A Frigidaire countertop ice maker is your solution to offering a cold drink to your guests, family, or friends in the scorching summer. But, just like other electric appliances, it can malfunction. How do you troubleshoot when this happens? After checking with the experts, we've put together the following guide.
The following is a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot your ice maker:
- Examine the power cord
- Check if the outlet has power
- Check the water level
- Clean the water filters
- Melt the ice
- Examine the ice storage bin
- Look for leaks
Keep reading to learn how to troubleshoot your Frigidaire ice maker when it stops making ice. Also, find out if you can reset your appliance and how to maintain it in good condition so that it can serve you longer.
How To Troubleshoot Your Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker
During the hot season, you want your countertop ice maker to work the moment you need it. What do you do when you open your ice maker, but there is no ice inside?
While you can have a backup plan and fill your ice tray with water and put it in the freezer to get some ice, you will still need to know what could be causing the problem with your ice maker.
The following guide will take you through what you should do to diagnose the problem and how to solve it.
Examine The Power Cord
This may sound absurd, but you should first check if the cord is plugged into the electrical outlet. At times, your appliance can vibrate and shake, which can cause it to shake the power cord loose.
If this is the case, plug it in securely. Also, ensure that the cord is firmly attached to the machine, as this can cause the same problem.
Next, check if the cord has frayed or is damaged. If this is the case, you'll need to replace it as per your owner's manual.
Check If The Outlet Has Power
If your cord does not have any issues, the next step is to check if power is coming out of the electrical outlet. Plug it into a different outlet, and if it works, the problem lies with the outlet, not the machine. Simply call an electrician to fix it.
You should also check if the circuit breaker in your electrical panel has tripped. Switch it back on if it has. But, if it continues tripping, you may want to call an electrician to find out what the problem could be.
Check The Water Level
Too little or too much water will cause the water sensor to turn off your machine. The water level is the point you should fill the water reservoir for the machine to produce ice.
Fill the water to the indicated level and turn your ice maker on. If the water sensor is still preventing your machine from working, locate it to find the problem.
If the sensor is dirty, clean it. Soak a cotton swab with white vinegar and gently clean the surface of the sensors.
The water sensor should be as clear and clean as possible to give correct readings. If this issue persists, take it through a pure white vinegar cleaning cycle.
If it still does not work, you can replace it with a sensor like the one shown below.
Clean The Water Filters
Your machine may still not make ice even though there is no problem with the water sensor. This can happen when the water supply line is blocked.
This sometimes occurs if you haven’t cleaned your machine for a while. There's also a greater risk if the water supply you use is hard, as minerals can build up in the water filters.
Check out this water filter kit on Amazon.
To clean the filters, you will first need to remove them following the instructions in your owner manual. Soak them in lemon juice or white vinegar to dissolve the minerals.
Afterward, scrub the filter with a toothbrush to remove the remaining debris and finish by rinsing it with water.
In addition, you may want to inspect other water connections such as pipes or connecting water lines. You can also check out the caps and valves. These areas are prone to blocking. Clean them to remove any blockages.
To prevent mineral build-up, consider switching to soft water for your ice maker.
Melt The Ice
Debris isn't the only thing that can block your water supply. Sometimes the ice itself can block the line.
To solve this, simply melt the ice. Unplug your appliance and let it sit in a warm room for a few hours, and the ice will melt naturally.
Alternatively, you could flush the lines with warm water until the ice melts.
After melting the ice, give your machine a test run. First, fill it with cold water. Don’t use warm water because the machine will not make the ice until the water has cooled to room temperature.
Ice may not form if your appliance is near an air conditioner. Warm air around it will prevent it from making ice. Move it away to a cool place in the kitchen.
Examine The Ice Storage Bin
If the issue with your ice maker is not water and power, check the ice compartment. If the ice bin is full, the machine will shut down to prevent the ice from spilling over onto the kitchen counter.
When your ice compartment fills up, you can remove the ice and store it in the freezer. To switch your ice maker back on, reset it, though you might have to do this a couple of times.
The ice scoop could block your sensor, sending out a false reading and making your machine act as if the compartment is full. If your scoop is bent upward, your machine may stop making ice and shut off.
Remove anything that may be blocking the sensor or clean the sensor if it is dirty.
Look For Leaks
If your ice maker will still not work, find out if it is leaking. Examine carefully inside and out of the machine for any cracks. Check under for any water puddles or drips.
A leaking ice maker will not have any water left to make ice. Moreover, refrigerant leaking out of the compressor coils can prevent your machine from making ice.
It is preferable to call your technician to repair the cracks and re-fill the refrigerant. This is because refrigerant can be dangerous, and the technicians are better at repairing cracks unless you have the required skills.
How Do You Reset A Frigidaire Ice Maker?
Sometimes, your Frigidaire countertop ice maker like the one above needs a little nudge to re-start it. This is done by resetting it. The steps to reset are:
- Unplug the machine from the power source
- Empty the water reservoir
- Open the lid and remove the ice from the ice basket
- Wipe the metal tubes with a soft, clean cloth
- Close the lid
- Plug back the ice maker to the power
- Turn ON the machine
- Press and hold the power button for 10 to 12 seconds. There’s no specific reset button, so the power button acts like one
- Allow it to rest between 2 and 3 hours
- Turn the machine back ON to check if it works
How To Maintain Your Ice Maker
Ice makers are convenient and useful, but they are also susceptible to breaking down. To make sure yours lasts longer, follow the tips below:
Change The Water Filters Regularly
The water filters in your ice maker are responsible for filtering out debris and minerals to produce clean, clear, and tasty ice. They need to be cleaned often and changed at least every six months.
Keep Away From Heat Sources
Your ice maker can break down if exposed to sources that generate heat, such as grills, stoves, toaster ovens, or even clothes dryers. You should also keep your ice maker out of direct sunlight.
Check Supply Lines Often
Regularly check the water supply lines for any cracks or tears. This will help keep your ice maker running and also avoid bigger problems that can cost even more to repair.
Replace your supply lines when they are damaged or worn out.
In Closing
A Frigidaire countertop icemaker is a handy appliance whenever you need a cold drink. But, it can malfunction and leave you ice-less.
We've seen how you can troubleshoot a broken ice maker as well as the steps you need to take to address different potential problems. We've also covered how to maintain your ice maker, so you can have cold and refreshing drinks longer.
Learn more about ice makers and how to make the most of yours in these great articles:
Do Ice Makers Turn Off Automatically?
How To Clean Portable Countertop Ice Maker
Mine is making a cycling high squealing noise and won’t make ice. Can’t find any leak or freeze anywhere.
Mine turns off for about 10 seconds after every drop. It’s like the freezing part cuts itself off… HELP! KML