7 Most Common Issues With Your Ice Maker & Their Causes

 Pin Down What’s Wrong With Your Ice Maker With Our Handy Guide 

For all that, it has a very simple job, your ice maker can become messed up in some truly unique ways. All you want is to be able to get a cup of ice, but your ice maker isn’t working the way that it’s supposed to. Maybe the ice is too small, or it’s hollow, or it’s not producing ice at all. When this happens, it helps to have a diagnostic sheet. Consider this post your handy diagnostic sheet to figure out why your ice maker is acting up. 

Whether you’ve got a standalone freezer or a built-in one, these will almost all apply. 

A quick note, some of these are easy enough to fix on your own, and we’ll tell you how to do it. Others, due to difficulty of access, or difficulty to test, we’re going to recommend you reach out to your preferred repairtech for that. 

Why Is My Ice Maker Is Not Working Or Not Making Enough Ice? 

There are several reason why your ice maker might not make enough ice, or any ice at all. To start off with you’ll want to check the control arm. This is the bar that senses when the ice maker has made ‘enough’ ice and it tells the freezer to stop. Make sure that yours isn’t loose, broken or accidentally caught in this off position first. The next step is to check out if your freezer or standalone ice maker is too warm. Just like your refrigerator, if your ice maker or freezer can’t ‘breathe’ or their internal temperatures are set too high, you’re not going to get a happy machine. So, you’ll want to make sure that there’s nothing blocking your compressors or vents, and that you have the temperature set around 0*F. A final one that you can check for yoursel fis whether or the water filter is clogged. If it’s been more than a year since your last changing, it’s time to get that done. Ideally you should change the filter every six months, but if you can’t we understand. (Although whether your ice maker does is a different matter.) 

Courtesy of Meruyert  Gonullu

Finally the two points that can cause your ice maker to not make enough ice that require professional help is if you have a defective water inlet valve or if your water inlet tube has frozen. For the first you need to check and see if the water inlet valve is working properly, and that requires testing the pressure of the flow. The second requires very carefully apply enough heat to defrost the tube, without damaging it. 

Ice Maker Is Making Ice, But Is Not Dispensing

Fortunately when it comes to the ice maker making ice but not dispensing, it’s much easier to deal with than your ice maker not making ice at all. 

Courtesy of Meruyert  Gonullu

If your ice maker has a clump in either the bin or the chute, you aren’t going to be getting an ice out of the ice maker until that melts. Your best bet is to lay down a towel and allow it to melt naturally. Or, if you’re impatient and very precise, you can choose to use an ice pick to try and chip at it to get it out. We don’t advise this one as it can damage your ice maker if you miss, but it is an option. The other option is that the auger, the spiral arm, that drives the ice towards the chute and breaks up clumps, has had the motor freeze over. If you don’t use your ice machine regularly, this can happen.  If this happens, it’s going to be behind the freezer wall, and it won’t actually be easy to see. You’ll only be able to guess that that is the issue by watching and seeing the auger isn’t moving, which not all freezers will allow. This is another one that’s delicate and requires a professional. It’s too easy for water to damage the motor further, and we really don’t want that. 

The Ice Maker Is Making Ice Cubes That Are Too Small

Courtesy of Vlad Samoylik

You might also have it that the freezing rods for your ice maker, if you have a standalone, have accumulated a large mineral deposit and this can cause issues. What happens is that the minerals stay between the freezing rod and the water, creating a barrier that keeps your ice from freezing properly. In that case you’ll need to defrost your ice maker, empty it, and descale the machine. That is going to look different depending on the machine, but if you’re uncertain you can always check the manual.  If you’ve got poor water flow to your ice maker on the other hand, if you have poor water flow, that’s going to be a different matter. If the water isn’t flowing easily, you’ve got several different causes to check out. First, go back to your water filter, hasn’t it been changed recently? (Are you seeing how many issues are caused by a poorly maintained filter?) After you’ve checked that, check out the water line on the back or sides of your freezer or ice maker. You want to make sure that there aren’t any twists or kinks in the line. Finally,  you’ll want to check if your freezer or ice maker is level. It might sound odd, but if your unit isn’t level then the water won’t flow properly into the tray and that is going to give you cubes that are too small/misshapen/hollow. 

