A countertop ice maker is a portable ice maker that can provide ice from anywhere especially since it is very helpful in the kitchen. However, we all know that it is a machine and it can stop the production of ice which leads us to think why is my countertop ice maker not working?
It is a little device that makes ice with the help of its own water tank, it freezes its own water and provides ice. It is made up of various parts and systems which work simultaneously to make ice.
A countertop ice maker is very helpful on many occasions and it can provide a firm supply of ice. When it stops working it becomes annoying and you think of buying a new one instead of checking the problem whether it is repairable or not which can harm your pocket.
There can be several reasons for your countertop ice to stop working and most of the problems can be fixed at home only. Now we will look at why your countertop ice maker is not working and we will try to solve your problems.
How countertop ice maker work?
Before going further I want to tell you about how the countertop ice maker works. I am telling you this to make you understand the common terms of the ice maker so you don’t get confused and solve the problems easily.
Countertop ice makers are built to make ice in a short time period with the help of its essential components. The essential components are the Ice tray, Water Reservoir, Compressor, Mechanical Arm, and Control Panel.
Components To Make Ice
Various components that will help you to make ice are –
Ice tray- It is a type of mold where water is poured. Here water freezes into ice.
Water Reservoir- This is the place where water is poured and the machine uses this water to make ice.
Compressor- It is also known as the heart of the cooling system. It helps the ice maker to freeze the ice rapidly.
Mechanical Arm- It acts like hands, once the water is frozen and the ice is ready it shifts the ice into the container or you can say storage compartment.
Control Panel- It helps to control the setting of the countertop ice maker and keep track of the process of ice making.
It is a small summary of how the ice maker works and now we will discuss about the countertop icemaker not working.
Primary Problems
Power Connection
One of the most common mistakes people make is not giving the ice maker power and thinking that the ice maker is faulty. People don’t plug in the wire of the ice maker or if they had done it then they forget to switch on the power button.
So first of all check whether you have plugged in your ice maker wire or not. If have plugged in then check whether you have given the power or not. After doing this your ice maker will start working.
If after doing all these things your ice maker is still not working there is some other problem and we will try to find out what the actual problem is.
Formation of ice
Sometimes what happens is the ice maker is running but it is not freezing ice or the size of the ice is small or uneven. There can be several reasons for that.
This can happen if there is dirt in the ice tray and mold or if the temperature of the ice maker is not in the specified range. These are the major problems for ice production.
After using the ice maker for a long time and not maintaining it properly, dirt is gathered on the ice tray and on the mold which affects the process of freezing the water. If you see any dirt on the ice tray or on the mold first switch off the main power and unplug the ice maker and then clean the ice maker properly.
When you finish cleaning plug in the wire and give the power your ice maker will start working again.
Water supply problem
When you see that your ice maker is not making ice properly. The ice cube size is small or making hollow ice or the shape of the ice is uneven. At this time you think that there is some major fault in the ice maker but the actual problem is very minor.
The actual problem is the water pressure. It means the ice maker is making small, hollow, or uneven ice due to low water pressure. Low water pressure can lead the ice maker to make small ice and this affects the ice maker also.
The main reason for low water pressure is the valve of the pipeline. Due to the wrong water valve or due to the valve is not open properly. Sometimes people don’t open the valve properly and leave the valve half open and due to that the water pressure reduces and causes trouble.
Sometimes people use the wrong valve for the ice maker and that valve does not fit in the pipe properly which is also a reason for low water pressure. You can check in the guide about the water valve and use the valve accordingly.
Damaged Sensor
The sensor in the countertop ice maker checks the pressure of water, level of water, leaks or damage, and other related things. If the sensor stops working the ice maker will automatically stop making ice or start freezing whole water in one ice cube.
You can check if the sensor is working or not by looking at the water level. This means you have to clean the ice maker properly, remove all the ice and start the ice maker and then check the water level if it stops before or after the actual water level then your sensor is not working.
To repair it you have to take the ice maker to the service centre or call the service centre and they will send their employee to repair your ice maker.
Mechanical problems
There are many types of mechanical problems like problems in ejecting ice, making loud noises, and overheating. If you are facing any of these problems then there is a mechanical problem in your ice maker.
Problem in ejecting ice
If your ice maker is not ejecting ice or facing problems in ejecting ice then check whether there is any obstacle stopping the ejection tool from ejecting the ice if there is any remove that. After that clean the ejection tool and after cleaning properly lubricate the ejection tool according to the manual guide provided with the ice maker.
Making loud noises
If your ice maker is making a loud noise then check whether there is any loose part or not. If there is any then tight that part properly. If your ice maker is still making noise then lubricate the parts according to the manual guide and after lubricating it will stop making noise.
Overheating
If it is overheating then check whether it is placed on a well-ventilated area or not. If your ice maker is overworking which means more time than recommended in the guide then reduce the timing. To stop overheating clean the dust from the cooling components of the ice maker. Always clean the cooling components of the ice maker.
If you are facing any of these problems use the tips given above and make your ice maker work again. After using these tips if your ice maker is still not working then contact the service centre.
