Replacing a Frigidaire Ice Maker: The Basic Steps

You can replace a Frigidaire ice maker yourself in about 30 minutes with just a screwdriver and the new ice maker unit. The process is the same across most Frigidaire models: turn off the water supply, remove the old unit by unbolting it and disconnecting the water line, then install the new one by reversing those steps. Most people do not need a technician for this repair.

Before you start, order the correct replacement ice maker for your specific Frigidaire model. The model number is on a sticker inside your refrigerator, usually on the wall behind the crisper drawers or on the side wall. Write it down and search for "ice maker [your model number]" to find the exact part. Frigidaire ice makers typically cost between $150 and $300 depending on the model.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn off the water supply to your refrigerator before disconnecting anything, or you will have water leaking into your cabinet.
  • The ice maker bolts to the freezer wall with two or three screws and connects to a water line with a single fitting that unscrews by hand or with a wrench.
  • The water line fitting may have a small amount of water in it even after you turn off the supply, so have a towel ready.
  • New Frigidaire ice makers come with a fill tube and mounting bracket, but you will reuse your existing water line if it is not cracked or kinked.

Locate and Turn Off the Water Supply

The water supply line to your ice maker runs from the back of your refrigerator to a shutoff valve. This valve is usually mounted on the wall behind the refrigerator, or it may be under the sink if your kitchen layout runs the line that way. Trace the plastic or copper line from the back of the fridge to find it.

Turn the shutoff valve clockwise until it stops. You do not need to force it—just turn it until it closes. If you cannot find a dedicated shutoff valve, you can turn off the main water supply to your kitchen, but a dedicated valve is faster. Once the valve is closed, the water pressure to the ice maker stops, though a small amount of water may still be in the line.

Remove the Old Ice Maker Unit

Open your freezer and locate the ice maker on the side wall or back wall. It is a rectangular plastic box, usually white or black. You will see two or three screws holding it to the wall—these are typically Phillips head screws. Use a screwdriver to remove all of them and set them aside.

Once the screws are out, gently pull the ice maker toward you. You will see a plastic or copper water line connected to the bottom or back of the unit. This line has a fitting at the end. If it is a plastic fitting, you can usually unscrew it by hand by turning counterclockwise. If it is a metal fitting, use an adjustable wrench to hold the fitting steady while you turn the nut counterclockwise with another wrench. Have a towel ready—a small amount of water will drip out.

Once the water line is disconnected, pull the ice maker all the way out and set it aside. You may also see an electrical connector—some Frigidaire models have one, some do not. If yours has one, gently pull the connector apart by hand. Do not force it.

Prepare the New Ice Maker for Installation

Unpack your new Frigidaire ice maker and lay out all the parts. You should have the ice maker unit itself, a fill tube (a small plastic tube), a mounting bracket, and usually a water line connector kit. Check the instruction sheet that came with the part to confirm you have everything.

Before you install it, inspect your old water line. If it is cracked, kinked, or the plastic is brittle, replace it with the new line that came with your ice maker. If the old line looks good, you can reuse it. Most people reuse the old line because it is already routed through the wall or cabinet and replacing it means running a new line, which is more work.

Install the New Ice Maker

Position the new ice maker in the same spot where the old one was. The mounting bracket should align with the screw holes in the freezer wall. Insert the two or three screws and tighten them with your screwdriver. Do not overtighten—just snug them down until the unit is find and does not move.

Now reconnect the water line. If you are reusing your old line, straightforward screw the fitting back onto the new ice maker by turning clockwise. Use your wrench if it is a metal fitting and you need extra grip. If you are using the new water line that came with the ice maker, follow the instruction sheet to connect it. Hand-tighten first, then use a wrench to snug it down another quarter turn.

If your ice maker has an electrical connector, plug it in now. Some models have a connector that snaps together, others have a wire harness you push onto pins. The instruction sheet will show you which.

Turn the Water Back On and Test

Go back to the shutoff valve behind your refrigerator and turn it counterclockwise to turn the water back on. Turn it slowly so you can hear or feel the water flowing. Once it is fully open, go back to the ice maker and watch for leaks around the water line fitting. If you see water dripping, turn the valve back off and tighten the fitting another quarter turn with your wrench.

Wait 5 to 10 minutes and check again. A small amount of water may drip for the first minute as air leaves the line, but steady dripping means the fitting is not tight enough. Once there are no leaks, close the freezer door and wait 2 to 4 hours. The ice maker should produce its first batch of ice in that time. If it does not, check that the water line is not kinked and that the electrical connector is fully seated.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is forgetting to turn off the water supply before disconnecting the line. This floods your cabinet and can damage the floor. Always locate and close the shutoff valve first, even if it takes an extra five minutes to find it.

The second mistake is overtightening the water line fitting. The fitting only needs to be snug—if you crank it too hard, you can crack the plastic connector inside the ice maker, and then you have to replace the whole unit again. Hand-tighten, then use a wrench for just a quarter turn more.

The third mistake is installing the ice maker upside down or backward. Check your instruction sheet to see which way the unit should face. The fill tube should point toward the ice mold, and the water line should connect to the inlet on the bottom or back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn off the ice maker before I replace it?

You do not need to turn off the ice maker itself, but you must turn off the water supply valve. The ice maker will not run without water anyway once you disconnect the line. Turning off the main power to the refrigerator is optional but can prevent the ice maker from trying to cycle while you are working on it.

What if I cannot find the water shutoff valve?

Check behind the refrigerator first, along the wall or on the floor. If there is no valve there, trace the water line to see where it goes—it may run under the sink or into the wall. If you still cannot find it, you can turn off the main water supply to your house, usually in the basement or under the kitchen sink. It takes longer but works just as well.

Can I use a universal ice maker instead of a Frigidaire brand replacement?

Universal ice makers exist, but they do not always fit Frigidaire models perfectly and may not connect to the water line the same way. Stick with a Frigidaire replacement made for your specific model number. It costs a little more but installs without modification and comes with the right connectors.

How long does it take for the new ice maker to start producing ice?

Most Frigidaire ice makers produce their first batch of ice within 2 to 4 hours of being turned on. The first batch may be cloudy or small—this is normal. After 24 hours, the ice maker should be running normally and producing full-size cubes.

What if water is leaking from the connection after I turn the water back on?

Turn the water off when ready and tighten the fitting another quarter turn with your wrench. If it still leaks after you turn the water back on, turn it off again and check that the fitting threads are clean and not cracked. If the plastic connector is damaged, you will need a new ice maker. If the threads are fine, explore a small amount of plumber's tape to the threads and try again.