Frigidaire Ice Maker – 19 Things You Must Know
So, you’ve just got your first Frigidaire Ice Maker – congratulations! You’ve just equipped your household with a reliable, energy-efficient appliance that has been specially designed to save your time so you can dedicate yourself to more valuable pursuits than the art of ice making.
The Frigidaire Appliance Company has been producing high-quality appliances for your home and family right here in the US of A for more than a hundred years, so you can rest assured that you’ve got a top-of-the-line ice maker on your hands.
The thing is, many of us don’t know everything about our appliances, whether it’s a compact ice maker or a heavy-duty ice machine. That’s what we have specialists and technicians for, after all.
Sometimes, though, you’ll have a question that’s not quite technician worthy, that you’re pretty sure you can handle on your own. That’s where this wonderful, and highly convenient, article comes in.
Here’s 19 Things You Must Know About Your Frigidaire Ice Maker!
1. Frigidaire Ice Maker Making Noise
To put it simply, if your ice maker is making weird noises instead of ice, it’s probably dirty and needs a clean, or you might want to call in a specialist or customer support to deal with a faulty component.
A mysterious noise coming from your Frigidaire Ice Maker generally only has a couple of causes.
Ever since machines were invented, one question has unified the entirety of the human race: “what is that sound?” Usually, if you’re lucky and not the star of a suspense-ridden thriller flick, the answer is something innocuous.
In the case of your ice maker, the first line of action is to make sure your machine is clean.
When confronted with a weird noise, it’s human nature to be a little on guard. Thankfully, problems aren’t always as bad as we initially think. Sometimes, a quick tidying up can solve most of your issues.
If there’s dust and grime clogging up the back of your machine, or fine sediment from the water left inside after multiple uses, you may hear some moans and groans from your ice machine. Clean it up, and with luck the weird noises will have disappeared.
If your ice maker is spick and span, and still the weird noises persist, the next course of action is going to be locating the source of the sound.
Run your ice maker as per usual, and listen around for where the noise is the loudest. Is it the area where the pump is located? Maybe the sound is concentrated around the fan motor, or it’s coming from the compressor.
If you’re able to locate the source of the noise, you might then be able to see the issue. Something might have come loose, or it might be a faulty part, in which case you may need to switch out a component.
At this stage, it’s best to contact Frigidaire directly, either through their social media, website, or by giving them a call at the number listed on their contact page.
If you’re not experienced in dealing with electrical appliances, it’s best to leave it to the professionals who’ll be sure not to ruin your expensive ice maker.
2. How Do You Reset A Frigidaire Ice Maker?
To reset a Frigidaire Ice Maker, hold down the power button until it turns red, wait fifteen minutes, then hold the button down until it turns green.
Thankfully, the process of resetting a Frigidaire Ice Maker is a mercifully easy one. To provide a bit more context, here’s a slightly longer rundown:
Note that most Frigidaire Ice Makers come equipped with a power button, or an on/off button, for its ice maker compartment. In order to reset your ice maker, try going through the following steps:
Firstly, hold down the power button until the light turns red.
Then wait roughly ten to fifteen minutes. Don’t mess around with your ice maker during this time; leave it plugged in and undisturbed.
Finally, once fifteen minutes have passed, hold down the power button again until the light turns green.
If you follow through on each of these steps, and your ice maker is not otherwise damaged, you should have successfully reset your Frigidaire Ice Maker.
3. Can I Leave My Frigidaire Ice Maker On All The Time?
The short answer is, yes, you absolutely can leave your Frigidaire Ice Maker on all the time.
Ice makers are designed to run continuously without stopping. This means that you can safely leave it on and expect no undue consequences.
If you have ice in your ice maker (I know – what a wild concept), turning the unit off will just result in your ice melting and returning to the reservoir. Nothing bad will happen, you just won’t have ice.
That said, some people do opt to turn off their ice makers when not actively in use to save energy, but it’s by no means a necessary practice.
In conclusion, you can safely leave your ice maker on all the time.
4. How Long Does It Take For A Frigidaire Ice Maker To Make Ice?
It takes about 90 minutes, or an hour and half, for the average ice maker to produce ice.
If you’ve made sure that your ice maker is stocked with an adequate amount of water, it will continue to produce ice and deposit it in the ice bin, until it senses that the ice bin is full.
