If your ice machine’s compressor isn’t working, it can hinder ice production. Key issues include a restricted system, leaks, or frozen evaporator coils. A restricted system prevents effective cooling of the evaporator coil, leading to insufficient ice. Refrigerant leaks can occur from small cracks. Frozen evaporator coils can also stop production if the solenoid valve doesn’t activate, preventing ice release. Our technicians carry parts from major brands for on-site repairs, often the same day. For optimal performance, we recommend regular maintenance every six months. Learn more about our ice machine repair services:
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Main Issues When Ice Machine Compressor Is Not Working
Description and Troubleshooting of Problems
Restriction System
The compressor in an ice machine is responsible for cooling and heating the coil to make and release ice. Cooling happens as refrigerant circulates, and when everything is working right, the coil cools instantly, allowing your ice machine to produce proper ice. This setup works much like a refrigerator. But sometimes, issues arise where the compressor can’t cool the coil enough or quickly enough, causing the ice to either be too small or not form at all. After inspecting the compressor, we often find the issue to be with a restricted system. This means the system is clogged or partially blocked, so the compressor is working, but the refrigerant isn’t flowing through the entire system. For example, it might only cool 20% of the coil while the other 80% stays too warm to freeze the water fully.
System Leak
A second issue that can stop ice production is a system leak, which occurs when refrigerant escapes from a tiny hole or crack in the vacuum-sealed system. Often, these leaks are so small that refrigerant can slowly leak over a week or even a month. To identify leaks, the entire system needs a thorough inspection using a leak detector or by adding a special gas to the system. This gas highlights the leak location, helping to identify the crack or hole. Sometimes, however, the leak is so tiny or located in such an inaccessible spot that it can be challenging or even impossible to reach for repairs.
The Compressor Is Not Building Pressure
There are also cases where, after checking, the technician finds that the compressor isn’t generating enough pressure to circulate the refrigerant. As a result, it can’t cool the coil or produce ice.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
The ice machine cools down and causes the evaporator coil to freeze, leading to excessive ice buildup that it fails to release. As a result, you’ll notice that the machine stops producing ice because its safety system detects this malfunction and halts production until you manually restart it. This typically occurs when the solenoid valve does not activate. The solenoid valve is an electromagnetic valve that opens to allow hot refrigerant to circulate instead of cold refrigerant. Here’s how it works: when you start the ice machine, the compressor activates and begins cooling the evaporator coil, creating ice. Once the ice collection cycle finishes, the solenoid valve opens to send hot refrigerant to the evaporator coil, allowing the ice to release and facilitating the discharge of the finished ice.
Start Relay Problem
Another common issue with a non-working compressor is a problem with the start relay. This relay is responsible for starting the compressor and protecting it from overloads. You may notice that the compressor won’t start, and the ice machine isn’t cooling. In this case, the compressor is functional; it simply can’t start.
Repair Cost
| Restriction system repairing | $450 – $550 |
| Stop leak repairing | $450 – $550 |
| Compressor replacing | $780-$1150 |
| Solenoid valve replacing | $450 – $650 |
| Start relay replacing | $280 – $420 |
The price for repairing an ice machine varies based on factors like the brand, model, and complexity of the problem.
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20 Comments
Hi! I read your article and I’m not sure what the issue is, but the ice is either coming out as very small cubes or not being produced at all. Could you perform a diagnostic to determine what’s wrong with my ice machine and fix it on the same day?
Hello! Thank you for reaching out. Based on your description, it sounds like there could be a few potential issues with your ice machine, such as a clogged water valve, malfunctioning fan motor, or other internal components affecting ice production. We can definitely perform a diagnostic check to identify the issue and, if possible, fix it on the same day. Our technicians are experienced in quickly diagnosing and resolving common ice machine problems. To schedule a visit, please let us know a convenient time, and we’ll arrange for a technician to come to your location!
Are you repairing high-end ice machines?
Yes, we repair high-end ice machines, including premium brands such as Scotsman, Hoshizaki, Manitowoc, Ice-O-Matic, Sub-Zero, Follett, and others.
