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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 a LG LFCS25425 3 door, with the icemaker only in the bottom. It does not eject ice, but performs correctly when you use the test button. Water flows in for about 8 seconds or so. I’ve unplugged for over 5 minutes to reset, but the problem persists. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Rich
Check ice level arm, is it stuck? Does it move up and down freely? What about freezer door switch, works correct?
Hi Eugene, I have a 10 year old LG refrigerator and the ice maker is stuck in the upside down position. I have tried resetting it and unplugging the refrigerator and nothing happens….no sound or movement. The ice water dispenser motor works fine. Any suggestions on what is needed? We are somewhat handy so likely could replace parts. Thank you.
Remove an ice maker and see what the problem why its stuck. I can’t tell you exact procedure what to do, but once you will take it apart i think you will figure out
Hi Eugene and this amazing group of people,
Can you help with my LG Refrigerator issue? Error Code Er 1F (On refrigerator Er & On Freezer 1F). Learnt from this blog and some other blogs, it is due to the Ice maker fan issue. I keep trying to unplug and plug to make this error code go away. My family rarely ever uses ice from the refrigerator, wondering if I can ignore this error! Would this issue cause some other issues to the refrigerator if I don’t resolve this issue. Please advise.
No, it shouldn’t. it’s just will make an ice maker not functioning properly.
Did you try to turn ice maker OFF?
Hi Eugene,
THANKS for all the help you have been providing to the troubled LG community.
I have the LFXC24726S refrigerator that has started showing the codes E and CF on the door and then the water and ice dispensers stop working. The fridge and freezer seem to be cooling fine. If I shut off the unit for a minute and restart it, the error codes vanish and the ice and water dispensers start dispensing. Then the code comes back and I have to reset it gain. Sometimes the code corrects itself on its own without a manual reset.
What could be going on?
Thanks in advance.
AJ
Hello AJ, E CF related to Condenser Fan Motor. Check Manual at the bottom of this article and go to Page 56. There will be information, how to check that fan
My ice maker continues to drip into the tray and overflows into the rest of the ice that becomes a solid block. When the ice cubes freeze, they get too thick for the motor to flex the tray to drop the cubes. Model # is LFC24770ST.
Replace the ice maker water inlet valve, it is located in the left door
Hi Eugene, Thank you for all your insight. Working through the recommended tests and the questions posted here leave me with a couple questions. I try the ice sensor test of holding the refrigerator and lock button at the same time. It doesn’t respond – am I doing something wrong. I’m assuming it would respond in the temperature section of the Refrigerator display? Second where would the magnet be placed to trigger the door closed reaction?
My ice maker makes ice and dumps when I press the button, after it dumps it sends in new water. However it won’t dump without me pressing the button. Do you think it’s a sensor or the control board?
Hi Steve, in order to see where door magnet located, just look from the top down on the door. You will see a rectangular opening with the magnet inside. After that, put any magnet on the fridge side and the light should go off. Regarding, why ice maker not dumping ice in automatic mode, hard to say what exactly happened in your case, it can be optic sensor wiring in the door, ice maker itself or the worst-case scenario malfunctioned control board. I don’t have an exact procedure for all situations, but i have a service manual for LG fridge, if you want i can post it here.
Thanks for the quick reply. With all functions of the ice maker working when I press the test button I was leaning towards control board. The freeze is cold enough, just won’t dump ice and cycle. I’m hoping it won’t be too hard to change out but the service manual would be awesome to have during this swap out. If you would post that would help me immensely. Thanks again for hosting this, it’s been extremely helpful. Thank you!
Hi Steve, i updated this article and at the very bottom you can find LG fridge Service Manual, see page 106
Hi Eugene, I see where the upload is, but I can’t figure out how to download it. Any thoughts?
Hi Eugene. I have pressed the reset button and turn off / on the fridge several times. I am getting water with no problem at the front of the door. When i use a paperclip to reset, nothing happens. Control board? I have a lg lfxs30726s
Thank you!
well, you need to check if your ice maker getting power. If yes, then the problem with the ice maker itself. Often times, wire harness on the top in the left door came loose or broken
Hey Eugene. I replaced the icemaker to find out that the unit still will not turn when I push the reset button. Needless to say, it makes no ice. Do you recommend I change out the PCB next? Is that an easy job? Thank you!
