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Although it can be frustrating, let’s explore a few reasons why your new ice maker has stopped producing ice.
1. Powered Up
Ensure that your ice maker is plugged in and turned on. If it doesn’t power up, plug it into another power outlet. It’s worth noting that most kitchens use GFCI. It’s a type of outlet that automatically resets with a power surge and won’t generate electricity.
To reset the outlet, press the small power button (or reset button) on it. To confirm that your machine is powered up, keep your eyes peeled on the indicator lights that will be illuminated. If not, the ice maker is off.
2. Level of Water
It’s a no-brainer that you must add water to the machine for it to produce ice cubes. Failure to do so means that no ice cubes can be produced. Alternatively, if the water level is below the indicator on the water reservoir, the machine may not produce ice cubes.
3. Water Temperature
Avoid filling the reservoir of your ice maker with hot or warm water. We recommend using filtered cold water instead. Using hot or warm water means it’ll take the machine longer to cool it to freezing point and generate ice cubes. Therefore, the colder the water you pour into the tank, the sooner it’ll produce ice cubes.
4. Temperature Problems
A portable ice maker has a built-in refrigeration unit to prevent the ice cubes from melting. However, the lower-end models have poor insulation that fails to keep the ice frozen. As a result of these temperature problems, you may notice the ice melting sooner than it should.
Furthermore, the ice cubes might melt faster than usual in warmer environments. The ice basket will melt sooner than expected if your heater is on when the harsh winters roll around. Some ice cubes might be smaller than normal or seemingly melt quicker.
If that’s the case with your machine, transfer the ice to the main freezer to ensure they remain frozen.
5. A Full Ice Machine
A portable ice maker usually has a built-in sensor to alert you when it’s time to make ice. Once the ice bucket of the machine is full, it’s unable to produce more ice cubes. You’ll need to empty the bucket, after which the machine will sense that it’s empty and start producing more ice cubes. However, if the sensor has malfunctioned, it may stop making ice.
Other Ice Maker Problems
If the reasons mentioned earlier don’t check out as to why your ice maker stops producing ice, here are other causes.
1. Water Filter Problem
The ice machine might not make ice due to a clog in the water filter. The filter may have gunk buildup and require thorough cleaning to get it working optimally. Remove it and use hot water to eliminate the muck that’s hindering its functionality.
2. The Plug Drain
If it isn’t properly installed or it’s open, the water will pour out from the drain. As a result, the machine cannot produce ice. Therefore, you’ll need to ensure the drain is installed as it should.
3. An Issue With the Vent Fan
Some portable ice machines have a vent fan on the side that comes in handy in blowing away hot air. Ensure the vent isn’t blocked against a wall because the air must easily escape the machine. If there’s blockage, the ice maker might not produce ice.
4. A Problem With the Display
If the machine has a display panel and is unresponsive to touch, reset it by unplugging it for up to 10 minutes. Once you plug it in, the display should be working as it should. If not, there might be a board or wiring problem.
5. A Clogged Waterline
The water in the tank travels to the ice-generating part of the machine via a water line. It’s then frozen and converted to ice cubes through the waterline. However, when the line becomes clogged with hard water or starts to bend after a while, the water can’t make its way from the tank to the ice-making component.
To resolve this issue, unplug the machine from a power outlet. Check the line to ensure nothing deters the free flow of water. Remove the line from the ice machine and run hot water through it to unclog it. Once it’s clean, reinstall it in the ice maker and test it.
Troubleshooting Your Portable Ice Machine
Now that you know the possible reasons as to why your portable maker isn’t producing ice, let’s explore a few solutions to the issues.
1. Indicator Light Doesn’t Go On
- Plug the machine into a power outlet
- Reset the circuit breaker or replace the fuse
- The internal components have malfunctioned. Reach out to customer support
2. The Ice Basket Light Is On
- The basket is full and requires emptying before the machine can produce more ice
- The low-temperature protection feature is activated when the ambient temperature falls below 5°F or 41°C. Shift the machine to a warmer environment with a higher temperature
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3. The Water Indicator Light Goes On
- The water tank is empty and requires a refill
- The water supply system has malfunctioned, and you’ll need to reach out to customer support
4. The Water Indicator Light and Ice Basket Light Is On
- The ice-producing section might be blocked and may need unclogging
- The internal parts of the ice maker have malfunctioned. Reach out to the manufacturer for assistance
5. Poor Ice Production Performance
- A blocked air outlet will require that you wipe it down with a soft, damp cloth and leave it to dry
- Overly high water temperature must be cooled by adding room-temperature or cold water to the reservoir
- Overly high ambient temperature. To resolve the issue, move the machine to a cooler environment where the temperature is below 38°C or 95°F
- The refrigerant is damaged or leaking. Reach out to the manufacturer for help
6. A Noisy Machine
If your portable ice maker becomes noisy, the water pump or fan has likely malfunctioned
7. A Smelly Machine and Ice
If you notice an odour coming from your ice maker coupled with smelly ice, then it’s time for a thorough cleaning. The odour is caused by the accumulation of mould that can be detrimental to your health. We recommend cleaning your machine once or twice every two to three weeks to prevent mould growth, depending on how frequently you use it.
To Wrap Up
An ice maker works well and is convenient to have in your home to ensure you have enough ice at all times. Now that you know why your handy machine stops making ice after a while, you can diagnose the issue without the need to invest in a new one.
