How to Turn Off the Icemaker on Your Whirlpool Refrigerator

Locate the Icemaker Control Switch

The fastest way to stop your Whirlpool icemaker from running is to find and flip the control switch, which is almost always inside the freezer compartment. On most Whirlpool models, this switch is a small arm or lever mounted on the side wall of the freezer, usually on the left side near where the ice bucket sits. It looks like a thin metal or plastic rod that can move up and down.

Push the arm or lever all the way up into the OFF position. You will hear or feel a click when it locks. The icemaker will stop running immediately—it will not make new ice, and the water inlet valve will close. This is the simplest and most direct method, and it works on nearly every Whirlpool refrigerator built in the last 20 years.

If you cannot find the switch inside the freezer, check your refrigerator's manual for the exact location on your model. Some older or specialty Whirlpool units place the switch in a slightly different spot, but the principle is always the same: a physical lever or button that you move to the OFF position.

Key Takeaways

• The icemaker control switch is a small lever or arm inside the freezer compartment, usually on the left wall, and pushing it up stops ice production immediately.
• Turning off the switch closes the water inlet valve and prevents the icemaker from cycling, which also reduces water and electricity use.
• If you cannot locate the switch, your refrigerator's manual lists the exact position for your model number.
• Turning the switch off does not harm the refrigerator or icemaker—you can turn it back on whenever you need ice again.
• Some Whirlpool models also have a control panel setting in the fridge display, but the physical switch is the most reliable method.

Why You Might Want to Turn Off the Icemaker

Stopping the icemaker saves water and electricity. Every time the icemaker cycles, it draws water from your supply line and uses energy to freeze it. If you do not use much ice or you are away from home for a while, turning off the switch prevents wasted cycles and reduces your utility costs.

Turning off the icemaker also prevents ice buildup and frost problems inside the freezer. When the icemaker runs but the ice bucket is full or stuck, water can back up and freeze on the walls or around the mechanism. Shutting it off gives you time to clear a jam or defrost the compartment without the icemaker trying to run in the background.

Check Your Refrigerator's Control Panel

Some newer Whirlpool refrigerators with digital displays have an icemaker control option in the touchscreen or button panel on the front of the fridge. Look for a button or menu option labeled "Ice Maker," "Icemaker On/Off," or "Ice Production." Press it to toggle the icemaker off.

If your fridge has this feature, using the control panel is convenient because you do not have to open the freezer door. However, the physical switch inside the freezer is always the most reliable way to stop the icemaker completely. If you use the panel control and the icemaker still seems to be running, check that the physical switch is also in the OFF position.

What Happens When You Turn Off the Icemaker

When you flip the switch to OFF, the icemaker stops immediately. It will not make new ice cubes, and the water line will not fill the mold. Any ice already in the bucket stays there and will not melt—the freezer compartment remains cold enough to keep it solid.

The icemaker itself does not turn off or go into a sleep mode; it simply stops receiving the signal to run. This is safe for the machine. Icemakers are designed to sit idle for weeks or months without damage. When you turn the switch back ON, the icemaker will resume normal operation on its next cycle.

Restarting the Icemaker After It Has Been Off

To turn the icemaker back on, push the control switch down into the ON position. You will hear a click as it locks. The icemaker will begin its cycle within a few minutes—you may hear water flowing into the mold and then the sound of the ejector arm pushing finished cubes into the bucket.

The first batch of ice after restarting may look cloudy or taste slightly off because the water line has been sitting still. Run the first few batches and throw them away. After two or three cycles, the ice will look and taste normal again.

Troubleshooting: Icemaker Still Running After You Turn It Off

If you flipped the switch to OFF but the icemaker is still making noise or producing ice, check that the switch is fully in the up position and locked. Sometimes the switch does not click all the way into place, and the icemaker continues to run. Push it up firmly until you feel solid resistance.

If the switch is fully up and the icemaker is still running, the switch itself may be broken or stuck. This is rare, but it happens. In that case, you can turn off the water supply to the icemaker by locating the shut-off valve under the sink or behind the refrigerator. Turn the valve clockwise until it stops. This will prevent water from reaching the icemaker while you arrange a repair. Do not leave the water shut off for more than a few days, because your refrigerator's water dispenser will also stop working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off the icemaker damage it?

No. Icemakers are built to sit idle without harm. You can turn it off and on as many times as you want without affecting how it works. The only wear comes from actual use, not from being switched off.

Does turning off the icemaker save a lot of electricity?

It saves some. An icemaker uses roughly 10 to 15 watts when it is running a cycle, which takes a few minutes. If you make ice several times a day, turning it off will lower your electric bill slightly. The savings are modest unless you never use ice.

Can I turn off just the water supply instead of using the switch?

You can shut off the water valve behind or under the refrigerator, but this also stops the water dispenser on the front of the fridge. Using the control switch is simpler because it stops only the icemaker, not the whole water system.

What if my Whirlpool refrigerator does not have a control switch?

Very old Whirlpool models or some specialty units may not have a switch. Check your manual for your specific model number. If there is no switch and no panel control, the only way to stop the icemaker is to shut off the water supply valve behind the refrigerator.

How do I know if the icemaker is actually off?

Listen for the sound of water filling the mold—you will hear a faint hum or rushing sound when the icemaker is running. If the switch is in the OFF position and you hear nothing after waiting a few minutes, the icemaker is off. You can also open the freezer and look at the mold; if it is empty and not filling, the icemaker is not running.