Is your LG ice maker not dumping ice or filling with water? Learn how to run the secret test mode, reset the unit, and fix common inlet valve or sensor issues. Common ice maker problems are often caused by: temperature fluctuations in the ice maker compartment, faulty water inlet valve, broken ice maker/control board, or faulty ice maker fan (freezer compartment).
If you have a Maytag or Whirlpool refrigerator, see here.
How to Reset an LG Ice Maker (Quick Steps):
- Locate the Switch: Open the ice room door and find the Power Switch (on/off).
- Power Off: Flip the switch to OFF for 30 seconds.
- Run Test Mode: Flip the switch back to ON.
- Press Test Button: Locate the small hole or button on the bottom/side of the ice maker. Press and hold for 3 seconds.
- Wait for Cycle: The ice tray will rotate and dump. The error is now reset.
| Feature | Older LG Models | 2024–2026 ThinQ Models |
| Reset the Ice Maker | Physical On/Off Toggle (pictures below) | Press and hold the “Ice Plus” and “Freezer” buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds. The display will beep, and the ice maker will initiate a cycle. |
| Test Button | Small Hole (Paperclip)- see pictures below | Hidden button under the front panel |
| App Support | None | LG ThinQ (Smart Diagnosis) |
Jump to the bottom of this article for further details and pictures. In order to do a simple reset of the ice maker, unplug your refrigerator or turn the breaker OFF for at least 30 sec. This procedure will reset the ice maker, making it easier to troubleshoot.
LG Ice Maker Is Not Filling With Water
Water Filter Installation & Troubleshooting
If your ice maker isn’t filling or is leaking after a filter change, check these common issues:
- Installation Check: An improperly placed filter blocks water flow. Ensure you Push and Twist the filter firmly until it locks into the housing.
- Pressure Splashing: A new filter increases water flow. If water is splashing out of the tray and onto the floor, try turning your manual shut-off valve to a 45° angle to slightly reduce incoming pressure.
- Air in the Lines: Trapped air can cause “sputtering,” which splashes water and causes the bin to freeze shut. Flush the system by running the water dispenser for 2–3 minutes.
- Debris & Buildup: * Stuck Cubes: Check for lodged ice in the tray that causes overfilling.
- Filter Quality: Use name brand LG filters when possible. Off-brand filters sometimes have the wrong bypass valves. This can cause low pressure or a frozen fill tube.
Faulty Water Inlet Valve
If your water dispenser works but the ice maker is bone dry, the issue is likely a failed inlet valve. Most LG refrigerators utilize a dual-valve system that needs to be tested for continuity with a multi-meter.
- The Dual Valve Setup: * Primary Valve: Located at the back of the fridge (where the main water line connects).
- The Most Common Culprit: In many cases, the secondary door valve fails while the primary valve continues to supply the water dispenser. This is why you might have drinking water but no ice.
- How to Test: Use a multimeter to check each solenoid for continuity. If a valve shows no continuity (an open circuit), it is electrically dead and must be replaced. Click here for a Youtube video on how to test.
- Pro Tip: Always check the wiring harness at the door hinge first. Sometimes the valve is fine, but a broken wire in the hinge is preventing it from receiving power.
Water Hose Kinked
Behind your
ice Maker malfunctioned
If the ice maker failed to perform the diagnostic test and you are not able to run it, then most likely the ice maker motor has failed. You will need to replace the unit entirely.
Control board Malfunction
Every LG refrigerator has a control board. If the control board is not sending power to the ice maker, or one of the relays on the control board has failed, then the ice maker will not run.
Important: If all components mentioned above in the article are ok and the ice maker works ONLY when you press the RESET button (the ice maker should make a full turn and not make ice in automatic after that), then there is a possible problem with the main control board or ice level optical sensors on the ice maker itself.
Read: How to know if your refrigerator control board is bad
Make sure the control board fits the refrigerator model you have !!!
Ice Maker Fan & Temperature Issues
If your ice maker is getting water but won’t freeze it, the problem is likely an airflow issue. The ice maker compartment relies on a fan to stay cold enough for production.
- The Temperature Range: The ice maker compartment must stay at or below -12°C (10°F). If it’s warmer than this, the sensors will prevent the ice maker from cycling.
- The Ice Maker Fan: Located in the freezer compartment, this fan blows sub-zero air into the door’s ice room. If the fan fails or is blocked by frost, the ice maker won’t freeze.
- How to Test the Fan:
- Frost Buildup: If you don’t feel air, check the back panel of the freezer for heavy frost. You may need to manual defrost the unit if ice is physically jamming the fan blades.
This is a picture of the back panel in the freezer compartment with the evaporator and ice maker fans.