Hi Eugene,
I read all of these comments and they are similar but I am not sure. I have the slimline in door ice make on French door refrigerator. It makes ice but freezes some of the ice in a clump, always on the right hand side. Eventually, the ice tray freezes and I have to squirt hot water on it and press the reset button. Then, it makes ice again for a few days until I get that clump and know it won’t be long until it freezes up again. Any ideas. Thanks so much for this great site.
Hi, I have a different problem, mine makes Ice fine, but leaks water on the right of the unit. The water then freezes the ice bin in the unit. We have to dump it, turn it off and get the ice surrounding the bin out and let it dry for a bit. The ice in the bin gets wet and also freezes in a big chunk. HELP!!! I think it’s a leak, but where?
Thank You!
Sandy
Its not a leak, probably when its filling with water via a filler tube and splashes a little bit. Check that filler tube and clean from calcium build-up, maybe its part of the problem
My parents have a brand-new, 3-month-old LG LRFXC2416S (“24 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator with Craft Ice”) which has been leaking from the rear of the unit, right where the orange water line (from the lower ice tray water line valve) enters the back of the unit thru what appears to be a plastic inlet housing with an embedded black rubber seal. The leak is coming from around the plastic inlet housing and pouring down the back of the fridge whenever the lower ice tray valve energizes.
The LG technician claims that the water pressure is too low to properly fill the lower tray (although we seem to be getting plenty of ice), and the water must be freezing somewhere along the line inside the fridge and causing a back-pressure which is forcing water out the back.
Is this possible?
The upper ice tray and water dispenser seem to be working fine with no leaks out the back where those lines enter the fridge, but I would presume those lines would have even less pressure than the lower line.
Have no idea, never had this situation before. Sorry
Hello Eugene,
I read though all the issues in this article and this is the same issue I have. LG model #LFX25973D. No problems for 1st 3 years. Now water runs out the back of the unit on to kitchen floor instead of filling lower ice maker in the freezer. The Ice maker in the refrigerator door seems to work fine. Water dispenses from the door just fine. Fridge is under warranty. Both times I had a repairmen come out the problem went away before he came out. The problem will persist for approximatly 4 – 6 days and then the leak from the back stops and the ice maker in the freezer works again. The repairman changed out the entire lower icemaker during his 1st visit but the problem came back in about 6 months. This just started happening for the 3rd time. I’m getting ready to make another warranty call.
Please help, I think I need them the give me a new refrigerator but I’m sure they won’t.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Ritchie, this specific issue require proper troubleshooting. For me it sounds like water tube to the ice maker got frozen and eventually backing up water. But at the same time i kinda doubt it. I dont think that ice maker itself is the cause of the problem. Or maybe there is something wrong with the water tube insulation
Eugene,
I have water leaking from the bottom of my left French door on my LG LFXS26596S refrigerator. Removed the tray above the lower access door, removed one Phillips screw, however I am unable to remove the panel accessing the water connections. Can you tell me how to remove this panel?
Are you talking about the panel on the left door? Remove lower shelf on that door and behind shelf there is a screw, remove it and you will have access to the inlet valve in the left door.
Hello! When I take out the ice maker unit and defrost it, then replace it it makes ice for a few cycles. Then nothing. I can hear the motor trying to work. Any ideas? Thank you!
I have the LG inverter linear french door fridge/freezer. The freezer fridge and icemaker have stopped producing cold temps completely. Waterline is tested and fine.
I took off the back cover and cleaned the dust off the condenser coil. The compressor sounded fine and was not clicking, slight hum, feel slight vibration to the touch. The fan was blowing fine on to the coil. The fridge sounds like its working but is not cooling. Over the last 24hrs fridge and freezer have warmed to room temp. The side edge of the door by the ice maker is hot, it feels unusually warm/hot.
I took the cover off the mother board and there were no led warnings. I replaced cover.
I pressed the reset on the icemaker and it rotated fine.
What should I check next to diagnose why its not cooling ?
its a problem with the compressor or with a sealed system. In both cases its a major issue. Call LG and ask about 10 years warranty on the compressor
thank you i will, i appreciate your time, cheers.
There is a class action lawsuit covering your problem. Got an email and just received the packet in the mail on it yesterday.
Eugene,
Please help! I have LG LMXS30776S with water and ice in the left french door. Water dispensing, ice making and ice dispensing stopped working all together at the same time. No voltage sent to secondary water valve when calling for water. Water valve in rear of fridge is feeding water up to secondary valve through the filter and reservoir tank is full. Pressing water dispenser turns LED light on and pressing ice dispense opens flapper door but no water dispenses and the motor that turns to push ice out doesn’t turn. Test button on ice maker works but no water at end. Could all these problems be the control board behind the dispenser panel (EBR729554)? Thanks for your valuable time.
