How to Winterize Your Refrigerator Ice Maker Before Cold Weather

What winterizing an ice maker means and why it matters

Winterizing your ice maker means shutting off the water supply and draining the lines before freezing temperatures arrive. If you live where the temperature drops below 32°F and your refrigerator sits in an unheated space—a garage, basement, or outdoor kitchen—water left in the supply line will freeze solid and crack the tubing. A cracked line leaks water into your home and ruins the ice maker until you replace it.

If your refrigerator lives in a heated house, you do not need to winterize. The interior stays warm enough that water in the line will not freeze. But if the fridge is in a space that loses heat in winter—even occasionally—winterizing takes about fifteen minutes and prevents a costly repair.

Key Takeaways

• Winterize only if your refrigerator sits in an unheated or partially heated space where temperatures can drop below 32°F.
• The process involves turning off the water supply valve, running the ice maker to empty the line, and leaving it off until spring.
• You will need to locate the water shut-off valve behind or beneath the refrigerator and confirm you can turn it by hand.
• When spring arrives and temperatures stay above 50°F consistently, turn the water back on and run the ice maker for several cycles to clear air from the line.

Locate and test your water shut-off valve

Before you winterize, find the valve that controls water to your ice maker. Look behind the refrigerator at the base, where the water line enters. You will see a small brass or plastic valve, usually with a handle you can turn by hand. Some valves have a small lever; others have a round knob. Turn it gently to the right (clockwise) to close it. If the valve is stuck or you cannot turn it without tools, call a plumber now rather than waiting until winter.

If you cannot find a valve behind the refrigerator, check under the sink or in the basement directly below where the fridge sits. The valve may be on the main water line that feeds the house, or on a branch line that runs to the kitchen. Once you locate it, mark it with a piece of tape so you can find it again in the dark or in a cluttered space.

Turn off the water and run the ice maker empty

Turn the shut-off valve clockwise until it stops. Do not force it; a gentle, firm turn is enough. You should feel it seat without resistance. Now go to the ice maker inside the freezer and press the dispenser button or lever for thirty seconds to a minute. This forces any water still in the line out through the dispenser. You may see a small amount of water or ice cubes fall into the bin below.

Run the dispenser again after a few minutes. If nothing comes out, the line is empty. If water or ice still appears, keep pressing until nothing comes out. This step is important: water left in the line is what freezes and cracks the tubing when the temperature drops.

Leave the ice maker off during winter

Once the line is empty, you have two choices: turn off the ice maker itself, or leave it on but with no water reaching it. Most people simply leave it as is—the valve is closed, so no water can enter, and the ice maker will not run because there is no water to freeze. This is safe and requires no further action.

If you prefer to be extra cautious, you can turn off the ice maker using the control panel or the switch on the unit itself. Check your refrigerator manual for the exact location and method. Either way, the goal is the same: no water in the line during the cold months.

Watch the weather and plan to reopen in spring

As temperatures warm in spring and stay above 50°F for several days in a row, you can turn the water back on. Open the shut-off valve by turning it counterclockwise until it stops. Do not force it. You should feel it open smoothly.

Now go to the ice maker and press the dispenser button several times. The first ice cubes may taste stale or smell odd because air has been in the line. Throw away the first batch and run the ice maker through two or three full cycles before using the ice. This clears out any dust or debris that settled in the line over winter.

Troubleshooting if the valve will not turn

If the shut-off valve is stuck and will not turn by hand, do not force it. Forcing a stuck valve can break it, and then you will have a leak you cannot stop. Instead, apply a small amount of penetrating oil (like WD-40) around the valve stem and wait an hour. Try again gently. If it still will not budge, call a plumber to winterize the line for you.

A stuck valve usually means it has not been used in years. Once a plumber opens it, turn it off and on once a month during the heating season to keep it loose. This takes ten seconds and prevents the same problem next year.

What to do if you forget to winterize

If temperatures drop and you realize you never shut off the water, act quickly. Turn off the valve immediately, even if you think the line may already be frozen. Then turn off the ice maker and leave it off. Do not try to run it or force water through a frozen line.

Wait for the temperature to rise above 40°F for at least a day. Once it warms, turn the valve back on slowly and let water flow through the line for a minute before trying the ice maker. If the line cracked, you will see water leaking from under the refrigerator or pooling in the freezer. If that happens, you will need to replace the water line—a job a plumber can do in an hour or two, or a confident homeowner can do with a replacement line kit from a hardware store and about thirty minutes of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to winterize if my refrigerator is in a heated garage?

Only if the garage temperature drops below 32°F regularly. If your garage stays above 45°F even on the coldest nights, the water line will not freeze. If you are unsure, place a thermometer in the garage for a few nights in January. If it never drops below 40°F, you do not need to winterize.

Can I winterize a refrigerator that does not have an ice maker?

No. Winterizing only protects the ice maker water line. If your refrigerator has no ice maker, there is no water line to freeze, and winterizing does not apply.

What happens if I leave the ice maker on all winter without shutting off the water?

If the temperature drops below 32°F, water in the line will freeze and expand. This pressure cracks the tubing, usually at a weak point or joint. Once the line cracks, water leaks into the freezer or behind the refrigerator, and the ice maker stops working until you replace the line.

Can I use the ice maker right after I turn the water back on in spring?

You can, but the first batch of ice will taste stale or off because air has been sitting in the line all winter. Run the ice maker through two or three full cycles and throw away the ice before using it for drinks.

Is there a way to winterize without turning off the main valve?

No. The shut-off valve is the only way to stop water from entering the line. Some people try to drain the line by opening a faucet elsewhere in the house, but this does not work—you must close the valve at the source. If your valve is broken or stuck, have a plumber replace it before winter arrives.