Ice makers fail. It's an unfortunate reality of owning a refrigerator with an ice maker.

On the bright side, ice makers are also relatively simple machines that, for the most part, all operate the same way. And you may be able diagnose and repair a faulty ice maker yourself before forking over cash for an expensive service call.

Here's how to fix some common ice maker problems.

When ice is not ejecting

If you find ice inside the ice mold, it means your ice maker is receiving water and the problem likely isn't with the water supply. Instead, it's most likely a mechanical or electrical problem.

Cause: When moving things around in the freezer, it's not uncommon to accidentally nudge the control arm into the off position, which halts production of ice.

Fix: This is an easy fix. Locate the metal control arm and move it to the down or on position.

Cause: If the control arm is in the on (down) position and the mold is filled with ice, the problem likely lies with the motor, gearbox or electrical connection.

Fix: Start by making sure all electrical connections are properly seated. Slide the refrigerator out from the wall, turn off the water supply valve and disconnect it from power. Locate the quick release plug on the back wall inside the freezer. Unplug the connection it and reconnect it to ensure it's fully connected.

Manually remove any remaining ice from the mold by adding some water and letting it sit for a minute. The ice will begin to melt and should be easier to remove.

Restore power to the refrigerator and lift the control arm to the off position. Lower the control arm back down and wait for approximately 10 seconds for the solenoid to engage and fill the mold with water.

Wait three to four hours for the ice to freeze and see if the ice now ejects. If not, it's likely that you will need to replace the motor or gearbox.

When it's not making ice at all

If your ice maker isn't producing ice at all or is producing crescents or cubes that are smaller than usual, it's typically indicative of a clog somewhere along the supply line.

Cause: A common cause for a clog is frozen water in the line.

Fix: To repair a frozen line, slide the refrigerator and unplug it. Locate the shut-off valve, typically underneath the sink or behind the refrigerator. Turn the valve to the closed or off position. Fill a turkey baster with warm water and pour the water over the water line. Alternatively, you can defrost the water line with a hair dryer or by letting the refrigerator sit unplugged for upward of two hours.

Restore power to the refrigerator and listen for the water supply to fill the ice mold.

If the clog is anything but translucent, consult with a professional for help removing the clog.