PUBLISHED APR 06, 2026/ 4 MIN READ/BY DMITRIY SUKHOV
Samsung Fridge Not Making Ice? Here's the Fix
Samsung fridge not making ice? Forced defrost clears the frost in 30 minutes. The DA82-02367A drain kit stops it returning. Combos and costs.
A Samsung fridge stops making ice when frost builds up behind the ice bucket and blocks the ice maker fan. Forced defrost melts that frost in about 30 minutes and restores ice production within 24 hours. The frost returns every few weeks unless you install Samsung's DA82-02367A drain kit. Need it done today? Call Express Xpert at (888) 822-7754.
Why does my Samsung fridge stop making ice?
Frost forms behind the ice bucket and covers the fan that feeds cold air to the ice maker. Once that fan is blocked, the ice maker cannot cycle, so the bin stays empty even though the rest of the fridge is cold.
Samsung has acknowledged the fault on certain model years and sells a repair kit for it. The design traps condensation near the ice maker instead of draining it away, so it refreezes cycle after cycle.
Is my model one of the affected ones?
The fault is reported most on Samsung French door models built between 2014 and 2019 with the ice maker in the upper-left door rather than the freezer drawer. Check your model number against the table below.
| Model family | Years | Ice maker location | Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF28, RF23, RF25, RF26, RF4 French door | 2014 to 2019 | Upper-left door | Yes, most reported |
| RF-series with freezer-drawer ice maker | 2014 to 2019 | Freezer drawer | Rarely |
| Bespoke French door | 2020 onward | Redesigned | No, check water supply instead |
If your model number starts with RF and predates 2020, check whether Samsung's extended service program covers your unit. A Bespoke model that will not make ice is usually a water supply, filter, or sensor problem instead.
How do I run forced defrost on a Samsung fridge?
Hold two buttons until the display goes blank and shows Fd. The exact pair depends on your display generation, so work down the table until one works. The cycle then runs 25 to 35 minutes on its own.
| Display type | Hold together for 8 to 12 seconds |
|---|---|
| RF-series touchscreen | Energy Saver + Power Freeze |
| Digital display, no touchscreen | Fridge + Lighting |
| Older display panels | Fridge + Power Freeze |
Wait a full 24 hours after the cycle before judging the result. The ice maker needs that long to chill down and fill its first tray.
Can I clear the ice by hand instead?
Yes, and it is worth doing if you can see solid ice around the fan. Unplug the refrigerator first, pull the ice bin, and melt the buildup with a hair dryer on low.
Never chip at it with a knife, screwdriver, or any metal tool. The evaporator sits directly behind that panel and a puncture turns a $30 repair into a sealed-system replacement.
How do I stop the ice from coming back?
Install Samsung's DA82-02367A kit. It adds a plastic drain channel that routes condensation away from the ice maker fan, plus a small heater strip that stops the drain point refreezing.
The part costs about $25 to $40 and takes 60 to 90 minutes to fit. Fitting it means pulling the ice bucket and the ice maker assembly, routing the channel, attaching the heater strip, and reconnecting the harness.
Without the kit, most owners of affected models run a forced defrost every two to four weeks just to keep ice coming. The kit ends that cycle rather than managing it.
What if the frost is not the problem?
Check the water side before assuming a defect. A starved ice maker looks identical to a frozen one from the front of the fridge.
- Replace the water filter if it is more than six months old.
- Straighten any kink in the water line behind the fridge.
- Confirm the shutoff valve is fully open.
- Check household water pressure, because below 20 PSI the ice maker cannot fill.
When to call a technician
Call if ice production does not return 24 hours after a forced defrost, or if you want the drain kit fitted properly the first time. Repeat defrost cycles that stop working altogether usually mean the defrost heater or sensor has failed, which is a different repair.
Express Xpert covers Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach 24/7. Technicians are EPA-608 certified and insured, pricing is flat-rate and quoted before work starts, and there is no diagnosis fee when you proceed. Book Samsung refrigerator repair in South Florida or call (888) 822-7754.
Read next
- Samsung ice maker not working — the mechanical faults, when forced defrost changes nothing.
- Samsung refrigerator error codes — look up a code showing on the display.
- Ice maker not working, all brands — the general water and fill checks.
Sources: ENERGY STAR refrigerator guidance and FoodSafety.gov cold storage temperatures.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why did my Samsung fridge stop making ice?▾
Frost builds up behind the ice bucket and blocks the fan that cools the ice maker. With no airflow the ice maker cannot cycle, so the bin stays empty while the rest of the refrigerator stays cold. Samsung French door models built between 2014 and 2019 are the most affected.
How do I force defrost a Samsung refrigerator?▾
Hold Energy Saver and Power Freeze together for eight to twelve seconds until the display goes blank and reads Fd. On non-touchscreen models try Fridge and Lighting, and on older panels try Fridge and Power Freeze. The cycle then runs 25 to 35 minutes by itself.
How long after a forced defrost before ice comes back?▾
Wait a full 24 hours. The ice maker has to chill back down and fill its first tray before it produces anything, so checking after a few hours will show an empty bin even when the fix worked. Judge the result the next day.
What is the Samsung DA82-02367A kit?▾
It is Samsung’s repair kit for the ice maker frost fault. The kit adds a drain channel that carries condensation away from the ice maker fan plus a heater strip that stops the drain refreezing. The part costs about $25 to $40 and takes 60 to 90 minutes to install.
Why does the ice stop again a few weeks after defrosting?▾
Forced defrost clears the frost but does not change what caused it. On affected models condensation keeps collecting at the same point and refreezing, so owners typically repeat the defrost every two to four weeks. Installing the DA82-02367A drain kit is what stops the cycle.
Can I chip the ice out with a knife or screwdriver?▾
No. The evaporator coil sits directly behind that panel and a puncture releases the refrigerant, turning a small repair into a sealed-system job. Unplug the refrigerator and melt the ice with a hair dryer on a low setting instead.
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