In this short guide, I will tell you why your Frigidaire countertop ice maker is not working. In addition, I will also show you some easy steps you can use to troubleshoot and fix your ice maker.
Frigidaire countertop ice maker not working – how you can fix various problems
Let’s start with what might be causing your ice maker not to start…
Frigidaire countertop ice maker won’t turn on
The most common causes for a countertop ice maker not turning on are:
- The ice maker is not correctly plugged in
- A faulty power outlet
- Tripped circuit breaker
Now, to fix this problem, start by unplugging and re-plugging the power cord as it might be loose.
Next, go to the mains and if you note that the circuit breaker is tripped, be sure to reset it.
Finally, unplug the icemaker and test the voltage from the power outlet… Basically, the outlet should have a voltage of around 110-120v AC.
Pro tip: Frigidaire countertop ice makers require around 110-115v AC.
Of course, if the voltage from your outlet is less than 110v, you should connect the icemaker to another outlet for it to resume working.
Frigidaire countertop ice maker not making ice (Frigidaire countertop ice maker not freezing water)
When your Frigidaire countertop ice maker stops making ice, the first thing you should do is confirm that there’s water in the reservoir.
Nonetheless, it’s possible that the reservoir has water but the ice maker still says Add Water. If this is the case with your ice maker, you’re in luck since we already have a comprehensive guide to help you fix this problem.
You can read it here: Frigidaire countertop ice maker saying add water
The next thing you should make sure is that you have pushed the ice bin all the way into position.
This is because the ice maker won’t start if it does not detect the ice bin as engaged.
Moving on…
Could it be that you have accidentally put your Frigidaire portable ice maker in cleaning mode?
You see, when the icemaker is in cleaning mode, it will temporarily stop ice production till you deactivate the mode.
The most common telltale sign that your ice maker is in cleaning mode is when the small and large buttons blink while the power button stays solid.
With that in mind, below are the two ways you can get your ice maker out of cleaning mode:
- Let the ice maker finish the clean cycle – will take approximately 30 minutes. Once done, the ice maker will shut off.
At this stage, drain the water (by removing the drain hose plug at the bottom of the ice maker) and then pour fresh water into the reservoir.
- Unplug the ice maker from the power outlet and let it sit for 10 minutes without power.
Once the 10 minutes are over, you can reconnect your icemaker and start a new ice-making cycle.
More troubleshooting steps (and solutions) you should try
Another likely suspect for the ice maker not making any ice is if you are keeping it near a heat source or in a hot environment.
To clarify, portable ice makers perform optimally in cool and dry environments. Ideally, at room temperature.
You see, high temperatures might result in warm air entering the icemaker and this might cause the ice maker to work harder to make ice.
But in extreme cases, the warm air might also result in the ice maker not freezing the water at all.
Pro tip: A warm environment might also result in the ice maker producing ice but the ice melts before you can use it.
The point is that you should ensure you are using your countertop icemaker at room temperature. This includes making sure that it’s not near a heat source.
If you check your owner’s manual, you will discover that Frigidaire recommends using the icemaker in temperatures below 90⁰F.
One more thing: Only pour cold water into the reservoir.
Using warm/hot water might also result in the ice maker not being able to freeze the water into ice cubes.
Frigidaire countertop ice maker not dropping ice
First things first, you will want to make sure that the ice maker is indeed making ice cubes.
And the best way to do that? Using the troubleshooting steps we have talked about above (Frigidaire countertop ice maker not making ice).
However, if your ice maker is making ice but isn’t dropping the cubes, chances are that there’s some grime on the mechanism’s surface which is causing the ice cubes to stick and jam.
To rectify this problem, unplug your ice maker and let it sit for some time to let the ice melt.
Once it melts, proceed to wipe the mechanism using a soft cloth dipped in a mixture of vinegar and water.
Frigidaire countertop ice maker not pumping water
If this occurs after adding water or after cleaning the ice maker, high chances are that some air might be caught within the water line.
When I come across such ice makers, I normally prime the water pump using a turkey injector.
This creates a vacuum that facilitates water movement making pumping easier.
So, be sure to give it a go by priming the water hose.
Frigidaire countertop ice maker reset
At times, you might do all of the above but the problem persists.
In such a scenario, your remaining solution might be to hard reset the ice maker – I have seen this work a couple of times.
Now, to hard reset your icemaker, disconnect it from the power outlet and let it sit for around 4 hours.
Frigidaire countertop ice maker not working – final thoughts
Now, if your countertop icemaker continues acting up, I recommend you replace the unit with a newer model.
This is because most countertop icemakers do not have replacement parts and this makes repairing them a little bit hard. Not to mention that the cost of repairing one can be higher than the cost of a new ice maker.
You can check out a great selection of countertop icemakers with great reviews to help you choose a new unit.
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