In one day, your Frigidaire Ice Maker should produce an average of 10 cubes per cycle, and run about 16 cycles per day. Though those numbers are subject to change depending on the size of the ice maker.
So if you’re planning on inviting a bunch of guests over on a hot summer day, or you’re just a chronic ice muncher like me, be sure to plan accordingly to make sure you don’t run dry.
5. Does A Frigidaire Ice Maker Keep Ice Frozen?
Simply put, no. The vast majority of portable ice makers do not keep ice frozen.
Most ice makers outside of a fridge are not designed with the ability to keep ice frozen cold. While they do have some insulation, it’s not nearly enough to actively prevent any melting.
So any ice cubes left unused or forgotten are simply doomed to a slow, watery death wherein their liquid remains return to the reservoir. Of course, the replenished water can then be used to make more ice cubes.
The gist of it is, ice makers aren’t freezers; they’re just not built to keep things frozen. Your ice isn’t going to turn from solid to liquid in the blink of an eye, but it is going to melt over time.
So if you’ve just popped a fresh batch of ice, it’s best to use it up quickly before you’re left with less-than-solid water.
6. How Do You Prime A Frigidaire Ice Maker?
To prime your ice maker, you’re going to want to flush it. This means filling it with water and dispensing the water completely a few times to clean out the interior of the machine.
You can follow the steps listed below to properly prime your Frigidaire Ice Maker.
Firstly, fill it with water.
Now, you’re going to want to dispense the water you’ve just put in, essentially “flushing” the system. Don’t leave it to freeze, just hold a cup or glass against the dispenser and allow all the water to drain out. It may take a couple of minutes to fully drain.
Once this is done, you’re going to want to discard the water that’s just run through the system.
Next, repeat the process. Continue dispensing water from your Frigidaire Ice Maker for several minutes. Once you’ve run through the whole routine a couple more times, you should be good to go.
The purpose of “priming” your Frigidaire Ice Maker is to cleanse the system and plumbing connections of any impurities or air that may be trapped within them. Should you not prime your ice maker, you may end up with a couple of empty, discolored, or even odd tasting cycles of ice cubes.
Just prime your ice maker, it’s not very hard, and no one wants nasty ice.
7. How Do I Unlock My Frigidaire Ice Maker?
Press and hold down the lock key on the display of your Frigidaire Ice Maker for three seconds to unlock it.
If, for whatever reason, you’ve found yourself locked out of your ice maker, unable to get it to relinquish any ice, the solution is a thankfully simple one. The lock feature is something that you can turn on and off at will, all you need to know how.
First of all, you’ll need to locate the lock key. It should be located on the control panel, right next to the light on and off button. If you’re having trouble finding it, look for a red light.
Once you’ve found it, turning it off is simple: hold down the button for three seconds. Once the little red LED turns off, your ice should be free from its frozen prison.
8. Where Is The Reset Button On A Frigidaire Refrigerator?
The reset button will be on the front of your Frigidaire Ice Maker, directly beneath the motor housing, just past the front cover.
Though the exact location may vary slightly from model to model, you’re likely to find it in that general area. If you absolutely cannot find it, it may be time to break out that user manual which had all the parts conveniently labeled.
9. Frigidaire Ice Maker EFIC235 Making Loud Noise
If your Frigidaire Ice Maker EFIC235 is making a loud noise, it might need to be thoroughly cleaned, or have a faulty component replaced. For a little more detail, read below.
Similar to the first answer on this list, the process of finding out why your Frigidaire Ice Maker is making a loud noise and getting it to quiet down is a surprisingly simple process.
One common issue that you may be facing is that your ice maker is a little dirtier than you imagined. Don’t worry, it’s a simple enough fix by cleaning your ice maker.
It can be easy to forget that things like ice makers needed to be cleaned too. After all, we’re constantly running water through them, just how dirty can they get?
Unfortunately, things can get quite nasty before we remember to give it a thorough cleansing. So if your ice maker is making a weird noise, make sure that it’s clean before anything else.
If the noise persists, move on to step two.
Locating the source of the noise should be the natural reaction to this issue, but I don’t blame you if you easily spooked and have sworn to never go near your ice maker again. I will however reassure you that the sound is probably nothing evil, and most likely just a mechanical issue.
If you’re able to pinpoint where exactly the noise is coming from, you should be able to tell roughly what the problem is. Whether it’s a jammed fan motor or a clogged pump, your next move is going to depend on what exactly is wrong.
