Ice makers are one of the many accessories we own and take for granted by not realizing instant ice from home is a luxury. Common ice maker problems are caused by various reasons. Most can be a simple fix, but other problems may need more effort and elbow grease to resolve.
Common Ice Maker Problems - Quick Fixes
Calcium Build up
With many uses, calcium and hard water deposits start to build up in and around the opening of the ice dispenser. This may not cause any malfunctioning to the actual unit, however, it is unappealing and unhealthy for your family and guests who often use the ice maker. Fortunately, this is an easy clean with some ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
You will need:
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White Vinegar
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Paper towels or cloth towels
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Water
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Dish Detergent
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Old or Disposable Toothbrush
Steps:
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Soak the paper towels or cloth in vinegar until very saturated.
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Lay or press the cloth onto the affected areas and let sit for about thirty minutes to an hour.
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After waiting for the calcium to loosen up, wipe as much with you can with the towel and scrub the rest off with an old toothbrush that you can throw away after use.
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Once all the residue is all scrubbed up and there are no signs of calcium left, use a new paper towel or washcloth, warm water, and dish detergent to clean the unit again.
Set to the wrong mode
Many built-in ice makers come with different modes to pause or change the rate of ice making. This change can be accidentally made, the part can be broken or someone just forgot about changing the setting back when finished with cleaning or another repair.
Simply fix by changing the setting from pause mode. In case you’re unsure how to check your manual.
Water Line Troubles
Clogged Water Line
Sometimes the water line that provides water to the ice machine can become clogged with calcium build up or from a kink along the tube like a bend in a garden hose. Follow the water line from the freezer to the source to see where the problem is and how to fix it.
Frozen Water in Waterline
This can be fixed by treating the freezer as if you’re defrosting it. Unplug the whole unit and wait for the ice to melt, or blow dry the tube until the ice clot has melted.
If you plan on fixing any water line problem yourself, make sure you turn off the water supply to avoid making a mess underneath your sink or wherever your water supply comes from.
Ice Maker Leaking
If you notice a decrease in the amount of ice your ice machine is making, you may have a leak in your unit. Check under and behind your refrigerator for puddles, then check for holes or leaks in the water line to see where the origin of the problem is. Call a specialist to take a look and fix the unit.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of common ice maker problems. If you start to notice any slight difference in your ice makers behavior, it may be a good time to call your unit’s manufacturer, a specialist or the company which provides the warranty for your machine. You can try to melt, clean or change the setting to fix the problem at home, however, the best recommendation is to have the problem consulted by an appropriate engineer.
