--- title: "Ice Maker Tripping the Breaker: Causes and Fixes" description: "The ice maker keeps cutting the power at the panel or the GFCI outlet, often in the middle of a harvest, after a leak, or each time an undercounter unit starts…" url: "https://icemakerrepair.center/problems/ice-maker-tripping-breaker/" --- # Ice Maker Tripping the Breaker The ice maker keeps cutting the power at the panel or the GFCI outlet, often in the middle of a harvest, after a leak, or each time an undercounter unit starts its pump; an ice maker tripping breaker after breaker is a warning, not a nuisance. ## Stay clear of any outlet in the water, then close the water valve A breaker that trips because of an ice maker is protecting the house from water meeting power. Close the supply valve if there is any water, keep clear of a wet outlet and do not keep resetting the breaker. Leave it off, reaching the panel only when it is dry, until the circuit and the ice maker have been checked. ## What it usually means. An ice maker is one of very few appliances that puts water and electricity side by side on purpose. A small heater frees each batch of cubes from the mold, a motor turns the ejector or twists the tray, a valve opens on mains power, and an undercounter unit adds a water pump, a drain pump and a compressor. When water reaches a wire, a heater shorts or a motor seizes, the breaker or the GFCI outlet cuts the power, and it does that to protect the house. A breaker that trips once after a storm can be a one-off; one that trips again every time the ice maker starts is pointing at a real problem, and resetting it over and over only repeats the risk. The 5 causes, cheapest first Answer these first 01 Is there water on the floor, in the cabinet or around the outlet the appliance uses? 02 Does the breaker trip at a particular moment, such as when cubes drop or when the pump starts? 03 Is the outlet a GFCI with its own test and reset buttons, and does that trip rather than the panel? 04 Did you notice a burning smell, a buzz or a scorch mark near the ice maker or the plug? 05 Does anything else share that circuit, such as a microwave or a disposer? ## Check these before you book. Ice maker tripping breaker: 5 checks, and none of them costs anything. 01 If there is water near the appliance, close the valve that feeds the ice maker before anything else. 02 Do not touch the outlet, the plug or the cord while the floor or the cabinet around them is wet. 03 Leave the breaker off, and only go to the panel if it is dry and away from the water; do not reset it again while the cause is unknown. ### Also worth checking - If there is no water anywhere, switch the ice maker off at its own switch or panel setting before trying the breaker once. - Note when the trip happens and whether there was a smell or a buzz, and tell us when you book. ## The causes, cheapest first. 5 things ice maker tripping the breaker turns out to be, from mold heater shorted to water reaching the outlet or plug. [The cost guide](https://icemakerrepair.center/cost/) 1. 01 moderate ### Mold heater shorted The heater under the mold warms it for a few seconds to release the cubes. When its insulation fails, the breaker trips at harvest. On most door and freezer models the heater comes with a new assembly. [Fixed by ice maker assembly replacement](https://icemakerrepair.center/services/ice-maker-assembly-replacement/) 2. 02 moderate ### Water inside the ice maker wiring An overflowing fill or a leaking valve can drip into the harness where the ice maker plugs into the cabinet wall, and the moisture shorts the circuit. [Fixed by ice maker control and sensor repair](https://icemakerrepair.center/services/ice-maker-control-and-sensor-repair/) [On a freezer ice maker](https://icemakerrepair.center/types/freezer-ice-maker-repair/) 3. 03 moderate ### Undercounter pump or motor seizing The circulation pump and the drain pump in an undercounter unit sit in water. A seized or leaking pump draws enough current to open the breaker as it starts. [Fixed by drain pump and drain line repair](https://icemakerrepair.center/services/drain-pump-and-drain-line-repair/) [On an undercounter ice maker](https://icemakerrepair.center/types/undercounter-ice-maker-repair/) 4. 04 moderate to highest ### Worn control board or wiring A board that has been exposed to moisture or a surge, or a wire chafed through where it passes the cabinet, can short to ground and trip the circuit. [Fixed by ice maker control and sensor repair](https://icemakerrepair.center/services/ice-maker-control-and-sensor-repair/) 5. 05 varies ### Water reaching the outlet or plug A leak from the supply line or the drain that runs to the outlet is enough to trip a GFCI. The leak has to be stopped and the outlet dried and checked before power goes back on. [Fixed by water filter and supply line service](https://icemakerrepair.center/services/water-filter-and-supply-line-service/) [See ice maker leaking on the floor](https://icemakerrepair.center/problems/ice-maker-leaking-on-floor/) 6. What it costs ### Every repair on the site's cost scale, side by side Open the cost guide ## What else it could be. Most often confused with ice maker leaking on the floor, then undercounter ice maker overflowing. [All problems](https://icemakerrepair.center/problems/) Water on the floor or near power ### Ice Maker Leaking on the Floor 6 causes Water on the floor or near power ### Undercounter Ice Maker Overflowing 6 causes Water on the floor or near power ### Ice Maker Water Line Leaking Behind the Cabinet 6 causes ### Ice Maker Error Code 8 causes ## The makes it happens on. 27 makes on this site; ice maker tripping the breaker can show up on any of them. Each mark opens that make's own page. [All 27 brands](https://icemakerrepair.center/brands/) ## Ice Maker Tripping the Breaker, where we come out. 9 metros, each with its own page. [All service areas](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/) [Tampa Bay](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/) FL · 31 areas - [Hyde Park](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/hyde-park/) - [Davis Islands](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/davis-islands/) - [Palma Ceia](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palma-ceia/) - [Westchase](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/westchase/) - [Carrollwood](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/carrollwood/) - [Belleair](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/belleair/) - [St. Pete Beach](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/st-pete-beach/) - [Palm Harbor](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palm-harbor/) [Orlando](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/orlando/) FL · 30 areas - [Winter Park](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/orlando/winter-park/) - [Windermere](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/orlando/windermere/) - [Dr. Phillips](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/orlando/dr-phillips/) - [Bay Hill](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/orlando/bay-hill/) - [Lake Nona](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/orlando/lake-nona/) - [Heathrow](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/orlando/heathrow/) - [Celebration](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/orlando/celebration/) [Miami / South Florida](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/) FL · 47 areas - [Brickell](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/brickell/) - [Coconut Grove](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coconut-grove/) - [Coral Gables](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coral-gables/) - [Pinecrest](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/pinecrest/) - [Key Biscayne](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/key-biscayne/) - [Aventura](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/aventura/) - [Sunny Isles Beach](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/sunny-isles-beach/) - [Bal Harbour](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/bal-harbour/) - [Miami Beach](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/miami-beach/) - [Golden