Does KitchenAid make a side-by-side refrigerator?
Yes. KitchenAid makes side-by-side refrigerators, and your KitchenAid KSSS48DBW00 is a built-in side-by-side style. If you are shopping or repairing, we support this model with model-specific replacement parts such as the ice maker, water inlet valve, and defrost components.
What “side-by-side” means (and what you get)
A side-by-side refrigerator has the fresh food compartment on one side and the freezer on the other, with two full-height doors.
Common features on many KitchenAid side-by-side models include:
- Through-the-door ice and water dispensing (on many configurations)
- Automatic ice maker system
- Separate temperature controls for refrigerator and freezer
- Built-in or freestanding designs (KSSS48DBW00 is built-in)
Parts that commonly support side-by-side features on KSSS48DBW00
If your side-by-side isn’t making ice, dispensing water, or defrosting correctly, these are common repair areas:
- Ice production: ice maker assembly - refrigerator ice maker by whirlpool 4317943
- Water supply to dispenser and ice maker: refrigerator inlet valve 4318046
- Frost buildup and warm temperatures: defrost timer WP2183400
- Poor airflow or noisy fan area: refrigerator evaporator fan motor WP4389155
Quick symptom-to-part checklist
| Symptom | Most common system involved | Example part for KSSS48DBW00 |
|---|---|---|
| No ice | Ice maker system | 4317943 |
| No water at dispenser | Water inlet system | 4318046 |
| Frost on back wall, warm fridge | Defrost system | WP2183400 |
| Warm freezer or weak airflow | Evaporator fan system | WP4389155 |
Why it matters
Knowing KitchenAid makes side-by-side refrigerators helps you match the right parts and troubleshooting steps to the correct design. Side-by-side units rely heavily on airflow (evaporator fan) and defrost operation; when either slips, temperatures and ice production usually suffer first.
Last updated: February 2026
Why is my KitchenAid refrigerator icemaker not making ice?
If your KitchenAid KSSS48DBW00 side-by-side refrigerator ice maker is not making ice, the most common causes are no water supply to the ice maker, freezer temperature above 0°F, or an ice maker component failure. Start with water supply and temperature checks, then move to the inlet valve and ice maker parts.
Quick checks we recommend first
- Confirm the ice maker is switched ON (or the shutoff arm is down).
- Verify the household water shutoff valve is fully open.
- Make sure the freezer is set to 0°F (food should be rock-hard).
- Look for a frozen fill tube or ice jam in the mold.
- If you recently changed a filter or had the water off, purge air by dispensing water for a few minutes.
Parts that commonly cause “no ice” on this model
If the freezer is cold enough and the ice maker is on, these parts are the most likely culprits:
| Symptom | Most likely cause | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| No water entering ice maker | Water valve not opening | Test/inspect the refrigerator inlet valve 4318046 |
| Ice maker cycles but no cubes | Frozen fill tube or low water flow | Check for kinks, frozen tube, weak flow |
| No cycling, no harvest | Ice maker assembly failure | Consider replacing the ice maker assembly - refrigerator ice maker by whirlpool 4317943 |
| Small cubes or slow production | Restricted water flow | Check supply line, filter condition, valve screen |
Step-by-step troubleshooting (in order)
- Check freezer temperature: If it is above 5°F, the ice maker often stops or makes very little ice.
- Inspect the fill area: If the fill tube is frozen, thaw it and correct the cause (often low airflow or a seeping valve).
- Check water flow to the refrigerator: Make sure the supply line is not kinked and the shutoff valve is fully open.
- Evaluate the inlet valve: A weak or stuck valve can prevent filling or cause slow fills.
- Evaluate the ice maker assembly: If it will not cycle or harvest with proper temperature and water supply, replacement is typically the fix.
Why it matters
An ice maker needs two things to work reliably: freezer temperature near 0°F and steady water flow. When either one is off, you can get no ice, hollow cubes, or repeated freezing and jamming.
For more prevention tips that reduce repeat failures, use our guide: how to prevent water dispenser and ice maker problems.
Last updated: February 2026
Why is my KitchenAid side by side refrigerator leaking water?
Water leaking from your KitchenAid KSSS48DBW00 side-by-side refrigerator usually comes from a clogged or frozen defrost drain, a leak in the water supply system for the ice maker or dispenser, or warm-air infiltration that creates excess condensation.
Quick checks we recommend first
- Look for water or a sheet of ice under the crisper drawers (defrost drain issue).
- Check for drips at the water line connections behind the refrigerator.
- Inspect the ice maker fill area for icicles or overflow.
- Note whether the leak happens only after dispensing water.
- Check door gaskets for gaps, tears, or areas that do not seal flat.
Most common causes and fixes
1) Clogged or frozen defrost drain
Defrost water can back up and spill into the fresh food section.
- Unplug the refrigerator.
- Melt ice around the drain opening using gentle heat.
- Flush the drain with hot water using a turkey baster.
2) Water inlet valve or supply connection leaking
A seeping valve can drip even when you are not dispensing.
- Confirm the supply line is not kinked and fittings are snug.
- If the valve body or outlets seep, replace the refrigerator inlet valve 4318046.
3) Dispenser or ice maker area leaks
If you see water near the dispenser or ice buildup in the chute area, the chute door mechanism can be involved; check the refrigerator dispenser chute door delay mechanism WP1120581.
Symptom-to-cause guide
| What you see | Most likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Water under crispers | Frozen/clogged defrost drain | Ice at drain hole, blockage |
| Drips behind unit | Supply line or inlet valve | Fittings, valve body |
| Leak after dispensing | Loose fitting or air in line | Couplings, purge air |
Why it matters
Leaks can damage flooring and create icing that restricts airflow, which makes a built-in refrigerator like the KSSS48DBW00 run longer and cool less evenly.
Helpful DIY guidance
Last updated: February 2026
How to reset the replace filter light on a KitchenAid side by side refrigerator?
On the KitchenAid KSSS48DBW00 side-by-side refrigerator, the “replace filter” light resets using the filter reset control on the dispenser panel after you install and fully seat the new water filter. Press and hold the filter reset button(s) until the indicator clears (typically about 5 seconds).
Reset steps (works for most KitchenAid built-in side-by-sides)
- Install the new water filter and lock it fully into place.
- Close the filter cover (if your model has one).
- On the dispenser/control panel, locate Filter Reset or Reset.
- Press and hold the reset control for about 5 seconds.
- Release and confirm the “replace filter” light turns off.
If your panel does not have a “Filter Reset” label
KitchenAid used a few different control layouts on built-in models. Try these common options:
- Press and hold Reset (if present) for 5 seconds.
- Press and hold Filter (if present) for 5 seconds.
- If your panel uses a two-button reset, hold the two buttons indicated near the filter light for 5 seconds.
| What you see on the panel | What to do | Hold time |
|---|---|---|
| “Filter Reset” button | Press and hold it | 5 seconds |
| “Reset” button | Press and hold it | 5 seconds |
| Two buttons called out near the filter light | Press and hold both together | 5 seconds |
If the light still will not reset
- Re-seat the filter: remove it, reinstall it, and make sure it locks.
- Purge air: dispense water for 2 to 3 minutes to stabilize flow.
- Power reset: turn the refrigerator off at the breaker for 1 minute, then retry the reset.
- If water flow is weak or the ice maker stops after a filter change, test the refrigerator inlet valve 4318046.
Why it matters
Resetting the indicator keeps your filter-change schedule accurate and helps maintain good water taste and steady dispenser and ice maker performance.
Related help: how to replace the water filter in a KitchenAid refrigerator
Last updated: February 2026





