become too cold and cause some nearby foods to freeze.
#2. Tips for Turning Off Your Ice Maker
- Switch off your ice maker once you hear ice drop into the bucket. Doing so will prevent water from filling the ice tray, and no ice will sit in the tray for long.
- Ensure you make use of or trash any ice cubes that the ice maker produces immediately.
- It would be best to clean and air dries the ice bucket when you stop your ice maker. It will prevent the residual moisture from bringing mold and mildew.
Can You Manually Start the Ice Maker on a Whirlpool French Door?
It’s possible to manually start the ice maker on the whirlpool French door. To do this, follow the procedures below:
- Open the freezer. There you will see a compartment where the ice maker is.
- Then open the compartment, and you will see a metal lever.
- Drag the lever down to turn on the ice maker.
- Then your ice maker will start working and dispensing ice.
How Do You Reset a Whirlpool French Door Ice Maker?
If your whirlpool is making slushies instead of ice blocks or you notice any problem with your ice maker, it’s best to reset it to solve your problem.
To reset your whirlpool ice maker follow the steps highlighted below:
Modify the Feeler Arm
Modifying the feeler arm is the first step before resetting your ice maker. The feeler arm is the detector located in the ice maker.
This detector prevents the ice maker from producing excess ice. It sends a signal to the icemaker when the ice tray gets full.
Once the feeler arm gets stuck, it will be unable to regulate itself based on the ice level on the tray.
Thus, making the ice maker think the ice tray is full when it isn’t. The feeler arm can get stuck because of two reasons which are simple to fix.
| Reasons | Solutions |
|---|---|
| The feeler arm gets stuck once it is frozen. | Drag down the feeler arm manually to unfreeze. |
| The feeler arm gets stuck when the screw gets trapped in a position. | Push the feeler arm continuously; water will fill the ice maker tank. |
However, if the feeler arm is not the issue, you can try resetting your ice maker.
It’s good to check the user manual to locate the reset button. Nonetheless, if you can’t find your manual, check your reset button at the following places:
- Beneath the ice maker
- Above the ice tray
- Beneath the ice tray
If you can’t find it in any of these places, it’s best to check your Whirlpool manual online.
After discovering your reset control, press and hold the reset switch; you need to press down the control for 10 minutes or till you hear a beep sound in the unit.
Yet, if you cannot locate the feeler arm or the reset regulator on your ice maker, you can use the on/off control to reset it.
And your ice maker will work perfectly. After locating the switch, follow these procedures:
- Withdraw the ice tray and the cover plate. Do this by pulling the trays and covers.
- Turn off the button.
- Disconnect the ice maker from the mains.
- Allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
- Connect the ice maker to the mains again.
- Turn on the regulator.
- Replace the ice tray and cover the plate. Doing so will also reset the ice maker.
Also, you can unplug the appliance for 10 minutes. It is the easiest way to reset your ice maker.
But if it refuses to work after resetting your ice maker, it needs more than just a reset. It’s best to contact an expert.
How Do You Know When Your French Door Refrigerator Ice Maker Has Gone Bad?
Ice makers do not work 100% all the time. Since it’s a machine, it can go bad or malfunction sometimes.
When your ice maker stops working, it’s best first to identify the problem before you can know the next step.
There are different causes of faulty ice makers, but the most common ones are as follows:
#1. Clogged Water Filter
A filter reduces contaminants in your water. But when particles block the filter, it will be unable to supply sufficient water to the ice maker, thereby reducing ice production.
Changing the refrigerator filter every six months is advisable to prevent this problem.
When you are experiencing an unusual taste in your ice or water, black particles in your ice, and water dispensing slowly, it’s best to change your filter.
#2. Misset Refrigerator Thermostat
If your freezer is too cold or warm, your ice maker will not function correctly. The thermostat is mainly inside the freezer. So it’s advisable always to check the refrigerator and the freezer temperature.
Ensure you set the freezer temperature to not less than 0°F, and the refrigerator temperature should be within the range of 33 to 40 °F.
#3. Ice Stuck in the Mold
When your ice maker starts producing shapeless, cracked, and fluffily frosted ice, it indicates that ice fractions are glued in the ice mold.
Once a whole batch of ice gets stuck, there will be no new ice production, creating a problem for the water line since water cannot fill the tray.
To fix this issue, switching off the ice maker and using a container to cover the ice tray in warm water is best.
The warm water will allow the ice bits to melt away, making it safe to begin producing ice. Also, ensure you clean the ice bin to remove any water remnants or fractured ice remains.
#4. Ice Maker is Not Level
You might not pay attention to whether your ice maker is level or not since this problem is generally overlooked.
However, the ice will not level in the mold if your ice maker does not stay balanced inside the fridge. This problem can even allow the ejector assembly to function improperly.
To fix this problem, ensure the fridge levels. You can use a leveler to check if the fridge and the freezer floor balance.
When the fridge is level, check the support of the ice maker. Ensure the screws are tight and the mounting shelves are horizontal.
When you notice a bent shelf, straighten them. But if you can’t straighten the shelf, it’s best to replace it.
#5. Malfunction or Frozen Ejector Assembly
The ejector pulls ice from the ice tray and makes it obtainable through the tube in the door. If your freezer ice ejector fails to work, check the following components:
- Inspect for an ice dam. An ice dam is the various chunks of ice or frost obstructing the chute.
- Also, check the gear, engine, and flap and ensure they all work perfectly.
- If these components are not working well, it will help if you replace their components. Doing so will make your ice maker as good as new.
However, if you have checked for all these problems and you can’t seem to solve them, it’s best to call a professional.
Conclusion
You can manually turn on/off the ice maker through the feeler arm or use the on and off switch.
But it’s best not to leave the ice maker on for too long. Since your ice maker is a machine, it can go bad sometimes, so it’s best to know what to do when it shows some problems.
