Michael Hardin Key Takeaways
- CL is a cleaning reminder on Maytag MIM standalone ice makers and does not mean the machine has failed.
- The control prompts about every six months, or after a set number of cycles under heavy use.
- The cleaning cycle takes 60 to 90 minutes; use the cleaner your owner manual approves.
- Replace the water filter at the same time if it is older than six months.
- If CL does not clear, or mold remains, a technician should look at the water path.
The Bottom Line
Run the cleaning cycle when CL appears, with the approved cleaner and a fresh filter. If the code stays or mold remains, the water path needs a technician.
A standalone Maytag ice maker works quietly for months and then announces CL on the display, which looks like a fault and is not one. The Maytag ice maker cleaning cycle is a scheduled job that the machine itself tracks, and ignoring it lets mineral scale and film build up in the water path where ice is formed. Running it on time is the cheapest way to keep ice tasting clean and to avoid the harder faults that start with a neglected water system.
| What the display or ice shows | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| CL | Cleaning reminder, not a fault | Run the cleaning cycle |
| bN | Bin full sensor tripped | Remove ice; production resumes on its own |
| LO | Water supply too low or restricted | Check the valve, screen and filter |
| Hi | Cabinet warmer than the safe freezing level | Check the door, condenser coils and airflow |
| Off taste or smell in ice | Buildup in the water path | Clean it and replace the filter |
How Often Should You Run the Maytag Ice Maker Cleaning Cycle?
About every six months, or sooner under heavy use. Maytag MIM standalone ice makers track their production cycles and prompt you with CL at the six-month mark or after a set number of cycles, according to our ice maker CL page. A machine in a busy household, a bar or a place that makes ice nonstop will reach that point earlier than one used on weekends.
Treat the prompt as the deadline rather than the start of a countdown. The longer scale stays in the water path, the more it affects ice quality, and a machine that has gone a year without cleaning will take more than one pass to come clean.
How to Run the Cleaning Cycle Step by Step
The routine takes about an hour and a half, most of it waiting. Your owner's manual has the exact button sequence and the cleaner your model needs, so read it first, and keep these steps as the outline.
- Remove the stored ice from the bin so nothing is sitting in the machine while it cleans.
- Use the cleaner your manual approves — the CL page calls for Maytag MIM-approved cleaner used as the owner manual describes.
- Start the cycle — typically a press and hold of the Clean button, but check the manual for your model.
- Let it finish — the full cleaning cycle takes 60 to 90 minutes, and interrupting it defeats the purpose.
- Replace the water filter while you are there if it is older than six months.
- Wipe the bin and discard the first batch of ice once production restarts.
A clean cycle plus a fresh filter gives you a fully refreshed water path, which is the combination the site recommends.
What Does the CL Code Mean on a Maytag Ice Maker?
It means the machine wants its scheduled cleaning, and it is informational only. Ice remains safe to consume while CL shows, and ice production continues normally, though buildup in the water path can give ice a slight taste or odor. Running the cleaning cycle clears CL until the next scheduled interval.
- No loss of function — the ice maker keeps freezing and harvesting, so nothing is broken.
- Slight taste or odor — the usual hint that the reminder is warranted.
- Visible mineral buildup or mold in the cabinet — stop and clean right away, because this is past a reminder.
The Other Ice Maker Codes in Plain Terms
CL is the friendly one. The others on the display mean something is actually happening, and knowing the difference saves a service call. Most are explained on their own code pages, and a neglected water path contributes to several of them.
- bN — the bin-full sensor has detected ice at the maximum level, which is normal operation; remove some ice and production restarts within about 10 to 15 minutes.
- LO — the control did not see water enter the fill cup in the expected window; it points at a supply restriction or a filter problem and cancels the freeze cycle.
- Hi — the cabinet temperature has risen above the safe freezing threshold, ice production has stopped and stored ice is at risk of melting.
- dF — the harvest cycle did not release the ice from the tray, so a sheet of ice sits on the evaporator grid and may need a full defrost.
- E1 — the cabinet temperature thermistor has failed or reads out of range, so ice production becomes erratic.
The point of the list is to separate reminders from faults. A reminder gets a cleaning, while a fault with a harvest, temperature or supply cause gets the matching page. Our ice maker Hi page covers the high temperature alarm, which is the one to act on first because stored ice is at risk.
What Else Belongs in a Six-Month Routine
The cleaning cycle covers the water path, and a few other jobs fall due at the same time. Doing them together turns a nuisance into a single scheduled visit with the machine.
- Water filter — replace it if it has been in for six months or more; a saturated filter restricts flow and is a common cause of low-supply codes.
- Supply valve and inlet screen — confirm the valve is fully open and rinse the screen, since the LO code points at supply restrictions.
- Condenser coils — dust here makes the cabinet run warm, and our condenser coil guide explains how to clean them safely.
- Bin and chute — break up clumped ice, because clumps can block the bin sensor and trigger a false bN.
Can You Use Any Cleaner in the Ice Maker?
Use the cleaner your owner's manual names. Water from an ice maker ends up in drinks, so a product that is not meant for the machine is a poor bet, and the instructions on the approved cleaner tell you how much to use and how long to leave it. If you cannot find the manual, look up the model number on the label inside the cabinet and get the cleaner that matches it.
When Cleaning Does Not Clear the Code
If CL persists after a full cycle, if mold stays that a household cleaner cannot remove, or if the water path shows physical damage, bring in a technician. The Maytag ice maker repair page lists the faults a visit covers, including the harvest faults behind ice maker dF and the supply faults behind ice maker LO. The final price is confirmed after on-site diagnosis, with a written estimate before any work begins. For a built-in refrigerator ice maker, start with our refrigerator maintenance guide. Book a visit or send us the model and what the display shows.