Why Is My Bosch Refrigerator Not Making Ice?

Bosch refrigerators are known to be reliable, long-lasting appliances—but they can still experience issues. If your refrigerator isn’t making ice but is otherwise functioning normally, there could be a few things to blame. This article looks at the most common causes behind a faulty ice maker as well as some simple DIY fixes. 

Our guide applies to all common models of Bosch refrigerators, including:

B22CS30SNS/01

B22CS30SNS/02

B22CS50SNS/01

B22CS50SNS/02

B22CS50SNS/03

B22CS50SNS/04

B22CS80SNS/01

B22CS80SNS/02

B22CS80SNS/03

B22CS80SNS/04

B26FT70SNS/01

B26FT70SNS/02

B26FT70SNS/04

B36ET71SNS/01

B36IT70NNP/01

KFU5750

KFU5755

KGU6465BS

KGU6651

T18BF70FSE

T24BR70FSE

Check the Ice Maker Settings

If your ice maker isn’t functioning, don’t rule out something as simple as incorrect ice maker settings. If the ice-making function isn’t enabled, your ice maker won’t be able to make ice. This is more likely if you’ve recently purchased your fridge or if the settings have accidentally been changed. If this is your issue, your water dispenser will be functioning normally, but no ice will be produced. Here’s what to do:

• Locate the ice maker in your freezer section. 
• Check if it’s turned on. If not, turn it on. 
• Take a look at the ice maker arm. It should be in the down position. If not, ensure it is. 
• Check the settings on the digital control panel to ensure that the ice maker function is enabled. 
• Once you’ve made the necessary adjustments, wait at least four hours to see if the ice maker starts working properly once again. 

Check the Water Supply

It’s pretty obvious, but your Bosch refrigerator can’t make ice if it doesn’t have a functioning water supply. Fresh water is needed to make ice cubes, so if the water line is obstructed, frozen, or malfunctioning in some way, your ice maker won’t be able to make ice. If this is your issue, you might have started noticing your ice cubes getting smaller before the ice maker stopped functioning altogether. Your water dispenser will also not be functioning. To solve this problem:

• Unplug your refrigerator and pull it away from the wall. No need to remove the food; this shouldn’t take long. 
• Locate the water supply line. This is a narrow hose that connects your refrigerator to your home’s water supply. 
• Check the length of the hose for kinks or blockages.
• Make sure the valve controlling the water supply line is completely open. 
• Feel along the hose to check for frozen patches. 
• If you find an ice blockage, use a hairdryer on a low/medium setting to defrost the blockage. 
• Once you’ve thawed the blockage, restore power to your refrigerator and check if the water dispenser is working. 
• If it’s functioning, wait to see if the ice maker resumes functioning as normal. 

Check/Replace the Water Filter

If the water supply line is fully functional, there might be a problem elsewhere—possibly a clogged filter. Water filters should be replaced every six months to ensure your water is filtered and fresh. If your filter becomes clogged, the water flow will be restricted or even stopped completely. If this is your problem you’ll notice that your ice maker is producing small, hollow ice cubes. You might also notice that the water dispenser has a slower flow than usual, or that it’s stopped functioning altogether. 

While recommendations are that you replace the filter every six months, if you live in an area with hard water (water with a high mineral content), the filter might need to be replaced more frequently. Here’s how to do it:

• Turn off your refrigerator’s water supply. 
• Check your user manual to find out how to locate and remove the filter in your specific model.
• Purchase a replacement filter, ensuring it is the recommended filter type. 
• Install the new filter, ensuring it is properly locked into place. In most cases, you can twist or unlock the filter to release the old one and install the new one. 
• Turn the water supply back on and run water through the dispenser for at least five minutes. This is to clear any air bubbles and debris that may remain in the water line. 
• Wait for the ice maker to start working again. According to Bosch guidelines, you should also discard the first tray of ice that your ice maker makes after you change the filter. 

Inspect the Ice Maker Components

If your ice maker still isn’t working, there could be an issue with one of the ice maker’s moving parts. The ice maker can freeze over, particularly if it hasn’t been used for a while. If this happens, the ice maker won’t be able to eject ice cubes. If this is your issue, your water dispenser will work as normal and there will be ice cubes in your ice tray. However, the ice tray will not be able to empty out the cubes. You might also notice a whirring or grinding noise as the ejector arm attempts to dump out the cubes. Here’s what to do:

• Unplug your fridge. 
• Open your freezer and locate your ice maker. 
• Check if the ice maker appears frozen over with ice crystals. 
• If you can see visible ice buildup, use a hairdryer on a low or medium setting to thaw the buildup. Make sure you don’t use sharp tools or try to force any components as they are easily broken. 
• Once the ice buildup is thawed, restore power and wait to see if the ice maker resumes normal operation. 

It’s important to figure out what caused the ice maker to freeze over in the first place as this isn’t normal. If you’ve been away on vacation for weeks and your ice maker hasn’t moved, that’s a reasonable explanation. However, it could also be the result of excess humidity caused by incorrect temperature settings or loose seals, so make sure you inspect these components to prevent the problem from recurring.