Ice-O-Matic Error Codes: What the Flashing Lights Mean
Error, alarm and light codes explained
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Updated October 14, 2026
Quick answer
Ice-O-Matic Elevation Series CIM cubers show errors as flash patterns on the Power (red) and Clean (yellow) LEDs. A quick red flash is Error 1 (max freeze of 1 hour), a double red flash is Error 5 (max harvest of 7.5 minutes), a triple red flash is Error 6 (both), and red-plus-yellow patterns are fill, purge and water-level errors. Clear codes by holding Power and Clean for 3 seconds with the machine off.
Which machines this page covers
This table comes from Ice-O-Matic's Technical Service Manual for Elevation Series CIM modular cubers, CIM0320 through CIM2046 (9/2025 edition). The control board changed with serial numbers starting 2106 (2021): older boards combined max freeze and max harvest into Error 1 and allowed a 5.5-minute harvest. Current boards split them and allow 7.5 minutes.
Ice-O-Matic flakers and nugget machines (GEM, MFI) and older ICE-series cubers use different controls and are not covered here.
How to read the flash patterns
| Pattern | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Solid | On constantly |
| Slow | Flashes once every second |
| Quick | Flashes once every half second |
| Double | Flashes twice, then a 1-second pause |
| Triple | Flashes three times, then a 1-second pause |
| Delayed | Flashes once every 3 seconds |
Ice-O-Matic CIM error code table
| Error | LED pattern | Meaning (per Ice-O-Matic) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Power LED quick flash red | Max freeze (1 hour). On boards before serial 2106, also max harvest (5.5 minutes) or both |
| 2 | Power LED slow flash, in the off state only | Thermistor failure |
| 3 | Power LED red and Clean LED yellow, quick flash | Max fill (5 minutes). On boards before serial 2106, max fill and/or max purge |
| 4 | Double red and double yellow quick flash | Max purge (2 minutes) |
| 5 | Double red quick flash | Max harvest (7.5 minutes) |
| 6 | Triple red quick flash | Max freeze (1 hour) and max harvest (7.5 minutes) |
| 7 | Triple red and triple yellow quick flash | Water level error (float did not close) |
Cycle limits on current boards: freeze 5 minutes minimum and 1 hour maximum; harvest 20 seconds minimum and 7.5 minutes maximum; water fill 5 minutes maximum; purge 7 seconds minimum and 2 minutes maximum.
Errors 1, 5 and 6: freeze and harvest
A freeze over 1 hour means ice is forming too slowly. Owner checks: water supply on, water filter not overdue, condenser clean, and room air not too hot. A harvest over 7.5 minutes means the ice is not releasing. Scale on the evaporator is a common cause of both, so check when the machine was last cleaned. Ice-O-Matic's manual also warns that reverse osmosis water can be very acidic and attack the evaporator, so RO systems need the right setup.
Errors 3, 4 and 7: water problems
These are water-side faults. Error 3 means the sump did not fill in 5 minutes: check the water supply valve, water pressure, and the filter. Error 4 means the purge (draining old water) took more than 2 minutes: the drain path may be slow or blocked. Error 7 means the float did not close: the board did not see the water level it expected.
Error 2: thermistor
A slow red flash while the machine is off means a temperature sensor failed. This is a part replacement for a technician.
How to clear codes and reset
- Clear error codes and reset counters: with the machine off, press and hold Power and Clean together for 3 seconds. A single blue/yellow flash confirms the reset.
- Check board software: with the machine off, hold Power for 3 seconds to show the code revision.
- Diagnostics: Ice-O-Matic's board also runs a diagnostics program (hold Power and Clean for 6 seconds when off), and its mobile app connects to the board over Bluetooth. These are mainly for technicians.
Clear codes only after you have noted the pattern. A code that returns right after clearing needs service.
When to call a technician
Call a technician for Error 2, for any freeze or harvest error (1, 5, 6) that returns after cleaning and descaling, and for water errors that persist with the supply on and the drain clear.
Open 7 days, 8 AM to 5 PM, with emergency service until 9 PM. CA Lic. #776244.
Frequently asked questions
What does a quick red flash mean on an Ice-O-Matic?
Error 1: the machine hit the 1-hour maximum freeze. On boards built before serial 2106 it can also mean a maximum harvest.
How do I clear an Ice-O-Matic error code?
Turn the machine off, then hold Power and Clean together for 3 seconds. A single blue/yellow flash confirms the codes are cleared.
What does a triple red flash mean?
Error 6: the machine hit both the 1-hour maximum freeze and the 7.5-minute maximum harvest.
Why does my Ice-O-Matic show Error 7?
The float did not close, meaning the board did not see the water level it expected. Check the water supply, then call for service if it repeats.
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