Ice maker fan part# ADJ72911303
Troubleshooting LG ThinQ & InstaView Ice Makers
For updated LG refrigerator models (including the newer ThinQ, InstaView, and Craft Ice series), the troubleshooting steps are different.
The Craft (Round) Ice Failure
LG’s high-end models now have a dedicated dual ice maker that produces spherical “Craft Ice” in the bottom freezer. This is slow-melting round ice.
- The Problem: These fridges often have grinding noises, which usually indicate the internal gears are jammed or the shape mold is stuck during the cycle.
- The Fix: Unlike the door ice maker, the Craft Ice unit often requires a Firmware Update via the LG ThinQ app. If the app shows no updates, check the “Ice Room” temperature—Craft Ice requires a consistent -4°F (-20°C) or colder to produce ice correctly.
The Smart Diagnosis (ThinQ App) Method
Newer LG fridges can communicate with your smartphone. Before you start taking your fridge apart, try this: How to Fix it:
- Open the LG ThinQ app on your phone.
- Go to the Smart Diagnosis section.
- Follow the prompts to hold the phone’s microphone near the “Smart Diagnosis” logo (usually on the top right hinge) while pressing a specific button sequence.
- The app will provide a specific fault code (like “Ice Maker Fan Error”) that might not appear on the fridge’s front display.
Dual Ice Maker Synch
Many newer models have two ice makers (one in the door, one in the drawer).
- The “One-Way” Logic: If the door ice maker is turned OFF, some newer models will also disable the bottom ice maker as a safety feature.
- The Fix: Ensure the “Ice On/Off” button on the main control panel is illuminated. If it is flashing, it means the fridge has detected a persistent error in one of the two units and has shut down both to prevent a flood.
Troubleshooting The Ice-Detecting Sensor
For an LG ice maker, the optical sensor (also known as the “Ice Level Sensor”) is what tells the machine to stop making ice when the bin is full. If these sensors are dirty or faulty, your ice maker will either stop completely or overflow the bin.
If the optical sensor is malfunctioning, your ice maker may not work in Automatic Mode.
The first thing you need to do is to visually check the ice-detecting optical sensors. They are located at the bottom of the ice maker, on each side.
- Remove Ice Bin from the compartment
- Close the left door
- Wait for 3 minutes
- Keep Freezer Door open
- Push Refrigerator button and Lock button at the same time
LG Ice Maker Optical Sensor Diagnostic Codes
To see these codes, you usually need to press the Refrigerator and Lock buttons (or Freezer and Ice Plus on some models) simultaneously for 5 seconds.
| Display Code | Meaning | Diagnosis / Required Action |
| ETY | Empty | The sensor detects an empty bin. This is the Normal reading. |
| FULL | Full | The sensor detects ice is at the max level. The ice maker will stay OFF. |
| – – | Sensor Fault | The control board cannot communicate with the optical sensors. |
| E IS | Sensor Error | The infrared beam is blocked or the sensor has failed electrically. |
Troubleshooting FULL Readings
If your display shows FULL but the ice bin is empty, follow these steps:
- Clean the Lenses: The sensors are located on the sides of the ice maker assembly. Use a cloth with warm water to wipe away any frost or dirt on the small plastic windows.
- Check the Wiring: On LG French Door models, the wiring harness in the door hinge can fray. If the sensor loses power, it defaults to a “Full” signal as a safety precaution.
- The “Blockage” Check: Ensure the ice maker’s teeth (the plastic rake that pushes ice out) isn’t stuck in the downward position. This will block the sensor.
LG Ice Maker Freezing Up: Causes and Fixes
If your ice maker is a solid block of ice or has frost covering the internal components, it won’t be able to fill and dump ice correctly. How to fix it:
- Adjust Your Temperature Settings: If the refrigerator compartment is set too low, it can cause the ice maker to over-freeze. Keep your fridge at 40°F (4°C). Raising the temperature a little bit can often prevent internal ice buildup.
- Check Water Pressure: If your water pressure is too high (above 120 PSI), it can cause the ice maker to overfill, forming ice on the outside of the tray. Ensure your shut-off valve is fully open and there are no kinks in the line.
- Clear the Ice Chute: Ice cubes can sometimes get stuck in the dispenser chute. If left alone, frost will build up around the stuck cube and eventually travel back up into the ice maker itself.
- Replace the
Water Filter : A clogged or old filter can cause inconsistent water pressure. LG recommends replacing your filter every 6 months to maintain the correct flow rate and prevent leaks.
Pro-Tip: If the entire compartment is frozen, the quickest fix is a manual defrost. Turn off the ice maker, remove the bin, and leave the door open for a few hours to let everything thaw out completely.