This is the point at which I’d suggest either getting someone experienced with electronic appliances on the task, or contacting the Frigidaire support team. In any case, if you’re not super familiar with electronics like an ice maker, it’d be best to leave it to a professional.
10. Frigidaire Ice Maker On/Off Switch
The on and off switch of a Frigidaire Ice Maker is typically located behind the ice bucket.
If you’re having trouble locating the on and off switch of your Frigidaire Ice Maker, fret not. It’s not in the most obvious place, so don’t feel dumb if you haven’t been able to find it.
The “on” position will be marked by a straight line such as the “│” symbol, while the “off” position will be marked with a circle that looks like an “o”.
If, for any reason, you find yourself in need of switching your ice maker on or off, you’ll be able to do so by reaching for this switch.
11. How To Turn Off Frigidaire Ice Maker
A lot of models have an on/off switch behind the ice bucket, but if that isn’t there, you can try lifting up the feeler arm to turn it off, or punching in the code specified in the owner’s manual into the display.
While some ice makers come with a convenient on/off switch that can simply be flipped to the off position to turn it off, not all Frigidaire Ice Makers come with a switch.
In the case you don’t have an on/off switch, go ahead and reach for the feeler arm. The feeler arm senses the amount of ice in the ice maker, and is typically a metal wire.
In some Frigidaire models, the feeler arm also functions as an off switch. In order to use it as such, gently lift up the arm all the way into an “up” position. This should serve to turn the unit off.
However, some uber modern versions of the ice maker don’t have an on/off switch or a feeler arm. And if, as luck would have it, you have one of those models, you’re going to have to break out the good old owner’s manual for this one.
Newer models require you to hit a bunch of buttons in a specific order if you want to shut off your ice maker, so unless you’ve inexplicably got that sequence memorized, you’re going to need that user manual.
12. Where Is The Frigidaire Ice Maker Switch Location?
If your model does have a switch, which isn’t guaranteed with newer models, odds are it’s located behind the ice bucket.
It looks just like your standard on/off switch, with a line in the on position and a circle for off.
13. How To Turn On A Frigidaire Ice Maker?
If your ice maker model has a classic on/off switch, it’s as simple as flipping it into the “on” position, otherwise, try pressing the power button.
In the latter case, you’re going to want to turn to the display of your Frigidaire Ice Maker. Depending on the model, there may be a power button, or on and off button, featured on the display. In this case, simply press and hold down the button until the LED lights up, and you should be good to go.
14. Frigidaire Ice Maker Making Loud Buzzing Noise – Tips To Solve
If your ice maker has turned into a beehive all of a sudden, and you’re hearing a loud buzzing noise: do not panic. Odds are, your ice maker is just filling with water.
Oftentimes when an ice maker attempts to refill itself for another ice making extravaganza, it’ll buzz a bit. It’s not really a cause for concern.
If you’re hearing a loud buzzing noise every 15 to 20 minutes, however, you might want to check the water line running into the ice maker and ensure that it has an adequate water supply.
Consistent, noisy buzzing can be a sign that the component is having trouble filling up. Check the water supply and adjust as needed, and all will be well.
On that note, rattling, humming, and vibrating while refilling are all also completely normal for an ice maker and not causes for concern.
15. Frigidaire Ice Maker Clicking, Why?
If your Frigidaire Ice Making is making a clicking noise, the issue is actually remarkably similar to the buzzing problem discussed above: it’s likely just refilling. Alternatively, the ice maker may be too cold and some components could have frozen over.
The clicking, sometimes described as rattling or buzzing, is typically a result of your ice maker trying to draw water into its system and failing. In the case that your ice maker isn’t connected to a water supply, your clicking issue can most likely be fixed by turning the ice maker off.
Alternatively, a frozen water valve can also cause a clicking sound to be made. In this case, you’re going to need to thaw it out. This means turning off the unit completely, including the entire fridge if this is an attached ice maker, and allowing the water valve to defrost.
But as with the buzzing problem, slight occasional clicking is par for the course with ice makers. If the issue persists and becomes really evident, then it’s probably time to look into it.
16. Why Frigidaire Ice Maker Keeps Freezing Up?
Most ice makers are going to jam up every now and again, whether from a dislodged water valve or a simple stuck ice cube. However, if your Frigidaire Ice Maker is consistently freezing up, your fridge might be too cold and causing the water to freeze in the pipes, or there may be a crack that’s allowing cool air to freeze the water supply.
