An ice maker can still make ice while having a problem. Small, thin or hollow cubes often show up before production stops completely. That is why replacing the entire ice maker can be an expensive first guess.
Look at several batches, not one unusually shaped cube. Then compare the change with your filter history, water flow and freezer temperature.
Start with when the cubes changed
Did the problem begin immediately after a filter replacement? After a refrigerator move? After plumbing work? Those events deserve a place at the top of your notes.
Use the filter specified for the appliance and check that it is installed correctly. A compatible-looking cartridge is not always the correct cartridge. Follow the manufacturer’s flushing instructions and allow the stated time for new ice production.
A dispenser test can help, within limits
If your refrigerator also dispenses water, compare the stream with its usual performance. Weak water flow and undersized ice together support looking at a shared supply restriction. Normal dispenser flow does not rule out trouble in the ice maker’s separate fill path.
Check an accessible water shutoff valve and visible tubing without moving the appliance alone. A valve left partly closed or a kink after a move can reduce the amount of water reaching the refrigerator.
Is the freezer doing its part?
Check the freezer with an appliance thermometer and use the model’s recommended setting. Warm conditions can affect ice quality and production. A bin recently emptied for a party may simply need time to refill; compare production over the period specified in the manual.
Do not repeatedly press a test button to force fill cycles. Test procedures differ by model, and repeated operation can create an overflow or hide the original symptom.
What a technician needs to determine
A technician may need to check water delivery, the inlet valve, fill timing and the ice-making assembly itself. Household pressure and the appliance’s fill performance both matter. A part should be recommended because testing identifies the fault, not because small cubes appear on its symptom list.
If the cubes are discolored or have an unusual taste, treat that as an additional concern. Discard affected ice and investigate the filter, supply and storage conditions rather than serving it while testing.
Save a little evidence
Photograph the cubes and note whether every batch looks the same. Record the filter model, installation date, dispenser flow and freezer reading. If the supply valve is closed because of a leak, switch off the ice maker according to the manual. Clear observations make it easier to distinguish a water problem from an ice-maker problem and get the right repair scheduled.
Before you schedule a visit
Take a photo of the model and serial label, and write down when the problem started. If the display shows an error, photograph the full code before clearing it. Mention recent installation work, a power outage, a move, or anything you already tried. Those details help narrow the diagnosis and identify the correct parts for your exact appliance.
Keep the owner’s manual handy. Controls, serviceable filters, installation requirements and normal sounds vary by model. A symptom can point toward several components; it cannot confirm which part needs replacement.
For local diagnosis and repair, see our refrigerator repair page.
Related troubleshooting guides
- Refrigerator Leaking Water? Follow the Puddle Before Buying Parts
- Why Is My Refrigerator Freezing Food? Start With Where It Happens
- Freezer Frost Buildup: What the Ice Pattern Is Telling You
Further reading: Manufacturer guidance for this symptom. Checked October 9, 2026. Follow the instructions for your model.
Need a hand with your refrigerator?
Call or text Mason at Hedlund Appliance Service: (904) 335-8206. Tell me what the appliance is doing, send the model number if you have it, and let’s get your repair visit scheduled. Serving Jacksonville and the Beaches.