How to Replace a Samsung Ice Maker
Replacing a Samsung ice maker is an intermediate, 25 to 40-minute job that comes down to one screw, one wire harness, and one water line. On French-door models, fit the DA82-02367A drain strap at the same time or the same defrost-drain freeze will kill the new unit too.
Why Samsung ice makers wear out#
On many affected Samsung models the defrost drain freezes, and the repeated freeze-thaw stress makes the ice maker a wear item that often needs replacing every few years. The good news is Samsung built these for easy service: the same core procedure covers French-door and side-by-side units, and the drain strap is what turns a replacement into a lasting fix rather than a temporary one.
Before you start#
| Category | What you need |
|---|---|
| Tools | Phillips #2 screwdriver, needle-nose pliers, towels, a hair dryer if there is ice |
| Parts | Ice maker assembly (a DA97-series unit, verify by model) plus drain strap kit DA82-02367A for French-door models |
| Time and level | 25 to 40 minutes, Intermediate |
Safety warning: Unplug the refrigerator and turn off the water supply shutoff valve before beginning.
Do You Have the Right Tools?
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Step-by-step#
1 - Shut off water and power. Close the water shutoff behind or beneath the fridge and unplug it. Open the freezer, press the ice-bucket release tabs, pull the bucket out, and discard the ice.
2 - Get to the ice maker. With the bucket gone, the ice maker is exposed at the top of the freezer on French-door models, or on the ceiling or upper-rear wall on side-by-side units.
3 - Disconnect the harness. Find the wire connector on the side of the ice maker, press its locking tab, and pull it straight apart by the body. Disconnect a second smaller sensor plug too if your model has one.
4 - Remove the mounting screw. Samsung ice makers hang on rear hooks and are held by a single Phillips screw on the mounting bracket (two on some side-by-side units). Back it out, lift the front slightly, and pull forward off the hooks.
5 - Disconnect the water fill tube. The fill tube joins the rear of the ice maker with a quick-connect or push-in fitting: press the release collar or pull the retaining clip, then pull the tube, keeping a towel ready for drips.
6 - Fit the DA82-02367A drain strap (French-door). With the ice maker out you have clear access to the drain, so install the strap now to prevent the ice buildup that likely caused the failure: clip it to the defrost heater near the drain and extend its lower tab into the drain hole.
7 - Mount the new ice maker. Connect the fill tube to the new unit first, seating it past the O-ring, then hang it on the rear hooks, pivot the front down, drive the mounting screw, and click the harness back on.
8 - Restore and start it. Turn the water back on and check the fill-tube joint for leaks, plug in, and enable the ice maker from the panel or the SmartThings app. First ice comes once the freezer hits 0 degrees, usually within 6 to 8 hours; discard the first two batches.
Troubleshooting#
- No ice after 12 hours: confirm the ice maker is enabled, thaw any ice in the fill tube with a hair dryer, and check the water valve is fully open.
- Tiny or hollow cubes: low water pressure (Samsung wants at least 20 PSI) or a spent water filter. Replace the filter and check house pressure.
- Motor runs but cubes stick: the harness is only partly seated, so the mold heater gets no power. Reseat it until it clicks.
- 8E or 14E after installation: unplug for 5 minutes to reset the board, then re-check the sensor plug.
Safety First — Know the Risks
Refrigerant (R-134a/R-600a) requires EPA certification to handle. Improper discharge is a federal violation and health hazard. Our techs are licensed and insured — let them handle the risk.
Licensed & Insured · 90-Day Warranty · Same-Day Service
Appliance Repair Technician & Diagnostics Specialist · 10 years experience
Electronics and diagnostics specialist with 10 years of experience in modern smart appliance repair, specializing in LG and Samsung.
