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
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Hi Eugene,
Quick update. Temp reading freezer: 17 degrees. Set for -1. Ice maker: 28 degrees. Doesn’t seem to be getting the cold air it should, and perhaps the entire cooling system is not operating properly. Any suggestions are appreciated. -Adam
Exactly, you have a major problem with compressor or sealed system, and that’s why ice maker not working.
Hello Eugene,
We have a Kenmore Elite (LG) 795.72052.112 french door fridge that is having some issues making ice. Purchased new in 2013. After doing some searching on line about the similar problems I found your post here. I went and thoroughly cleaned the heat exchanger (vac and compressed air). I do this annually and it wasnt too bad. Fridge is level and seals are good and tight. Still, the ice maker is not making ice. I did a reset and what cubes were there fell from the tray, and the tray refilled with water. Fill sensors are clean. Frozen items seem to be less frozen then they should be for being set at -1. (I lowered the temp a degree to see if that would help). I also lowered the fridge temp by a degree too to see if that would help. Now the silicone gasket that feeds cold air to the ice maker used to have ice buildup around it, but that is not happening anymore. So I am thinking it may be a temp or fan issue. I just put in a digital thermometer in the freezer and will report back with temps when I have them. I wanted to get your thoughts on what the problem could be and what to consider looking at.
Thanks,
Adam
My ice machine is only filling half the ice tray. What could be going on? What can I do to fix the problem?
Inlet valve clogged? Maybe
Ive got the French door LG model in the first photos. Quit making ice out of the blue. Put in new filter, new water inlet valve, still no water. Test button turns tray over normally. Drinking water comes out fine. I’m left with either icemaker itself or control board??
When ice tray will make full turn, does it fill with water? For me it sounds like an issue with the control board.
Hi – My ice maker makes a loud knocking sound. When we press up on the left side of the ice tray it stops and settles back into the correct position. Can you tell me how to resolve this issue?
Hard to say whats the issue. Pull the ice maker out and inspect it. I guess something jamming the ice tray.
Having the same issue. Works fine. After it dumps the ice into the bucket it makes a horrible knocking noise. Have to open up and push up on the left side to stop it and then it will flip back and refill with water. Going to try and take out to see if something is jamming it up.
My ice maker was leaking water because of lime buildup at inlet other wise working fine
Removed unit cleaned inlet plugged back in and unit won’t do anything
Has small paper clip reset switch
Nothing happens
Turned power off and back on try reset again
Nothing
Make sure to assemble it right. if there was working, maybe you didn’t plug something correct.
Hello Eugene,
My fridge is producing ice perfectly fine but when I press the dispense button on the outside of fridge nothing happens. In addition, no water water dispenses. I see lights and all buttons work. Both door sensors are working with magnet test where I see lights go off and on. Any thoughts?
Seems like microswitch failed. Can you hear a click when you pressed dispenser lever?
Not sure. If so very faint but I do see the light trigger on at the handle when both are pressed.
Correction I do here a click. How do I replace micro switch? Thanks
Nevermind. Found a video – thanks.
Hi, would like a link to the micro switch replacement as I seem to have the same issue. Pushing the dispenser switch does nothing unless held in place for several seconds (up to 15) before it kicks in. Recently had compressor replaced on this 2 year old LG (under warranty no less) as it stopped but recalled having this same issue with the dispenser before that. Works most of the time but sometimes stops unless holding in for a while for either ice or water.
Hey there, I have an LG LFX25778ST and it is no longer making ice, problem as been on and off over the past 2 months and the test button usually fixed it, however now the ice try is upside-down and test button does nothing at all
Hi,
model LMXC23796, ice maker dumps cubes. stuck in downward/dump position, left side of tray is flush, right side seem to want to rotate to fill position, but has a gap of 1/2″ or so. As Jodi mentioned a few months ago… Jodi, ” noise that sounds like a woodpecker that last 20 seconds ” All is clear and no ice buildup. Trying reset button know.
just tried reset for 5 seconds – no correction and same results.
You need to take ice maker out and see if any mechanical parts misplaced or broken.
Hello Eugene,
Thanks for responding. I have an LG LFXC24726S refrigerator and in the span of 24 hours, the ice maker stopped making ice, the fridge wasn’t cooling and the freezer wasn’t freezing food. A repairman who I talked to over the phone believes it’s the compressor. The unit is just barely over two years old.
My ice maker was producing less ice. When I checked it out, the ice maker is only filling about half way so it’s only producing about half the number of cubes that it normally makes. Any idea on what could be causing this?
Partially clogged inlet valve, i guess
Hi Eugene. My LG ice maker suddenly stopped making ice – the tray and ice bin are empty, but the water dispenser is operating well. I have tried the paper clip reset, and the blades turn for a short while and then stop. I’ve also tried unplugging the fridge for 30 secs. Sometimes it will produce 3 or 4 ice cubes, but that’s it. Does this sound like an ice maker that needs replacing, or maybe a partially blocked water inlet? Where would I find the inlet if I needed to check it? I have just replaced the water filter, but it was overdue. Could that have anything to do with it? Thank you for this service!
