the 'full' indicator light comes on after only a handful of cubes, basket is nowhere near full

— asked by Sam

Quick answer: The infrared sensor that detects ice in the basket is being tricked. This can be caused by ice chips or steam blocking its view, or the sensor window being dirty.

Diagnosis

The infrared sensor that detects ice in the basket is being tricked. This can be caused by ice chips or steam blocking its view, or the sensor window being dirty.

How to Fix It

First, unplug the machine and remove all ice from the basket. Look inside the ice basket compartment, on the side wall. You'll see a small plastic lens or window—that's the sensor. Wipe it clean with a dry, soft cloth. Also, clear any tiny ice chips or debris from the bottom of the basket area. Make sure the ice basket is seated correctly and isn't tilted forward, which can block the sensor prematurely.

If That Didn't Work

If you're making "bullet" or crescent-shaped ice, the irregular shape can stack up in a way that blocks the sensor early. Try switching to the large cube size setting (if your model has it) for a more uniform stack.

Heads Up

Don't overfill the basket manually. The sensor is there to prevent the machine from jamming by trying to drop ice into an overfull basket. If you bypass it by piling ice above the line, you risk causing that grinding noise we talked about earlier.

0

Different problem with the same product?

Ask about the Magic Chef MCIM22ST Portable Ice Maker →