Table of Contents >> Show >> Hide
- Why Your Ice Maker Model Number Matters
- Model Number vs. Serial Number vs. Part Number
- Before You Search: Quick Prep Checklist
- Common Places to Find an Ice Maker Model Number
- How to Find Your Ice Maker Model Number by Brand
- What If the Label Is Missing or Unreadable?
- How to Record the Model Number Correctly
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Experience-Based Tips: What Real Homeowners Learn the Hard Way
- Conclusion
Note: This article is written as copy-ready HTML for web publishing and is based on current manufacturer support guidance, appliance parts references, and real-world service practices.
Finding your ice maker model number sounds like one of those five-minute chores that turns into a flashlight-under-the-freezer treasure hunt. You open the freezer, move a bag of peas from 2019, stare at the ice bin like it owes you money, and suddenly every sticker looks important. Is that the model number? The serial number? A barcode for the refrigerator’s secret identity?
The good news: you do not need to be an appliance detective with a magnifying glass and dramatic background music. Most ice maker model numbers are found in a few predictable places, depending on whether you have a refrigerator ice maker, a freestanding undercounter ice maker, or a countertop-style ice machine. The trick is knowing where each brand typically hides the rating label and understanding which number you actually need before ordering parts, booking service, or downloading a manual.
In this guide, you will learn how to find your ice maker model number for 9 popular brands: Whirlpool, GE Appliances, Samsung, LG, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, Maytag, Kenmore, and Bosch. We will cover common label locations, brand-specific clues, what to photograph, and how to avoid buying the wrong replacement part because two plastic trays looked “basically the same.” Spoiler: appliance parts love looking the same while absolutely not being the same.
Why Your Ice Maker Model Number Matters
Your ice maker model number is the key that connects your appliance to the right manual, warranty details, replacement ice maker assembly, water valve, ice bin, sensor arm, control board, or filter-related component. Without it, you are guessing. And guessing with appliance parts is expensive, annoying, and usually ends with a cardboard box on your counter and a part that almost fits.
For built-in refrigerator ice makers, the number you need is often the refrigerator model number, not a separate number printed on the ice maker itself. Many refrigerator ice makers are sold as assemblies or kits that match the full refrigerator model. For freestanding ice makers, undercounter ice machines, or nugget ice machines, the model and serial number are usually on a rating plate attached to the machine body, ice compartment, bin area, rear panel, or underside of a lid.
Before you begin, remember this simple rule: write down everything exactly as shown. Include letters, numbers, spaces, dashes, slashes, and suffixes. A model ending in “/01” may not use the same part as a model ending in “/04.” A Kenmore model with a three-digit prefix can point to a different original manufacturer. A Samsung model code may include a finish code after a slash. The small details are not decoration; they are the appliance world’s version of a passport stamp.
Model Number vs. Serial Number vs. Part Number
These three numbers often sit near each other, but they do different jobs.
Model Number
The model number identifies the product design. This is the number you usually use to find manuals, compatible parts, diagrams, and service information. It may be labeled “Model,” “Model No.,” “M/N,” “E-Nr,” or “Model Code.”
Serial Number
The serial number identifies your individual appliance. It is useful for warranty coverage, manufacturing date, service history, and recalls. It may be labeled “Serial,” “S/N,” or “SER.”
Part Number
The part number identifies one specific component, such as an ice maker assembly, water inlet valve, ice bucket, or control module. You may see a part number stamped on the old ice maker, but it is still smart to confirm compatibility using the appliance model number.
Before You Search: Quick Prep Checklist
Make the job easier before you start bending like a yoga instructor in front of the freezer.
- Use your phone flashlight or a small flashlight.
- Take clear photos of every label you find.
- Open the refrigerator and freezer doors fully.
- Remove only loose bins, drawers, or shelves if needed; do not remove fixed panels unless the manual says to.
- Check your owner’s manual, product registration email, receipt, or warranty paperwork.
- Do not peel off rating labels, warning labels, or technical labels.
- Copy numbers exactly, including dashes, slashes, dots, and suffixes.
