The Samsung RF28HMEDBSR ice maker is not working as commonly as this French door model. Here is a breakdown of troubleshooting steps and possible causes for this issue, reflecting the information we are searching for this would likely want to find:
The troubleshooting tasks listed below are ranked from simple to complex to help you get your ice maker back in working order as quickly as possible.
I put a YouTube video here to demonstrate the troubleshooting work more intuitively. Many of the steps in this video overlap with the following troubleshooting list, but the following list is more detailed and comprehensive, and some are not in the video.
Common Causes and Troubleshooting Steps:
- Check if the Ice Maker is Turned On:
- How: Look for an “Ice Off” indicator light on the refrigerator’s control panel. If this light is lit, the ice-making function is turned off. Press and hold the “Ice Off” button (usually for about 3 seconds) to turn the ice maker on; the indicator light should go out.
- Note: Some models might control this via menu settings; check the ice-making icon on the display.
- Check Ice Bucket Installation:
- How: Remove the ice bucket, then reinstall it correctly. Ensure it is fully pushed in and clicks or locks into place. If the bucket isn’t fully seated, the refrigerator might not detect it and will stop making ice.
- Reset the Ice Maker:
- How:
- Remove the ice bucket.
- Locate the test/reset button on the ice maker module. This is often a tiny, rectangular, blue, or white button found on the front underside or side of the ice maker assembly. Sometimes, you might need the tip of a pen or a paper clip to press it.
- Press and hold this button until you hear a chime sound or see the ice maker begin a test cycle (e.g., the arm rotates, it attempts to fill with water).
- Reinstall the ice bucket.
- Note: After a reset, you must wait several hours (sometimes up to 24 hours) to see if new ice is produced.
- How:
See the video on how to reset the Ice Maker.
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- Check Freezer Temperature:
- Requirement: The freezer needs to be cold enough to make ice. The ideal temperature is 0°F (-18°C) or lower.
- How: Check the temperature setting on the control panel. If it’s set too high or the fridge isn’t reaching the set temperature for other reasons (like the door being ajar or poor ventilation), the ice maker might not function.
- Check for Ice Jams:
- How: Remove the ice bucket and inspect the ice chute and the ice maker for jammed ice cubes or excessive frost buildup. Carefully remove any obstructions using a plastic or wooden utensil (do not use sharp metal objects). Check if the feeler arm (the wire arm) is stuck by ice and cannot move freely.
- Check Water Supply Line:
- How:
- Ensure the water supply valve connected to the refrigerator (usually under the sink or behind the fridge) is fully open.
- Inspect the water supply hose behind the fridge for kinks, bends, or being crushed, which can restrict water flow.
- If you recently moved the refrigerator or changed the filter, ensure the line is connected correctly without air or water leaks.
- How:
- Check Water Filter:
- Reason: A clogged or improperly installed water filter can significantly reduce water flow to the ice maker.
- How:
- Confirm you are using the correct filter model (usually HAF-CIN or HAF-CIN/EXP) and that it is installed correctly (fully twisted and locked).
- If the filter has been in use for more than six months or the water flow from the dispenser is noticeably slow, try replacing it with a new one.
- Temporary Test: Carefully remove the water filter. If your refrigerator’s design allows (some models have a bypass plug or work without one), see if the ice maker starts to fill with water after some time (wait a few hours, watching for leaks). If it starts working without the filter, the filter was the issue.
- Perform a Forced Defrost Cycle:
- Reason: The ice maker compartment in Samsung French door refrigerators like the RF28HMEDBSR is known to be prone to excessive frost buildup due to design factors. This can block air ducts, cause sensors to malfunction, or freeze the ice maker mechanism itself. A forced defrost can melt this frost.
- Method (Common combination, may vary slightly by specific model): Press and hold the Freezer and Lighting (or sometimes Fridge and Lighting) buttons simultaneously for about 8-10 seconds, until the display goes blank and beeps. The fridge will enter forced defrost mode (the display might show “Fd”). This process can take 5 to 30 minutes, during which the compressor and fans will stop. The fridge should automatically resume regular operation afterward.
- Important: After defrosting, you still need to wait several hours for the system to stabilize and begin making ice.
- Check Water Inlet Valve and Fill Tube:
- Reason:
- The water inlet solenoid valve at the back of the refrigerator might be faulty. It might not open to let water in.
- The fill tube leading water into the ice maker module might be frozen shut.
- How: This usually requires more technical inspection. You can test the solenoid valve’s continuity with a multimeter. You can inspect the end of the fill tube (inside the freezer, leading into the ice maker) for ice blockage (you might need to carefully thaw it using a hairdryer on a low heat setting). Always unplug the refrigerator from the power source before performing these checks.
- Reason:
If None of the Above Steps Work:
- Likely, an ice maker component (like the motor, sensors, or control board for the ice maker) or the main refrigerator control board has failed.
- In this case, it’s recommended that Samsung customer support or a qualified appliance repair technician be contacted for diagnosis and repair. Mentioning your model number (RF28HMEDBSR) and the troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried will help the technician diagnose the problem more quickly.