Detailed steps To Reset And test An LG Ice Maker
Run a Reset with on/off switch model
If your ice maker is not making ice, you’ll want to first run the test mode. To run the ice maker test mode, first of all, pull the handle to open the ice room and remove the ice bucket.
There are several styles of LG refrigerator ice makers. On the first model below, find the POWER button. Make sure it is turned ON. The TEST button is underneath.
Before pressing the TEST button, put a towel underneath to catch water or ice that may fall while testing.
Press and hold the Test button for about 3 seconds and the ice maker will begin to turn. The tray only holds about 4 or 5 oz of water. The towel should minimize any spillage.
Run a reset without on/off switch model
Another style of ice maker has no POWER switch and no tray. Even though there’s no tray you should still place a towel below the ice maker before running the tests. This reset can be used for the ice makers in bottom freezers. Keep reading…
On this type of ice maker, there is a tiny hole on the left side. This is a Test Button. Use a paperclip or piece of wire to press and hold the button for about 3 seconds until the arm starts to turn.
For the first 2 hours the refrigerator has been plugged in, the ice maker test can only be run once. If you wish to run the test mode a second time, unplug the unit for about 30 seconds to reset the ice maker.
This RESET procedure is also applied to the ice maker located in the bottom freezer.
Read: 3 ways how to reset a Samsung ice maker
Frequently asked questions
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I have an LG model LFX31925SB. Ice maker works fine, drops ice in bucket fine, but the dispenser isn’t working. Press the lever and get nothing…. not even any sound. Can this be fixed?
Seems like lever microswitch failed or push button
I have a Elite Kenmore 79572053110 model fridge. The ice maker does not Dump ice in the bin. I have recently changed the filter and replaced the whole Ice Maker twice. The problem still persists. Please help.
Thanks!!
Our ice maker is in the bottom freezer compartment; not a door dispensed type. The ice maker quit running and we realized the ice was frozen solid in the ice maker; we could feel any of the blades, etc.. We emptied the bin, and poured hot water into the filling area until all of the ice floated up and into pieces. The ejector blades were positioned near the front of the ice maker and easy to move so we let it fill, dumped the extra water into the bin and it works!
My ice maker is in the door of my refrigerator. A few years ago, it started making ice less often than normally and eventually quit. When this happened, I tried the reset button and kept turning the power on and off. Now it does nothing. The tray does not move at all. Is this an electrical problem or should I just get a whole new ice maker?
Hard to say, maybe you need a new icemaker
I’ve replaced my icemaker and still have the same issue. Ice doesn’t fill up. Some ice fills up on the right side only. Also difficult to remove ice-bin, feels like its going to break. I wipe the optical sensors and reset the ice maker to no avail.
Since I already replace the ice-maker assembly, should I try replacing the control board?
I have a 1 yr old LG LFCC22426S with a bottom drawl freezer w ice maker. I replaced the water filter thats in the fridge and I stopped getting ice. I turn the ice maker on/off, hit the reset (it fully turns and empty). I did not move the fridge to kink the water cord in the back. What could be wrong?
You put the filter in wrong
I have a LG model number LFCS27596S which is 6 months old and time to replace filter for ice maker. After replacing filter with factory filter, it stopped producing ice. I tried unplugging the fridge and waiting a minute but still no ice. Help?
I have a LMXC23746D. The ice keeps clumping together on the right side of the ice bin and will not dispense unless we stick a wooden spoon down into the container and break it up. Sometimes we also need to put spoon handle up the dispenser opening to unclog the ice and ice debris that is stuck. This is a constant requirement to get any ice to dispense. Also, the ice bin will not come out. I feel that it would break if we pulled it hard enough to get it out.
1. Air leak somewhere, allowing warm air to get in
2. Temperature fluctuations
3. Icemaker filler tube spilling water on the filling cycle
So, how would I go about fixing this, if it was water spilling?
And why can I not get the bin to release and come out of the door, even if the icemaker bin is empty?
ice maker making or freezing partially then dumping unfrozen water and some ice in tray.
I have similar problem. Had LG authorized repair company replace compressor on refrigerator and everything is working (cooling) good except ice maker. Water supply is good and unit cycles, but instead of cubes it is producing frozen chunks with some cold water deposited in bottom of ice bin.
A few months ago the ice maker in the door began to jam, like the ice was melting a little before dispensing. I turned it off and began just using the ice dispenser in the freezer. This weekend the ice in the freezer started coming out in blocks of ice cubes. I can see that they cubes tried to form but didn’t fully separate. It also looks like they’ve melted a little.
Ice maker makes ice but will not dump ice. I have to push reset button to get it to dump the ice. I’ve tried temp set to 0, and also -2 same thing happens. I can get water from the door.
