It’s always a bummer when you don’t get the service you need from your appliance. Surely no one would smile at the sight of an ice maker that can’t make ice.
Even in winter, you can’t exactly walk outside your home and scoop snow into your drinks.
But you wouldn’t have that thought at all in summer. That’s why it’s crucial always to have your ice maker on standby.
Like all appliances, Frigidaire ice makers are likely to have off days. When that happens, the simple solution may be to turn the ice maker off and back on. But sometimes, you must check the ice maker for visible defects. Troubleshooting the ice maker is usually DIY. Professional help comes into play when the ice maker has a broken part.
Why Is My Frigidaire Countertop Ice Machine Not Making Ice?
The first culprit is usually an issue with power to the ice maker. It’s not uncommon for the ice maker to vibrate and shake the power cord.
The ice maker vibrates a lot when it’s running. So, the power cord being out of place is a prime culprit.
It doesn’t hurt to check your ice maker’s power outlet. No binding says it can’t become faulty out of the blue.
Unfortunately, short circuits or power trips don’t give electrical appliances notice. Power issues aren’t the only reason an ice machine isn’t making ice.
Below are some other factors you could consider.
#1. Frozen Water Supply Line
Ice can clog the water supply line to the ice maker. That can happen when the machine runs for a long time.
So, ice forms along the water supply line and blocks water entry. In that case, the ice maker won’t make any ice as long as the machine keeps running.
#2. Ice Maker Is in Cleaning Mode
For self-cleaning ice makers, they cease to make any ice when they’re in cleaning mode.
Cleaning mode allows the ice maker “cool off” and return to making ice after a set time. So, the ice maker can’t make any ice if the cleaning mode is on.
#3. Blocked Water Supply Line
The ice maker will not make ice if there isn’t proper water flow. For example, the buildup of mineral deposits in the water supply line can impede water flow.
That happens after using the ice maker for a long time. It may also take a shorter time if the water has many impurities.
#4. Full Ice Bin
Some Frigidaire countertop ice makers stop making ice when the ice storage bin is full. That saves energy and averts an overflow of ice from the machine.
#5. Empty Water Reservoir
Perhaps you forgot to refill the water in the ice maker’s reservoir. That’s not a crime; it could happen to anyone.
But your ice maker would hold it against you because you took away its “power” to make ice.
What to Do If Your Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker Does Not Make Ice?
When your ice maker fails to make ice, that may not mean a broken part at first. Instead, it may only be due to a system error or impedance.
Below are some troubleshooting tips to help you get your Frigidaire ice maker running again.
#1. Check the Power Cord
It’s sometimes typical for the ice maker to vibrate and pull its power cord out of the outlet.
That’s usually the case when the ice maker doesn’t sit level. Thus, it’d move a lot when running due to the vibration as it makes ice.
Also, check the power cord for any physical damage. Ensure it’s not burnt or disjointed at any point.
#2. Ensure that the Outlet Has Power
Your power outlet can fail you at any time! Although they are tough to withstand electrical surges, one short circuit is enough to “fry” power outlets.
It wouldn’t hurt to confirm that the outlet has power. You could plug in another appliance or test it using a multimeter.
You can also check from your home’s circuit breaker. But, first, ensure that the switch controlling power to the ice maker is on.
If you confirm the outlet has power, it’s most likely the ice maker’s power cord is faulty. But if the outlet doesn’t have a power supply, it’s broken, and you’d have to replace it.
#3. Check the Water Level
Sometimes we imagine the ice maker makes ice out of thin air, but it relies on water. The ice maker can’t make any ice when the water level is too high or too low.
Check the water level in the ice maker’s reservoir. Do well to top it up if the water level is too low. Also, consider taking out some of the water in the reservoir if the water level is too high.
#4. Examine the Water Sensor
The water sensor can sometimes give faulty readings. It’ll indicate that water levels are too high or low even when they are not.
As such, the ice maker won’t be able to make any ice. The water sensor usually gives faulty readings when it is dirty. Look at the water sensor and clean it if you notice any buildup.
You could clean the water sensor by gently running it with a cotton swab soaked in vinegar.
That’s usually enough to remove any dirt without polluting the water or damaging the sensor. But replacing the water sensor is the best choice if it looks worn out.
#5. Examine the Water Filters
Chunks of impurity can settle on the ice maker’s water filters after a week or months of use. That’s more common for supply lines that carry hard water.
In addition, mineral deposits will build up over time and block the water supply. Regardless of hard water, the buildup can still clog the supply line when you skip routine cleaning of the ice maker.
If the water filters are dirty, follow the ice maker’s manual instructions to remove them. Then you can soak them in lemon extract or white vinegar for some minutes.
That will help to break off the mineral deposits. After that, you can use a small brush to scrub the water filters for any remaining particles.
Finally, you can rinse them with warm water before you return them to the ice maker.
#6. Inspect Parts of the Water Connection
Besides the water filters, the pipes and connecting lines can also get blocked. Ensure nothing is clogging them, and clean them up if you find any mineral deposits.
#7. Check the Ice Bin
The ice maker stops making ice when the ice bin is full. But sometimes, the sensor can get a false reading. That happens when the ice scoop blocks the sensor.
Then, the sensor gets the impression that the ice bin is complete when it isn’t. If that’s the case, clean up the sensor to give correct readings.
#8. Turn Off the Ice Maker So the Ice Melts
It can happen that the ice in the machine has blocked the water supply. That’s likely when the ice machine runs for a long time.
Unplug the ice maker and leave it off for some hours to melt the ice. If you lack that patience or time, flushing the water line with warm water also melts the ice.
After the ice melts, you can plug back the ice maker and use it as usual. If the blocked water line was all there was to the problem, the ice maker would work as it should.
#9. Look Out for Water Leaks Near the Ice Maker
Leaks around the ice maker indicate a runoff of water or refrigerant. The ice maker will not be good at making ice in both cases.
If you notice any leaks around the ice maker, it’s best to get a professional to help you fix the problem.
BONUS: Also, always ensure you DO NOT place the ice maker near an AC unit. The ice maker can only make ice when the water cools to room temperature.
That’s a bit of a hiccup when warm air around the ice maker affects the temperature of the water. The ice maker will struggle to make ice with the warm air floating around.
How Do You Reset a Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker?
After troubleshooting, your ice maker needs an extra kick to return to its normal function.
You can use the steps below to reset your Frigidaire ice maker.
If the troubleshooting and resetting process doesn’t make your ice maker work properly, you’d have to get professional help.
How Do I Force My Frigidaire Ice Maker to Cycle?
Forcing your Frigidaire ice maker to cycle is easy if it has a designated reset button. All you have to do is push and hold the reset button for five seconds.
That will put the ice maker through a complete cycle. But if the ice maker lacks a reset button, the process is a bit different.
First, turn on the ice maker, then press and hold the power button for 10 to 12 seconds. That’ll also put the ice maker through a complete cycle.
Summary
An ice maker that doesn’t make ice is not a pleasant sight. But it doesn’t mean you should shelf your appliance just yet.
It helps to review the list of troubleshooting tips and see if that helps. If it doesn’t, contact a professional because your ice maker needs repair or part replacement.
