Most ice makers reset with a single button or by turning off the power for 30 seconds

The fastest reset is usually a dedicated reset button on the ice maker itself—look for a small button labeled "Reset" or a recessed button you press with a pen. Hold it for three to five seconds, then release. If your ice maker has no reset button, turn off the power at the breaker or unplug the unit for 30 seconds, then turn it back on. This clears the machine's memory and restarts its cycle.

A reset is different from a power cycle. A reset tells the ice maker to forget what it was doing and start fresh. A power cycle just turns it off and on. Most ice makers need a reset when they jam, stop producing ice, or get stuck in a cycle. Before you reset, check whether the water line is connected, the filter is not clogged, and the freezer temperature is set to 0°F or below—a reset will not fix those problems.

Key Takeaways

  • A reset button on the ice maker itself is the quickest method; hold it for three to five seconds.
  • If there is no reset button, turn off power at the breaker for 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
  • Check the water line connection, filter condition, and freezer temperature before resetting, since a reset will not solve those issues.
  • After a reset, the ice maker takes 24 hours to produce its first batch of ice.
  • If the ice maker still does not work after a reset, the problem is likely a frozen water line, a clogged filter, or a faulty valve.

Locate the reset button on your ice maker

The reset button is usually on the front or side of the ice maker, often near the bottom. On many models it is a small, recessed button you cannot press with your finger—you will need a ballpoint pen or straightened paperclip. Look for text that says "Reset" or a symbol of a circular arrow. If you cannot find it, check the manual for your specific model; the button location varies widely between brands.

Some ice makers have the reset button inside the ice bin. If the front of the unit has no button, open the bin and look on the back wall or the side. A few models hide the button under a plastic cover you have to pry off slightly. Do not force anything; if you cannot find a button after a careful look, your model likely uses a power-cycle reset instead.

Press and hold the reset button for three to five seconds

Once you locate the button, use a pen or paperclip to press it straight in. Do not wiggle it or press at an angle. Hold steady pressure for three to five seconds—you may hear a click or see a light blink, but not always. Release the button and wait a few seconds. The ice maker should make a sound or show a sign that it is restarting, such as a beep or a brief motor hum.

If nothing happens after you release the button, try pressing it again for a full five seconds. Some models require a longer hold. If the button still produces no response, move on to the power-cycle method instead.

Turn off the power at the breaker if there is no reset button

Locate your home's electrical panel and find the breaker that controls the refrigerator or ice maker. The label on the breaker should say "Kitchen" or "Refrigerator." Flip the switch to the off position. Wait 30 seconds—this gives the ice maker's internal computer time to clear its memory. Then flip the breaker back to on.

If your ice maker is plugged into an outlet rather than hardwired, you can unplug it directly instead of using the breaker. Unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. The result is the same. Do not just turn off the refrigerator's power switch on the front of the unit; that does not always reset the ice maker's internal system.

Wait 24 hours for the ice maker to cycle and produce ice

After a reset, the ice maker needs time to refill its water line, freeze the first batch, and eject it. This cycle takes about 24 hours from the moment you reset. During this time, you may hear unusual sounds—water flowing, the motor running, ice cracking—as the machine goes through its startup sequence. This is normal.

If the ice maker produces a small amount of ice or cloudy ice on the first cycle, that is also normal. The first batch often contains trapped air or minerals from the water line. After the second or third cycle, the ice should look clear and normal. If after 24 hours there is still no ice and no sound from the machine, the reset did not solve the problem.

Check the water line and filter before assuming the reset failed

If the ice maker still does not produce ice after 24 hours, the problem is usually not the reset itself but something blocking the water supply. Check that the water line behind the refrigerator is connected firmly to both the wall outlet and the ice maker. Look for kinks or pinches in the line. If the line is frozen solid, you will need to thaw it with warm water or a hair dryer—a reset cannot fix that.

Next, check the water filter. Most refrigerators have a filter cartridge inside the fridge or under the sink. If the filter has not been changed in six months or longer, it may be clogged. A clogged filter blocks water flow and stops ice production. Replace the filter according to your refrigerator's manual. After replacing the filter, you may need to run water through the dispenser for 30 seconds to clear air from the line, then reset the ice maker again.

Troubleshoot if the ice maker still does not work after reset

A reset solves most ice maker jams and stuck cycles, but it cannot fix mechanical failures. If the ice maker makes no sound at all after 24 hours, the motor or valve may be faulty. If it makes sound but produces no water, the inlet valve—the part that lets water into the machine—may be stuck closed or broken. If it produces water but no ice, the freezer temperature may be too warm; check that it is set to 0°F or below.

If you have checked the water line, replaced the filter, confirmed the freezer temperature, and waited 24 hours after the reset, and the ice maker still does not work, the machine likely needs a repair or replacement. Contact the manufacturer or a refrigerator repair service. Provide them with the model number (usually on a sticker inside the fridge) and a description of what the machine does or does not do.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a reset take to work?

The reset itself takes seconds, but the ice maker needs 24 hours to complete its first cycle and produce ice. If you see ice within a few hours, the machine was already working; if you see nothing after 24 hours, the reset did not solve the underlying problem.

Will resetting the ice maker erase any settings?

A reset clears the machine's memory of its current cycle but does not change user settings like temperature or production speed. Your freezer temperature and any custom settings remain the same.

Can I reset the ice maker while the freezer is running?

Yes. A reset does not harm the freezer or any food inside. You can reset at any time without turning off the whole refrigerator.

What if the reset button is stuck or will not press?

Do not force it. A stuck button usually means the mechanism inside is jammed. Use the power-cycle method instead: turn off the breaker for 30 seconds and turn it back on. If the button remains stuck after that, it may need professional repair.

Should I reset the ice maker if it is making strange noises?

Strange noises during the first 24 hours after a reset are normal. If the noise continues after that or sounds like grinding or scraping, do not reset again—the machine may have a mechanical problem that a reset cannot fix.