Samsung Bespoke 3 door fridge (Model RF30BB6600QLAA) small ice maker problem

[oldpops]

We have a Samsung Bespoke 3 door fridge (Model RF30BB6600QLAA) with the dual ice maker (small and large cubes, located in the freezer drawer). The problem is that the small cube ice maker side is getting water in with the ice somehow and then we have one large ice cube that must be chipped out of the tray.

We called for service and the tech said he found a little drip on the small cube ice maker. Instead of just ordering parts for the small cube side ice maker, the tech tried to order the whole ice maker unit (both sides large & small cube makers). The claim got rejected by the insurance company who said it's too expensive to fix. The fridge is about 3 years old and the money they want to offer us for the fridge is not enough for a new comparable size fridge.

Has anyone faced this problem? Is there a way to fix water dripping on/in the small cube ice maker? Anyone know a part number and/or where to get a replacement small cube ice maker for this fridge? Other than the ice maker issue the fridge has been great for us (so far)

My wife and I are seniors and can’t afford a new fridge. Although I'm disabled, our son is very handy & could easily remove/replace the ice maker unit (we watched the service tech), if we could find the replacement parts for the ice maker. Any and all suggestions and advice are appreciated!

[TinyTool]

Hi! Welcome to the forum!

It sounds like the problem might be related to a misaligned or clogged water line, a faulty water inlet valve, or potentially a crack in the ice tray or housing. The first thing I’d suggest is inspecting the water line and fill tube to ensure they’re properly aligned with the ice tray and free from blockages. Sometimes, a simple cleaning with warm water or a pipe cleaner can help. Another potential culprit is the water inlet valve; if it’s not shutting off completely, it can lead to overfilling and dripping. Replacing the valve might solve the issue.

If the tray or surrounding housing is cracked, water could be seeping out before freezing properly, so be sure to check for any visible damage there as well. If none of these steps resolve the problem, replacing the small cube ice maker itself may be the best option. To find the correct replacement part, you can look for a part number on the ice maker or use your fridge’s model number (RF30BB6600QLAA) to search Samsung’s parts catalog or other trusted appliance parts websites like AppliancePartsPros.com or RepairClinic.com. These sites typically offer diagrams and compatibility information to ensure you get the right part.

I just looked up at the Samsung's website, here is the link to the parts: https://samsungparts.com/products/rf30bb6600qlaa

If you decide to replace the ice maker, your son’s handiness will be a huge asset since these units are often straightforward to install. In the meantime, you might consider turning off the small cube side to prevent further issues and relying on the large cube ice maker. Replacement parts are generally more affordable than buying a new fridge. I hope this helps, and if you need more guidance, feel free to ask!

[oldpops]

Hello and thanks for your help! I'm recovering from septic shock and I was dealing with some doctor's visits yesterday and so i didn't have a chance to get back her till now.
In your reply you indicated we might have a "misaligned or clogged water line, a faulty water inlet valve, or potentially a crack in the ice tray or housing." , and you suggested checking "the water line and fill tube to ensure they’re properly aligned with the ice tray and free from blockages, as well as the "water inlet valve; if it’s not shutting off completely, it can lead to overfilling and dripping"., and that "replacing the valve might solve the issue". These are excellent suggestions and I will let my son, who loves to tinker, read them. I beg forgiveness for my ignorance but I am hoping that you can tell me what/where the water inlet valve is located & is there one one for both the large and small ice cube makers? If there is a separate one for each ice maker? Not hat we are made of money (we're not - we're seniors on a VERY tight income) but I wonder if replacing the small cube ice maker would overcome all the items you suggested checking? let me know when you can & thanks for all your help and advice!

[oldpops]

Oh, how do we turn off just the small cube ice maker?

[TinyTool]

First and foremost, I'm very sorry to hear about your septic shock! That's incredibly serious and I hope you're getting the rest and care you need for a full recovery. Please take good care of yourself.

Regarding your fridge - let me help clarify about the water system in your Samsung Bespoke model:

You're right to ask about the water inlet valve - it's actually a good question! There's typically one main water inlet valve that controls water flow to both ice makers. You'll find it at the back of your fridge near the bottom, where the water supply line first connects to the unit. This valve acts like a gateway, controlling when water flows to both ice makers.