Inlet valve located behind the fridge where water hose connected to. And yes, inlet valve can be partially clogged by calcium deposits. Try to reset ice maker again, come around the fridge and listen for humming sound from the valve. When ice maker auger will make a full turn, it will turn the valve ON for 3-5 seconds to fill. If you will hear a humming sound coming from the valve and at the same time ice maker will not fill up, then valve partially or completely clogged.
Thank you for your response. Before I pull the fridge out to look, will I be able to unclog it? Or will the valve need to be replaced?
Eugene,
Yes, it beeps and then nothing happens.
Hi Eugene. Great article. Thank you. I just want to point out one thing though. The recommended temperature of the freezer is -4 degrees F, which is exactly -20 degrees Celsius. 4 degrees is actually -15 deg C. It will work at that higher temperature, but take longer to produce ice.
Thank you
My ice maker does nothing when I do the test. It doesn’t give me any water nor does it make any noise. I don’t know how to remove the ice maker and don’t want to mess anything else up.HELP
Well, then call a handyman to take a look at )) Or try to search on Youtube – How To repair LG ice maker
Our LG LFX26974ST will have trouble making ice when the weather gets warm and humid. It appears that the ice maker motor is not strong enough to break loose the ice from the tray when it is ready.
So, you are saying that ice cubes just stuck in the tray?
Hi Eugene. I have a LG LMXS30776S and the ice maker is not getting any water after off/on and reset at the bottom of the ice maker. However, the water dispenser dispenses water just fine. Water pressure is also good. When I press the reset, the ice maker goes through all of the motions but it doesn’t fill with water at the end. I also hear the ice maker turning to dump ice but because there’s no water, there’s no ice to dump.
Anyway, do you think it’s a problem with the Water Inlet Pump? I was going to try that but wanted an opinion before ordering. Thanks in advance!
Probably water inlet valve malfunction. If you have a multimeter, check the resistance of the valve coils. if coils electrically ok, then pull the fridge out and reset ice maker. Come around the fridge and listen to the inlet valve, when ice maker sends a signal to fill with water. if you hear valve is humming but not filling ice maker, then this problem caused by calcium deposits in the valve solenoid. Just get a new valve and replace it.
Thank you! I’ll replace the valve and report back.
Did you replace the water inlet valve? I’m having the same problem.
I replaced both the primary and secondary inlet values but it did not fix the problem. I had LG out to my house and they wanted to replace the left door and if that didn’t fix the issue, replace the circuit board…all at my cost. I had the technician leave and called LG and resolution is still pending.
I’ll keep you posted.
Hi Eugene,
my LG ice maker is frustrating me in this hot weather.
Its not making ice continuously. I shut off, reseted it, and changed the water filter. but it only makes one tray and that’s it.
please help 🙁
Not sure, but if it not making ice in automatic mode, then the problem can be with the main control board
Eugene,
I have the ice maker with the on/off switch. About 3 months ago my ice maker quit making ice. I can still get water, but no ice. I changed both filters, reset it and it began making ice again. Then, about two weeks ago the same thing……..can still get water, but it will not make ice. I have tried reseting and nothing happens. I can hear the beep sound, but the tray doesn’t move. Can you help me with this problem? Most of the troubleshooting resolutions are for if both water and ice dispenser aren’t working, but that isn’t the case for me.
Hi Angie, when you press RESET button what is happening? Do you just hear a beep and tray won’t move right after reset? Sound like the problem with ice maker itself. Did you try to remove ice maker to see if any damage on the tray? What about optic sensors on the side, they are clean?
Thanks for the lead. I measured ice maker compartment temp, its not cold as freezer, assume it is the ice maker fan not working, order parts and replace the fan, used multi meter check the old ice maker fan is not working. after replaced the ice maker fan. now it’s making ice. (the ice maker has been replaced as well like a year ago. ) Thanks again.
PO LIN
You are welcome
Where is the ice maker fan located? I have the same problem as the ice maker compartment is not cold enough to freeze the ice.
Depends on ice maker type, usually in the freezer
Hi. We used to get just a little water leaking out of water outlet above receiving cup, right after getting ice and water. But, usually it would fix itself (a little ice clogging tube?) Now, water seems to be seeping from near it, AND against the back wall of dispensing area. Using hand, we notice the lower shute and rubber flap below in door had a layer of thin ragged ice stuck to it. We could even feel cold air coming out into dispenser area, bec. flat not totally closed. Used warm water to dispel, but it all still leaks slowly. It seems something even lower in the door is holding water? I shake the left door and water will then trickle out. (It’s 2018 LFXS26973Z)