Whirlpool Refrigerator Ice Maker (W11692161) (Replaces W11548540)

The Whirlpool Refrigerator Ice Maker is the self-contained unit inside your freezer that produces, forms, and ejects ice cubes into the storage bin. It works by drawing water from the supply line, filling a mold tray, freezing the water, and then using a heating element and ejector arm to release finished cubes on a timed cycle.

Important Compatibility Note: Part number W11692161 is the current manufacturer-approved replacement for the following discontinued part number(s): W11548540. If your appliance documentation or old part uses any of these numbers, this is the correct, updated component for your repair.

The Whirlpool Refrigerator Ice Maker can stop working properly due to a failed thermostat, worn ejector motor, cracked mold tray, or a faulty shut-off arm that no longer signals when the bin is full. Age, mineral buildup from hard water, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles can also wear down internal components until the unit can no longer complete a full ice-making cycle.

These symptoms may indicate your ice maker needs to be replaced:

- Refrigerator produces little or no ice

- Ice cubes are undersized, hollow, or misshapen

- Ice maker runs constantly without stopping

- Ejector arm is stuck or ice cubes are not releasing from the mold

- Loud clicking, grinding, or humming coming from the freezer during the ice-making cycle

- Water leaks inside the freezer near the ice maker unit

- Ice has an unusual taste or the bin fills with clumped, fused cubes