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Igloo Ice Maker Troubleshooting and How to Guide

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Igloo Ice Maker Troubleshooting and How to Guide

Igloo is known for making reliable ice makers. The units are also stylish and would look good in your home. But like other appliances, some problems may occur from their day-to-day use and make it hard to make your ice cubes. Some new users may also experience challenges setting up and operating the ice maker.

Fortunately, most issues with these units are not as serious, and would often clear after some troubleshooting. If you are having trouble with your Igloo ice maker, here is a easy troubleshooting and how to guide to help you get around some of the issues.

How to Operate an Igloo Ice Maker

Before first use, there are several important things to note:

  1. You need to clean your ice maker before storing it.
  2. Position the unit on a flat, level surface away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat (i.e furnace, radiator, stove). Make sure there is at least 4 inches of space on all sides of the unit.
  3. Before plugging the cord into an electrical outlet for the first time, allow one hour for the refrigerant fluid to settle.

Using your ice cube maker

  1. Open the clear lid to remove the ice basket and pour water into the reservoir. Keep the water level below the MAX level mark. If the water level passes the Max level mark, drain the excess by removing the water drain plug.
  2. Press the POWER button on the LED control panel to start the ice-making cycle.
  3. Press the SELECT button to select the desired ice cubes size. If the room temperature is below 60oF (16oC), select the small-sized cubes so as to keep the ice from sticking together.
  4. While the ice maker is on, check the water level periodically. The unit will stop automatically and the Add Water light will illuminate if the water pump is unable to pump water.
  5. If the water level is low, turn the unit OFF by pressing the POWER button, fill water up to the Max level mark and press the POWER button once more to turn the unit back ON.
  6. The unit stops working automatically when the ice basket is full and the ICE FULL light will illuminate.
  7. To maintain good hygiene, change the water in the reservoir every 24 hours. If you are not using the unit, drain all the water left in the reservoir.

Check this too: Frigidaire Ice Maker How to & Troubleshooting Guide

How to Clean Igloo Ice Maker

When cleaning your ice maker, follow these steps:

  1. Unplug the unit from the electrical outlet.
  2. Remove the ice basket, then clean the ice basket and ice scoop using warm, soapy water, and a soft cloth. Wipe dry using a non-abrasive, dry towel.
  3. Use warm, soapy water, and a non-abrasive towel to clean the interior and exterior of the unit.
  4. Unplug the water drain plug on the bottom of the unit to dry the interior water.
  5. Dry the exterior and interior with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.
  6. If you haven’t used the unit for a while, always open the water drain plug and completely drain the water from the reservoir.

Why is my Igloo Ice Maker Not Making Ice?

If the ice-making cycle seems to be running properly, but no ice is being made, try the following:

  • The ambient temperature or water temperature in the water reservoir may be too high. The unit needs to be in an environment below 90o Try pouring colder water (between 45o F- 90oF) into the water reservoir.
  • If changing the water or allowing the ice maker to cool does not work, there may be a leakage of the refrigerant liquid, or a pipe in the cooling system is may be blocked. You need to take your ice maker to a qualified technician for repair.

How to Reset Igloo Ice Maker

Follow these steps to reset your ice maker:

  1. Turn on the unit, press and hold the power button for 8-10 seconds.
  2. Drain all the water out from the unit and leave it idle for 30 minutes

How to Test My Igloo Ice Maker

If it appears that your ice maker is no longer producing ice, you can manually test it to determine if the ice maker has failed or if you need to check the inlet valves and water line. To test your Igloo ice maker:

  1. Remove the ice bin to expose the ice maker. You may have to remove a small shelf or door above the bin before you can slide it from the freezer.
  2. Look for the icemaker power switch. Depending on your model, the switch is on the wall of the freezer or on the ice maker. Turn off the ice maker for 15 seconds then turn it back on.
  3. Press on the paddle below the ice mold 3 times, this will override the timer and manually activate the ice maker.

