Kold-Draft Ice Machine Error Code 20: Water Plate Failed to Close
Code 20 means the water plate failed to close after three consecutive attempts. Clear the cause, which is often the cam arm, spring, switch or ice sticking to the plate, and then reset the controller. What the machine does while it waits depends on the board revision.
High: the machine stops making ice until the water plate problem is fixed.
- Code
- 20
- Maker
- Kold-Draft
- Equipment
- Ice machines
- Applies to
- Kold-Draft 60 Series electronic controller (K4B boards, revisions 1.1 to 1.80)
What does Kold-Draft error code 20 mean?
The water plate sits under the evaporator, and it must swing up and seal for each freeze cycle. The K4B controller drives it with an actuator and confirms its position with switches. If it fails to close after three consecutive attempts, the control posts Code 20: 20 (water plate failed to close, LED 20). What happens next depends on the board. On Rev 1.2 and 1.3, the machine waits 30 minutes with the plate open, repeats that cycle four times, then the Code 20 LED goes solid. On Rev 1.6 and higher, after three failed attempts to raise the plate, it defrosts for five minutes with the LED flashing and tries again before shutting down. The manual lists eight causes, including a broken cam arm or pin, a broken or disengaged cam spring, a plate-up switch stuck open, over-freeze that makes ice stick to the plate, and a worn silicone coating on the plate.
Affected models and control systems
K4B-controlled Kold-Draft GT36x, GT56x, GB56x and GB106x cube makers on any board from Rev 1.1 to 1.80. The retry pattern changes between Rev 1.2/1.3 and Rev 1.6 and higher.
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
- LED 20 flashing or solid
- Water plate hanging open or not sealing
- Machine waiting, then stopping with no ice
Possible causes
Listed in Kold-Draft's documentation
- Cam arm or cam pin broken
- Cam spring disengaged or broken
- Plate-up switch stuck open or not actuating
- Over-freeze making ice stick to the water plate
- Silicone coating on the water plate worn
- Evaporator probe out of adjustment or defective
- Arms-up switch stuck closed
- Bin probe out of position
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code 20 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Scale or mineral on the water plate edge that stops it seating even when the switch closes
- A plate-up switch actuator bent after cleaning
Safe checks before calling for service
- Note whether the LED on the controller is flashing or solid.
- Look at the water plate through the access panel, if it opens without tools, and check that nothing is jammed against it.
- Make sure ice is not packed on the plate.
- Reset the controller and note whether it repeats; give the technician the LED state and the board revision.
How a technician diagnoses error code 20
- Read the code and the LED state, and note the board revision.
- Check the cam arm, cam pin and spring for breakage.
- Check the plate-up and arms-up switches with a meter.
- Inspect the water plate coating and look for over-freeze.
- Check the evaporator probe and bin probe adjustment, then reset.
- The actuator, switches and plate sit under a cold evaporator with line-voltage controls.
- Probe adjustment needs the manual's settings and a meter.
- Over-freeze can damage the evaporator.
How error code 20 differs from similar codes
The retry pattern differs: Rev 1.2/1.3 wait 30 minutes with the plate open four times; Rev 1.6 and higher defrost five minutes and retry.
Technical reference
- Maker documentation
- Kold-Draft owner support
- Edition
- Copyright 2015 Kold-Draft International; file named 'new 60 Series Service Manual rev041317' (Kold-Draft says it may not be current)
- Models / control
- Kold-Draft 60 Series electronic controller (K4B boards, revisions 1.1 to 1.80)
- Section
- Controller - Fault Codes (revision notes, pp. 21-22) and ERROR-CODE TROUBLESHOOTING (p. 23 onward)
- 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 Kold-Draft ice machine error codes
Why does it wait 30 minutes?
On Rev 1.2 and 1.3 the machine waits with the plate open before it tries again.
What does a solid LED mean?
The machine has finished its retries and shut down.
Can ice cause Code 20?
Yes, over-freeze can make ice stick to the plate.
Need help with Kold-Draft error code 20?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.