I actually did this twice - neither time was pretty so I can't guarantee it will work for you. As best as I can tell the infamous blue button (or tab) on the right side of the bin controls a long blue plastic slider that runs along the back of the bin bottom and is supposed unseat 2 plastic tabs when pushed in (we all know how we'll that works!). First I pull the blue button (tab) all the way out. Then I slide a long thin piece of metal (in my case a bread knife) in along the back of the bin under the blue plastic slider (which of course being under the bin you can't see). Then I put upward pressure on the blue slider by pushing down on the knife handle (like a lever). After several attempts (if you are lucky) the right tab will unseat and the bin will be loose but probably not free. At this point I was able to put strong upward pressure while rocking right and left and the back tab gives way (if you are lucky). Obviously plastic is involved and breakage is possible - only attempt if you are ready to take a sledge hammer to it as I have been!

I also have a Whirlpool refrigerator manufactured in 2006. The ice maker works fine and dispenses the ice like it should. However, I cannot get the bin out of the door to put the ice in a cooler. I push the blue button and it feels like it releases on the right side, but not on the left. Did the online chat, and was told I needed a microswitch. Ordered that part, but didn't think that made sense. Went back and did another chat, and was told I need a new bin assembly for $153. Today, I got a response that maybe the door liner is warped. Is this hopeless? It appears this problem was been going on for years. But no one seems to know how to fix it. When the ice fills up and sits, then it freezes and it won't dispense the ice. But I can't get the bin out to empty it. Any ideas?

Hair drier blowing are in opening below the blue "open" button works like magic!

After going through several suggestions from the company, including the possibility that the door liner was warped ($777), I left the door open on the freezer and used the hair dryer that many suggested, and surprise, it came loose. The trick, I think, is to empty the bin more frequently. I am not a big user of ice and it sits there and over time just freezes up. thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Yes a hair dryer to get ice melted helps because usually there has been melt then it refreezes. Once you get the right side loose, then you get something with a hook and reach under to pull the blue plastic strip tab outward. If you have two people, one can lift up on the bucket and the other can use flashlight and hook.

Once the ice bucket is removed, to FIX the problem so it does not happen again, flip it over. When you push the button in, you can now see it hits a stop on the left. If you cut about a 1/8 of an inch or so back to make the stop farther back the bucket will remove easily but still latch into the door. :)