Damaged water filter
One of the most common problems in the ice maker is the damaged water filter. If the water filter is not working then the ice maker will not make proper ice or sometimes stop the ice production.
When your ice maker stops making proper ice or stops making ice at all there is a very high chance that your ice maker has a damaged water filter.
Commonly what happens is when you are using the ice maker for a long time and not taking proper care of the ice maker the water filter gets clogged or gets dirty. Clean the water filter properly or change the water filter most people recommend changing it.
After doing this your ice maker will start making proper ice again. Ice maker is a machine and it wants proper maintenance and cleaning. Always clean your ice maker properly and clean your water filter every six months.
Improper temperature
When the temperature of the countertop ice maker is not set properly then the ice will melt and not freeze properly. If you don’t notice that the temperature is not set properly then you may spend money on it which is not required.
If you see that your ice maker is not freezing ice properly and the frozen ice is melting then there is a possibility that the temperature is not proper. Sometimes people set the temperature according to their mood but that is not the correct way to set the temperature it may affect the ice maker and also melt the ice. If you want to set the proper temperature of the ice maker then first read the guide and then set the temperature according to the guide. Also, check the weather outside and then check the guide for what is written in that about the temperature.
After setting the proper temperature your ice maker will start freezing ice like it used to freeze earlier.
Problem in Compressor
It is one of the major problems in the ice maker. The compressor is a very important component of the ice maker. The compressor is alternatively referred to as the “ice maker’s cooling core”. No ice maker can make ice without a compressor.
When you have checked everything mentioned in your ice maker and you can’t find the problem then there is only one reason left for your ice maker to not work and that is the compressor. Sometimes dirt is gathered on the compressor and due to that the compressor is not able to remove heat outside. Clean the compressor properly and then try to use the ice maker one more time and if the ice maker still does not work then there must be an inside problem in the compressor.
If there is any inside problem in the compressor then there is only one way to solve it and that is to call the service centre. They will send their employee to repair the compressor.
To maintain the compressor you have to clean it from time to time and not let the dirt gather on the compressor. This can make the life of the compressor longer.
Improper usage of ice maker
Most of the time people do not use the ice maker properly. They use the ice maker continuously and do not give any single thought about it and this improper usage can damage the ice maker.
What I want to say is people continuously use the ice maker and do not follow the instructions properly. Sometimes they overload the ice maker with water and try to make more ice than its capacity which can lead to the ice maker malfunction and overdoing it can damage the ice maker permanently.
So to use the ice maker properly read the instruction guide properly. Everything is mentioned in that guide how much ice it makes, how much water it needs to make that much ice, and even how much time it should work. Follow the instructions properly and the ice maker will run longer.
Quality of water
This is also one of the main reasons for the ice maker to not work properly. Some people may think that how is that even possible because ice is made of water and how water can affect the ice maker.
Well, it’s true that the quality of water matters in the ice maker. There are different water quality in different regions and if the quality of your water is not good which means whether it is harsh or poor quality then the impurities or the minerals can clog the main components of the ice maker.
Always try to use mineral water for your ice maker because that is safe for the ice maker and will not clog any part of the ice maker
Defected ice maker
This is also a possibility and we cannot ignore this. It is also an important point to keep in mind, there is a chance that the ice maker you are using is the defected one. It means that it is the manufacturer’s defect and you cannot do anything to repair it.
The only thing you can do is replace it. All the ice makers have a warranty or guarantee for a certain period according to the company. If your ice maker has not crossed that time period then call the company and tell them your problem they will replace the ice maker or they will repair it.
FAQ
How to rest the ice maker?
There is a reset button for the ice maker, every company has a different location for the reset button. Find it and then press the button for a few seconds and when you feel a little vibration on your finger leave the button your ice maker will rest.
Why is my ice maker making a loud noise?
There are several reasons for your ice maker to make a loud noise. One of the main reasons are loose parts in the ice maker. If you are using it for a long time then some parts can be jammed, use lubricant for that.
What is the lifespan of a countertop ice maker?
Well, it varies according to the company and according to your usage. If you use the ice maker carelessly it will not work for more than a year but if you use it properly it might work for more than ten years. But if you want me to answer approximately then the average lifespan of an ice maker is four to five years.
Do countertop ice makers work well?
Yes, it works well and nowadays many people prefer a countertop ice maker for freezing ice because it is fast and it is portable. It can freeze ice in ten to fifteen minutes.
How often should I clean my countertop ice maker?
Ice makers work continuously and after sometimes it gets dirty because minerals and dirt get deposited in it and it can change the taste of the ice or damage the ice maker as well. So it is necessary to clean your ice maker every nine months and earlier if the quality of the water is bad.
Can I leave the ice in the countertop ice maker?
The countertop ice maker is not made to store the ice in it. So you cannot leave the ice in it because if you leave the ice it melts in the ice maker and goes into the water container.
Conclusion
The countertop ice maker is a very useful machine and in this blog, we saw all the problems and their solutions. So if you have solved your problem now then use your countertop ice maker properly and make as much ice as you want. Keep your environment as cool as ice.