Beach](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/golden-beach/) - [Weston](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/weston/) - [Boca Raton](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/boca-raton/) - [Palm Beach](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/palm-beach/) [New York Metro](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/) NY · 75 areas - [Upper East Side](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-east-side/) - [Upper West Side](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-west-side/) - [Tribeca](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/tribeca/) - [SoHo](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/soho/) - [Greenwich Village](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/greenwich-village/) - [Battery Park City](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/battery-park-city/) - [Brooklyn Heights](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/brooklyn-heights/) - [Park Slope](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/park-slope/) - [DUMBO](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/dumbo/) - [Forest Hills](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/forest-hills/) - [Great Neck](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/great-neck/) - [Southampton](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/southampton/) - [Scarsdale](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/new-york/scarsdale/) [Houston](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/) TX · 36 areas - [River Oaks](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/river-oaks/) - [Memorial](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/memorial/) - [Tanglewood](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/tanglewood/) - [Greater Heights](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/greater-heights/) - [Kingwood](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/kingwood/) - [Bellaire](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/bellaire/) - [Bunker Hill Village](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/bunker-hill-village/) - [Piney Point Village](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/piney-point-village/) - [Hunters Creek Village](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/hunters-creek-village/) - [Sugar Land](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/sugar-land/) - [Cinco Ranch](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/cinco-ranch/) - [The Woodlands](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/the-woodlands/) - [West University](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/houston/west-university/) [Chicago](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/) IL · 50 areas - [Lincoln Park](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lincoln-park/) - [Near North Side](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/near-north-side/) - [West Loop / Near West Side](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/west-loop-near-west-side/) - [Wilmette](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/wilmette/) - [Winnetka](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/winnetka/) - [Glencoe](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/glencoe/) - [River Forest](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/river-forest/) - [Oak Park](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/oak-park/) - [Hinsdale](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/hinsdale/) - [Lake Forest](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lake-forest/) - [Highland Park](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/highland-park/) - [Gold Coast](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/gold-coast/) - [Lakeview](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lakeview/) [Los Angeles](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/) CA · 95 areas - [Beverly Hills](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/beverly-hills/) - [Bel Air](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/bel-air/) - [Holmby Hills](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/holmby-hills/) - [Brentwood](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/brentwood/) - [Pacific Palisades](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pacific-palisades/) - [Santa Monica](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/santa-monica/) - [Hancock Park](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/hancock-park/) - [Studio City](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/studio-city/) - [Calabasas](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/calabasas/) - [Manhattan Beach](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/manhattan-beach/) - [Palos Verdes Estates](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/palos-verdes-estates/) - [Pasadena](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pasadena/) - [San Marino](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/san-marino/) - [Malibu](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/malibu/) [San Diego](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/) CA · 31 areas - [La Jolla](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/la-jolla/) - [Carmel Valley](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/carmel-valley/) - [Point Loma](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/point-loma/) - [Del Mar](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/del-mar/) - [Rancho Santa Fe](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/rancho-santa-fe/) - [Coronado](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/coronado/) - [Encinitas](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/encinitas/) - [Solana Beach](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/solana-beach/) [San Francisco Bay Area](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/) CA · 74 areas - [Pacific Heights](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/pacific-heights/) - [Presidio Heights](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/presidio-heights/) - [Russian Hill](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/russian-hill/) - [Noe Valley](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/noe-valley/) - [Sea Cliff](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/sea-cliff/) - [Hillsborough](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/hillsborough/) - [Atherton](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/atherton/) - [Woodside](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/woodside/) - [Palo Alto](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/palo-alto/) - [Los Altos Hills](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/los-altos-hills/) - [Tiburon](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/tiburon/) - [Piedmont](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/piedmont/) - [Marina](https://icemakerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/marina/) For the heart of your home. ## Questions about ice maker tripping the breaker. ### The GFCI outlet tripped but the panel breaker did not. Which matters? Either one means current went where it should not, and a GFCI is simply more sensitive to it. Treat it the same way: look for water first and do not keep pressing reset. ### Can I plug the appliance into an extension cord from another outlet? Please do not. It moves the same problem onto a circuit that was not planned for it, often without the GFCI protection an ice maker needs. Keep the ice maker off until it has been checked. ### Will the food keep if the breaker stays off? Keep the doors closed and most contents stay cold for several hours. If the ice maker is the part that trips the circuit, switching it off at its own switch may let the rest of the appliance run safely; ask us when you call. ### It only trips during a thunderstorm. Is the ice maker to blame? Probably not. Storms trip breakers on their own. If it only happens once and never with the weather clear, mention it at the next visit rather than booking one for it. --- **[Read on the site: Ice Maker Tripping the Breaker: Causes and Fixes](https://icemakerrepair.center/problems/ice-maker-tripping-breaker/)** **[Book a visit with IceMakerRepair.center](https://icemakerrepair.center/schedule/)**