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It was working just fine, but now your ice maker is not making ice! In this article, we will show you the most common LG Refrigerator Ice Maker Problems, the reasons why it’s not working, and how to test and fix it.
Also Read: How to fix: When an ice maker is not making ice
TLDR: Common Ice Maker problems are usually caused by:
1. Temperature fluctuations (in the ice maker compartment)
2. Faulty water inlet valve
3. Broken ice maker or malfunctioning control board
4. Faulty ice maker fan in the freezer compartment.
Let’s start with a simple diagnostic test you can run that may provide some insight into what that problem could be.
If you have a Maytag or Whirlpool refrigerator, see here.
LG Refrigerator Ice Maker Problems: How To Reset And test An Ice Maker
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 two 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.
Here’s another style of ice maker on this model above. There’s 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.
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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
Read: 3 common problems with Samsung french-door ice maker
If The Ice Maker Is Not Filling With Water
A New water Filter was Installed Incorrectly
If during the test mode, your ice maker didn’t fill with water, then check your
Without a filter or when the filter is installed improperly in the filter housing, water will not flow to the ice maker and water dispenser.
You just need to slide the filter into the housing, PUSH and TWIST to lock it.
Read: How to fix Amana ice maker not filling with water
IF YOU DISCOVER A LEAK AFTER CHANGING THE FILTER:
If you recently changed the
With a new filter, water will flow more freely and when it reached ice maker, the extra pressure may create a splash.
A small amount of water can leak from the ice maker compartment, and eventually end up on the floor.
Read: Why is my ice maker leaking water onto the floor?
Read: How to fix GE ice maker leaking water into bin
If you have a ball-type water valve behind the fridge, try to decrease incoming water pressure to the fridge by turning it at 45 or fewer degrees. You may need to play with it in order to reach a reasonable amount of water pressure.
To do this adjustment, turn the water valve to 45 degrees. Now push the water dispenser (with a cup underneath!) to check the flow rate. It might be nice to have someone else adjust the valve while you watch the pressure change.
This way you will be able to increase/decrease water pressure to a desirable level.
Another problem that may cause the ice maker to leak, is when ice cubes get stuck in the tray. Then, when fresh water fills the ice maker, it can overfill and some water will spill over the tray. Check for lodged cubes at the dispenser.
One more possibility is calcium buildup. Pull the ice maker out and clean the inner side of the tray and filler. You may find calcium buildup that is affecting the water fill mechanism.
Read: How to clean a GE ice maker
The water Inlet Valve Is Broken
A second reason you may not be getting water, is because the water inlet valve has failed. In order to check the inlet valve, you just need a Multimeter.
But keep in mind, that many LG fridges have 2 inlet valves. The main valve is on the back of the fridge, while the secondary valve (for the ice maker only) is on the left door.
You need to check them both. The secondary valve gets water from the main valve. But from my experience as an appliance technician, the secondary valve causes most of the problems with the ice maker.
That’s why your LG ice maker is not making ice, but at the same time, the water dispenser works.
Water Hose Kinked
Behind your
It’s a simple thing to check, but very important, in order to figure out why ice-maker is not working.
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.
Read: Why is your ice maker making a grinding noise?
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 !!!
the Ice maker Is not producing Or Dumping ice
Another possible reason your ice maker is not making ice is due to a malfunctioning ice maker fan, which is located in the freezer compartment.
This fan blows cold air into the ice maker compartment and freezes the water.
If the temp in the ice maker compartment higher than -12C, ice will not be produced.
In order to check if this fan is working, you need to apply a magnet to simulate a closed door ( see the top side of the door where the magnet is located)
If you feel cold air coming out from the vents, the fan is good.
This is a picture of the back panel in the freezer compartment with the evaporator and ice maker fans.
Ice maker fan part# ADJ72911303
What should my LG freezer be set at to produce ice?
-2°F or -20°C is the recommended temperature setting for normal ice production. In order to adjust the temperature, press the FREEZER button to cycle through the range of available settings and set it to the desired temperature.
