Ice is one of the things that can help us get through those hot summer days. While the ice itself is nothing but frozen water, for most people, having sufficient supplies of ice seems to be a luxury. Not because ice is expensive, but because a full bag of ice will last you only a few days at most. Going back to the grocery store every couple of days is not the most practical thing there is.
There has to be another solution, right? Absolutely, and it is called an ice maker, a product that is becoming more popular each year, which will cost you around a hundred dollars (though there are cheaper and pricier models). These machines can be a game changer if you enjoy iced coffee, smoothies, and cocktails — and not to forget ice-cold water.
The summer is coming and with it comes a lot of hot days with the temperature often rising above 35 degrees Celsius. Thus, an ice maker is a must. While it has a simple design, we have to say that the process is quite intricate, but you won’t have to worry about that. The only thing you need to do is set up the LED controls and wait the required time for the ice to be made.
This is certainly much easier than going to a grocery store all the time for a bag of ice. Additionally, cleaning the device every few days is a good maintenance step (though some models include a self-cleaning feature). Still, even if you do everything the way you should, ice makers can stop working. One of the frequently asked questions is 'why is my ice maker not working,' and there are a few reasons for this.
Ice Maker Issues
Before we get into the common problems and how to fix them, you need to know that things are not as simple as the ice maker falling apart. On the contrary, the ice maker doesn’t have to be physically damaged in order to stop working.
There are three common problems with almost any ice maker. The first one is that the ice cubes are not coming out of the dispenser tray. The second is that the ice maker is not producing any cubes at all. The third one is that the cubes that are being produced aren't the appropriate size, whether that is too small or too large.
While most interior problems are caused by exterior damage, in some cases it is the buildup of water minerals, mold, dirt, and rust that affects the mechanics. Thus, by performing regular cleaning you increase the chances of a long-lasting ice maker.
The Cause and Fix
Why is my ice maker not working? Either because you neglected it or it has some built-in defects that need to be professionally addressed.
A common issue is that an ice maker doesn’t eject the produced cubes. There are two main reasons for this. It can be as simple as forgetting to make the correct selection on the LED control. On the other hand, the problem may be more complex and related to the power source, motor, or the gearbox.
Unplug it and plug it back into the power source, making sure that all the electrical components are in place. Take out the ice manually and let it sit for a few minutes thus heating the bottom part of the tray. If resetting the power source doesn’t solve the issue, you should call in a professional so they can check out the inner components.
On the other hand, if you notice that your ice maker is not producing any ice, the main cause for that may be a clogged water filter. If it doesn’t include a water filter, then the problem may be in the back pump or the evaporator that the water goes through. Replace the water filter, or call in a professional to check out the evaporator.
Don't forget, it is quite common for customers to complain about the ice cubes not being the right size. If you have correctly set the ice cube size on the LED control and it is still producing the wrong size, this is either due to a built-in defect or their buildup of dirt, rust, or mold that doesn’t allow the production of uniformed ice cubes.
Conclusion
There are a number of reasons why an ice maker may stop working. Still, there is no reason to buy a new ice maker (unless it has completely fallen apart). Most problems are solvable with a few simple steps as long as you know what the root of the problem is.