Do you find your KitchenAid refrigerator ice maker overflowing? This article explains that it can make a frustrating mess, but it can be fixed.
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KitchenAid Refrigerator Ice Maker Overfills – Solved
Check the following if the ice maker overflows with water in your refrigerator:
1. Water Inlet Valve
Several issues can cause the ice maker in your KitchenAid refrigerator to overflow, but the primary reason the ice maker overflows with water is a faulty water inlet valve. The inlet is the component at the bottom back of the refrigerator, where you connect the ice maker and dispenser water lines to receive water from the main source.
The water inlet valve opens at timed intervals to supply water to the ice maker. It opens for seven seconds, fills the ice mold, and closes once it is full. However, the inlet valve can malfunction and stop opening to supply water. Other times, it may partially open or remain open without closing. If the latter is the case, the ice maker will overflow with water.
Test the inlet valve to determine whether or not it is faulty; it is electrically controlled, so use a multimeter for the test. Check the solenoid because it controls how the valve works; a defective solenoid can cause the valve to malfunction. You can replace the solenoid if it has no continuity without replacing the entire inlet valve. Otherwise, replace the water inlet valve.
2. Water Pressure
The water inlet valve needs a specific water pressure range to shut off completely. If the pressure is lower or higher, there will be overflowing issues within the ice maker. Get a water pressure gauge to check the pressure level and determine whether or not you need to adjust the water pressure.
If the pressure is sufficient, but the ice maker continues to overflow, the water inlet is defective and may need a replacement. However, if the water pressure is lower than 20 psi, it will keep the valve partially open and cause an overflow. You can use a water pressure regulator to regulate it and keep the water inlet valve working well. Alternatively, hire a plumber to correct the pressure from the source.
3. Ice Maker
If the ice maker keeps overflowing after correcting the issues above, the machine may be faulty. A typical ice maker has various components that may fail over months or years of use. And if one or more components fail, the ice maker may malfunction and cause an overflow.
Therefore, test each component to ensure it is in good working condition. If you are unsure of the troubleshooting steps, contact the KitchenAid Service Center for professional assistance or hire an independent technician for the same purpose. You may even need to replace the ice maker since some models do not have individual parts on sale.
KitchenAid Refrigerator Ice Maker Overflowing with Ice
Check the following and make the necessary corrections if the ice maker overflows with ice:
1. Accelerated Ice Production
The first step is to check whether or not you have activated the Max Ice, Accelerated Ice, or Fast Ice feature. Not all KitchenAid refrigerator models have this feature, so it may not apply to your appliance. However, if your refrigerator has this feature, check to see if it is active.
The Fast Ice or Max Ice feature lowers the freezer’s temperature beyond the recommended point. This causes the freezer to cool faster than usual, and the ice maker produces more ice within a shorter period. The feature automatically turns off within 24 hours of operation, but the ice maker may overflow within this time if you do not monitor the machine.
Turn off the accelerated ice production feature to restore the ice maker to its normal production cycle. You may have to empty the ice storage bin and check the ice maker to see if ice is stored or clumped in it. Clean out the machine and start another ice production cycle, monitoring how the machine performs.
2. Ice Level Sensor
The ice level sensor monitors the ice in the ice bucket and detects when it is up to the mark. Then, it alerts the ice maker to stop production until the ice bucket is empty or the ice level drops. The sensor is vital to how well the ice maker performs and can cause an ice overflow if obstructed or defective.
Dirt or an object can obstruct the sensor, making it unable to detect the ice level. Over time, minerals from the water that makes ice may build up on the sensor and make it less effective. Therefore, check the sensor for dirt; clean it with warm water and soap to remove any dirt covering it.
Also, ensure the ice scoop is out of the way, as it can obstruct the sensor and affect the ice-making process. There should be a holder for the scoop where it will not be in the way. Additionally, do not store anything in the ice bucket to avoid damaging it or the sensor.
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3. Ice Bucket
If you recently removed the ice bucket from under the ice maker, ensure you correctly insert it. Fixing this problem may be as simple as pushing the bucket fully into the freezer or balancing it. Incorrectly putting the ice bucket back into the freezer can cause the ice to overflow.
The reason is that some of the ice cubes may miss the mark and fall out of the bucket, making it seem as if the bucket is full. If the ice bucket is not full, but ice seems to be falling out around it, remove and clear any cubes behind it.
You may want to empty the bucket before reinserting it into the freezer, but this time, do it correctly so that the ice can all fall into it. This wrong insertion can also cause the ice maker to stop producing ice when the sensor can no longer detect the bin and alerts the ice maker to stop production.
4. Ice Chute
Ice may clump in the chute and prevent proper dispensing. The ice chute typically sees a lot of clumped ice when the humidity is high, so if the ice seems to overflow and the ice bucket is not full, check the chute for possible obstructions.
Otherwise, the ice will back up into the ice bucket, fill it, and clump together to form a large piece of ice, especially with irregular use. The best step is to remove the ice bucket, empty it, and clean the ice chute if there is ice stuck in it. Use warm water to melt ice from the delivery chute until it flows freely.
5. Shut-off Arm
The arm moves up to stop ice production when the cycle is complete. Once the ice maker dumps the ice into the storage bin, the arm moves down to start another ice-making cycle. The arm can turn the ice maker off or on without a power switch, but the movement is automatic.
However, if the arm becomes stuck in the down or On position, the ice maker continues producing ice, even when the ice bucket is full. This makes it seem as if the ice storage bin is overflowing.
Therefore, check the arm to determine whether or not it is stuck. Try moving it up and down to check its functionality. If it is damaged, replace the arm yourself or have a technician do the job.
Note that these steps also apply if your KitchenAid refrigerator ice maker storage overflows with ice. Fix the position of the storage bin, ensure the ice level sensor is not obstructed, and turn off the accelerated ice production feature to slow the ice-making cycles. If all else fails, consider replacing the ice maker but only after consulting with a qualified technician.
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