If your Samsung ice maker has stopped working, you need to defrost it to get it to work again. Other signs you need to defrost your ice maker include ice building up on the condenser coils and water leaks. When any of these issues arise, the best action is to defrost the ice maker unit.

Thankfully, this is very easy to do. In this guide, we give you two methods to defrost your Samsung ice maker—both of which have just five steps. Once we discuss the two methods, we give you some tips for maintaining your ice maker and then provide answers to frequently asked questions people have about them.

This guide covers all major Samsung refrigerator models, including:

RB217ABPN

RF217ACPN

RF217ACRS

RF266ABPN

RF266AEPN

RF267ABRS

RF267AERS

RF268ABRS

RF4287HARS

RF4287HARSXAA

RFG297AARS

RFG298HDRS

RS2530BBP

RS2630SHXAA

RS2630WWXAA

RS265TDRS

RS267LABP

RS267LASH

RS269LARS

RS2777SL

RSG257AARS

Reset the ice maker

The first method to defrost your Samsung ice maker is to reset it. When reset, the ice maker goes into a defrost cycle, which removes any ice that’s built up in the unit.

Here’s how to reset your ice maker in five steps:

1. Remove the ice bucket from the unit.

2. Locate the “Test” button and press it down until you hear a chime.

3. Your ice maker will then go into a test cycle, which includes defrosting mode.

4. Reinstall the ice bucket at the beginning of the text cycle so it can collect any water.

5. Once the cycle ends, you’ll hear the chime again, which means it’s now OK for you to start using your ice maker.

Forced defrost method

If the reset method doesn’t work, you’ll need to do a forced defrost. Putting your ice maker into forced defrost mode will clear the ice that has built up in your unit.

Here’s how to do a forced defrost of your ice maker:

1. Find and press the “power freeze” and “lighting” buttons. If your fridge doesn’t have a power freeze button, press “energy save” instead.

2. Hold both buttons down for five seconds.

3. Next, press the “lighting” button until it brings up “fd.” Your appliance will then go into forced defrost mode.

4. Wait approximately 30 minutes for the cycle to end.

5. Once the cycle ends, wipe your ice maker to remove any water. Your ice maker should now be defrosted and ready to use again.

Tips to maintain your Samsung ice maker

Hopefully, at this point, your Samsung ice maker is now defrosted and working properly again. To help you maintain your ice maker so it doesn’t become frosted over again, we’ve put together some simple tips. By following these tips, you’ll increase the lifespan of your ice maker unit by avoiding any problems developing.

• If you see any visible frost on your ice maker, use a cloth to wipe it off. If necessary, use a scraper.
• Check your ice maker at least once a week to make sure no frost has built up in your unit. If you find any frost, defrost your ice maker by using one of the two methods listed in the section above.
• Turn your ice maker off when it isn’t being used. This prevents frost from building up and saves energy.
• Clean the rubber seals in the ice bucket regularly to prevent frost and other debris from building up in them.

Samsung ice maker FAQ

Why do I need to do a forced defrost of my Samsung ice maker?

Doing a forced defrost of your Samsung ice maker is required when your ice maker becomes frosted over and isn’t able to operate correctly. Typically, this is caused by a blocked vent, a faulty defrost heater or timer, or the condenser coils being dirty. Before putting your ice maker on a forced defrost cycle, fix the underlying problem.

What error codes on my Samsung refrigerator relate to the ice maker?

Error codes appear on your refrigerator’s display screen when something is wrong with one of the components within your appliance. The following error codes relate directly to the ice maker unit.

• 5E – This code indicates a fridge defrost sensor error.
• 8E and 14E – These codes indicate a problem with the ice maker sensor.
• 33E – This code indicates a problem with the ice pipe heater.
• 39E and 39C – These codes indicate an ice maker function error.
• 40E and 40C – These codes indicate a problem with the ice maker fan.
• 84C – This code indicates a problem with the compressor lock.

How long does it take to defrost my Samsung ice maker?

When you use the forced defrost cycle to defrost your ice maker, expect it to take between 30 and 60 minutes. When you turn your ice maker off to defrost manually, it can take up to 24 hours to fully defrost.

How often should I defrost my ice maker?

If you use your ice maker regularly, you should defrost it once a month. If you don’t use it often, you should defrost it every 3 months. Of course, if you find it covered in frost you should defrost it immediately. To help maintain your ice maker, check it once a week to make sure no frost has built up on the unit.