Other Ways To Reset The Ice Maker
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.
Read: How To Fix LG Refrigerator Ice Maker Freezing Up
What Does “Ice Plus” Mean On My LG Refrigerator?
When all the ice in the refrigerator is used, it will take about 2 hours to produce the next bunch of ice cubs. Some LG models are equipped with an “Ice Plus” feature. This feature just speeds up the freezing process and allows it to produce ice cubes 2 times faster.
How long does it take to make ice?
It depends. If you just bought and installed a new refrigerator, then it may take about 24 hours. But after your refrigerator has operated for more than 24 hours, the ice maker will produce new ice cubes every 2 to 3 hours.
How Do I Test The Ice-Detecting Optical Sensor?
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
If “ETY” is shown on the display after the procedure above, the ice-detecting sensor is normal.
If “FULL” is shown on the display after the procedure above, the ice-detecting sensor is malfunctioning or something is blocking the clear path between sensors.
When it shows FULL with an empty ice bin, and nothing else obstructing the sensor path, then something is wrong with these sensors. If they are part of the ice maker assembly, you may have to replace the entire assembly. Otherwise, you may be able to replace the individual offending sensor(s).
I have an LG model LFX25950SB. Replaced icemaker twice in past 15 months- ice maker works after pushing cube size button, but no lights in cube size. After 4 or 5 hours, no ice or water- push cube button again and you get ice and water. This procedure will go on for days until you no longer get ice or water no matter how many times you push the cube button. After blocking off the vents to the icemaker and waiting 24 hrs, it will start making ice again when the cube button is pushed. Still no lights in cube buttons (as original when delivered)
I have LG model LFX2868ST04. I’ve replaced the water inlet valve and the ice maker assembly and neither solved the issue. The water tube that is used to fill the ice maker keeps freezing, not allowing water to enter the ice trays. If I use a blow drier to thaw the inlet tube it will make ice for a few trays and then freeze again. What else can I try to fix this issue, I’m going insane!
I have an LG LFXC24796D. ice maker would go,thru full cycle every 3ish minutes. Never stopping to allow ice to freeze. Thus water everywhere. I replaced ice maker, the same thing, replaced water intake valve. Reset ice maker, did a hard reset of unplugging refrigerator. Still doing the same thing. Everything mechanically seems to be working but the timing of the ice maker. Any ideas as to what next?
I have a one week old fridge bottom ice maker is super slow takes 24 hrs to fill the bin not even halfway is this normal.
I have an LG LMX25981ST. If you reset the icemaker, it makes one batch of ice and then stops. No water fills the tray after the initial batch. Obviously everything is functional enough to make a single batch. Is this a control board issue?
Seems like your model has an ordinary icemaker with an ice-level arm.
So, in your case, it can be the ice maker itself faulty or the main control board.
Check the Level of your icemaker. Mine was very loose and leaning forward causing the rotating ice remover “Claws” to be touching the water in the tray and freezing the claws in place. Leveling fixed this for me. Took me a while to figure out. I think the Ice Maker just started sagging a bit over time.
Hi Eugene,
My fridge model is LG GR-L208BLK
It has stopped making ice and not freezing any ice in the ice cube box.
What happen?
1. Icemaker fan not working, thus not cooling properly ice maker compartment. (located in the freezer)
2. Evaporator coils in the freezer has some ice build-up
3. Icemaker compartment not properly sealed
My LG refrigerator, has no water supply issues. No issues getting water from the dispenser, but NO water to the ice maker. On LG’s video, they claim that if you have water at the dispenser, then the ice maker has water…BS. This refer is 5 years old, but for what I paid, it should not be having issues. The GE side by side that it replaced, is chugging along in the garage, and has not had a single issue in 23 years!
I learned my lesson here.
Mr. Smith on the side of the LG sxp 450 model, pieces of ice are poured into the tank behind the door, but it is not poured out into the glass, which means that the tank lid does not open. What is the reason?
