Kenmore Ice Maker SMALL-ICE Error: Ice Cubes Too Small, Hollow, or Misshapen
The kenmore ice maker small-ice error is a fault signal from the control board — this guide walks through what it means, common causes, and safe diagnostic steps. Why Is My Kenmore Ice Maker Making Small or Hollow Ice Cubes? Small, hollow, or misshapen ice cubes from a Kenmore built-in ice maker are a water […]
Quick Assessment
Answer to continue safely
Is it safe to keep using?
Yes. Small or hollow ice cubes are a quality defect, not a safety hazard. The refrigerator is safe for all food storage. The ice produced is safe to consume, though the reduced cube mass may be inconvenient for beverages. Repair at your convenience rather than urgently.
Can I reset the code?
No. Small-cube production is caused by insufficient water delivery, not a software or board fault. A reset does not change the volume of water delivered per fill cycle. Correcting water pressure, replacing the filter, or replacing the inlet valve is the only effective resolution.
When to stop immediately?
Stop if you notice: Cube size does not improve after filter replacement and confirmed-adequate water pressure, Water dispenser flow rate has also noticeably declined alongside small-cube production.
Symptoms You May Notice
Ice cubes are consistently smaller than the expected full-cube size
Each harvest cycle ejects cubes, but they are noticeably smaller than normal full-size cubes — indicating the tray is receiving less than the required fill volume. The shortfall is consistent across every cycle rather than intermittent.
Cubes are hollow or have thin walls that collapse easily
A partial tray fill leaves an air pocket in the center of each cube. When ejected, these hollow cubes are structurally weak and crumble in the hand or collapse immediately in a beverage, producing a slush rather than solid ice.
Ice production rate is slower than normal — bin takes longer than 24 hours to fill
Even if each cube is smaller, the reduced mass per cube means the bin requires more harvests to reach a usable quantity, and each cycle takes longer if the fill valve only partially opens per cycle.
Partial cubes stuck to the mold after harvest
After the ejector finishes its cycle, several cavities in the ice tray still contain thin fragments or frozen sheets that never released, because there was not enough water to form a full cube that the ejector could sweep out cleanly.
Possible Causes
Clogged or overdue water filter reducing flow to ice maker
Kenmore recommends replacing the refrigerator water filter every 6 months. An overdue filter restricts flow to both the water dispenser and the ice maker, but the ice maker fill — which requires a sustained flow at low pressure — is more sensitive to restriction than dispenser pulls.
DIY PossibleLow household water pressure below 20 psi
The ice maker water inlet valve requires a minimum of 20 psi to open fully and deliver a complete fill volume. Well-pump systems with pressure tanks that have lost pre-charge, or homes with pressure reducing valves set below the minimum, starve the ice maker of a full tray fill on every cycle.
DIY PossiblePartially failed or mineral-restricted water inlet valve
The solenoid-controlled water inlet valve can partially fail — opening fully only under high pressure, or failing to open completely due to mineral scale build-up in the valve seat — delivering less water than the fill timer allows, regardless of supply pressure.
DIY PossibleSafe Checks You Can Do
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1
Replace the water filter if it is 6 or more months old
Locate the water filter on your Kenmore refrigerator — on 106.xx models it is typically inside the fresh food section upper right corner; on 795.xx models it is in the base grille. Replace it with the correct OEM-compatible filter for your model number. After replacement, dispense 2 gallons of water through the door dispenser to flush air from the new filter, then observe the next ice batch for improved cube size.
If you recently replaced the filter and cubes are still small, bypass the filter temporarily with the bypass plug (supplied with most Kenmore filters) to confirm whether the new filter is itself restricted or defective. A new filter that reduces cube size is a sign of an unusually high sediment load in your water supply.
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2
Test household water pressure at the refrigerator supply valve
Turn off the refrigerator water supply valve behind or below the unit, disconnect the supply line, and use a water pressure gauge (available at hardware stores for under $10) threaded onto the valve outlet. Turn the valve on and read the static pressure. It must be at or above 20 psi — ideally 40–80 psi. If below 20 psi, the household pressure reducing valve may need adjustment or the supply line may be undersized.
On 106.xx Kenmore models, the standard ice maker fill time is approximately 7 seconds. If water pressure is confirmed adequate and the filter is new but cubes are still small, the inlet valve is likely scale-restricted and should be replaced. Valve replacement is the most cost-effective solution at that point.
Tools required
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- Water inlet valve solenoid tests within spec on a multimeter but flow volume measured at the fill tube is still below normal — indicating a scale-blocked valve seat
- Household pressure is adequate but the inlet valve does not open fully, confirmed by fill-volume measurement
- Multiple fill cycles produce inconsistent cube sizes — indicating an intermittently failing valve solenoid
Need Professional Help?
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