In the world of ice makers, Igloo is a brand that has your back. However, all ice makers will need fixing or replacing eventually; whether old age or an accident happens, parts may need to be replaced or repaired.
We have plenty of tips to help you fix your Igloo ice maker by troubleshooting.
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How Do Igloo Ice Portable Ice Makers Work? (How To Use)
All ice makers share a basic structure to function:
Igloo takes this a step further in their portable ice makers by using metal rods that cool to freeze the water and heat to let the ice fall into the bucket.
These cylindrical ice cubes stand out in the market, and Igloo makes their machines highly easy to use.
What Do Igloo Ice Maker Light Indicators Mean?
Igloo ice machines come with handy light systems that can help it tell you what it needs. However, these lights can sometimes be confusing, especially if you no longer have the manual. We break down what they mean down below.
Igloo Ice Maker Troubleshooting Guide: Most Common Problems
As amazing as ice makers can be, they can have functionality issues just like any other tech. We have some Igloo portable ice maker troubleshooting tips to help you fix your machine at home.
1. Does Not Eject/Make Ice
If your Igloo ice maker is not ejecting or making ice, there are a couple of issues that may be causing it. It may be that the ambient temperature inside the ice maker or the water temperature is too high. Most ice makers need to be 90 degrees or less internally to function well.
We recommend replacing the water with very cold water and seeing if that helps.
If replacing the water does not help, you may have a refrigerant leak or blockage. You will find a lot of a liquid or sticky substance around your ice maker if this is the case. If there is a leak, we recommend taking your ice maker to a qualified professional to help repair it.
2. No Power & Not Working
If you find that your ice maker is not turning on, we recommend:
It is possible to replace the LED light indicator yourself, but we recommend either replacing your ice maker or taking it to a professional for a proper repair.
3. Says Add Water
If you add water indicator is going off, we recommend trying to:
If this does not work:
If these two options do not work, it may be that the sensor is damaged or broken. In this case, we recommend taking your machine to a professional for repair.
4. Says Ice Basket Is Full
Some potential fixes for an ice bucket full indicator include:
If the sensor is the source of the issues, we recommend taking it to a professional for repair. It is possible to find a new sensor replacement and repairing it yourself but contacting customer support if your product is under warranty is often easier and cheaper.
5. Tray Is Stuck
It is sometimes possible for your ice bucket tray to become stuck or jammed in the ice maker during use. If this occurs, try checking for ice at the bottom or broken parts. Ice can be chipped away gently with a blunt thin object which may free your ice tray.
Be careful not to damage or crack the tray if you do try to release it this way. If parts are broken, we recommend taking your Igloo ice maker to a professional for repairs.
6. Ice Is Cloudy, smelly, or tastes weird
If you find that your ice is cloud, smells odd, or has a strange taste, it may be due to a variety of reasons. The most common reason will be that the filter needs cleaning or replacing. If you live in a hard water area, your water will have calcium and magnesium deposits that can affect the look and taste of your water.
If changing the filter does not work, we recommend cleaning your ice maker thoroughly and using only bottled or high-quality water for your ice cubes.
7. Ice Has Plastic Bits Inside
Plastic pieces can enter your ice when there is damage or breakage on the internal parts. This damage can come from a manufacturing issue, an issue during transport, or user accidents.
If your ice maker is over five years old, it would be best to replace it immediately. If your ice maker is relatively new, we recommend cleaning it out and contacting the manufacturer if it remains under warranty. Depending on the warranty, you may get a professional to repair it or a new model for free.
Learn How To Reset Portable Igloo Ice Makers
Running into issues with any piece of tech is likely. Do Igloo ice makers have a reset button? While turning your machine on and off is integral to the troubleshooting process, it is worth noting that some Igloo models have reset buttons.
As a rule, the following three methods can help you reset your Igloo ice maker:
Method one:
- 1Unplug from the wall or power source.
- 2Drain the water reservoir completely.
- 3Open the lid and empty the ice basket.
- 4Clean the metal tubes with a soft, clean cloth.
- 5Close the ice maker lid.
- 6Plug in the ice maker to an outlet.
- 7Turn the machine back on.
- 8Press and hold the power button on the ice makers for 10-12 seconds.
- 9Let it rest for 30 minutes.
- 10Turn on and test it out for any issues.
Method two:
- 1Unplug the Igloo for a few hours.
- 2Turn it on and check it works.
Method three:
- 1Unplug the Igloo from a power source.
- 2Adjust the ice shovel and pusher by pushing it back and forth a few times, according to the manual.
How To Clean Igloo Ice Makers: Easy Step By Step Guide
Part of caring for your Igloo ice maker involved regular cleaning and maintenance. How do you clean an Igloo ice maker? We cover the basics below.
- 1Unplug the unit.
- 2Remove the ice basket and scoop. Wash them carefully in warm soapy water and dry them with a towel.
- 3Use the same cloth and soapy water, then carefully scrub the internal and external parts of the ice maker. You may need a cleaning toothbrush to get at the nooks and crannies or internal parts.
- 4If you have not used your ice maker for a while, we recommend removing any water in the reservoir and removing the water drain plug and any water inside.
- 5Dry everything off with a towel and reassemble.
- 6Plug the ice machine back in and use it as normal.
We recommend cleaning your ice maker at least 2-4 times a year, or every three months. When you encounter any issues, cleaning your ice maker is a good starting point to helping fix it.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Do Igloo ice makers keep ice frozen?
Some Igloo ice maker models do have the ability to keep ice frozen, but not all do. We recommend reading the product descriptions carefully to ensure that you have the right one before purchasing.
Should you turn off your Igloo ice maker once finished with it?
It is possible to always keep your ice maker on. However, if you are going away for more than a few days, we recommend cleaning it out and turning it off.
How do you get mold out of an Igloo ice maker?
Removing mold from an ice maker requires thorough disinfecting and sanitization. We recommend finding a manufacturer-approved cleaner and following your manual instructions carefully to clean it properly.
How long do Igloo ice makers last?
Igloo ice makers typically last between three to five years. However, the exact length of time depends on a variety of factors, including how regular and thorough the maintenance and cleaning is, how well you handle it, how well built it is, and more.
Conclusion
An Igloo ice maker is essential for refreshing summertime drinks or your morning cold brew. Knowing how to reset Igloo ice makers and how to perform regular Igloo ice maker cleaning is key to taking care of it.
Ian Haynes is an expert writer who has successfully deployed over 500 plumbing pages and other related content. He has an excellent understanding of home plumbing issues and translates his experiences via Plumbing Lab so readers can have a better understanding of common household problems. Outside of his work, Ian likes exploring Brooklyn with his Labrador.