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Why is my ice maker overflowing?

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The latest refrigerator models come with an automated ice maker, which is a great feature until it breaks down or starts malfunctioning. When your ice maker starts having issues, it can become too messy and frustrating to handle. There can be many problems with your refrigerator, and one of the biggest problems that you can face is when your ice maker overflows with ice or water. The overflow will create a mess in your kitchen and the excess ice made will go to waste, unless you are having a party. The good news is that fixing an ice maker is not a very difficult task and you can do it yourself. But first, let us know more about the reasons why your ice maker is overflowing. 

How does an ice maker work?

Image credit: SnappyGoat.com

Though using the refrigerator ice maker is very easy, its working is a little complicated. A small supply line connected to a water source of your house supplies water to the ice maker and the water goes through a fill valve which is controlled by a thermostat. The water is sent to the ice mold by the valve through a tube. After this, the water starts freezing and the thermostat turns off when the process of ice formation is complete. Most of the refrigerator models come with a small heater fitted inside that makes the temperature near the ice mold warm enough to release the ice from the mold. These loosened ice cubes are then ejected into the ice bin and the whole process is then repeated. 

These are some recommended ice maker components for you: 

  1. Electrolux 242252603 Frigidare Water Valve
  2. Refrigerator Ice Maker Water Valve for LG
  3. Eastman 60233 PEX Pre-assembled Ice Maker Outlet Box
  4. Eastman 41033 Braided Stainless Steel Ice Maker Connector, 5
  5. Certified Appliance Accessories Ice Maker Water Line
  6. 627985 Ice Maker Thermostat Refrigerator For Whirlpool
  7. GE WR17X23255 Ice Bucket Assembly

Why is my ice maker overflowing?

With the flow of ice or water in your ice maker, two types of issues can arise. One issue is the production of more ice cubes than you need and the other one is the formation of a big chunk or a sheet of ice formed inside your freezer due to excess water in the ice maker.

These issues can arise due to some reasons which are discussed below.

  1. Low water supply:

    The water to the ice mold is supplied by a house line and the fill valve automatically closes once there is enough water supply. But the inlet valve needs certain pressure to work properly and when the pressure is not enough or too low, the valve may fail to register when it has to turn off. In that case, the water will continuously leak into the ice maker which in turn will lead to the continuous production of ice, causing an overflow. 

  2. Defective valve:

    It may also happen that the valve itself is damaged or defective. If the water pressure is normal, then it may mean that either the valve is not closing completely or it is stuck in an open position. If the valve is defective, you can replace it with a new valve.

  3. Lack of cleaning:

    Sometimes, a lack of cleaning may also be the cause of overflow. If you have a hard water supply, there can be a mineral build-up either in the supply or in the valve, causing the valve to malfunction. In such a case, cleaning off the mineral build-up will solve the problem. Also, there can be other forms of dirt and dust formation that can cause the problem. A thorough system clean-up will solve all the issues and get your ice maker up and running properly in no time. 

  4. Other defective components:

    There are many components of the ice maker besides the valve such as supply line, ice mold, and thermostat. Any of these components can be a source of your ice maker problem and all these can be repaired or replaced. 

Conclusion

Besides all the reasons mentioned above, also make sure to check that the ice bucket is placed under the ice maker properly. An improperly placed bucket can cause ice to spill down. In case the problem is not resolved even after checking all the above probable causes, make sure to contact a professional to help you. A professional will find the issue, whatever it is, and fix it for you. 

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