Since you mentioned having a handy son who likes to tinker, here's what I'd suggest as a budget-conscious approach:

1. First, have him check the water line at the back of the fridge where it connects to that main inlet valve. Sometimes the issue can be as simple as a loose connection here.
2. Then follow the water line up to where it splits to feed both ice makers. If one side (the small cube maker) is having issues but not the other, the problem is likely after this split.
3. Look specifically at the tube feeding into the small cube ice maker - sometimes these can get partially blocked with mineral deposits or slightly misaligned.

If none of these checks reveal the issue, then yes, replacing just the small cube ice maker unit might be the most cost-effective solution. No need to replace both units as the service tech suggested if only one is having problems.

Oh, how do we turn off just the small cube ice maker?

For your Samsung Bespoke RF30BB6600QLAA model, you can turn off just the small cube ice maker without affecting the large cube maker. Here's how:

1. Open your freezer drawer
2. Look for the control panel on the front of the ice maker unit
3. Press and hold the "Ice Maker" button for about 3 seconds until you hear a beep
4. You should see the small cube indicator light turn off, while the large cube maker remains active

If you can't find this button or the controls look different, you can also:

1. Open your freezer drawer
2. Locate the small cube ice maker unit
3. Look for a simple on/off switch directly on the unit - it's usually on the side or front
4. Switch it to the off position

This will stop water flow to just the small cube side while keeping your large cube maker working. It's a good temporary solution while you work on fixing the issue.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[TinyTool]

As for your question about replacing the small cube ice maker, yes, this might resolve the issue if the problem lies within the ice maker itself, such as a cracked tray or internal malfunction. However, if the water inlet valve or fill tube is causing the dripping, replacing the ice maker alone won’t solve the problem.

Given your situation, I recommend starting with an inspection of the water inlet valve and fill tube since these are relatively straightforward checks and less expensive to fix. If these look fine, then replacing the small cube ice maker could be a good next step.

Here’s how your son can check these issues:

Starting with the back of the fridge: First, unplug it and pull it out carefully, a second person would be really helpful here. You're looking for a metal valve about the size of a golf ball where the water line enters the fridge at the bottom. Just place your fingers around each connection point. They should be completely dry. Any moisture here needs attention. While you're there, a quick listen (once plugged back in) shouldn't reveal any hissing or dripping sounds.

For the water line check: Starting from that valve, follow the plastic water line up. Gently run your fingers along it, you're feeling for any spots that are cracked, kinked, or unusually rigid. Give it a very gentle flex at different points. It should bend easily without feeling brittle. Pay extra attention to any spots where the line bends or curves.

Now for the ice maker itself: With the freezer drawer open, look up where the water line connects to the ice maker. There's a thin tube that should point right into a small cup or opening. Check if they're lined up properly - even a slight misalignment can cause problems. Also, shine a flashlight around this area and look for any ice buildup or mineral deposits (they'll look whitish).

Last check is the ice maker tray: Remove any ice and take a good look at the ice mold itself. Run your finger gently along the surface feeling for any cracks or rough spots. The whole unit should be sitting level - if it's tilted, water won't fill the molds properly.

Hope this helps!

[oldpops]

Thanks again. I will show all this to my son! As to the septic shock, I don't even remember much of anything but my family tells me I wasn't making much sense and so they took me to the ER. Once inside the ER they quickly determined I had sepsis which had turned into septic chock. (a kidney stone got stuck and blocked a passage - major infection. But I never felt any pain with that). Within a few hours of getting to the hospital the doctor's were telling my family to say their good-byes since nothing they were trying was working and I was slipping closer & closer to death. Thanks to the 'right-to-try' law, my family convinced a nurse to help convince the doctors to give some other drug (not normally used) and it worked. I still have a tube into my side into my kidney, and a foot wound that developed thanks to all the drugs they gave me to fight the septic chock, and then to treat/help all my organs which were starting to shut down. But I'm here and happy to be alive. And I get to go online and and message back and forth with you and learn new things. So, to some dealing with a fridge problem can be a pain, but to me who was almost gone - I'll take the aggravation of living over the alternative! Thanks again for your help and I'll keep you posted on what happens

[TinyTool]

Thank you so much for sharing your story, it’s both heart-wrenching and inspiring. I can’t imagine how difficult that experience must have been for you and your family, but I’m so glad you’re here today to tell it.

Please do let us know how it goes, we are here to support in any way we can. Wishing you continued healing and strength, and thank you for the reminder to appreciate the little things in life.