How to Stop My Ice Maker from Making Ice

You may want to turn off your ice maker if you are going to be away from home for a while. There is no need to keep making ice if you are not going to be using it while it is fresh. Follow these instructions to turn off your ice maker to stop it from making ice:

  • Look for a switch on the front of your ice maker.
  • If you see one, simply flip it to the “OFF” position, and you are done.
  • If there is an on/off switch, you turn it off by sliding the switch, so the paddle is under the ice maker.

Check this too: Kitchenaid Ice Maker Troubleshooting and How to Guide

Igloo Ice Maker Lights and Their Meaning

  1. Power ON LED indicator- Illuminates to show the unit is on.
  2. Add water light- Illuminates when there is no water in the water reservoir and it is time to add water.
  3. Ice full light- Illuminates when the ice basket is full, you will need to remove ice from the ice storage basket to make more.
  4. S – Small ice cube indicator, illuminates when small ice cubes are selected.
  5. L- Large ice cube indicator, illuminates when large ice cubes are selected.

Igloo Ice Maker Tray Stuck

Your ice maker features a heating system to heat up the bottom of the tray to unstuck it. Then, an ejector mechanism sweeps the cubes out and into the basket. If the tray is stuck, it could point to a problem with the heating or ejector mechanisms.

To fix the problem, you will have to inspect the individual components and check for corrosion, broken pieces, or lose wires. You may be able to replace some things, but you may need professional assistance.

Igloo Ice Maker No Power

  • Check the power cord is plugged in.
  • Check if the power cord is damaged.
  • Check with the different wall outlet for power.
  • Check with the LED light indication.

Igloo Ice Maker Says Add Water

If the Add Water indicator comes on, try the following troubleshooting instructions:

  • Turn off the unit, add water, and press the POWER button again to restart the unit.
  • There may be too much ice. Turn off the ice maker and remove some ice from the ice basket.

Check this too: Hisense TV Troubleshooting and How-to Guide

How to Clean Mold from Your Ice Maker

The sight of mold in your ice maker can be such a turn-off. Molds can be a big menace as they can cause illnesses and other long-term health challenges. 

Various things can trigger the growth of mold in your ice maker that you should take care of to avoid molds in the future.

One major cause of mold in your ice cube maker is the use of dirty water that acts as a carrier for the molds. Make sure you use clean water for your ice-making process and hygiene.

The second cause is the handling of the ice maker with dirty hands that may have harmful microorganisms. The ice maker will create a breeding environment for the growth of mold if not washed regularly or after every handling. It is advisable to wash it at least once a month using soap and water. Always use a scoop to pick ice cubes and not your hands.

It is important to check your ice maker and inspect the sides, the lid, and the water reservoir before getting to use it if you have not used it for some time.

Eliminating mold from your ice maker

You can be able to tackle mold in your ice maker using the following ways.

1. Cleaning with bleach

Creating a homemade bleach solution is one hack that works. Add one teaspoon of bleach to five cups of water and use the solution to properly clean the ice maker paying close attention to the water reservoir, the inner walls, and the part where freezing takes place. Thoroughly scrub the infested parts until you get rid of all the mold then rinse the ice maker with clean water.

You can also purchase a cleaning solution from the stores particularly a mold cleaner should be able to kill, clean, and keep off mold from your ice maker.

2. Deodorizing with baking soda

Mix some baking soda and water in the ratio of four tablespoons of baking soda to one cup of water. Use the solution to wash the inner walls of the ice maker then rinse it off properly in clean water. Make sure all the cleaning solution is completely rinsed off.

The best way to deal with molds in your ice maker is to stick to preventive measures and adopt routines that discourage the growth of molds. Below are tips on how to maintain your ice maker mold-free:

  1. Always use clean and pure water to refill the reservoir and handle the ice maker unit with clean hands.
  2. Schedule to have your ice maker cleaned once every month to avoid a possible build-up of residue. This build-up creates a conducive environment for mold.
  3. If you are traveling or going away for some days, it is advisable you unplug the ice maker, wash and dry it using a clean dishcloth then store it in an aerated place.

The above tips put into practice will help ensure you don’t have to deal with the ugly menace of mold in your ice maker.