The Ice Maker Is Making Too Much Ice

Courtesy of Cottonbro Studio

This one isn’t one we encounter too often, but occasionally we do get calls of “help my ice maker is making too much!” Fortunately, these are quick to diagnose. Start off by checking the bin for your ice maker. If the bin isn’t placed right, then the control arm (or other sensor) won’t be able to tell if ‘enough’ ice has been made. So, do a quick check to see if the bin is sitting properly. After that, you’ll want to take a look at the control arm itself. Earlier we talked about how a broken control arm could cause your ice maker to make no ice. This is the opposite problem. If the control arm is outright broken, it could cause the machine to produce continually. Finally, some freezers have a shelf that sits under the ice bin. You’ll want to make sure that you have one if you’re supposed to, as that links to how well your control arm works. If you don’t have one, but are supposed to, you can either reach out to a repair shop to purchase one, or see if the manufacturer of your freezer has one still in stock. 

The Ice Has An Odd Taste

Courtesy of Enrique Zafra

There’s nothing worse than getting your ice and discovering that it tastes terrible. There’s a few different reasons that can happen, and your water filter is one of them. If your water filter is expired or full of contaminants, it is reducing the ability to keep that out of your water. Old ice cubes are another issue. If you don’t use your ice maker regularly, ice can sit in the bin and acquire tastes from the freezer or the minerals left in the filter.  Last but not least, if your ice maker is within your freezer, poorly wrapped freezer items can lead to your ice picking up scents and tastes. 

The Ice Maker Is Leaking

Courtesy of Enrique Zafra

If your ice maker is leaking, you would naturally look to see if any of the lines are cut or buttons are pressed in. And that’s a good start. However, you might also be looking at ice clumps getting stuck and melting or your refrigerator not being level. These are common issues and easy enough to fix. 

The Ice Maker Itself Is Frozen

Our final issue is when the ice maker itself freezes. This might be that the entirety of the ice maker freezes up, or that the motors do. In either case, it points to one of two issues. Either your temperature is set too low, or your water inlet tube has frozen over. If it’s the first one, it’s easy enough to fix. If it’s the latter though, you’ll want to call in a professional to assess the situation and bring the proper tools to warm things back up without damaging the freezer. 

Some issues are easy to fix when it comes to your ice maker not working, others require a professional to look into. Whichever camp you’re in at the moment, Appliance Rescue Service is here.  We understand that you don’t always have time to break an issue down and fix it, and that’s why we work with your schedule to send out one of our technicians. We want to help get your home running smoothly again. 

Did we answer your question? Let us know over on our Facebook page! 

If you’re having issues with your ice maker, or any of your other major appliances, you can reach out to us via our contact page or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055). 

Additional Posts To Read 

Refrigerator Troubleshooting    

Ice Maker Maintenance     

4 Ice Makers and How They Work At Home

 Ice, Ice Everywhere, and I Need More To Munch

Have you ever reached tried to get ice from your freezer only to discover it was empty? It bites! If you constantly want ice in your drinks, especially during summer, you might consider getting an ice machine. Which one though, is down to a lot of different factors. Do you want one that's going to always be full? What about one that only makes ice as you need it? Do you plan on using it for more than just water and the occasional drink? What about making shakes, smoothies, or ice cream? All of these can be done, but you need to know what type of ice maker you're working with. For that, we've got you covered. This week we're taking a closer look at what makes ice makers different from each other, what types of ice you can get, and how they stay cool. We're going in order of size as we go through the ice makers, so keep that in mind. 

Ice Making All Day 

-Counter Top Ice Makers

These are the ice makers most of us are used to seeing at home. They’re small enough to fit on a counter, table, or bar. Some require a direct hook up to a water line of their own. Others, instead, will have their own internal reservoir. These you'd fill up as needed. Often a countertop model would be self serve, but some will have a dispenser built-in. A countertop model will typically hold about 3 gallons of ice at the largest. The good news though is that they can keep the ice cold for long periods, meaning you don't have to use all of it at once. 

