How to Reset Ice Maker on Samsung Fridge (Every Type)

Quick answer: How to reset ice maker on Samsung fridge models is simple: remove the ice bucket, then press and hold the ice maker’s Test button until you hear a chime, which can take up to 10 seconds. The test runs about 30 seconds on freezer ice makers and about 6 minutes on ice makers in the fridge compartment.

The tricky part is finding the button. Samsung puts it in a different spot depending on where your ice maker lives, so I’ve broken the steps down by type below, and everything here comes from Samsung’s own US support pages rather than forum guesses.

The trick is to know your layout first. When you open the fridge, check whether the ice bucket sits in the left fridge door, the freezer drawer, the freezer door or the top freezer, then jump to that section.

Before You Reset: Two Quick Checks

A reset fixes a confused ice maker. It won’t fix a warm freezer or a dry water line, so I’d rule those out first.

• Freezer temperature. Samsung says the freezer must be at 0°F or colder to make ice. If it’s warmer, lower the setting and give it a day.
• Water flow. Hold a cup under the dispenser. Samsung’s rule of thumb is 6 ounces (3/4 cup) in under 10 seconds. Much slower than that points to a clogged filter or low water pressure, not a reset problem.

How to Reset Ice Maker on Samsung Fridge Models, by Ice Maker Type

On every type, take the ice bucket out first. And press Test only once. Samsung warns that pressing it again while the tray holds ice or water can overfill the tray and jam the mechanism.

Ice Maker in the Fridge Compartment (French Door Models)

1. Open the left fridge door and remove the ice bucket.
2. Find the Test button on the right-hand side of the ice maker.
3. Press and hold it until you hear a chime, up to 10 seconds.
4. Let the cycle finish. It takes about 6 minutes.

One chime means the ice maker passed. Several chimes mean Samsung wants you to request service. If there’s no chime but the tray moves, the ice maker has still reset.

Side-by-Side Models (Ice Maker in the Freezer)

The Test button sits on the right-hand side of the ice maker here too. Hold it until the chime, then wait about 30 seconds for the test to end.

If the bucket won’t click back in afterwards, Samsung’s fix is to turn the helix (the spiral at the back of the bucket) 90 degrees and try again.

Bottom Freezer Models

Look for the Test button at the front of the bottom of the ice maker. Press and hold until you hear a “ding-dong” chime. If the ice maker is working, a second chime follows when the test ends.

Ice Maker on the Back of the Freezer Door

Newer models put the Test button on the bottom left of the ice maker. On older ones, it hides behind a small cover on the front left.

If the Ice Off icon starts flashing after you put the bucket back, the bucket probably isn’t seated. Take it out and push it in firmly until it locks.

Top Freezer Models

The test switch is underneath the ice maker. Reach under, press and hold it until you hear the chime.

Models With Two Ice Makers (Cubed and Ice Bites)

Each ice maker has its own Test button, under the vent and above the ice bucket. Reset the one that isn’t working, or both if neither is.

If the Test Button Doesn’t Work: Power Cycle the Fridge

Samsung’s next step is a full power cycle. Unplug the fridge, or switch it off at the breaker, for 2 minutes, then restore power.

Honestly, I’d try this before calling anyone. In practice it clears a lot of control-board hiccups, it costs you nothing but two minutes, and if the ice maker still won’t respond afterward you’ve learned something useful for the technician. Don’t skip the full two minutes, though; I think a quick off-and-on is the most common reason this step “doesn’t work.”

How Long Until Ice Comes Back?

Samsung says you should see normal ice production within about 3 hours of a reset. It can take a full 24 hours for the amount of ice to return to normal.

For context, Samsung’s in-fridge ice makers make one tray roughly every 45 to 65 minutes, while freezer ice makers take about 85 minutes per tray. So one empty-looking hour is not a failure.

When a Reset Won’t Help

In my view, these are signs to stop resetting and start troubleshooting:

• The ice maker is frozen over with a sheet of ice. Samsung says not to try defrosting it yourself, as that can damage the ice maker. It recommends requesting service.
• You hear several chimes after the test. That’s Samsung’s own signal for a service call.
• Ice comes out small, hollow or not at all after 24 hours. Check water pressure and the filter. Samsung lists a minimum of 20 psi on its US support page, though one Samsung page says 30 psi, so check your manual.
• Frost keeps forming in the ice compartment. That usually means a door or bucket isn’t sealing. Levelling the fridge and adjusting the doors is Samsung’s suggested fix.

One more warning I’d underline: don’t use a hair dryer to free a frozen bucket. Samsung advises against it, and LG says the same for its fridges because heat can warp the plastic.

If your ice is slow rather than missing, read why an ice maker is so slow. For a block of ice that keeps coming back, see ice maker keeps freezing up. Lost power recently? Our guide on how to reset a refrigerator after a power outage covers the whole fridge.

How to Turn the Ice Maker On or Off

The control varies by model. Depending on yours, Samsung lists three methods:

• Holding Power Freeze / Ice Maker for 3 seconds
• Touching and holding the Ice Maker button
• Tapping Ice Off

If the ice maker seems dead, my advice is to check that it hasn’t simply been switched off before you reset anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the reset button on a Samsung ice maker?

It’s the Test button on the ice maker itself. Its exact spot depends on the type: on the right side for fridge-compartment and side-by-side ice makers, the front bottom for bottom freezers, bottom left (or behind a front-left cover) on freezer-door ice makers, and underneath on top freezers.

How long do you hold the Samsung ice maker reset button?

Hold it until you hear a chime. Samsung says this can take up to 10 seconds.

Why does my Samsung ice maker beep several times after the test?

Multiple chimes after the test mean the ice maker failed its self-check. Samsung recommends requesting service.

How do I reset my Samsung ice maker without a reset button?

Power cycle the fridge. Unplug it or turn it off at the breaker for 2 minutes, then turn it back on.

Can I defrost a frozen Samsung ice maker with a hair dryer?

No. Samsung says not to try defrosting the ice maker yourself and recommends service if it’s frozen over with a sheet of ice.

Last updated: November 9, 2026. Sources: Samsung ice maker not making ice, Samsung fridge-compartment ice maker test and Samsung bottom freezer ice maker test. Steps can differ by model, so check your owner’s manual.