Common Places to Find an Ice Maker Model Number
Although every brand has its own habits, most model and serial tags live in one of these places:
- Inside the fresh food compartment on the left or right wall
- Near the top shelf or upper liner
- Behind or near the crisper drawer
- On the refrigerator face frame when the door is open
- Inside the freezer compartment
- Behind the lower toe kick or grille
- On the rear panel of a freestanding ice machine
- Inside the ice maker, beneath the lid
- On the right-hand side of an ice bin or ice compartment
- On the original product box, receipt, manual, or registration page
If your ice maker is part of a refrigerator, begin inside the refrigerator compartment. It may feel odd to look in the fresh food section for an ice maker issue, but that is where many brands place the refrigerator model tag. If you have a freestanding ice maker, start inside the ice bin area, under the lid, or on the back of the machine.
How to Find Your Ice Maker Model Number by Brand
1. Whirlpool
Whirlpool refrigerators commonly display the model and serial number on an adhesive rating label inside the refrigerator compartment. Depending on the refrigerator style, check the left-hand side, right-hand side, upper food compartment, drawer area, or interior liner. If you have a Whirlpool freestanding ice maker, inspect the right-hand side of the ice bin area.
For Whirlpool ice maker repairs, the refrigerator model number is usually the safest starting point. A Whirlpool ice maker assembly may look similar across several models, but the wire harness, mounting points, control style, or fill cup design can differ. Search using the complete refrigerator model number first, then compare the old part visually before ordering.
2. GE Appliances
GE Appliances model numbers often begin and end with a letter, which is a useful clue when you are staring at a label full of codes. On GE refrigerators, the model and serial number tag is commonly found inside the fresh food section, along the wall, ceiling area, or frame depending on the refrigerator type. Some newer GE appliances include QR codes that can help pull up product-specific information.
For GE freestanding or specialty ice makers, check the interior ice compartment and the right interior wall. If you are working with a GE Profile Opal nugget ice maker, also check the machine body, underside, back panel, manual, box, and registration information. GE’s product ecosystem is broad, so matching the exact model is important before ordering a bin, side tank accessory, filter, or ice-making component.
3. Samsung
Samsung refrigerators often list the model and serial information on a label located on the exterior lower left side near the front and on a second label inside the refrigerator compartment, typically on a side wall above the top shelf. Samsung may refer to the model as a “model code,” and that code can include extra letters or finish information after a slash.
This matters because Samsung refrigerator ice maker issues often require model-specific guidance. A French door refrigerator, Family Hub model, 4-Door Flex model, or side-by-side unit may use different ice maker layouts and service procedures. Photograph the full model code, not just the first few characters. If the label says something like RF, RS, or Family Hub-related model information, capture all of it.
4. LG
LG refrigerators usually place model and serial number labels inside the refrigerator compartment. On many newer LG models, look on the inside left side of the refrigerator or top-freezer compartment liner. On many older models, check the inside right side of the refrigerator compartment liner. LG also provides model lookup tools through its support pages, which can be helpful if you have a partial number or product registration.
When dealing with an LG ice maker, do not rely only on the visible ice tray or bucket number. Use the full refrigerator model number to locate the correct replacement assembly, water filter, troubleshooting guide, or repair documentation. LG models may vary by door style, ice location, Craft Ice feature, water system, and control design.
5. Frigidaire
Frigidaire refrigerator model labels vary by refrigerator style. On many top-freezer refrigerators, check the upper left side wall of the fresh food compartment. On many French door and side-by-side refrigerators, check the upper right side of the fresh food compartment. The label should be visible when the door is open.
For Frigidaire ice makers, the refrigerator model number is especially useful because replacement ice maker kits can depend on refrigerator design, wiring, water fill setup, and mounting style. If you own a standalone Frigidaire ice machine, check the body of the unit, the rear panel, the ice compartment, and the original documentation. If the label is hard to read, take a photo with flash, then zoom in rather than trying to copy faded numbers by eye.
