Why is my ice maker stuck in crush mode? (Here’s what’s wrong!)

You’ve whipped up a refreshing drink to enjoy on a hot day. As you push your glass onto the dispenser pad to get some cubed ice, your ice maker dispenses crushed ice instead.

Not to worry, we totally get you. Some drinks are best served with cubed ice—not crushed.

Although crushed ice is great for slushies and ice cones, just like you, we don’t want to turn our refreshing drink into a watery concoction.

So you can keep the heat at bay with your third-quenching drink, we’ll show you how to troubleshoot an ice maker stuck in crush mode.

Why is my ice maker stuck in crush mode?

An ice maker will only produce crushed ice if the temperature is too low. Due to the cold temperature, ice will shatter when it is collected from the mold.

If you don’t dispense ice that often, the ice in the bin will clump together, then it will break apart when you activate the dispenser.

Before making any repairs to your ice maker, try these simple steps to troubleshoot your machine and get it out of crush mode.

• Clean the control panel. If the control panel is dirty, it probably didn’t respond to your touch when you switched to cube mode, so clean it and press the button again.

• Make sure the ice maker is on. If the ice maker is off, it might cause the ice in the bin to melt and break apart when you dispense it.

If none of these steps worked for you, keep reading our guide below for step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot your ice maker.

Troubleshooting an Ice Maker Stuck in Crush Mode

If your ice maker is only dispensing crushed ice, check the freezer temperature and set it as close to 0°F (-18°C). Remove clumps of ice in the bin and clean it before reinstalling it.

Level the fridge to prevent any fluctuations in temperature. Then, change the filter to improve your water pressure.

Let’s take a look at the most common reasons why an ice maker gets stuck in crush mode. We’ll also walk you through the steps to troubleshoot it.

Causes	Solutions
The freezer temperature is too cold.	• Keep the freezer temperature as close to 0°F (-18°C) as possible. • Unplug the refrigerator, and open the freezer door. • Remove the ice bucket from the freezer. Refer to your user manual as this process will vary depending on your model. • Break up the chunks of ice in the bin using a plastic or wooden spatula. • Then, remove the ice from the bin. • Let the larger clumps of ice defrost and melt. Or, use warm water and a washcloth to melt the ice faster. • Dump the water and clean the bin with mild detergent. • Rinse the bin with water and wipe it dry using a soft cloth. Reinstall the ice bin once it is fully dry. • Restore power to your refrigerator.
The ice dispenser isn’t used frequently.	• Unplug the power cord, and open the freezer door. • Remove the ice bucket from the freezer. Refer to your user manual as this process will vary depending on your model. • Break up the chunks of ice in the bin using a plastic or wooden spatula. • Then, remove the ice from the bin. • Let the larger clumps of ice defrost and melt. Or, use warm water and a washcloth to melt the ice faster. • Dump the water and clean the bin with mild detergent. • Rinse the bin with water and wipe it dry using a soft cloth.  • Reinstall the ice bin once it is fully dry. • Restore power to your refrigerator.
The fridge isn’t leveled properly.	• Place a carpenter’s level on top of your refrigerator to check if it’s level from front to back and from side to side.  • Locate the leveling legs under your refrigerator.  • Unthread the screws on the base grille, then remove the grille to access the leveling legs. Skip this step if your unit doesn’t have one. • Rotate the leveling legs to adjust the height of the refrigerator.  • Use the carpenter’s level to check if your unit is still tilting. Make the necessary adjustments until the fridge is level. • Reinstall the base grille.
The water pressure is too low.	• Make sure the water supply valve is open all the way.  • Inspect the water supply line for kinks and bent areas, then straighten them if necessary. • Get the correct type of water filter for your refrigerator model. • Open the fridge door and locate the water filter. Refer to your user manual if you aren’t sure of its location. • Gently push the water filter in and rotate it until it comes loose. Then, pull it out of the housing.  • Take your new filter and insert it into the housing. • Rotate the filter to lock it in place. • Wait for the ice maker to run another cycle. Then, check if it leaks.
The freezer door gasket is defective.	• Unplug the refrigerator and open the door. • Pull out the rubber gasket on the door, starting from the top corner of the fridge. Work your way around the door until the seal is fully removed. • Position the new door seal over the shelving. Push the gasket into the channel, starting from the top corner again. • Restore power to your refrigerator.