The ice maker has made about 12 pieces of ice 2 different times. We have tried to push the reset button, nothing happens. I do not see the optical sensors on the ice maker, should I? The model is LRFV3006D/O1.
This model doesn’t have ice maker with optical sensor, ice level arm instead..
If you can’t reset ice maker, maybe it malfunctioned. I dont know for sure.
here is a new ice maker for your model.
Ice dispenser not working. I removed the ice bin, emptied all the ice to ensure nothing was clogging the metal blades. Allowed the bin to fill up and its still not dispensing ice. The delivery chute is clear. The dispenser switch activates when depressed but still nothing. Any ideas?
Model: lg lfxs29626b/00
Can you hear humming coming from the ice bin motor? I would disassemble ice maker compartment, simulate door closed and push dispenser switch to check if the motor is getting power. if its not getting power, it’s either a wiring issue or display control board issue
Hi, I can hear the sound of ice falling in the door tank, but the ice is not spilled out of the refrigerator.
I have an LG model LFXS29626B. The door ice maker is making ice as normal; however, water is leaking from the right corner and freezing solid at the bottom of the ice bin, preventing its removal. I use a hairdryer to thaw the ice and remove the ice bin. Now the ice dispenser is clicking the its on but no ice is dispense.
1. Temperature fluctuations
2. Try to decrease temp in the freezer
3. Ice shut not properly sealed or not fully closed
Eric did you ever get this resolved? I am having the exact same problem.
My ice maker makes such a low amount of ice. I replaced the filter twice, the line is fine. I fill a cup of water in 5 seconds. I replaced the inlet valve and I don’t know what else to do. I got a new ice maker part but it still sucks. I pushed ice plus and nothing. I have to prime the ice to drop and make new ice. But when I do reset the cycle it fills the water fine and the ice drop but they never drop without me pushing the reset button to make it cycle . What is wrong?
1. Temperature fluctuating in the ice maker compartment
2. Optical sensors on the ice maker are malfunction
Are the parts between these two models, model LFXS29626B/00 and LFXS29626B/01, different?
You have to call the appliance parts store and ask them. Depends on what exactly you need.
Ice drops when I push the rest button, the tray refills but doesn’t drop it again without me pressing the rest button. Thank you!
1. Ice level malfunctioned
2. Control board failed
3. Wiring issues
For this kind of issue, I recommend you to troubleshoot by experienced technician.
We have an LG LCD22370 fridge with an ice maker in the bottom drawer.
It is making ice but when it goes to knock the ice out it makes a really loud knocking sound.
Like it is trying to break the ice away but it keeps on knocking, and knocking, its like the gears keep on turning and won’t stop.
What can be done? What part do we need?
i don’t know. You need to troubleshoot that by yourself. Seems like something is jamming the ice tray and the icemaker motor is not able to turn the tray. Try to remove icemaker and see what may cause the problem
My ice maker is making ice fine. My problem is the ice chute keeps getting clogged with clumped ice. The ice maker is used every day. After reading the ice maker trouble shooting guide provided on this site, it appears I need to replace the cap duct. Is this a DIY repair or do I need a repairman?
The ice dispenser works fine, but the overflow ice bin in the freezer draw gets water in it and turns into one solid block of ice. What is the cause and fix?
You need new Ice maker water inlet valve (located in the left door) depends on your model.
You have sealed it. I’m never buying any kind of LG product ever again. You have made such a simple process overly complicated in this Ice maker. My wife deserves a ice maker and paid her money for such a failure. I can’t wait for people to wise up to your profiteering and stop buying from LG
I agree! My ice maker needed replacing after 6 months. LG refused to respond to emails. I also have a drop in electric stove, and a front-load washer from LG. They are all pieces of crap. I am replacing them with other brands. Disappointing for such high prices.
Why are you throwing a fit here? If you want to have a tantrum over your ice maker then tell LG directly. Complaining about it here does nothing.
My ice make has the tray inverted and will not return to the upright position. I test button does nothing.
You need a new ice maker
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