This is great for drinks on a regular basis, but not if you're a large family or need ice with every drink. 

-Ice Dispensers

Moving up in size we've got ice dispensers These are larger than the countertop models, but still 'compact.' They can typically hold between 2-5 gallons of ice at a time. Sadly they aren't made to be used for long-term ice storage, so what you make you use. They are however able to switch between self-serve or spitting out ice from the dispenser. 

These are great for a larger family who is constantly on the go and needs ice for all sorts of things. 

Moving on from here we're going to be looking at two varieties that would typically be labeled for 'commercial use. They are able to be used by households but keep in mind the amounts of ice we're talking about here. 

- Self-contained ice machine

These are meant to fit under your counter. While they're only 40 inches tall, they're intended for commercial-level production. These can produce large amounts of ice and rapidly refill their stores. Typically they'll have a 20-gallon storage unit and be meant to hold it long-term. They are going to require a direct water line in order to maintain that amount of ice production. 

- Modular ice machines 

These are very different in comparison to the other models we've looked at today. This is not one that can fit on or under your cabinet. This is a unit that is taking up a spot against the wall or in the garage by itself. On the bottom, you've got a bin that can range from 10 gallons to 50 gallons. That's just a box with a slanted lid and insulation for long-term ice storage. On top of that sits the ice maker itself. It looks like just a box, but it's got a ton of power for quickly producing all of the ice you're going to need. 

Honestly, we don't advise this one for home use, unless you're throwing parties or working out of your home for a food-based business. You know that we like to give you the options though. 

Keeping It Cool

Now that we've shown off the different varieties you might reasonably purchase for your home, let's take a look at how they work? How are they making all of that precious ice? 

- Air Cooled

This is the most common variety of cooling for making ice, whether you're looking at an attached freezer with your refrigerator, or one for your counter. The ice maker uses a fan to direct air at the condenser and use that to cool it off, and drop the temperature down. Its why during summer your refrigerator might seem to be louder because that fan has to work harder. 

With this variety, it's important to keep two things in mind. A) The fans and vents need to be regularly cleaned of dust bunnies so that the machine can 'breathe' properly, and so that you don't get dust inside the machine. B) You need to leave space on all sides of the machine to keep it cool, to cut down on the amount of dust going into it, and to prevent any intake malfunctions. 

-Water Cooled

This is a less common method, primarily because it's more expensive than the air-cooled. With a water-cooled ice maker, you're going to be using, what else, water to cool the condenser. It's going to have coils of tubing wrapped over/under/around the condenser to allow cool water to keep it chill. This means that the ice maker is going to require a direct connection to a water source, and possibly a drain as well. 

- Remote Cooled

This is one that we don't expect to see in many homes, although we can think of a few that we might. A remote cooled system is one where the condenser is stored in a different room This one has both an upside and a downside, as far as we're concerned. On one hand, you're looking at significantly less noise while the ice maker is running. On the other hand, you're also looking at significantly more upkeep, regular maintenance is a must with these types. 

Give Me the Ice

For our final section, we're looking at one of the most divisive topics. We've had family arguments break out over this. Types of ice. Now, we are staying entirely impartial, we just like to fix ice makers, our preference on types of ice isn't really relevant. If we had our way it would be possible to have one ice maker that could make all sorts of ice. Alas, we are only 'fixers' and not 'creators'. 

 Flaked Ice

This is also the type called 'shaved' ice if you find yourself craving a gelato or a snow cone during summer.  This type of ice is small flakes of the ice, rather than it being crushed into variable pieces. This is great if you're planning on storing vegetables, meat or seafood outside of them for any amount of time. Not only does it look nice, it's also easy to replace. 

Half Cube Ice

We aren't really sure who decided on some of these names, picture a cube of ice. Now chop it in half. Et voila, half cube. These are great for using in drinks if you're not looking to water down whatever you're adding them to. They will chill your drink without melting too quickly. (Why is that? We aren't really sure. We just fix the machines. Maybe someone with a degree in culinary sciences or thermodynamics might know?) 

