Ice maker is only making a few ice cubes....?

Question

recently, our ice maker only makes about 5 ice cubes in a day. we defrosted the freezer to see if there was a kink in the line so it could thaw and drain if it needed to, but it doesnt seem to have done anything. any recommendations for things that we can do as normal homeowners to fix it??

other than buying ice trays or buying a new one. (which may happen if theres no other choice, but we'd like to fix it if there's a chance we could) thanksssss!!

Answer 1

Could be hard water water build up in the lines...

Could be the water was somehow turned off slightly,

Could be your filter needs changing...

Could be the ice drawer is full and there is no need to make new cubes...

Could be something blocking the full sensor so it *thinks* it's full when it's not...

Hope that Gives you a couple more things to think about!

Answer 2

If you can remove the ice maker, usually 3 or 4 screws and a plug, let it thaw and wipe it out with vinegar.  Other wise, let it defrost, then wipe it out with the vinegar.  Rinse with cold water.  If it is a problem with the internal motor being weak, will need replacement.

Answer 3

Usually it you are not getting enough water it is the waterline, the valve from where the line is attached to the house. It can be a plugged up water valve in the refrigerator, but less likely.

A new icemaker or refrigerator won't help if it is the incoming  water.

If you have a built-in faucet behind the refrigerator, I find sometimes with a new installation they never open it all the way and then over time the valve plugs up. Sometimes closing it and then opening it fully will clear it. You may want to grab a pan and check how much water is coming out of it without the line attached.

BUT the most common cause of this is the kits that use a saddle valve to install the water line. This is the part that "straddles" the pipe and taps the hole for the water in a copper pipe.

Those plug up ALL TOO EASILY because of their design. They use a spike that goes in to the copper pipe to pierce it. That spike stays in the valve and it doesn't take much to clog it up. It clogs up faster if it is installed on the bottom of a pipe as opposed to the top.

Remove the line from there and again, by holding up a bucket, open it up and try to flush it out. That sometimes works. At least you will know how much water you are getting from there.

It is a little involved taking apart and cleaning out those saddle valves if you are not getting much water out of them and many people find it easier to just get another and tap a new hole, shutting off the old one and switching your line to the new one.

Good Luck.

PS, it you have a reinforced plastic waterline going to the refrigerator from the faucet behind, I suggest replacing it if you remove it because they have a tendency not to seal again and leak if they were over tightened the first time. With wood floors in kitchens that is a cheap leak prevention compared to the damage a leak can do. Sometimes even with copper a new compression fitting (ferrule) needs to be put on.

Answer 4

That`s pretty sad if you are going to replace a fridge just because the icemaker doesn`t work properly. Lot cheaper to spend a few $`s and use trays. Worked for me for over 20 years. But I`m not that spoiled. If you gave us a make and model then we may be able to send you some info, but alas we can only guess as to what to look for