Question 1

the ice tastes weird, kinda plastic-y or like the cleaner, even after running it a few times

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Odors and tastes are being absorbed by the ice from either the plastic components (common when new) or residual cleaning solution left in the water system. FIX For a new unit or after cleaning, you need a proper flushing protocol. 1) Always use a fresh water- vinegar solution for cleaning, never a scented or soap-based cleaner. 2) AFTER the cleaning cycle runs, dump any leftover solution. Rinse the water tank thoroughly. 3) Refill with fresh, cold tap water. Run a full ice cycle and discard ALL that ice. 4) Repeat: dump that ice, refill the tank with fresh water, and run another full cycle. Discard that ice too. Usually, after two full batches are discarded, the taste is gone. For a brand-new unit, you might need to do this 3-4 times. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the plastic taste persists, check that you're not storing the ice in the basket for days on end. Ice can absorb ambient odors. Use it or dump it daily. Also, ensure you're using potable water in the tank. If your tap water itself has an off-taste, so will the ice. HEADS UP Never store the ice maker with water in the tank or internal lines when not in use for a long period. Always empty it, run it dry for a minute, and leave the lid open to air out. Stagnant water is the main cause of funky tastes.

Question 2

the power light comes on but when i press any other button nothing happens, machine is totally unresponsive

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This usually points to a control board lock-up or a faulty keypad. The main board gets power (hence the light), but the signals from the buttons aren't being registered. FIX Start with a full hard reset. 1) Unplug the ice maker from the wall outlet. 2) Also, remove the water reservoir. 3) Let it sit, completely powerless, for a full 5 minutes. This allows any residual charge in the capacitors to drain and can clear a software glitch. 4) While it's unplugged, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to discharge any static. 5) Plug the unit back in (without the tank first), and see if the power light comes on solid. Then reinstall the water tank and try the controls. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If only the power light works and buttons remain dead after the reset, the membrane keypad itself might have failed or become disconnected. This requires opening the unit to check connections, which voids warranty. If it's still under warranty, this is the time to contact support. HEADS UP Before you call it dead, double-check that the lid is perfectly closed. Some models have a safety switch that disables all functions if the lid is even slightly ajar. Press down on the center of the lid to make sure it's latched.

Question 3

it takes forever to make ice now, like 20 minutes for a few cubes, used to be much faster

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This is a classic sign of scaling. Mineral deposits from your water have built up on the evaporator (the freezing plate) and insulate it, making heat transfer sluggish. It's like trying to freeze something through a blanket. FIX You need to descale. Use the cleaning cycle method I described earlier (hold "Ice Size" + "Power"), but with a descaling solution. If you don't have the commercial cleaner, a strong mix of 16oz water and 4oz distilled white vinegar works. Run the cleaning cycle, then let the solution sit inside the powered-off unit for an additional 30 minutes to really break down the scale. Then, run two or three clear-water cycles, discarding the ice each time, until you no longer smell or taste vinegar. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Consider your water source. If you have very hard water, scaling can happen quickly. After descaling, start using filtered or distilled water in the reservoir. It's a hassle, but it prevents the problem from returning so fast. Also, make sure the room isn't unusually hot; these portable units struggle in ambient temps above 80°F. HEADS UP Don't use CLR or other aggressive chemical descalers unless specifically says you can. They can damage the food-grade plastics and seals inside the machine. Vinegar is safe and effective.

Question 4

my newair portable ice maker is leaking water out of the bottom onto my counter, what gives?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Water under the unit usually means one of three things: the drain plug isn't seated correctly, the internal drain tube has come loose or cracked, or the water tank isn't clicked fully into place. FIX First, power off and unplug the machine. Pull it forward and dry the counter. Now, inspect the back. There's a small rubber drain plug. Make sure it's pushed in firmly and completely—it can look closed but not be fully sealed. Next, remove the water reservoir. Check its underside and the slot on the machine for any cracks or obvious spills. When you re-seat the tank, listen for a soft click and push firmly at the top to ensure it's locked. Place a dry paper towel under the unit, plug it back in, and run a cycle to see if the leak returns. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the leak persists with a confirmed-good drain plug and seated tank, the leak is likely internal. This often happens at a connection between the water pump and the distribution tube. This isn't a simple user fix; it requires disassembly. If your unit is under warranty, contact Newair support at this point. HEADS UP Continually running a leaking unit can cause water to get into electrical components or damage your countertop. Don't ignore a persistent leak—address it right away to prevent bigger problems.

