Excessive freezing is a fairly common problem, and it’s usually caused by the malfunction or wear and tear of several key components. From a faulty thermostat to clogged water filters and dirty evaporator coils, several issues can lead to excessive and irregular ice formation. In this article, we’ll break down the most common reasons why your ice machine may freeze up and explain how you can fix each problem. Learn more about our ice machine repair services:
Main Issues When Ice Machine Is Freezing Up
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Description and Troubleshooting of Problems
Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat function is to control and regulate the temperature inside the ice machine. The thermostat signals the compressor to turn on or off for proper operation. But if the thermostat malfunctions, it cannot register the correct temperature. As a result, the compressor runs continuously, without the necessary part of the cycle – shutdown. The evaporator plate becomes too cold and excessive ice builds up.
Clogged Water Filters
To keep debris and dirt, as well as unnecessary minerals, out of your ice, ice machines have water filters. Inevitably, the filters become clogged or dirty over time, and then the water pressure drops. Because of this, ice can stay on the evaporator plate for too long. This in turn leads to frosting in undesirable places.
Malfunctioning Water Inlet Valve
The water valve regulates the water supply to the ice machine. It receives signals from the control board, and it opens or closes depending on the signal. If the valve does not close in time, i.e. it is open all the time, or it is leaking, then too much water is entering the system. The excess water can get on the evaporator plate and other parts, causing freezing up and clogging.
Dirty Evaporator Coils
This is where the water freezes into ice, forming slabs or cubes. If dirt such as debris, grease, or mineral deposits have accumulated on the coils, the ice will not come off but will stick. As a result, ice freezes in large chunks, freezes unevenly and clogs the machine.
Control Board Failure
The control board manages all functions of the ice machine, from compressor cycles to fan operation. When the board malfunctions, it can send incorrect signals — for example, causing the compressor to run continuously or the machine to skip the defrost cycle, among other issues. This can lead to excessive freezing, and in some cases, manual defrosting may be required.
Repair Cost
| Thermostat replacing | $340 – $450 |
| Water filter replacing | $180 – $250 |
| Water inlet valve cleaning or replacing | $280 – $380 |
| Evaporator coils cleaning | $220 – $290 |
| Control board replacing | $380 – $480 |
The price of ice machine repairs varies based on the brand, specific model, and the complexity of the issue.
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6 Comments
Hello! I have a problem that matches the topic of your article. I’m using universal filters instead of brand-name ones. Could this be the cause of the ice buildup on the ice machine?
Good day, Alex! Yes, this can indeed lead to ice buildup issues. Universal filters often don’t provide the necessary level of filtration or can create resistance in the water flow. As a result, water pressure may decrease, causing ice to stay longer on the evaporator and freeze in the wrong places. It’s better to use filters recommended by the manufacturer for your model of ice machine and replace them at least every six months.
We haven’t used the ice machine for a while, but we recently turned it on, and now it freezes everything right away. Is this behavior normal after a long period of inactivity?
Hello, Lori! This could happen in the first few hours after being unused for a long time, especially if the unit wasn’t serviced before turning it back on. The cause could be stagnant water, dirty sensors, or an uncalibrated temperature setting. But if the excessive freezing continues for more than a day, it’s a sign of a malfunction: the thermostat, control board, or evaporator should be checked. It’s also a good idea to perform a full cleaning before using ice machine again.
Every couple of weeks, I have to manually defrost the ice machine because too much ice builds up inside. Is this normal, or is there something wrong with it?
Hello, Edward! No, this is not normal. Most likely, your unit’s automatic defrost function (defrost) is not working. The reasons could vary: a faulty thermostat, clogged evaporators, fan issues, or a malfunctioning control board. We recommend calling a specialist to diagnose and fix the root of the problem—otherwise, frequent defrosting could lead to more serious breakdowns.