Why does the ice machine turn on, but the ice doesn’t fall into the bin?
If the ice machine is running, but the ice isn’t falling into the bin, it could be due to a malfunctioning solenoid valve. This valve allows hot refrigerant to circulate through the evaporator coils to release the ice once it’s formed. If the solenoid valve isn’t working, the ice can’t be released. The valve may need to be replaced to restore normal operation.
What should I do if my ice machine stops working again a few hours after restarting it?
Hi Emory! There could be a bunch of reasons for that. It might be the compressor overheating, a faulty start relay, the evaporator freezing up, a refrigerant leak, or even a problem with the control board. If it keeps shutting off, that usually means there’s something going on inside that’s not easy to spot without the right tools and experience. Your best bet is to call a technician to run a proper diagnostic.
How often do I need to add refrigerant to an ice machine during normal operation?
Hi David! Under normal conditions, you should never need to add refrigerant to your ice machine. The refrigerant is part of a closed system, so if it’s working properly, it doesn’t get used up or evaporate. If you find that refrigerant levels are low, it usually means there’s a leak somewhere, and that should be diagnosed and repaired by a professional technician. Simply refilling without fixing the leak will only offer a temporary fix.
Is it possible to prevent the evaporator from freezing without replacing parts, like by adjusting the settings?
Hi Thomas! Yes, in some cases, freezing of the evaporator coil can be managed by adjusting settings, such as the ice thickness control or cycle timing. Also, improving airflow, cleaning filters, and making sure the machine is not placed in an overly cold or humid environment can help. However, if the solenoid valve or defrost system is failing, a part replacement is usually necessary. It’s best to have a technician inspect it to determine if adjustments alone can solve the issue.
I found that the filter in my ice machine is clogged. Could that have affected the compressor’s performance?
Hi Charles! Yes, a clogged filter can definitely affect your compressor. When the filter is blocked, it restricts airflow or water flow, depending on the type of filter. This can cause the machine to overwork, making the compressor run longer or harder than normal. Over time, this extra strain can lead to overheating or even compressor failure. That’s why it’s important to clean or replace filters regularly as part of routine maintenance.
I have a multimeter. Can you please tell me how I can test the compressor myself? What can I measure and what values are considered normal?
Hi Michael! You need to measure the resistance between the three terminals of the compressor (they are usually labeled as C – common, S – start winding, R – run winding). Steps: unplug the ice machine from the power outlet, disconnect the terminals from the compressor, set the multimeter to measure resistance (Ohms), and measure the resistance between C and R, C and S, R and S. Normal values usually range from 1 to 20 Ohms (depending on the model). C–R + C–S ≈ R–S (the sum of the resistances between C–R and C–S should be approximately equal to the resistance between R–S). There should be no resistance between the compressor’s body and each of the terminals — if there is, the compressor is shorted to ground.
While my ice machine is running, its side panel gets very hot. Is that normal, or could it be a sign of the compressor or another component overheating?
Hi David! Yes, moderate heating of the side panels is normal, especially if refrigerant pipes (the condenser) pass through them. However, if the side is very hot to the touch and you can’t keep your hand on it — this could indicate a ventilation problem, a clogged capillary tube, or compressor overheating. Check whether the fan is working properly and whether the vents and condenser coil are clean and free of dust.
The compressor of the ice machine turns on but shuts off almost immediately with a clicking sound. I have some experience with repairs, but I don’t know what exactly to do in this situation. Can you advise?
Hi Robert! If you hear a click a few seconds after turning it on, and the compressor shuts off, then the start relay might be faulty (it’s usually what clicks), or the start capacitor (if present) might be bad, or the compressor might be jammed (it can’t start and shuts off due to overload protection). It’s also possible that the voltage is too low — the compressor isn’t getting enough power. We can recommend: check the relay and capacitor using a multimeter or replace them with known working parts; measure the resistance of the compressor; make sure the voltage at the outlet is stable.
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