6. KitchenAid
KitchenAid refrigerators commonly place the model number label inside the refrigerator, often on the left wall. KitchenAid freestanding ice makers may have the model and serial number inside the ice maker, beneath the lid, or on the right-hand side of the ice bin depending on the product line.
KitchenAid is part of the Whirlpool family, so some model label habits overlap with Whirlpool and Maytag. Still, never assume parts are interchangeable just because the appliance looks familiar. Use the full KitchenAid model number when searching for an ice maker assembly, drain pump, water valve, grid cutter, bin thermostat, or cleaning instructions for a freestanding unit.
7. Maytag
Maytag refrigerator model labels are commonly found inside the food compartment, including the top left side, top front area, or upper right side near the crisper pan liner depending on the refrigerator style. For Maytag freestanding ice makers, inspect the right-hand side of the ice bin area for the model and serial tag.
Because Maytag appliances are also part of the Whirlpool corporate family, the same caution applies: write down the full model number. A Maytag refrigerator ice maker part may appear under a Whirlpool-style part number, but compatibility still depends on the appliance model. If your ice maker stopped producing ice, the model number lets you find the correct troubleshooting path before replacing anything. Sometimes the problem is not the ice maker at all; it may be water supply, freezer temperature, a blocked fill tube, or a sensor issue.
8. Kenmore
Kenmore can be tricky because Kenmore appliances have historically been made by different manufacturers. The full model number matters a lot. Many Kenmore model numbers begin with a three-digit prefix followed by a period and more numbers. That prefix can help identify the original manufacturer behind the appliance.
For Kenmore refrigerators, check inside the fresh food compartment, along the left or right wall, behind the crisper drawer, on the refrigerator frame, behind the toe kick, or on the original paperwork. If you are ordering a Kenmore ice maker, do not search only by “Kenmore ice maker.” Use the complete model number from the rating label. Two Kenmore refrigerators may wear the same badge but use very different parts under the hood. Kenmore is the appliance version of “same jacket, different personality.”
9. Bosch
Bosch uses a slightly different naming style. The model number is often labeled as the “E-Nr” on the rating plate. You may also see FD and serial information nearby. For Bosch refrigerators, check the inner side of the fridge, the rear of the cooling appliance, or the product rating plate location shown in Bosch support resources.
When searching for a Bosch refrigerator ice maker part, use the complete E-Nr, including the slash and two-digit ending when present. For example, a model ending in “/01” may not be identical to one ending in “/04.” Bosch parts systems are precise, so precision is your friend. If you find several numbers on the label, photograph the whole plate and save it before typing anything into a parts search box.
What If the Label Is Missing or Unreadable?
Sometimes the rating label is faded, scratched, covered in dust, hidden behind a drawer, or mysteriously absent. Before you panic, check these backup sources:
- Owner’s manual or installation guide
- Product registration email
- Warranty paperwork
- Original receipt or invoice
- Store account order history
- Manufacturer app or connected appliance account
- QR code on the appliance label
- Photos taken during installation or delivery
- Back panel or lower access area of the appliance
If you still cannot find the number, contact the manufacturer or a trusted appliance parts supplier with clear photos of the appliance front, interior layout, control panel, ice maker, and any remaining labels. They may be able to narrow it down, but there is no perfect substitute for the original model tag. When the label is gone, certainty usually leaves with it, wearing tiny appliance boots.
How to Record the Model Number Correctly
Once you find the tag, do not just scribble the number on a sticky note and hope your future self understands it. Use this method:
- Take a close-up photo of the full label.
- Take a second photo from farther away to show label location.
- Write the model number exactly as printed.
- Write the serial number separately.
- Include the brand, appliance type, and door style.
- Save the photos in a home maintenance folder on your phone.
- Email the information to yourself or store it in a password-safe notes app.
A good record might look like this: “LG French door refrigerator, model LFXSxxxxxx/xx, serial number xxxxxxxx, label inside left wall.” That one-minute note can save you from crawling around the kitchen again when the ice maker decides to retire during a heat wave.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using the Ice Bin Number Instead of the Appliance Model
Ice bins, trays, and buckets may have molded plastic numbers that are not the appliance model number. Those numbers can help identify a component, but they may not be enough to confirm compatibility.