Ice makers located in refrigerators operate within a carefully balanced ecosystem. The majority of the ice maker is going to be kept a little bit below freezing temperature, with the water supply kept slightly above freezing, like the rest of the refrigerator.
This allows the ice maker to have an intake of water that isn’t frozen, and then create ice with it.
If your ice maker is constantly freezing up, it might be one of two issues:
One, your refrigerator is set to too low a temperature. In this case, the low temperature is causing the water in the ice maker to freeze in places where it’s still meant to be liquid, preventing it from reaching its proper destination.
The simple solution is to turn up the temperature in your refrigerator and give the components a chance to thaw out a little. Your ice maker should be right as rain after that.
The second probable issue is a crack of some sort that’s allowing the cold air from the cooling components of the ice maker to reach its water supply. In this case, unless you’re familiar with how to replace specific components in an ice maker, it’s best to call a service team.
17. Frigidaire Nugget Ice Maker Troubleshooting
Firstly, make sure your ice maker is connected to a water supply. Secondly, make sure all pipes and pumps aren’t clogged. Thirdly, check that all components are accounted for and not damaged.
We generally want the things we buy to work, and if you’ve got an ice maker, you’ve turned on your ice maker, you’re going to want ice! So if no ice is coming out, here’s what you should do:
To start, let’s go over the most common issues in a little more detail.
One obvious problem may be that your ice maker isn’t getting any water. Whether that’s due to not being attached to a water supply, or the water intake valve is plugged, the solution is essentially the same:
Make sure your ice maker has access to water.
If the valve is plugged, be sure to check and remove any obstructions to allow a steady flow of water. If the water supply isn’t connected to anything, simply connect it to a water source, and boom! You have ice.
Now, in the case of any damaged or missing components, your best bet is to contact the manufacturer and see if they can help you replace the faulty part. If you’re equipped with the expertise needed to do it yourself, be sure you have the right replacement parts for the correct model before you do anything.
In any case, always remember that you can contact the Frigidaire support team directly through their website.
18. How To Remove Ice Maker From Frigidaire
To remove it, start by taking out the ice bin, then unscrew the ice maker and lift it out of the fridge. Finally, disconnect the wires by releasing the harness and remove the unit completely.
I’m not going to question your reasons for banishing your ice maker, but I will ask you to make sure that the power and water supply are both turned off before you begin the process. Trust me, getting electrocuted will really harsh your vibe.
To go into a little more detail, you’re going to want to start off with removing the ice bin. This will give you a much easier access to the ice maker itself, making removal just a little simpler.
To remove it, just pull it forward while slightly lifting the bin upwards. You should be able to pull it out of the unit without difficulty. Set that aside and we can move on to the next step.
You’re going to need a quarter-inch nut driver for this part of the process. You’ll find that the ice maker unit is held against the wall of your refrigerator by two small screws.
Use the nut driver to loosen both of the screws, but don’t remove them entirely; you don’t want the unit crashing down and damaging anything. Once you’ve done that, you can simply lift the unit up to separate it from the wall.
The wires are still going to be connected via a harness behind the ice maker, and you can release that harness by pressing down on a couple of tabs on its sides. You should then be able to separate the wires.
And voila! You have successfully removed the ice maker from your Frigidaire.
19. How Long Should A Frigidaire Refrigerator Last?
Most refrigerators are built to last anywhere from ten to twenty years. That means that your kids could grow up using the same fridge right up until they move out!
According to the US Department of Energy, however, the average refrigerator is going to last you about 12 years, which is still a fair bit of time. The thing is though, your fridge may want to tap out on you a little early.
You should keep an eye out for signs that your fridge may be nearing the end of its life. Things like a heated exterior and food not keeping for very long before going bad, among other things, can mean that the end is near.
Frigidaire refrigerators are designed to be energy-efficient and to last your family a while. With that in mind, and factoring the average lifespan of the typical refrigerator, your Frigidaire refrigerator will probably last you upwards of ten years.
To Conclude
Given that your Frigidaire is going to be around for a decade or so, it’s incredibly important that you be familiar with what makes it tick. As such, I hope that this list of 19 things you must know about your Frigidaire Ice Maker has been helpful at keeping you, and the beverage of your choice, cool.
If you’re interested in learning more about your ice makers in general, check out these 21 Things You Must Know about Ice Makers!