Full Cube Ice

Remember the half cube from before? Put it back together. Yay! You've now got a giant chunk of ice that you're going to stare longingly at, unable to crunch on i because it will ruin your teeth. In all honesty, though, these are great if you're looking to sell ice out of your home, or if you need ice packs for your local soccer or football team. If you're going traveling and you need to keep foods frozen or at least chilled during the trip, these are great. 

Nugget Ice

We've heard these described as the 'queen of ice shapes.' Tiny nuggets of ice that you can munch on endlessly without destroying your teeth. You can get them from a fast-food chain that's named after a certain blue hedgehog. If you're able to get an at-home ice maker that will keep you stocked with these? We say go for it. Although they will melt faster than a half cube, they're still great for chilling drinks or using for making smoothies, ice creams, or shakes at home. Your blender will not hate you for using these, unlike say, a full ice cube. 

Our final two are really just different shapes of ice, primarily used for drinks or presentation of foods. These are crescent ice and 'fancy ice.' Crescent ice is simply a crescent shape that may or may not be flat across one side of it. Sometimes it will be curved on both sides, depending on how the ice maker is set to function. Fancy ice is a term that can be applied to either spherical or hexagonal ice shapes. All three of these are really meant to make drinks, alcoholic or not, look more appealing when served. 

Last Things To Keep In Mind 

-Don't Get One That's Too Big 

We know, bigger is better. But is there a difference between 'big enough to meet my needs' and 'so big my kitchen is so full of ice my relatives think I'm a penguin?' We think there might be. With that in mind, before purchasing a new ice maker, we advise taking into account your space. Where will you put it? How much ice do you need on a daily basis? More importantly, how often are you going to be able to use all of the ice in the machine? The reason for that is that the larger the machine, the more risk you have of stagnation and mold. Two things you definitely don't want to be battling when it comes to your drinks. 

-Clean It Regularly

If you're going to get an ice maker,, please either schedule with us to have it cleaned regularly, or schedule on your calendar. Not only can you get ice build-ups similar to a freezer, but you can get mold and mildew. Even if your water is filtered, there is also going to be a buildup of minerals over time. The ice and mineral buildups are a problem for the long-term health of the machine, blocking functionality and water flow. The mold and mildew on the other hand are a problem for your long-term health. So please, with that in mind, keep an eye on the vents for your ice maker and watch to see if there are any concerning tastes or smells from it. 

So, did we answer your questions? Do you know what type of ice maker you're wanting? Do you think that the nugget is the 'queen of ice' or do you have a different preference? Let us know over on our Facebook page. As usual, we love hearing from y'all and we want to know your thoughts. 

You're still here? Your ice maker is broken? Don't worry, we can still help with that. We fix appliances every day, but we also fix and clean ice makers. So if you're wanting us to figure out the sounds it's making or just to come and get rid of the mildew that seems to be growing inside of it, we're right with you. You can call us at ((214) 599-0055 ) or set up an appointment at our page to choose a time that works best for you. At Appliance Rescue Service, we do our best to keep your home running smoothly.

Additional Reading: 

Ice Maker Not Working? 

3 Reasons Your Ice Maker Might Be Under Producing

How To Clean Your Ice Maker

Ice Maker Not Working? Troubleshooting Ice Maker Repairs

It’s summer in Texas, which means it’s HOT! You grab a glass to go fill it with ice water, only to learn there is no ice in your refrigerator! It’s a frustrating predicament, but one that Appliance Rescue Service in Plano, Texas knows all to well. Here are a few tips on troubleshooting ice maker repairs in Plano when the ice maker is not working:

Is there ice in the mold?

If there is no ice in the bin, check the icemaker mold first. Does it have ice? If so, then it means that water is reaching the ice maker, but it’s not ejecting the ice properly. If this is the case, first look at the ice maker arm. Did it accidentally get bumped up into the off position? If so, just lower it and you’re back in business! If this isn’t your problem, there is likely a mechanical or electrical issue occurring, and you’ll wan to call for ice maker repair in Plano. 

Is there no ice at all?