I dont think its problem with that control board… For me it sounds like wiring issue
Eugine,
Thanks for your reply. As common courtesy, I thought I would let others know what the problem was/is. I traced the problem to the neutral wire. It is a blue wire coming from the main board and dives into the left door hollow hinge. It has somehow come loose from wherever it terminates inside the door or is broken. The auger motor neutral wire has connectivity to the two water valves that separately feed the water in the door and ice maker. All these devices receive their proper voltage when necessary but without neutral, they won’t work. When I checked the resistance between the neutral wire entering the hinge and the auger motor neutral wire in the harness connector feeding the ice maker, it is infinite…no connection. When I jump those two wires, everything works as it is supposed to. Is there any way to get to the wires in the door to fix this problem or is it new door time? My LG fridge is only 5 years old!
Thanks for the contribution, Randy!
Randy,
I have recent similar experience, with a broken wire in the left door. Our broken wire is the hot wire (pink), which starts out red wire from the body of the frig then at the connector at the upper left hinge transitions to pink wire. The pink wire is to provide 120V to the PCB-Sub board located in the top of the left door. No continuity either, so I jumpered power from the door hinge wire at the wiring connector to the PCB-sub board and the ice & water dispensers in the door started to work. My question is….did you figure out a way to replace the wire in the door or did you end up replacing the door. I took out the ice make, the front water dispenser, hoping to find an easy way to access the internal door wiring however it appears the wiring in the door is spray foamed in place.
About half the time when I use the ice cube dispenser it won’t stop dispensing ice. They only answer seems to be to open the door to stop the dispensing action, and wiggle the on/off paddle. Sometimes it’s stops after that, sometimes it take three or four wiggles before it stops dispensing ice.
Any ideas?
It’s like it wants to make an ice rink in the kitchen!
Replace ice dispenser paddle ))
My water dispenser is working, but my Ice maker is not.
The tray is not filling up with water.
Please help.
Some LG fridges have a separate inlet valve for the ice maker in the left door. Maybe its failed or ice maker itself has issues
Hello,
I have the following fridge lfxc24796s. I did the diagnostic and ice maker poured ice, refilled, and everything appears to be working well. However I only got one set of ice and it stopped producing.
I did a diagnostic via the smart app and it’s showing that the ice bucket is full… when it is completely empty.
I unplugged the ice maker for a minute and hours later had ice. This morning I go for ice and I’m having the same issue!
I have cleaned the bin, ice maker, everything but it thinks the ice bucket is full.
Do you have any ideas on what to check/replace?
Hi Michael, i am preparing some updates to the post regarding optical sensor and how to check them. So come back in a couple of days for an update.
Eugene,
Thank you for the quick response! I don’t believe mine has an optical sensor. It has the skinny metal bar towards the bottom. The same one that has a pin hole for testing.
Ahh… Well IDk Michael how to help you, but i can send you “LG fridge troubleshooting guide” including the ice maker, maybe you will find it useful. UPDATE: Sorry Michael, this guide only apply to the ice makers with optical sensors. I just double checked
Hello,
My LG Frig(french door,2017 model) will not dispense water or fill my ice maker tray.. The water get to the inlet valve and stops. I change the inlet valve with a new one but still no water dispensing or ice being made… I think the small control board in the door is defective but that’s a big guess on my part… Thanks in advance for any suggestions…
LG fridge might come with 2 inlet valves, one on the back of the fridge, another one inside the left door. Which one did you replace?
I replaced both valves. I confirmed water is getting to the small reservoir inside the left door but will not pass through inlet valve next to it.
LG fridge might come with 2 inlet valves, one on the back of the fridge, another one inside the left door. Which one did you replace?
My LG fridge we bought less than 5yrs ago is the worst. We spent well over $2000 on it and it’s been worked on twice. The fridge in our garage is probably 30yrs old and it runs like a champ. The newer the appliance , the worse it is. Same goes for washing machines. It’s really a travesty. In any other aspect of life it would be unacceptable to us to pay thousands of dollars for something and have it quit working or need to be repaired. The slim style ice maker we have on ours is a constant pain. The biggest problem is this. when I take a glass and push the dispenser button the ice falls into the chute but the flap doesn’t always open so ice piles up inside. To release it you have to reach your hand up into the chute and flip the flapper down and then an avalanche of ice falls out. Don’t know if it’s fixable or just a horrible design.