How to Install a Secondary Heater in a Samsung Refrigerator Ice Maker

Open the refrigerator door and confirm the unit uses an Ice Max or Ice Master bucket style.

Push the ice bucket upward a little bit, then pull it outward to remove it.

If ice build-up prevents removal, melt the ice before forcing the bucket out.

Use a garment steamer to gently melt ice from the ice room and bucket area.

Run a forced defrost for the ice unit to try to melt enough ice to remove the bucket and access the ice maker.

Inspect the ice bucket for cracks or other damage.

Inspect the gasket or sealing area between the refrigerator door and the ice maker area for damage or obstructions.

Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet.

Remove the screw on the left side of the ice maker housing near the wire cluster.

Remove the screw on the ice maker at the plastic bottom on the right side.

Slide the left plastic cover forward, then pull it out to remove it.

Press the clip holding the front wire harness, then pull the harness connector out of the housing.

Use a screwdriver to press the small triangular retaining tab on the left side of the bottom flap.

Shift the housing to the right, then let the flap slide down and pivot out of the way.

Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the small metal tube downward between the ice maker and the plastic piece.

Press the tab on the top of the ice maker, then slide the ice maker forward and pull it out.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the rear screws near the drain tube, with one screw on each side.

Separate the bottom plastic tray from the rest of the ice maker assembly.

Press outward on the four or five plastic tabs around the tray edge to release the metal plate from the plastic.

Remove the foam piece behind the metal plate.

Place a low-wattage 120 V heater pad in the plastic tray to heat the bottom plate and reduce frost build-up.

Use a heater designed for about 5–8 watts, and position it diagonally with the wires exiting near the drain area at the back.

Add HVAC foil tape over the heater as needed, because the foam insulation isn’t reinstalled due to added thickness.

Snap the metal plate back into the plastic tray after the heater is positioned and taped.

Rejoin the bottom tray to the ice maker and align the screw holes between the metal plate and the ice maker body.

Install the two rear screws that secure the bottom tray to the ice maker.

Route the heater wires up the left side, then behind the ice maker, tucked behind the plastic tabs.

Tape the wires into the seam between the metal tray and plastic housing so they don’t form a large bundle.

Ensure the heater wires exit near the front of the ice maker where the main wire trunk is located.

Snip or remove the tape holding the ice maker wire trunk together, removing as much tape as needed to work comfortably.

Spread the wire cluster out and locate the three thicker wires, including the ground wire and two other thicker wires.

Select the two thicker non-ground wires to tap for the heater connections, because their colors can vary by ice maker.

Use small wire tap splice connectors sized for approximately 14–16 AWG wire to connect the heater leads to the two thicker non-ground wires.

Insert the first thick wire into the tap connector, insert one heater lead, then crimp the metal blade with pliers and close the connector.

Trim the heater wire length as needed so the splice fits cleanly, because the heater lead is captured inside the connector housing.

Splice the second heater lead into the other thick non-ground wire using the same tap-connector method.

Tape the wire cluster back into a tight trunk so it fits into the ice maker housing.

Slide the ice maker into the top of the cabinet opening, keeping the refrigerant loop centered between the ice maker and the bottom plastic flap.

Seat the ice maker onto the two small fingers at the top of the housing until it snaps into place.

Pivot and press the bottom plastic flap up until it locks, ensuring the left-side finger locks into place.

Reconnect the front wire harness and tuck the wire trunk behind the plastic fingers so it doesn’t stick out.

Reinstall the left plastic cover by slotting its fingers into place until the cover sits flush, then reinstall its screw.

Reinstall the screw at the bottom right of the ice maker cover to finish securing the assembly.

Plug the refrigerator back in.

Reinstall the ice bucket once the ice room is clear and dry.