I have the similar problem – ice in the tray but doesn’t come out of it own into the bin – manual reset button dumps the ice. Water from the door is fine.
Same. Tested the icemaker full sensor. Shows empty correctly. Have freezer temp set below -2. Test button works fine, drops ice, fills water. Freezer door sensor must be working because icemaker full sensor test only works when freezer door open.
Maybe this is a temperature sensor issue?
I doubt that its a temperature sensor, but you can try
I have had a similar problem with my ice maker for a few years. One thing that has worked for me has been using a hair dryer and blowing warm air on the ice maker motor for 5 minutes. I have had to do this every few months in order for the motor to dump the ice automatically. I suspect the motor is faulty and I will need to replace the entire icemaker assembly.
lg lrfds3006s french door. Ice maker in refrigerator door works fine. Ice maker in freezer will not dump ice. When I push the ice maker reset button, it will cycle through, ie: arm comes down, ice will drop into the bin and refill with water. It will just not dump ice without manually recycling it.
1. Freezer door not fully closed
2. Freezer Temperature not cold enough
3. ice maker level arm set to OFF position
How do you set the level arm to ON position?
Put the arm down to turn it ON. Up position is OFF
How do you set the arm “down”? The arm on my unit is tucked up under the ice maker. When I try to move it down, it snaps back up under the unit. And the ice maker specifically states not to “force the arm” into any position.
Seems like you have a different style of ice maker, that’s why its not working for you
Thanks! I just received delivery on a LFXS26596S and the freezer ice maker was working and I had water to drink from the door but the door ice maker had no water. I powered it off and powered it back on, hit the test button and viola it filled the tray with ice. This helped!!!
New LG frigde, LRMVC2306S model; its been 48 hours since installation, but ice formation is very minimal.
installed on 6/8 at 4pm.
6/9 – no ice cubes, bottom freezer did not freeze
6/10 morning – ice cubes begin to form, bottom freezer is working.
But i have only seen 10 ice cubes so far, even by 6/10 evening 5pm.
How do i get ice cubes to form and fill ? I will definitely need more than 10 cubes at a time.
I have not started using the craft ice feature.
I have an LG model LFX25976SW that produces ice cubes but gets stuck making crushed ice when trying to dispense. The outside panel lets me select Ice Type ‘Crush’, but does not allow me to select ‘Cube’. When selecting ‘Crush’, the bright light displayed on the front panel illuminates brightly. When I select ‘Cube’, the ‘Crush’ indicator turns off, and the ‘Cube’ indicator is dimmed so low, one can barely see the selection.
It seems that when selecting the Cube type, crushed ice is dispensed regardless..
How can this be fixed? Please advise.
If you are not able to select ice type, then something wrong with the panel, I guess. And what you mean “gets stuck making crushed ice when trying to dispense”, does it make any sound or noise while trying to crush ice?
A grinding and crushing noise while the ice is supposed to be dispensed. Nothing comes out of the dispenser, but the ice is crushed into very small pieces, clogging the exit internally from the ice maker. Makes a real mess. Have to extract the ice maker from the frozen pieces and dislodge the blocked mess from within the internal chute where the grinding wheels are to crush the ice. I performed the ice maker tests as described in your blog. All with normal results.
Most of the ice cubes in the ice maker tray were clumped/fused together.
Thank you so much for your advice.
1. Ice maker temperature fluctuations.
2. Ice maker door chute has an air leak
3. Ice maker is somehow overfilling or dripping water from the faulty inlet valve, and water getting into ice tray
When the water flows into the ice maker it splashes over the side and drips into the bucket(containing ice cubes) which then freezes and makes the cubes stick together impairing the mechanism of the dispenser.
How can I resolve this?
1. Decrease water pressure, or
2. Replace water inlet valve, or
3. Clean fill tube before the ice maker
frozen chute and dispenser wheel. full of ice
Our ice maker will not fill with water.. We get water fine for the water dispenser. My husband has changed the entire ice maker, the inlet valve and the filter. It makes 1 tray fine after we unplug all the connectors and then reconnect them, then no water return. You can hear the water turn on during the test mode but none is dispensed. SO frustrating.
Dedicated Ice maker water valve located in the left door, not behind the fridge. is this what your husband replaced?
I wish I knew this. I replaced the icemaker assembly and the valve in the back.
Ice maker continues to dispense ice and will not shut off when container is removed. Had to lock wnit to stop flow.
ice dispenser button is stuck?
I have an LG model LFX25950SB frig, the ice maker only fills with enough water for 4 cubes at a time. The water dispenser flows fine. I have held the power button down to do the reset. The water flows into the icemaker, but only for approximately a second and a half. Help…
I have the same issue. Only fills enough for 4 cubes. How can I fix it?