Brand: Samsung Model Number: RF260BEAEWW/AA (12/2013) Main Symptom: Ice will not eject What happens & when: ice maker will not cycle on its own to eject ice, works with Test button
Error Code (if any): 6E
Parts or tests already tried: After years of normal operation, ice tray broke. I got one from appliance parts pros and installed. Ice has not ejected except for using test button. Ice tray sensor resistance measures ok at plug for 77 and 32 degrees. Power off for 10 min gives no errors, but ice still not ejected. Holding Power-Freeze and Power-Cool gives blinking 6 E with chimes (resets after a few minutes with doors closed.) I did turn fridge on without ice maker installed while repairing.
Photos / video link:
Since the ice maker completes a harvest when you press the TEST button, you’ve already ruled out several major components:
The ice maker motor is working.
The mold heater is working.
The ejector mechanism is working.
The ice tray thermistor is reading correctly.
The ice maker has power.
That means the problem is most likely that the refrigerator is never telling the ice maker to begin an automatic harvest cycle.
Most Likely Causes (in order)
1. Ice Room Temperature Never Reaches Harvest Temperature (Most Likely)
The ice maker will not automatically harvest until the mold thermistor senses the ice is frozen (typically around 10-15°F (-12 to -9°C) or colder).
Test:
Place a thermometer next to the ice maker.
Let the refrigerator sit overnight.
The ice maker compartment should stay below 15°F.
If it’s warmer than that:
Check for frost buildup around the evaporator cover.
Inspect the ice room fan.
Make sure the door gasket seals well.
2. Ice Level (Optical) Sensor Problem
If the refrigerator believes the ice bucket is already full, it will never start another harvest.
Inspect:
Ice bucket installed correctly.
Emitter/receiver windows clean.
Wiring to the ice maker fully seated.
3. New Ice Tray Assembly Compatibility
Since the problem started immediately after replacing the tray, I’d verify the replacement.
Questions:
Was only the ice tray replaced, or the entire ice maker assembly?
Is it an OEM Samsung part?
Many aftermarket trays fit mechanically but don’t calibrate exactly like the original, causing the control to never start an automatic harvest even though TEST works.
4. Refrigerator Main PCB
The main board initiates normal harvest cycles.
If TEST works but automatic harvest never occurs, the PCB may not be sending the harvest command.
Before replacing it, verify everything else first.
About the 6E Error
On this model, 6E usually indicates an Ice Maker Sensor Error or an ice maker communication/sensing issue.
However, because:
the thermistor measures correctly,
TEST completes successfully,
and the error only appears in diagnostic mode,
I would first suspect:
wiring between the ice maker and main board,
incorrect tray calibration,
or an issue with the main control interpreting the sensor.
Check the Wiring
Disconnect power.
Inspect the connector above the ice maker carefully for:
bent pins
corrosion
loose terminals
partially backed-out pins
Then measure continuity from the ice maker connector back to the main board if possible.
Verify Freezer Temperature
Confirm the freezer is actually reaching 0°F (-18°C) or colder.
A freezer running around 10-15°F can still make ice eventually with the TEST button, but the control may never automatically initiate harvest because the mold never reaches its required temperature.
Since the refrigerator was powered on without the ice maker installed…
That normally shouldn’t permanently disable the ice maker. Disconnecting power for 10 minutes is usually enough to clear any temporary fault.
At this point I’d recommend:
Verify the freezer is at 0°F or below.
Measure the temperature next to the ice maker after several hours (should be below 15°F).
Inspect the ice maker connector and wiring.
Confirm the replacement tray is a genuine Samsung part and the correct part number for your model.
If all of those check out, the main control board becomes the most likely remaining cause.
One question:
When the ice maker fills with water after a TEST harvest, does it freeze a full batch of ice and then simply sit there indefinitely until you press the TEST button again, or does it stop filling water altogether after the first cycle? That answer will narrow the diagnosis considerably.
Thank you for the quick and thorough reply. To answer your question: it does fill and freeze a full batch of ice every time. Just no harvest.
The ice maker is in the freezer, and it is 0 degrees next to it. It freezes the ice in an hour or so.
This one does not have an optical sensor, but a mechanical arm that senses the ice level. I will check that it is working, but I did nothing to it.
The ice tray (from your store) appears exactly identical to the original. I don’t think I could have installed it wrong – it just has a rectangular tab at one end and an axle on which it rotates on the other.
I will check the connector and try to check the wiring back to the main board. Is there a photo or video of the board layout?
Thank you again for this – I couldn’t find it anywhere. It looks like connectors/wiring check out ok. The Freezer-Fridge buttons diagnosis gives no errors, but doesn’t clear the problem. The Power-Power buttons still give 6E, which is listed here as “ambient-sensor error”. Is it possible that fault is blocking the ice maker from working? Where is the ambient sensor, and is the same thermistor as the others? Thank you.
The 6E error code on your Samsung refrigerator indicates an ambient temperature sensor error, which means the main control board is not receiving a valid reading from the room temperature sensor (often located near the top left door hinge)
How to Clear the 6E Code
Power Reset: Unplug your refrigerator or shut off power at the circuit breaker for 5 to 10 minutes, then plug it back in to clear out transient glitches or errors triggered by a power surge. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Control Panel Reset: If the code persists, try resetting the display by pressing and holding the Power Freeze and Power Cool buttons simultaneously for about 8 to 15 seconds until the unit chimes and clears the error indicator. [1]
Check Connections: Inspect the wiring harness near the top door hinge to ensure it is securely plugged in and free of damage