Ignoring the Suffix
Suffixes after slashes, dashes, or dots can indicate design changes. Do not leave them out.
Ordering by Looks Alone
Many ice maker assemblies look nearly identical online. The connector, sensor, fill tube, or mounting bracket may be different.
Confusing Serial Number With Model Number
The serial number is important, but parts searches usually begin with the model number.
Forgetting the Refrigerator Model
For built-in refrigerator ice makers, the refrigerator model number is usually the best number to use.
Experience-Based Tips: What Real Homeowners Learn the Hard Way
After helping people track down appliance model numbers, one pattern appears again and again: everyone thinks the number will be in the most obvious place, and the appliance strongly disagrees. The first instinct is usually to pull out the ice bucket and look for a label on the ice maker itself. Sometimes that works with freestanding units, but with refrigerator ice makers, the winning label is often inside the fresh food compartment, above a shelf, along a side wall, or near a crisper drawer. In other words, the number for the ice maker problem may be hiding next to the lettuce. Appliances enjoy irony.
The second big lesson is to photograph first and interpret later. A model tag can include several codes packed into a small label: model, serial, manufacture date, electrical ratings, certification marks, barcodes, QR codes, and sometimes multiple rows of tiny print. When you are crouched in front of the refrigerator with cold air rolling onto your knees, it is easy to copy one character wrong. A “5” becomes an “S,” a “0” becomes an “O,” and suddenly your parts search turns into a digital scavenger hunt. A clear photo lets you zoom in, compare, and share the label with a technician or parts specialist.
Another practical experience: check the label before the appliance breaks. This sounds boring, which is why almost nobody does it. But if you save the model and serial number when the refrigerator is working, you will not have to search for it later while the freezer is warming up and your ice cream is auditioning for soup. A simple home appliance file with photos of model labels, purchase receipts, and filter numbers can save hours over the life of the appliance.
Homeowners also learn that “compatible” is not the same as “close enough.” Ice makers are connected to water lines, electrical harnesses, shutoff arms, sensors, and sometimes control boards. A replacement part that fits physically may still fail electrically or operate incorrectly. This is especially true for brands with many variations across French door, side-by-side, bottom-freezer, and built-in models. Always search by the full appliance model number and confirm the part number against a trusted parts diagram or manufacturer support source.
One more field-tested tip: keep the old ice maker until the new one is installed and working. The old component may have useful markings, connector styles, bracket shapes, or wire colors that help confirm the replacement. Do not throw it away the moment the new box arrives. Appliances have a sense of timing, and they love making you dig through the trash when you least expect it.
Finally, do not assume the ice maker is guilty just because the ice stopped. Many “bad ice maker” calls turn out to be water supply issues, clogged filters, frozen fill tubes, freezer temperature problems, door seal leaks, or control settings. The model number helps you find the correct troubleshooting steps before you spend money. In the best-case scenario, you discover the ice maker was simply turned off. In the worst-case scenario, you still have the correct model information ready for repair. Either way, you winand your freezer remains slightly less mysterious.
Conclusion
Finding your ice maker model number is not glamorous, but it is one of the smartest first steps before repairing, replacing, registering, or troubleshooting your appliance. For refrigerator ice makers, start with the refrigerator’s rating label inside the fresh food compartment. For freestanding ice makers, check inside the ice bin area, beneath the lid, on the side wall, or on the back of the unit. For brands like Bosch, pay attention to the E-Nr. For Kenmore, copy the full prefix and model number. For Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, and Maytag, photograph the complete label before ordering anything.
The model number is your shortcut to accuracy. It helps you avoid wrong parts, confusing manuals, wasted service calls, and the emotional damage of receiving an ice maker assembly that looks perfect until the connector laughs at you. Take the photo, save the number, and your future self will thank you the next time the ice maker goes silent right before guests arrive.
