Small or hollow cubes indicate low water fill, often from supply pressure, a kinked line, an overdue or incorrect filter, or a partially closed valve. Compare dispenser flow with earlier and check that the supply valve is fully open. Check the filter date and reseat the exact approved part.
What this covers
- Refrigerators · ice maker
What it does not cover
Differential
Likely causes of “Ice maker produces small or hollow ice cubes”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Low water pressure or a partly closed supply valve
What separates it Cubes shrank after plumbing work or a valve change and the dispenser also runs slowly.
How to confirm Compare dispenser flow with earlier and check that the supply valve is fully open.
- 2
The water filter is overdue or restricting flow
What separates it The problem arrived slowly as the filter aged and the water flow dropped.
How to confirm Check the filter date and reseat the exact approved part.
- 3
A kinked or pinched supply line behind the refrigerator
What separates it Weak flow began after the refrigerator was moved or pushed back.
How to confirm Pull the refrigerator out only as far as it is safe and check the line.
- 4
The maker has not had time to recover after a change
What separates it Cubes are small only in the first batches after a filter change, a restart or a period with the ice maker switched off.
How to confirm Allow several fresh batches over a day, since the tray refills each cycle, before you judge.
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- When the cube size changed and what happened just before, such as a move or filter change.
- Dispenser flow rate compared with earlier.
- The filter age and part number.
Try in this order
0 of 4 completedObserve before changing anything
ReversibleCompare dispenser flow, filter age and whether cube size changed immediately after installation work.
Isolate the failing boundary
ReversibleOpen the supply valve, straighten tubing and reseat the exact approved filter.
Apply the narrow correction
ReversiblePurge the specified amount of water and allow several new ice batches before judging size.
Verify the result and stop at the boundary
ReversibleStop for leaks at tubing or filter housing and use service if water flow remains weak.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Stop for leaks at the supply line or filter housing; use service if water flow stays weak with a fresh filter and an open valve.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why are my ice cubes small and hollow?+
Hollow or small cubes mean the tray received too little water, usually from low pressure, an old filter or a restricted line.
Does a new filter fix small ice cubes?+
It often does when the old filter was restricting flow, but only if it is the correct part and is seated properly. Purge it and wait for several fresh batches.
Why are cubes small?+
Low water fill from pressure or a kinked line.
Could the filter matter?+
A clogged filter reduces flow.