If your Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker isn’t making ice, stopped working suddenly, or you’re seeing “no ice” in both the top and bottom bins, a reset is a smart first move. On many Whirlpool models, a reset clears a stalled harvest cycle, reboots the ice maker’s internal logic, and forces it to start fresh.
The tricky part is that Whirlpool uses a few different ice maker styles. Some have a clear “test/reset” button. Others don’t, and the reset is done by power-cycling or using a small switch or wire shutoff arm.
This guide covers the most common Whirlpool setups, including side-by-side models and the Whirlpool WRS588FIHZ00 reset approach, plus where the reset button is usually located when you do have one.
Before you reset, check these two things (they cause most “no ice” issues)
Freezer temperature
Ice makers need a cold freezer to work correctly. Aim for 0°F (-18°C). If the freezer is hovering around 10–15°F or warmer, ice production often slows or stops.
Ice maker is actually turned on
Depending on your model, “on” could mean:
- The metal wire shutoff arm is down
- A small switch is set to ON
- “Ice Maker” is enabled on the control panel
If these two basics are good, move to the reset.
Whirlpool ice maker reset button location (where to look first)
On Whirlpool models that have a reset/test button, it’s typically:
- On the bottom of the ice maker module (you may need to open the ice bin area to see it)
- Behind the front cover of the ice maker head (some designs have a small snap-on cover)
- Near a small set of labeled points like “TEST”, “RESET”, or tiny indicator lights
If you don’t see any button at all, don’t worry. Many Whirlpool ice makers are reset without a button, and the next sections cover that.
Quick reset table (pick your situation)
| What you have | What “reset” means | Best reset method |
|---|---|---|
| Ice maker with a Test/Reset button | Forces a diagnostic/harvest cycle | Press and hold the button (time varies by design) |
| Ice maker with no button | Clears a stuck cycle by rebooting power | Turn ice maker OFF → power cycle the fridge → turn ON |
| Side-by-side Whirlpool | Often uses a modular ice maker in the freezer door area | Button reset if present, otherwise power-cycle reset |
| Older Whirlpool (around 2006) | Commonly uses a wire arm and a basic module | Wire arm OFF/ON reset + power cycle |
| Whirlpool WRS588FIHZ00 | Side-by-side style; reset depends on ice maker module | Use button reset if present, otherwise power-cycle reset |
Reset method 1: If your Whirlpool ice maker has a reset/test button
This is the cleanest reset because it directly tells the ice maker to run a test cycle.
- Keep the freezer door open and locate the ice maker module (usually in the upper freezer area).
- Find the small Test/Reset button (often under the module or behind a small cover).
- Press and hold the button until you see a response. Depending on the module, you may see the ice maker begin a cycle, hear a motor movement, or see a small indicator light.
After a successful reset, give it time. Most units won’t dump ice immediately. A normal timeline is:
- First cycle begins within minutes (if conditions are right)
- First new ice can take a couple of hours, and a full bin can take 24 hours
If nothing happens when you press the button, continue below—your ice maker may be powered off, not cold enough, or dealing with a water supply issue.
Reset method 2: How to reset a Whirlpool fridge ice maker with no button
No-button ice makers are extremely common. The “reset” is basically a controlled reboot.
- Turn the ice maker OFF (switch off, or wire arm up).
- Unplug the refrigerator (or switch off the breaker) for 2 minutes.
- Restore power.
- Turn the ice maker ON again (switch on, or wire arm down).
This reset clears many “stopped working” situations, especially after a power flicker or if the ice maker stalled mid-cycle.
Reset method 3: Reset Whirlpool side-by-side refrigerator ice maker
Side-by-side models often have the ice maker in the freezer section, sometimes with the dispenser in the door.
Use this order because it avoids guessing:
- Confirm freezer temp is close to 0°F
- Confirm the ice maker is enabled (panel setting ON or switch ON)
- Do the button reset if your module has one
- If you don’t see a button, do the no-button power-cycle reset
If your Whirlpool is “not making ice top and bottom,” that wording often shows up when there are multiple bins/dispenser paths, but the core troubleshooting is the same: temperature, power, and water supply.
Whirlpool WRS588FIHZ00 ice maker reset (best-practice steps)
For the Whirlpool WRS588FIHZ00, treat it like a standard Whirlpool side-by-side:
- Set freezer to 0°F and allow several hours to stabilize if you just changed it.
- Make sure “Ice Maker” is turned ON from the control panel if your model uses that setting.
- Look for a test/reset button on the ice maker module in the freezer. If present, use the button reset.
- If there’s no button, do the OFF → power cycle → ON reset.
If it still won’t make ice after that, jump to the “After reset” checks below. A reset won’t fix a blocked fill tube or a shut water valve.
“Defrost reset button” confusion (what people usually mean)
A lot of people search “Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker defrost reset button” when the real problem is a frozen fill tube (the little tube that brings water into the ice mold). When that tube freezes, the ice maker can run but never refill with water.
A reset sometimes helps briefly, but if the fill tube is frozen, it usually comes back until you fix the cause (freezer too cold, airflow issues, or a small water seep/slow leak that refreezes).
After you reset: the 5 checks that decide whether it will actually make ice
If the reset completes but you still have no ice after a few hours, these are the usual reasons.
1) Is the water supply on?
Make sure the shutoff valve behind the fridge is fully open. If you recently moved the fridge, the valve can get bumped.
2) Is the fill tube frozen?
Look behind/above the ice maker where water enters. If you see ice blocking the tube, the ice maker can’t fill.
3) Did you recently change the water filter?
After a filter change, some systems need a little time to purge air. Dispense water for a bit (if your model has a dispenser) and see if flow is steady.
4) Is the freezer cold enough for ice production?
Even if food feels frozen, ice makers can be picky. If you’re above 10–15°F, production may be weak.
5) Is the shutoff arm stuck or sensing “bin full”?
A jammed arm or a sensor issue can keep it in “off” mode even when the bin is empty.
How do you reset an ice maker for a Whirlpool 2006 refrigerator?
Many Whirlpool refrigerators from around 2006 use a very simple on/off setup with a wire arm or a basic switch. The safest reset sequence is:
- Turn the ice maker OFF (wire arm up / switch off)
- Power cycle the refrigerator for 2 minutes
- Turn the ice maker ON (wire arm down / switch on)
- Wait and watch for the first cycle to begin
If it’s still dead quiet after the reset and the freezer is cold, that’s when you start suspecting a failed ice maker module, water inlet valve issues, or a frozen fill line.
FAQ
Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker not working—does a reset always fix it?
Not always. A reset fixes stalled cycles and logic hiccups. It won’t fix no water supply, a frozen fill tube, or a failed valve/motor.
Ice maker stopped working in Whirlpool fridge after a power outage—what should I do first?
Do the no-button power-cycle reset (OFF → unplug 2 minutes → ON), then give it a few hours.
Whirlpool fridge ice maker reset button where is it?
Usually on the ice maker module itself—often underneath it or behind a small front cover. Some models simply don’t have one.
Whirlpool not making ice top and bottom—what does that point to?
Most commonly temperature (not cold enough), the ice maker being turned off, or a water supply issue affecting the whole system.
Conclusion
Resetting a Whirlpool ice maker is a solid first step when it stops producing ice, especially if it quit suddenly or after a power event. If your unit has a reset/test button, use it to force a fresh cycle. If it doesn’t, the reliable reset is turning the ice maker off, power-cycling the refrigerator for a couple of minutes, and turning it back on. When a reset doesn’t bring ice back within a few hours, the problem is usually temperature, water supply, or a frozen fill tube—not the reset itself.