The freezer temperature is too cold.

Believe it or not, your freezer can be too cold. It is one of the most common reasons why your ice maker is only producing crushed ice.

The freezer must be set to 0°F (-18°C) or below for optimal cooling. 

If the temperature is too cold, your ice maker will either make the wrong type of ice or make no ice at all(ice maker not making ice but water works). Ice will shatter when it is collected from the mold.

What you’ll need:

• Mild detergent
• Washcloth
• Plastic or wooden scraper/spatula
• Dry soft cloth

Solution: Keep the freezer temperature as close to 0°F (-18°C) as possible. Remove the ice bin and transfer the ice to a suitable container.

If ice is clumping in the bucket, follow these steps to remove it:

• Step 1: Unplug the refrigerator and open the freezer door.
• Step 2: Remove the ice bucket from the freezer. Refer to your user manual as this process will vary depending on your model.
• Step 3: Break up the chunks of ice in the bin using a plastic or wooden scraper. Then, remove the ice from the bin.
• Step 4: Let the larger clumps of ice defrost and melt. Or, use warm water and a washcloth to melt the ice faster.
• Step 5: Dump the water and clean the bin with mild detergent.
• Step 6: Rinse the bin with water and wipe it dry using a soft cloth. 
• Step 7: Reinstall the ice bin once it is fully dry.
• Step 8: Restore power to your refrigerator.

The ice dispenser isn’t used frequently.

As much as possible, try to dispense ice daily. Infrequent use of the ice dispenser will cause ice to clump together in the storage bin and break into smaller pieces when you dispense it.

If you don’t need ice, you can simply transfer it to an appropriate container and keep them in the freezer until you might need them. Then, empty the residual ice in the bin before cleaning it thoroughly.

Solution: To remove clumped ice in the bucket, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the refrigerator and open the freezer door.
• Step 2: Remove the ice bucket from the freezer. Refer to your user manual as this process will vary depending on your model.
• Step 3: Break up the chunks of ice in the bin using a plastic or wooden spatula. Then, remove the ice from the bin.
• Step 4: Let the larger clumps of ice defrost and melt. Or, use warm water and a washcloth to melt the ice faster.
• Step 5: Dump the water and clean the bin with mild detergent.
• Step 6: Rinse the bin with water and wipe it dry using a soft cloth. 
• Step 7: Reinstall the ice bin once it is fully dry.
• Step 8: Restore power to your refrigerator.

The fridge isn’t leveled properly.

No matter where you install the refrigerator, it must be leveled properly to perform well. If it isn’t, your fridge is most likely going to experience fluctuations in temperature, which not only affects the quality of your food but also your ice.

Using a carpenter’s level, you can confirm if your fridge is level or not. More importantly, you’ll know how to adjust it.

What you’ll need:

• Carpenter’s level
• Phillips screwdriver

Solution: Install your refrigerator on a stable and level base. Set a carpenter’s level on top of your unit and determine which side is higher.

To level your refrigerator, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Place a carpenter’s level on top of your refrigerator to determine if it’s level. Identify which side is higher.

• Step 2: Locate the leveling legs under your refrigerator. Most fridge models have two leveling legs in front of the unit.

• Step 3: Unthread the screws on the base grille, then remove the grille to access the leveling legs. Skip this step if your unit doesn’t have one.

• Step 4: Rotate the leveling legs on the side that is raised. Depending on the design of the legs, you might need a flathead screwdriver, a wrench, or a hex driver to adjust the height.

We recommend checking the user manual for instructions specific to your fridge model.

• Step 5: Use the carpenter’s level to check if your unit is still tilting. Then, make the necessary adjustments until it is leveled properly.

• Step 6: Reinstall the base grille.

The water pressure is too low.

If your dispenser is set to CUBED ICE but keeps dropping small or shattered pieces of ice, you might have low water pressure. 

Ideally, your water pressure should range between 20 to 120 psi for the ice maker to function properly. If your ice maker doesn’t receive enough water before the water freezes in the tray, you will end up with small or shattered ice in the bucket.

