How To Install An Ice Maker In Your Refrigerator

Not all refrigerators come with a built-in ice maker, but most manufacturers produce ice maker kits that you can purchase as a separate accessory, 

So if you would like to add one to your current refrigerator or you need to replace one that no longer works, this article provides a step-by-step guide to installing an ice maker. 

Before you begin, make sure the kit you have purchased is the right one for your particular refrigerator. That’s because the position of the mounting holes, inlet ports, and electrical harnesses can differ, depending on the refrigerator’s make and model.

Image via Unsplash 

A step-by-step installation guide 

Your new ice maker kit should include the ice maker unit itself plus a water supply valve, a leveling bracket, and all the required tubing and hardware. Once you have confirmed that everything has been included, you can begin the installation by following these steps; 

1. Prepare the freezer 

Unplug the refrigerator from the wall, open the freezer door and take out the storage shelves. 

3. Remove the installation plugs 

Use a flat-bladed screwdriver to remove the two plastic plugs on the sidewall of the freezer (the mounting holes) and the two on the back wall (the wiring cover plate and the water tube access point).

4. Expose the water inlet hole 

Locate the marked place on the back of the refrigerator where the water inlet tube should be installed and cut through the sticker and pull out the foam insulating plug to expose the water inlet hole. 

5. Connect the wiring 

Extract the wiring harness from the larger of the two holes on the back wall of the freezer and connect it to the ice maker’s wiring harness. Then replace the wiring cover plate. 

6. Mount the ice maker 

Loosely screw in the two mounting screws on the side of the freezer wall and hang the unit on them. Then loosely screw in the leveling bracket supplied with the kit, level the ice maker, and then tighten all the screws. 

7. Install the tray 

Install the ice maker tray and set the on/off lever in the lower position.

     8. Install the water fill tube 

Insert the water fill tube through the hole in the back of the refrigerator, with the U-shaped tip facing upwards, and lock it in place. Then place the foam tube insulation over the fill tube and press it firmly into place. 

9. Connect the tubing 

Attach the plastic tubing to the end of the fill tube by screwing the connector onto the fitting. 

10. Attach the clamps 

Stick the two self-adhesive clamps to the back of the refrigerator and then clip the tubing into them so it extends down to the bottom of the refrigerator.

11. Install the water fill line 

Remove the refrigerator’s lower back panel, punch out the marked perforated opening and push the tubing firmly onto the end of the water valve. 

12. Connect the wiring harness 

Locate the wiring harness on the bottom right side of the refrigerator, pull it out, and plug it into the water valve’s electrical connection. 

13. Mount the water valve 

Screw the water valve to the refrigerator via the predrilled holes in the back. The type of valve supplied (i.e. ball. needle, gate, etc) will depend on your refrigerator’s make and model. 

Your ice maker is now installed and all that is left to do is to reinstall the back cover, with the water valve extending through the opening. Then run a supply tube from the cold water supply pipe to the water inlet on top of the refrigerator fill valve. And that’s it, the job is done. 

Now plug the refrigerator back into the power outlet, turn on the water and wait for the freezer to get cold again. Then test the ice maker to ensure it’s working by celebrating with your favorite drink on ice.