Follett Ice Machine LO WATER Light On or Blinking: Not Enough Water
The LO WATER light on a Follett Horizon Elite machine means it does not have enough water, and it may be on steadily or blinking. Make sure the supply valve is fully open, the line is not kinked, and the filter is clear. If the light stays on with water present, call us.
Medium: ice production slows or stops, and the cause is often a supply issue that is simple to confirm.
- Code
- LO WATER light on / blinking
- Maker
- Follett
- Equipment
- Ice machines
- Applies to
- Horizon Elite 710 / 1010 / 1410 PC board
What does Follett LO WATER light on / blinking mean?
Follett Horizon Elite machines need a steady fill of water to the evaporator. The board checks that the water level reaches the right point, and if it does not, the LO WATER light comes on. A blinking light together with a low bin means the machine is simply waiting for the level to return to normal and will start again by itself. A steady light points at a real shortage. The maker lists a weak supply or low pressure, a stuck inlet valve, a plugged inlet screen or check valve, or no output from the board to the water valve. Most of these are on the supply side, where a closed valve, a clogged filter or a kinked line limits flow. A stuck solenoid valve or missing board output is electrical and keeps water out even when the supply is good. The panel wording is LO WATER light on / blinking, and the machine may need the reset button pressed after the evaporator ran empty.
Affected models and control systems
Follett Horizon Elite 710, 1010 and 1410 machines with the PC board lights. The 1010 and 1410 R/N units have their own guide.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- LO WATER light steady or blinking
- Ice production slows or stops
- Water filter housing recently changed or supply recently shut
Possible causes
Listed in Follett's documentation
- Water supply valve, filter or pressure restricting flow
- Inlet screen or check valve plugged
- Water feed solenoid valve stuck
- Board not sending output to the water valve
- Evaporator water level too low
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind LO WATER light on / blinking on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- A line filter at the end of its life that passes less water than the machine needs
- Building water pressure dropping during peak kitchen hours
Safe checks before calling for service
- Make sure the water supply valve is fully open and the line is not kinked.
- Restore the supply if it was off and check the filter.
- If the evaporator ran empty, press the reset button as the maker describes.
- Wait a few minutes to see whether a blinking light clears.
- If the light stays on with water present, call us. Tell us whether it was steady or blinking and when the filter was last changed.
How a technician diagnoses LO WATER light on / blinking
- Confirm the light behavior and whether the bin is low.
- Measure supply pressure and flow at the machine inlet.
- Inspect the inlet screen and check valve for debris.
- Test the water feed solenoid valve coil and look for movement when energized.
- Check board output to the valve with a meter during a fill call.
- Replace the valve or clean the screen based on the test, not on the light alone.
- Testing the solenoid valve and board output means measuring live control voltage inside the cabinet.
- Low building pressure and a weak board output look alike from the front, so both sides need measurement.
- A plugged screen or stuck valve requires closing the supply and opening the water path correctly.
Technical reference
- Document
- Horizon Elite 710 User Guide 01266543R01 p.14-15 troubleshooting table; 1010/1410 R/N guide 01252592R06
- Edition
- 01266543R01
- Models / control
- Horizon Elite 710 / 1010 / 1410 PC board
- Section
- Troubleshooting, printed pp. 14-15 (nine numbered symptom rows: LED light states, possible causes, corrective actions). Our 1010/1410 guide 01252592R06 is a different document and is not in this PDF.
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Follett ice machine error codes
Why is the light blinking and not steady?
A blinking light with a low bin means the machine is waiting for the water level to return to normal.
Do I need to press the reset button?
Only if the evaporator ran empty, as the maker notes.
Is this a bad water valve?
Not necessarily. A closed supply or clogged filter is more common than a failed valve.
Need help with Follett LO WATER light on / blinking?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.