You can check your water pressure by dispensing water into a measuring cup. If you can’t fill a 3/4 cup in 10 seconds, you have low water pressure.

What you’ll need:

• Measuring cup
• New water filter

Solution: First, make sure that the water supply valve is open all the way. Check for kinks and bent areas along the water supply line, then straighten them out if necessary.

Try removing the water filter in your refrigerator. If you notice a significant difference in the water pressure, change the filter.

• Step 1: Open the refrigerator and locate the water filter. It is usually mounted inside the main fridge compartment, either in the upper corner or between the drawers. 

The location of your water filter will vary per model. Refer to your user manual if you aren’t sure of its location.

• Step 2: Gently push the water filter in and rotate it until it comes loose. Then, pull it out of the housing. 
• Step 3: Get your new filter and insert it into the housing.
• Step 4: Rotate the filter to lock it in place.
• Step 5: Wait for the ice maker to run another cycle. Then, check if it leaks.

The freezer door gasket is defective.

Every refrigerator door has a rubber gasket attached to its outer edge, which creates an air-tight seal for your unit. It prevents cool air from seeping out of the fridge and warm external air from seeping in.

If warm air enters the ice maker assembly, you’re going to end up with small, slushy bits of ice even when the dispenser is in cubed mode.

Luckily, you can replace the rubber seal yourself. No tools are required!

What you’ll need:

• New rubber gasket
• 1-2 days of prep time

Solution: Take the new rubber gasket out of its package about 1 to 2 days before you install it. Lay it flat on a surface to remove any kinks and creases.

To replace a damaged door seal, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the refrigerator and open the door.
• Step 2: Pull out the rubber gasket on the door, starting from the top corner of the fridge. Work your way around the door until the seal is fully removed.
• Step 3: Position the new door seal over the shelving. Push the gasket into the channel, starting from the top corner again.
• Step 4: Restore power to your refrigerator.

Tips to Maintain Your Ice Maker

Routine cleaning and proper maintenance will keep your refrigerator and, in turn, your ice maker in top condition. To prevent your ice maker from malfunctioning, dispense ice regularly, dump old ice out, and change the water filter on schedule.

Here are a few maintenance tips to prevent your ice maker from dispensing the wrong type of ice. 

Empty and clean the ice bin regularly.

If the ice maker is on, you should try to dispense ice regularly to prevent them from clumping together. Old ice in the bin will eventually clump together, making it harder to break apart.

Every two weeks or so, you empty the ice bin and clean it with mild detergent. If there’s little to no frost build-up inside, you can just wipe it with a damp cloth followed by a dry one before reinstalling it.

On the other hand, thicker frost build-up will need more elbow grease.

• Light Frost – Clear the frost in the bucket using a damp cloth. After, remove any excess moisture in the bucket with a dry cloth.

• Medium Frost – Use a plastic or wooden scraper to remove hard chunks of ice. After, clean the bin and wipe it dry.

• Heavy Frost – Defrost the freezer if there’s heavy frost build-up in the compartment, the ice maker assembly, and the ice bin. Once the bin is clear of ice, clean it and let it dry.

Change the water filter on schedule.

Manufacturers will tell you to replace your water filter at least every 6 months. On most, if not all modern units, you’ll find a Water Filter light, which illuminates whenever the cartridge needs changing.

Depending on your usage or water quality, you might have to replace it more frequently. Aside from making your water and ice cubes taste great, it can prevent your ice maker from malfunctioning.

Not to worry, changing the water filter is very quick and easy. Just get a genuine replacement filter to prevent damage to your fridge.

After replacing your water filter, dispense about 10 liters (2 gallons) of water to flush out any sediments. This also removes trapped air in the water line.

Turn off the ice maker if you’re going on vacation.

Whenever you’re going out of town, turn off the ice maker to prevent it from malfunctioning. You should also turn off the water supply to the fridge.

Moreover, remove the ice tray and empty the ice bin. Frost can easily accumulate in these areas, making them harder to remove for maintenance.

Large chunks of ice can also be hard to break apart. As mentioned, you’ll have to defrost the fridge if there’s heavy frost build-up.

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