Question 1

why is my ice tasting weird, kind of plastic-y or like the last thing i cleaned it with?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Odors and tastes are leaching from the plastic water reservoir or tubing into the water, then into the ice. FIX Perform a deep deodorizing clean. Run several cycles with a baking soda solution (2 tablespoons per tank of water), then run multiple flush cycles with fresh water until the taste is gone. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The charcoal filter (if your model has one) is saturated and needs replacement. More commonly, you're using a scented cleaning product. Only use unscented, food-grade cleaners like vinegar or citric acid. HEADS UP Never store the ice maker with water in the tank. Always empty and dry it completely, or the stagnant water will cause a permanent foul taste.

Question 2

it keeps giving me the E1 error code and shutting down after a few minutes.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS E1 is a temperature sensor error. The sensor on the evaporator thinks the unit is overheating or not cooling at all. FIX Ensure the unit has at least 4 inches of clearance on all sides, especially the back. Overheating from poor ventilation is the most common trigger for E1. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The sensor itself might be faulty or its connection loose. This requires opening the rear panel to check—if you're not comfortable, this is a service call. HEADS UP Running it in a hot garage or next to a dishwasher will consistently cause E1 errors. Ambient temperature is critical for these compact units.

Question 3

the power button does nothing, screen is totally dead. checked the outlet and it's fine.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The internal fuse on the main control board has blown, usually from a power surge or a short during cleaning. FIX Check the power cord connection at the back of the unit. Unplug, then firmly reseat the cord where it inserts into the machine. It's a common point of failure. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Let the unit sit unplugged for 30 minutes. This can sometimes reset the internal thermal overload protector if it tripped due to overheating. HEADS UP If it died right after you added water or cleaned it, water might have leaked onto the electronics. In that case, you must let it dry out completely for 48+ hours before trying again.

Question 4

how do i actually clean this thing? the manual just says 'clean regularly' but i see mold in the corners.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Biofilm and pink mold (Serratia marcescens) in stagnant water areas, notably the water tank interior seams and the internal reservoir. FIX Use a baking soda paste and a soft brush for scrubbing, followed by a vinegar rinse. For the tank: make a paste, scrub all seams, rinse. For the internals: fill the tank with a 1:1 vinegar/water mix, run a full cycle, then run two cycles with fresh water to flush. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK For persistent black mold spots, a dilute bleach solution (1 tsp bleach per gallon of water) is necessary. Run it through one cycle, then thoroughly flush with multiple cycles of fresh water. HEADS UP Never use abrasive scrubbers on the plastic water tank—it will create micro-scratches that make mold worse. Dry the tank completely before storage.

Question 5

it's making a loud grinding or rattling noise, mostly during the harvest cycle when it twists the ice off.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The evaporator plate (the freezing coil) is scraping against the plastic housing or ice has built up around its mechanism. FIX Perform a full defrost and inspection. Unplug, remove all ice, and let it sit for 2 hours. Remove the ice basket and the thin plastic cover over the evaporator. Check for any visible ice chunks or debris caught in the gears. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The gear motor that twists the evaporator plate might be failing. If the noise is a consistent metallic grind, the motor bearings are likely worn. HEADS UP This noise often starts if you let ice over-accumulate in the basket, which strains the harvest mechanism. Keep the ice level below the max line.

Question 6

my ice maker just blinks the 'add water' light even though the tank is completely full.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The float sensor is stuck or fouled by mineral deposits, so it can't register the correct water level. FIX Manually unstick the float. Unplug, remove the water tank, and locate the small white float inside the unit's water reservoir. Gently move it up and down its post several times to free it. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Mineral scale might be insulating the sensor's contacts. Descale the entire internal water system with a food-safe citric acid solution or undiluted white vinegar run through a cycle. HEADS UP Never use force on the float assembly. If it's physically broken, the unit won't work. The sensor is a common failure point if it's forced.

Question 7

the ice cubes from my aglucky are coming out super thin and hollow, like shells.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The water distribution system isn't coating the cold evaporator plate evenly, so ice only forms in patches. This is almost always a water inlet or spray nozzle clog. FIX Clean the spray nozzle and water inlet tube with a vinegar solution. Unplug, empty water, remove the ice basket and evaporator cover. Use a small brush or pipe cleaner dipped in vinegar to clear the small hole where water sprays out. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The ambient room temperature might be too high. These units struggle to form solid cubes above 85°F (29°C). Move it to a cooler, well-ventilated spot away from ovens or direct sun. HEADS UP Using hard tap water accelerates this clog. For consistent solid cubes, use filtered or distilled water and clean the nozzle every two weeks.

Question 8

my aglucky hzb-12b ice maker is running but not making any ice at all, just humming.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The compressor is running but the refrigerant isn't circulating, likely due to a shipping jolt. The unit was tilted during transport, causing oil to block the capillary tube. FIX You need to let the unit sit perfectly level and upright for 24 hours. Do not plug it in during this time. This allows the compressor oil to drain back to its proper reservoir. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The water pump might have failed or become air-locked. Check for water flow by manually triggering a cycle with water in the tank. If no water sprays onto the evaporator, the pump is the issue. HEADS UP After the 24-hour rest, the first batch of ice will take much longer than the advertised 6-8 minutes. Give it a full 30 minutes before expecting results.

Aglucky Countertop Ice Maker HZB-12B

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