If there is no ice at all, then you may be dealing with frozen water in the water line to the ice maker. Simply unplug the refrigerator, turn off the water line valve, and then get a bucket of warm water or a hair dryer and try to warm the water line. This will melt any frozen sections of the line. Plug the refrigerator back in, and hopefully you are back in business!

If this doesn’t fix the ice maker problem, or you see a clog in the line that is obviously not ice, then please call a professional appliance repair service in Plano, Texas.

Is the ice too small?

If you’re seeing ice come through, but it seems oddly small, chances are this is again due to a clog or the ice maker needs a little adjustment in how much water to fill in the mold. Try the steps above for unclogging a water line, and if that’s not the issue, look to adjust the dosing in the freezer mold.

If these ice maker troubleshooting tips do not fix your ice maker problem, it’s time to call in the professionals. Call us at Appliance Rescue Service, one of the best appliance repair companies in Plano, Texas! We’ll have you back in business in no time! 

How to Clean Your Ice Maker

Is your ice cloudy?

Does it have a strange odor?

Is the taste a little off?

If any of these things apply, then it’s likely time to clean your ice maker. Ice makers can harbor sediments that are left unfiltered in the water, or can even absorb odors or flavors from the freezer. These changes to your ice may not only be unpleasant, but left unchecked, it can lead to ice maker repair. This is why it’s so important to make ice maker cleaning at least a bi-annual affair.

Here are 5 steps from Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas for cleaning your ice maker and creating delicious, fresh ice every time:

Step 1: Cut the Power

Most ice makers have a bar that – when raised – stops ice production. Go ahead and lift that bar, and if you can’t find out, look for an on/off switch behind the ice maker or just unplug the refrigerator all together.

Step 2: Remove the Bin

Slide the bin out of the freezer and inspect for any issues or debris that has been trapped in the freezer area. Empty the full contents of the bin into the sink and discard.

Step 3: Clean the Freezer Cavity

Using a warm, soapy rag, wipe down the inside of the freezer where the ice maker sits. You may even want to follow up with a diluted bleach solution or white vinegar, just to make sure everything is thoroughly sanitized. Wipe it down one more time with a clean cloth to remove any standing water.

Step 4: Clean the Ice Bin

Check the refrigerator’s user manual to see if the ice maker bin is dishwasher safe or not. If so, run it through the dishwasher; otherwise, hand wash in warm, soapy water.

Step 5: Reactivate the Ice Maker

Replace the ice bin, lower the arm, and you’re set!

If you feel like your ice maker has more complicated issues and is in need of ice maker repair in Dallas, then give Appliance Rescue Service a call today! We are the #1 appliance repair company in Dallas, Richardson, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and beyond. 

Icemaker Not Making Ice? This Could be Why

In our experience, icemakers often last around 3-10 years, so with that being said, they tend to be less reliable than the refrigerator itself. Often, the refrigerator is working great, but the icemaker is not making any ice. It’s a problem.

If you are experiencing issues with your McKinney icemaker not making any ice, here are some possible reasons:

1.  Faulty Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve is the part of the icemaker that controls how much water gets to the icemaker. If you know that your water pressure is good and your icemaker has power, then a faulty water inlet valve could be the culprit. These can just break on their own, or they may get stuck due to mineral build-up over time from the water running through.

2.  Temperature is Too High

This is a simple one you can troubleshoot on your own! Icemakers produce ice best when they are running at a temperature below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If your freezer is running around 10 degrees or higher, try bumping the temperature down a few notches and see if it begins to produce ice more efficiently. Sometimes it’s an easy fix that saves you the cost of any icemaker repairs!

3.  Faulty Ice Maker Assembly

Unfortunately, if one of the above does not fix the issue, you may need a new icemaker assembly. Most manufacturers do not sell the icemaker parts separately, so a new assembly may be in order. At Appliance Rescue Service, we always do everything we can to ensure a specific part cannot be ordered to fix the issue before recommending an entirely new icemaker assembly.

If you need appliance service in McKinney or anywhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, give Appliance Rescue Service a call today! Our team is expertly trained in all icemaker repairs – along with refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, cooktop, and washer/dryer repairs.