Question 5

how do you clean the inside of this thing? the manual says to run a cleaning cycle but i don't see a button for that

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS You're right, there isn't a dedicated "Clean" button. The cleaning process is a manual one you initiate by holding down a specific combination of buttons. FIX Here's the shop-teacher method. 1) Ensure the ice basket is empty and the water tank is filled with a cleaning solution—use either the official Newair cleaner or a mix of 16oz warm water and 2oz distilled white vinegar. 2) Press and HOLD the "Ice Size" and "Power" buttons simultaneously for about 5 seconds. All the indicator lights should blink. 3) The cleaning cycle will now run for about 8 minutes. It will pump the solution through the system and then drain it. 4) When it stops, dump the leftover solution from the tank, rinse the tank thoroughly, refill with clean water, and run a normal ice-making cycle (discard this first batch of ice). IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the button combo doesn't trigger the blinking lights, double-check that the unit is on and the lid is securely closed. If it still won't start, you can do a manual clean by unplugging the unit, removing as much water as you can, and using a long-handled soft brush and vinegar solution to gently scrub the interior water channels and the evaporator plate you can see. HEADS UP Never use abrasive cleaners, bleach, or harsh chemicals. They can damage the plastic and silicone inside and leave residues that get into your ice. Stick to vinegar or citric-acid-based cleaners meant for appliances.

Question 6

ice maker is running constantly but not making any ice, just a humming sound and the light is on

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The machine is trying to work, but the ice harvest cycle has failed. The cubes are likely frozen solid to the evaporator plate (the cold metal part), and the heater that's supposed to loosen them isn't kicking in or isn't effective. FIX 1) Turn the unit OFF using the power button. 2) Unplug it from the wall. 3) Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. This allows everything to thaw completely. 4) While it's off, check and refill the water tank with fresh, cool water. 5) Plug it back in, turn it on, and select a cycle. The initial batch may be slow as it re-stabilizes, but it should start producing ice normally if the thaw freed the block. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK A less common cause is a faulty temperature sensor making the unit think it's never cold enough to stop the compressor. If a full thaw-and-restart doesn't solve it, and the compressor hums non-stop without ever cycling into the harvest (you'd usually hear a different sound and see the ice drop), the sensor or control board may be malfunctioning. HEADS UP Avoid running the ice maker empty or with very low water. This can cause the system to freeze up improperly. Always try the full power-down thaw before assuming a major component has failed.

Question 7

why is my newair ai-100ss making tiny, thin ice cubes instead of the thick ones it used to make?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Your ice maker is likely stuck on the small ice setting. This model has a button to toggle between small and large cube sizes, and it's easy to accidentally press it or forget which mode you're in. FIX Check the control panel. You'll see a button labeled "Ice Size" or with an icon of two different-sized cubes. Press it once. The indicator light should switch from the small cube icon to the large cube icon (or vice versa). Give the machine one full cycle after changing the setting. The cubes from the first batch might still be small if there was water already in the freezing tray, but the next batch should come out normal. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If pressing the button doesn't change the light or the cube size remains tiny, the issue could be a failing water pump not delivering enough water per cycle to fill the larger mold. Listen closely during the water injection cycle—if it sounds weak or sputters, a cleaning and descaling might be needed to restore pump flow. HEADS UP The "large" setting uses more water per cycle and takes a bit longer to produce a batch. If you're low on water, it might default to or seem stuck on small cubes until you refill.

Question 8

my newair ice maker says 'add water' but the tank is already full, it just keeps blinking and won't start making ice

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This is almost always a float switch issue. The little plastic float inside the water tank that tells the machine the water level isn't moving freely or the sensor it connects to has gotten stuck. FIX First, power the unit off. You need to get to that float. Carefully remove the water reservoir, pour out the water, and flip it over. Look for the small, clear plastic float in its vertical track. Move it up and down with your finger a dozen times to make sure it's not catching. If it's gummy, a quick clean with a cotton swab and some white vinegar will break up any mineral deposits. Dry it, refill the tank, and power it back on. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK It's possible the float switch mechanism on the machine itself (where the tank sits) has a bit of debris or ice blocking it. With the unit off and unplugged, use a flashlight to look into the slot where the tank goes. You might see a small metal or plastic probe. Gently wipe it clean with a dry cloth. Plug it back in and try again. HEADS UP Don't be tempted to just jiggle or smack the unit. The float assembly is simple but not super robust. Forcing it can break the little arm, and then you're looking at a real repair.

Newair AI-100SS Portable Ice Maker

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