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Hardwick Ice Maker in refrigerator compartment frosting up

If your refrigerator ice maker is frosting up inside the refrigerator compartment, the most likely culprit is a faulty door gasket letting warm, moist air in — inspect the gasket for twists, tears, or gaps and replace it if it no longer seals. Next check the dispenser components: a bad dispenser solenoid or a failed dispenser door motor can leave the dispenser door behaving poorly, and a stuck or damaged dispenser door or a clogged funnel guide can let warm air reach the ice maker and cause frost buildup. Use a multimeter to test the solenoid and motor for continuity and check the actuator pin and funnel guide for free movement or obstruction. Also make sure nothing is physically holding the dispenser door open. These issues often cause an ice maker to stop working or ice to form where it should not, so addressing the seal and dispenser parts usually clears the problem. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to see the exact replacement part for your specific refrigerator and get step-by-step guidance for the repair.

01 - Hardwick Refrigerator Door Gasket

A door gasket should form an airtight seal around the appliance's frame to keep the cold air in and the warm air out. If the door gasket is twisted or torn, gaps can form that will allow warm air in, which can result in frost building up on the ice maker compartment. Inspect the door gasket for any damage and replace with a new one if necessary.
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Highly Likely

02 - Hardwick Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid

The dispenser solenoid opens a door flap to release the ice and then closes the door flap once the dispenser finishes dispensing ice. If the dispenser solenoid is defective, the dispenser door won’t open. To determine if the dispenser door solenoid is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. In addition, check the dispenser actuator pin to ensure that it moves freely. If the dispenser door solenoid does not have continuity, or if the actuator pin does not move freely, replace the dispenser solenoid.
Common

03 - Hardwick Refrigerator Dispenser Door Motor

The dispenser door motor opens and closes the dispenser door to prevent cold air from escaping the refrigerator. If the dispenser door motor is defective, the dispenser door won’t open. As a result, the dispenser will not dispense ice. To determine if the motor is defective, first determine if the motor is getting power. If the motor is getting power, but it won’t run, replace it. You can use a multimeter to test the motor for continuity. If the dispenser door motor does not have continuity, replace it.
Common

04 - Hardwick Refrigerator Dispenser Funnel Guide

The dispenser funnel guide is the component that allows the ice from the ice maker to be properly dispensed. If the guide is obstructed or broken, the ice may not dispense as expected. Inspect the funnel guide or any obstruction or damage and replace if necessary.
Common

05 - Hardwick Refrigerator Dispenser Door

The dispenser door is opened by a motor, solenoid or actuator arm to dispense the ice, but if the door is broken, it may not open properly in order to release the ice. You should inspect the dispenser door for damage to determine if the component should be replaced. You may have to remove the dispenser control panel or frame to access and inspect the dispenser door.
Common

06 - Dispenser door stuck open

If the dispenser door is stuck open, warm air can enter the ice maker compartment causing frost buildup and potentially stopping the ice maker. Remove any items that may be keeping the dispenser door from closing.
Less Common

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the ice maker compartment frosting up while the freezer stays cold?
Refrigerator ice dispenser not working — what should I check first?
How do I test a dispenser solenoid or dispenser door motor?
Could a twisted or torn door gasket cause frost in the ice maker compartment?
How do I use my model number to find the right replacement part on RepairClinic.com?