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HomeRepair HelpGE Refrigerator RepairGE Refrigerator ice dispenser not working Repair

GE Refrigerator ice dispenser not working

If your GE refrigerator ice dispenser is not working, start with the parts most likely to fail and work down the list: a damaged or stuck dispenser door that will not open, a faulty dispenser control board that is not supplying power, or a bad dispenser switch that fails to send voltage. After those, a defective crushed/cubed ice solenoid can prevent ice from dropping, and in some cases the refrigerator main control board will be at fault if multiple dispenser functions stop at once. Don’t overlook simple jams in the ice chute from clumped cubes, which you can usually clear with warm water. Test switches and solenoids with a multimeter and listen for the solenoid “clunk” when switching modes before replacing expensive boards. If you need parts, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to pull up the exact replacement components and step-by-step guidance so you can get the ice dispenser working again without guessing which part to buy.

01 - GE Refrigerator Dispenser Door

The dispenser door is opened by a motor or a solenoid to dispense the ice, but if the door is broken, it may not open properly in order to release the ice. You should inspect the dispenser door for damage to determine if the component should be replaced. You may have to remove the dispenser control panel or frame to access and inspect the dispenser door.
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02 - GE Refrigerator Dispenser Switch

The dispenser switches send voltage to the dispenser. If one of the dispenser switches is defective, the dispenser will not work. To determine if a dispenser switch is defective, use a multimeter to test each switch for continuity. If a dispenser switch does not have continuity, replace it.
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Highly Likely

03 - GE Refrigerator Dispenser Control Board

The dispenser control board governs most of the functions of the dispenser system. If the control board is faulty, it may stop supplying power to the entire dispenser system. If only one dispenser part is not working, test each of the dispenser components before testing the control board. It is more likely that a single part has failed. If the entire dispenser system is not working, the control board is more likely to be at fault.
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Highly Likely

04 - GE Refrigerator Main Control Board

A refrigerator's main control board governs most of the functions of the appliance including the dispenser system. If the control board is faulty, it may stop supplying power to the entire dispenser system. If only one dispenser part is not working, test each of the dispenser components before testing the control board. It is more likely that a single part has failed. If the entire dispenser system is not working, the main control board is more likely to be at fault.
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Common

05 - GE Refrigerator Crushed/Cubed Ice Solenoid

The crushed/cubed ice solenoid is the component that opens and closes a door in the ice bucket auger housing to allow the fully formed ice cubes to pass through or to divert the cubes through a crushing blade system to crush the ice when that option is chosen. If you don't hear a "clunk" sound when switching between the "Crushed" and "Cubed" ice options, it's likely the crushed/cubed ice solenoid is defective. You can use a multimeter to test the solenoid for continuity, a continuous electrical path present in the component. If the solenoid has no continuity, the component is faulty and will need to be replaced.
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Common

06 - Ice chute jammed

The ice chute may be jammed by clumps of cubes frozen together. You can run warm water through the chute to help remove the obstruction.
Common

07 - Power reset

After a power surge or power outage, refrigerator operation could be temporarily affected. Full operation can sometimes be restored through a power reset by either unplugging the appliance's power cord for a few minutes and then plugging it back in or switching off the circuit breaker for the refrigerator then switching it back on.
Common

Frequently Asked Questions

My GE refrigerator ice dispenser is not working but the ice maker is making ice. What should I check first?
How do I test a dispenser switch or the crushed/cubed ice solenoid?
The ice chute looks jammed. How do I clear it without damaging anything?
The dispenser does nothing when I press the pad. Could it be the control board?
How do I find and buy the correct replacement part on RepairClinic.com?