Is your ice machine shutting down, causing a loss of ice production when your business needs it most? Many of the top commercial ice makers on the market will go into a shutdown mode – for example, a Hoshizaki ice machine beep code or a Manitowoc ice machine error code may cause this – making you race to determine how to reset your ice maker.
In the rare circumstance that your machine may shut down, knowing how to reset an ice maker can reestablish ice to your business. However, before you try a reset, you need to know this:
A reset can erase the record of why your machine stopped working and the problem could reoccur again without the main symptom showing, bringing you back to square one with another shutdown.
Thus, before you do a reset, always consult with your ice machine specialist. Be sure to record the error or beep code messages (including the number of beeps on models that don’t have a digital display) and any sounds or symptoms your ice machine is experiencing (e.g., water isn’t running, beep codes, alerts on the display). Inform your ice machine technician of any symptoms you notice. This will help solve the underlying issue faster and more efficiently.
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If you are an Easy Ice customer, do not reset your machine on your own. Instead, give our team a call. We’ll analyze your problem and walk you through any steps to help get your ice maker working again. If we can’t resolve the issue over the phone, we’ll send an ice machine technician to your business ASAP. If it turns out there is a problem with the machine, we’ll repair it at no additional cost to you. If you aren’t yet an Easy Ice customer, keep reading to learn how to safely restart your machine.
What Causes an Ice Maker to Go into Shutoff Mode?
Most of the time, ice makers break down due to environmental conditions or the machine’s components failing. Therefore, most problems an ice machine suffers cannot be solved with a simple reset.
A technician can determine if an ice machine part has failed. Environmentally, a few problems can cause an ice machine to shut down into a safe mode, and these problems vary slightly depending on whether you have an air-cooled or water-cooled ice maker. Such environmental issues include:
- High ambient air temperatures exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Low ambient air temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- High ambient water temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Low ambient water temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lack of water flow to the unit.
- Not providing adequate ventilation around air-cooled ice machines.
If you suspect your ice machine has shut down into a safe mode due to one of the above environmental issues, you’ll need to rectify the situation before trying to reset your ice maker.
Ideally, ice makers should operate under the following conditions:
- Air temperature around the machine is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The incoming water to your machine measures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Water flow to the machine follows the model’s performance requirements (you can find the water flow your model needs in your Hoshizaki or Manitowoc spec sheet).
- If you own an air-cooled ice machine (the most common type), one foot of space is provided around all sides of the machine. More is even better!
What are Some of the Reasons to Reset an Ice Maker?
There are very few scenarios where resetting an ice machine is the best option to get it to start working again. They include times when water or electricity has been shut off due to maintenance, non-payment of utilities, or simply by mistake.
If you believe your ice machine is shut down due to your business’s utilities being shut off, your ice maker may shut down to avoid damage. If lack of water or electricity caused the issue, then it’s likely the machine is working. Resetting the ice maker will start the unit back up safely and reestablish ice to your business.
Depending on the type or brand of ice machine, the resetting process can differ. Below we’ll show you the best way to reset a Hoshizaki KM series, a Hoshizaki chewable Cubelet dispenser, and a Manitowoc “Cuber” machine.
How to Reset a Hoshizaki KM-series Ice Maker
Hoshizaki KM, KMD, or KML-series ice machines produce Hoshizaki’s signature crescent ice cube. These machines are modular-style ice makers that typically sit on an ice bin or dispenser.
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They are Hoshizaki’s most popular ice machine offering, so if you own a Hoshizaki ice machine, chances are it is one of these models.
Below are instructions on how to reset a Hoshizaki KM-series ice maker:
- Record the series of beeps (if any) and all other symptoms the machine is displaying.
- Unplug the machine and verify there is no electricity to the ice machine (any beeping will stop).
- Loosen the front cover screw and lift the front cover up and off.
- Remove the screws from the electrical control panel cover (by the on/off switch) and slide the cover straight out.
- Find the small white reset button on one of the four corners of the control board.
- Plug the machine back in. Press and release the reset button on the circuit board while either wearing rubber gloves or using a nonmetallic utensil (like a pen).
- Water should start running to the machine.
- Replace the electrical control cover and the machine’s front cover (Don’t forget to replace the screws!).
How to Reset a Hoshizaki Cubelet/Flaker Dispenser
Follow these instructions if you own a Hoshizaki DCM or F-series ice machine that makes chewable Cubelet ice or flake ice. These machines are typically countertop ice makers.
- Record any beep codes and other error messages and symptoms to report to a technician.
- To reset, power needs to be turned OFF and then back ON to the unit.
How to Reset a Manitowoc Ice Machine
Manitowoc makes a series of Cuber ice machines that produce rhomboid-shaped “regular,” “dice,” or “half-dice” ice. If you own one of these machines, here is how to reset the ice maker if your utilities have been interrupted:
- Record any error messages, beep codes, and/or symptoms for an experienced technician to diagnose.
- Press and hold the OFF button for 3 seconds.
- Open the front panel and lift up the ice guide to see the ice machine’s evaporator.
- If there is any ice on the evaporator, allow it to melt before the next step.
- Unplug the machine and wait 10 seconds.
- Plug the machine back in and press the ON button. You should see a blue light appear, letting you know that the machine has been reset.
Manitowoc Indigo NXT ice machines use an updated touchscreen display to control many features. If your unit does manually shut off, we highly recommend that you immediately contact your local service company. This usually indicates a severe issue with your unit.
If you choose to proceed with resetting your Manitowoc Indigo NXT ice machine, power needs to be turned off and then back on to the unit. How you reset the machine depends on whether it is hardwired or plugged into the wall.
For hardwired ice machines, follow these instructions to reset:
- Press and hold the OFF button for 3 seconds.
- Open the front panel and lift up the ice guide to see the ice machine’s evaporator.
- If there is any ice on the evaporator, allow it to melt before the next step.
- Unplug the machine and wait 10 seconds.
- Plug the machine back in and press the ON button. You should see a blue light appear, letting you know that the machine has been reset.
For plugged in ice machines, follow these instructions to reset:
- Unplug your unit and then plug your unit back in.
Ice Machine Not Working? May Be Time for a New One
Ice machines will eventually wear out. If you have an issue with your current Hoshizaki or Manitowoc ice machine that a reset won’t fix, see our Hoshizaki ice machine troubleshooting guide or our Manitowoc ice machine troubleshooting guide.
If troubleshooting doesn’t work and your technician doesn’t think a repair is worth it, your ice maker may have come to the end of its useful life, which is expected to be about eight years long. Keep in mind, Easy Ice customers don’t have to deal with the hassle of switching out their ice machine every eight years. At Easy Ice, we provide such high-quality preventive maintenance and cleaning that we usually double the estimated lifespan of our leased ice machines.
Avoiding hassle isn’t the only reason to consider leasing an ice machine instead of buying. If it’s time for a new ice machine, you can avoid spend thousands of dollars on a new unit. Our all-inclusive ice machine subscription program allows business owners to get a top-of-the-line Hoshizaki or Manitowoc ice machine for little to no capital upfront.
We include professional maintenance and cleaning twice a year to ensure the machine stays in the best working order for your customers and employees for a low monthly cost.
Are you looking for a new ice machine? Give our team of Ice Machine Experts a call. They’ll point you in the right direction. Easy Ice is the only national provider of commercial ice machine leases. Our program includes cleaning, repairs, service, and back-up ice to ensure your business always has the ice it requires.