--- title: "Nugget Ice Maker Not Making Nugget Ice: Causes and Fixes" description: "A nugget ice maker not making ice runs and hums but drops nothing, makes wet slush instead of crisp pellets, or stops after a few batches with a light on." url: "https://icemakerrepair.center/problems/nugget-ice-maker-not-making-nugget-ice/" --- # Nugget Ice Maker Not Making Nugget Ice A nugget ice maker not making ice runs and hums but drops nothing, makes wet slush instead of crisp pellets, or stops after a few batches with a light on. ## What it usually means. Nugget ice is made differently from cubes. Water freezes in a thin layer on the inside of a chilled cylinder, an auger scrapes it off as flakes and presses the flakes through a small opening, and they come out as soft, chewable pellets. That process depends on the cylinder staying very cold, on a steady supply of water, and on the auger turning freely. A countertop model such as a nugget unit on the kitchen counter draws its water from a reservoir you fill by hand; an undercounter nugget maker is plumbed in. Either kind stops if the water runs out, if scale coats the cylinder, if the room or the vents around it are too warm, or if the auger meets a blockage. Slushy pellets often mean the unit is struggling to stay cold enough rather than failing outright. The 6 causes, cheapest first Answer these first 01 Is it a countertop model with a reservoir, or an undercounter unit connected to a water line? 02 Is the reservoir full, or is the add-water light on? 03 Are the pellets wet and slushy, or does nothing come out at all? 04 When was it last descaled or cleaned, and is a cleaning light on? 05 Is there room around the vents, and is the room especially warm? ## Check these before you book. Nugget ice maker not making ice: 5 checks, and none of them costs anything. 01 Fill the reservoir with fresh water and make sure the tank is firmly in place. 02 Move the unit so its vents have space, away from the stove area, the dishwasher vent and sunny windows. 03 Run the descaling or cleaning cycle from the manual if it is due or a cleaning light is on. ### Also worth checking - On a plumbed unit, check that the supply valve is open and the filter is not overdue. - Tell us the model, whether it runs at all, and whether the pellets are slushy or absent. ### How soon does it need a visit? A nugget ice maker that has stopped is not urgent. Refill, descale and give it space first. Book a visit if it still makes slush or nothing, or if it grinds or shows a light that will not clear. ## The causes, cheapest first. 6 things nugget ice maker not making nugget ice turns out to be, from reservoir empty or not seated to auger or its motor worn. [The cost guide](https://icemakerrepair.center/cost/) 1. 01 no repair ### Reservoir empty or not seated A countertop nugget maker stops when its tank runs low or the side tank is not clicked into place. Refill it and seat the tank firmly. No repair: check it yourself 2. 02 no repair ### Vents blocked or the room too warm These units shed heat through side or rear vents. Pushed against a wall or backsplash, or in a hot kitchen, they make slush or nothing. Give them space. No repair: check it yourself 3. 03 low ### Scale on the freezing cylinder Minerals build on the cylinder and slow freezing. The unit runs longer and makes wet pellets until it is descaled. [Fixed by undercounter ice maker cleaning and descaling](https://icemakerrepair.center/services/undercounter-ice-maker-cleaning-and-descaling/) [On a countertop ice maker](https://icemakerrepair.center/types/countertop-ice-maker-repair/) 4. 04 low to moderate ### Water sensor or pump A level sensor that misreads the tank, or a small pump that no longer lifts water to the cylinder, leaves the unit running dry. [Fixed by ice maker control and sensor repair](https://icemakerrepair.center/services/ice-maker-control-and-sensor-repair/) [On a countertop ice maker](https://icemakerrepair.center/types/countertop-ice-maker-repair/) 5. 05 low to moderate ### Supply line or inlet valve on a plumbed unit An undercounter nugget maker gets water through a line and a valve. A closed supply, a clogged filter or a valve that no longer opens stops it. [Fixed by ice maker water inlet valve repair](https://icemakerrepair.center/services/water-inlet-valve-repair/) [On an undercounter ice maker](https://icemakerrepair.center/types/undercounter-ice-maker-repair/) 6. 06 moderate ### Auger or its motor worn The auger works hard against freezing ice. When its bearings or motor wear, it grinds, stalls, or stops the unit with a light or code. [Fixed by ice dispenser and auger repair](https://icemakerrepair.center/services/ice-dispenser-and-auger-repair/) ## What else it could be. Most often confused with ice maker light flashing, then ice maker making noise. [All problems](https://icemakerrepair.center/problems/) Codes that come with it - [`Add Water` GE Profile · Water supply and fill](https://icemakerrepair.center/error-codes/ge-profile-add-water/) - [`Defrosting` GE Profile · Ice making and harvest](https://icemakerrepair.center/error-codes/ge-profile-defrosting/) - [`Yellow front button` GE Profile · Mode, not a failure](https://icemakerrepair.center/error-codes/ge-profile-yellow-front-button/) - [`Check Water light` GE Profile · Water supply and fill](https://icemakerrepair.center/error-codes/ge-profile-check-water-light/) - [`Lights flashing (auger)` GE Profile · Dispenser and auger](https://icemakerrepair.center/error-codes/ge-profile-lights-flashing-auger/) - [`Descale light` GE Profile · Mode, not a failure](https://icemakerrepair.center/error-codes/ge-profile-descale-light/) [13 more codes, by make](https://icemakerrepair.center/error-codes/) Also related - [**Ice Maker Error Code** 8 causes](https://icemakerrepair.center/problems/ice-maker-error-code/) ### Ice Maker Light Flashing 6 causes ### Ice Maker Making Noise 6 causes ### No Ice Coming From the Ice Maker 7 causes ## The makes it happens on. 27 makes on this site; nugget ice maker not making nugget ice can show up on any of them. Each mark opens that make's own page. [All 27 brands](https://icemakerrepair.center/brands/) ## Nugget Ice Maker Not Making Nugget Ice, 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 nugget ice maker not making nugget ice. ### How often should a countertop nugget maker be descaled? It depends on how hard your water is and how much you use it. Follow the manual's schedule, and descale sooner if the pellets turn wet or the unit gets louder. ### Can I use tap water in the reservoir? Most makers allow it, but hard tap water scales the cylinder faster. Filtered water keeps the unit cleaner; check the manual before using distilled water, since some sensors need minerals to read the level. ### Why does it make nugget ice for an hour and then stop? Often the bin is full, the reservoir is low or the unit has overheated because its vents are blocked. If none of those fit, the sensor or the auger is next. ### Is a countertop nugget maker worth repairing? It depends on the part. A sensor or pump is often worthwhile; a failed sealed cooling system on a small unit may not be. We tell you which it is after the diagnosis. --- **[Read on the site: Nugget Ice Maker Not Making Nugget Ice: Causes and Fixes](https://icemakerrepair.center/problems/nugget-ice-maker-not-making-nugget-ice/)** **[Book a visit with IceMakerRepair.center](https://icemakerrepair.center/schedule/)**