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Scotsman Ice Machine Troubleshooting Guide

Commercial ice machines play a crucial role in various establishments such as restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and offices. Despite being top-performing brands like Scotsman, these machines may encounter malfunctions due to their frequent heavy use. Some problems can be resolved with a simple fix or thorough cleaning, while others may necessitate the expertise of a service technician. Explore our selection of Scotsman parts and accessories to replace any lost or damaged components.


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Use the following links to troubleshoot your Scotsman ice machine:

  1. Not Producing Enough Ice
  2. Machine Is Leaking
  3. Mold in Machine
  4. Machine Freezing
  5. Service and Error Codes
  6. Replacement Parts

1. Scotsman Ice Machine Is Not Producing Enough Ice

Scotsman Ice Machine

Many ice production issues stem from the environment around your ice machine. Examine the exterior and interior temperature, floor level, and machine cleanliness to troubleshoot your machine when it's not producing enough ice. If you try all these troubleshooting steps and your ice machine is still experiencing low production, call a technician and schedule repairs.

  • Check the room temperature: Maximum ice production for each machine is partially calculated based on the room temperature where the unit operates. If your location exceeds 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the machine will not produce the maximum amount of ice.
  • Check the water temperature: The recommended water temperature for ice to form properly is 48-50 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water used to make the ice is too warm, the ice will not freeze well.
  • Level the machine: Ensure that the machine sits balanced and level on the floor or countertop.
  • Deep clean the machine: Grime, frost, and debris buildup could cause low ice production, so make sure you regularly deep clean your ice machine
  • Check the waterline and water regulator valve: Call a technician to examine your machine if you believe the issue is related to the waterline or water regulator valve.

Tip: Any cause listed above also applies to low ice storage in compatible bins.

2. Scotsman Ice Machine is Leaking

Scotsman Ice Dispenser

External and internal leaks point to significant issues with your ice machine. While leaks inside the machine should be handled by a certified technician, it's possible to troubleshoot leaks outside your machine yourself. Perform the following steps to find the source of the problem.

  • Turn off your machine before inspecting: Avoid any potential accidents or electrical injury by unplugging your machine before looking for the source of the leak. This precaution may also prevent the leak from expanding.
  • Inspect the machine to determine the source: If the leak originates from a plumbing issue, you may need to call a technician or a plumber.
  • Check the shutoff valve: If the leak stems from the water shutoff valve, contain the leak to avoid water damage and call a plumber to rectify the problem.
  • Look for drain obstructions: Check the drains and clear any obstructions.
  • Inspect the water line: Similar to water shutoff valve malfunctions, a cracked or loose water line requires the help of a plumber to return your machine to normal function.
  • Deep clean the machine: Once repairs are made, deep clean your machine to prevent other buildup issues.
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3. Mold in Scotsman Ice Machines

Molding in an ice machine stems from an unsuitable environment and infrequent or improper cleaning. Remove the mold by addressing these two areas.

  • Sanitize the bin: If you find mold in your ice bin, thoroughly clean and sanitize the unit.
  • Consider moving the unit: Keep your machine away from any areas of your kitchen that produce more mold. Locations include wet and dark corners and near prep stations that handle large amounts of dough, yeast, sugar, or any ingredients that thrive in environments with lots of moisture.
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4. Freezing in Scotsman Ice Machines

When dealing with a freezing ice machine, check the evaporator plate immediately. Freezing can damage the evaporator plate irreparably and be costly to remedy if a technician or a plumber does not inspect the machine. To prevent freezing, follow these steps:

  • Clean the machine and use a descaler: If your business operates in a region with hard water, mineral or scale buildup may be causing the machine to freeze. Clean the machine using a safe descaler for ice machines to remove the buildup and prevent freezing.
  • Look for frozen waterlines: Frozen waterlines are common in areas that get extremely cold during winter. Call a plumber right away if you notice frozen waterlines.
  • Look for obstructed waterlines: Obstructed or clogged waterlines are caused by scale or mineral buildup. Call a plumber to have obstructed waterlines professionally cleaned.

5. Common Scotsman Service and Error Codes

Many Scotsman Prodigy models come equipped with service codes and notifications to inform you of any potential issues with the machine. These codes are helpful to pinpoint any problems before they become serious or damaging to the unit. However, many of these codes will require a visit from a technician to avoid significant damage or machine failure. Check out our quick guide to Scotsman's error codes by model.

Prodigy Modular Cubers

Below are the meanings of common error codes in the Scotsman Prodigy Modular Cubers.

  • 1 - Long freeze time. Shutting down.
  • 1 (flashing) - Retrying long freeze cycle.
  • 2 - Long harvest time. Shutting down.
  • 2 (flashing) - Retrying long harvest cycle.
  • 3 - Water filling slowly.
  • 4 - High discharging temperature.
  • 5 - Failed sump temp sensor.
  • 7 - Failed discharge temp sensor.
  • 8 - Thin ice from a short freeze cycle.
  • 8 (flashing) - Retrying short freeze cycle.

Prodigy Flaked and Nugget

Below are the meanings of common error codes in the Scotsman Prodigy Flaked and Nugget machines.

  • 1 - No ice sensed. Shutting down.
  • 1 (flashing) - No ice sensed. Retrying.
  • 2 - Auger motor high load. Shutting down.
  • 2 (flashing) - Auger motor high load. Retrying.
  • 3 - No water in the reservoir.
  • 4 - Refrigeration pressure too high or low.
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please refer to our Content Policy for more details.

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