Why Is My Ice Maker So Slow, and Can I Fix It Myself?

The top reasons for a slow ice maker inside of a freezer are incorrect temperature setting, too much or too little food inside, and a clogged water line or filter. If your ice maker is slow at making ice, try the solutions below.

If you need assistance, the experts at Mr. Appliance^® are standing by to repair your ice maker. “Why is my ice maker making ice slow?” is a question we answer for our customers often.

How to Fix a Slow Ice Maker

• Turn down the freezer temperature. Your freezer should be set to between 0 and 5 degrees F to keep food deeply frozen. This temperature range is also the best for quick ice production.
• Open the freezer door less frequently. This dramatically slows ice production because it increases the temperature inside. Try to open the freezer only when you need to—not every five minutes to see if your slow ice maker has improved.
• Keep the freezer well stocked. When the freezer has little or no food inside, it has to work harder to maintain the consistently low temperature needed to create ice. Strive to keep the freezer at least half-filled, stocking it with water bottles as necessary to add more bulk. Of course, you don’t want to overfill the appliance either, as this could restrict airflow and lead to warm and cool pockets inside the freezer.
• Ensure nothing is too close to the ice maker. Objects inside a fully stocked freezer may block the sweep arm and cause the ice maker to stop working. Leave the sweep arm and ice bin clear of any food or other items.
• Check the water line for clogs or pressure issues. If your slow ice maker also makes small ice cubes, there may be a problem with the water line. Pull the freezer away from the wall to check the water line leading to it from the wall. If there are kinks in the line or something is blocking it, reposition it. If you see damage, contact an appliance professional like your local Mr. Appliance. Finally, check the water supply valve for the fridge and freezer. Make sure it’s in the fully open position to ensure full pressure.
• Replace the water filter. If your fridge has a water filter and it hasn’t been replaced lately, complete this task now. A clogged water filter could be blocking water flow to the ice maker, causing it to run slowly. Once a new filter is installed, allow it to go through several ice-making cycles before you use the ice.

Schedule a Repair for your Slow Ice Maker

If you’re unable to figure out why your ice maker is so slow, schedule service online with Mr. Appliance or call the nearest team. We’ll quickly take care of your appliance and respect your home.