How to Make Ice in Your Whirlpool Refrigerator

Turn on the ice maker and fill the water line

Your Whirlpool refrigerator makes ice automatically once you connect the water supply and switch the ice maker on. The ice maker sits inside the freezer compartment and produces ice cubes on a cycle—usually every 6 to 24 hours depending on the model and how full your freezer is.

Start by locating the water inlet valve at the back of the refrigerator. This is where the water line connects. If you have not yet run a water line to the fridge, you will need a quarter-inch copper or plastic water line from your home's cold water supply. Many homes have a valve under the kitchen sink you can tap into; if you are unsure, a plumber can install one for about an hour's labor.

Once the water line is connected and the refrigerator is plugged in, look inside the freezer for the ice maker itself. On most Whirlpool models, you will see a plastic ice bucket and an ice maker unit mounted on the wall or ceiling of the freezer. There is a small arm or lever on the side of the ice maker—this is the on/off switch. Push it down to the "on" position. The arm should stay down; if it pops back up, the ice maker may already be running or there may be a water pressure issue.

Key Takeaways

• The ice maker turns on by pushing the arm or lever inside the freezer compartment to the down position, and it will begin making ice within 24 hours if water pressure is adequate.
• A quarter-inch water line must run from your home's cold water supply to the inlet valve at the back of the refrigerator for ice production to work.
• The first batch of ice may taste stale or smell odd because the water line contains dust and minerals—discard the first 20 to 30 cubes.
• If no ice appears after 24 hours, check that the water line is connected, the inlet valve is open, and the freezer temperature is set to 0°F or below.
• The ice maker cycles automatically and fills the bucket; when the bucket is full, the arm rises and stops production until you remove some ice.

Discard the first batch of ice cubes

When you first turn on the ice maker, the water line contains dust, minerals, and air pockets. The first 20 to 30 ice cubes will taste off or smell stale. This is normal and not a sign of a problem.

Let the ice maker run for several hours or overnight, then scoop out and throw away all the ice in the bucket. Refill the bucket with fresh ice by letting the cycle run again. After the second or third batch, the water line will be clean and the ice will taste and smell normal.

Check water pressure and freezer temperature

If no ice appears after 24 hours, the most common cause is low water pressure. Whirlpool ice makers need at least 20 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure to function. If your home's water pressure is below that—which can happen if you have a long run of water line or if your municipal supply is weak—the ice maker will not fill properly.

To test pressure, turn off the ice maker, disconnect the water line at the back of the refrigerator, and hold a cup under the inlet valve. Turn the water on at the source (usually under the sink). If water flows out in a strong stream, pressure is adequate. If it trickles, you may need a booster pump, which a plumber can install.

The second common cause is freezer temperature. The ice maker will not freeze water if the freezer is warmer than 0°F. Check the temperature dial or digital display on your Whirlpool and set it to 0°F or colder. Wait 24 hours for the freezer to reach that temperature, then check whether ice has formed.

Make sure the inlet valve is open

Between the water source and the refrigerator, there is usually a shutoff valve. This valve may be under the sink, in a basement, or behind the refrigerator itself. If this valve is closed or only partially open, water will not reach the ice maker.

Locate the shutoff valve and turn the handle counterclockwise until it stops. The handle should point in line with the water line when fully open. If the valve is stuck or will not turn, do not force it—call a plumber. A stuck valve often means it needs replacement.

After opening the valve, wait a few hours for water to fill the line and reach the ice maker, then check the freezer for new ice.

Empty the ice bucket when it fills

The ice maker has a mechanical arm that rises when the bucket is full. Once the arm reaches the top, it triggers a switch that stops the ice maker from producing more cubes. This prevents the bucket from overflowing and ice from jamming the mechanism.

When you want more ice, simply scoop out some of the cubes from the bucket. As the level drops, the arm lowers and the ice maker resumes its cycle. If the arm is stuck in the up position and the bucket is not full, the ice maker thinks the bucket is full and will not run. Gently push the arm down by hand to reset it, and check that nothing is blocking its movement.

Thaw and clean the ice maker if ice clogs the mechanism

In rare cases, ice can build up around the ice maker unit and jam the moving parts. This usually happens if the freezer temperature is set too cold (below -10°F) or if humidity is very high. If the ice maker is running but no ice is falling into the bucket, or if you hear grinding sounds, ice may be blocking the chute.

Turn off the ice maker and unplug the refrigerator. Let the freezer warm up for 30 minutes to an hour, which will soften the ice. Use a plastic scraper or old credit card to gently break up ice around the ice maker unit and the chute. Do not use a metal tool, which can crack plastic parts. Once the ice is cleared, plug the refrigerator back in and turn the ice maker on again.

To prevent this in the future, keep the freezer temperature between 0°F and -5°F, and make sure the freezer door seals tightly so humid air does not enter.

Understand the ice maker cycle and timing

A Whirlpool ice maker typically completes one cycle every 6 to 24 hours, depending on the model and how cold the freezer is. During each cycle, the ice maker fills with water, freezes it into cubes, and ejects them into the bucket below. The exact timing varies by model—check your user manual for the specific cycle length.

The first ice may take 24 to 48 hours to appear because the water line needs to fill and the freezer needs to reach full temperature. After that, you should see new ice regularly. If the bucket fills quickly and the arm rises, the ice maker is working normally and will pause until you remove some ice.

If you are away from home for a week or longer, the ice may develop a stale taste or absorb odors from the freezer. When you return, discard the old ice and let the maker run a fresh cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a Whirlpool ice maker to produce the first ice?

The first ice usually appears within 24 hours of turning on the ice maker, though it can take up to 48 hours if the freezer is not yet cold enough or the water line is long. Discard the first batch because it will taste stale. After that, new ice should appear every 6 to 24 hours depending on your model.

Why is my ice maker running but not making ice?

Check three things: water pressure (hold a cup under the inlet valve at the back to test flow), freezer temperature (set to 0°F or colder), and the shutoff valve (turn the handle counterclockwise to fully open). If all three are correct and the arm is down, the inlet valve itself may be frozen or faulty—contact Whirlpool support or a technician.

Can I turn off the ice maker without unplugging the fridge?

Yes. Push the arm or lever on the ice maker unit upward to the "off" position. The arm will stay up and the ice maker will stop running. You can turn it back on anytime by pushing the arm down. This is useful if you are away for a long time or want to prevent stale ice from forming.

What should I do if ice is jamming the chute?

Turn off the ice maker and unplug the refrigerator. Let the freezer warm up for 30 to 60 minutes, then use a plastic scraper to gently break up ice around the chute and ice maker unit. Never use metal tools. Plug the fridge back in and resume normal use. Keep the freezer between 0°F and -5°F to prevent this.

Do I need to clean the ice maker regularly?

Most Whirlpool ice makers do not require regular cleaning if your water supply is clean. However, if you notice cloudy ice or a stale taste that does not go away after discarding the first batch, the water line may have mineral buildup. Run a commercial refrigerator water line cleaner through the system, or contact a technician to flush the line.