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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).
Hi. Water seems to be spilling out of the ice tray where it meets a round plastic shield. Not sure if the water is coming up higher than it should or if the round plastic piece is not aligning properly to block the spillage. Everything else is working properly, it makes and dispenses ice fine. It just also leaks a little bit of water with every batch. Some of that water leaks out there bottom of the door (and eventually on to the floor) while some water gets frozen to the outside of the ice bucket.
Oh help. I am trying to help an elderly friend. The ice maker stopped working. I looked and saw the ice “dam” so I melted all of that with a hair dryer. I can’t remove the top basket drawer (LG Refrigerator with freezer on the bottom) so I can’t reach to remove the ice maker. There is water in the bottom, and I can’t see how to drain that. I did turn it back on but didn’t hear water so I shut it off again. What else can I try? I am not very skilled, but I will try!
Try to defrost it manually by turning power OFF for 24 hours, if it suitable for you and let it melt
Hi,
We have a new LG freezer on top model with Icemaker that we do not use (no water hookup). We have it on “off”—the “o” is depressed—but suddenly it is making constant ice crackling noises again (like it did when we first got it and it was accidentally “on”).
Any ideas?
have no idea
LG LFX25960ST the ice maker not filling up enough water when you turn it on and off, not consistently make ice automatically, sometimes triggers ice making with enough water when getting water from dispenser.
Hard to say, maybe partially clogged water inlet valve is your issue
Hello again! I left a thermometer inside the ice maker and the temperature is ok. I then fooled my fridge in thinking my left refrigerator door was closed and I can indeed feel cold air from the freezer blowing through the upper opening vent hole. It’s the one leading to the ice tray upper mechanisms. But I CAN’T really feel anything through the lower one that leads to the bottom ice bin. (??) That being said, the ice forms really quickly and will empty without any issues using the manual troubleshooting button. The ice sensors work fine according to the troubleshooting. But again, once the ice tray is filled and frozen, the tray won’t empty by itself. Only pressing the manual button will work.
Again…thank you so much
Hi Luc, two ice maker vent holes are IN and OUT, for circulation purposes… Why it’s not dumping ice? I don’t know.. i am running out of ideas.. So, now you came to the point, where you just need try to replace one part and see if it will fix the problem. If not, go further until problem fixed… In your case, i would try to replace ice maker first, if no success, then replace the control board.
Hi Eugene! Thank you so much for the help. Not sure if this was already addressed here but here is my problem/situation: My icemaker produces ice but doesn’t automatically fill the ice bin. When using the test button underneath, the tray empties the ice without any problem. Then the tray is properly filled by water. But it doesn’t empty in the bin once frozen. Note: When doing the diagnosis for the ice sensors…it reads ETY like it should. What would be the problem then?
Thank you in advance for your time!
You need to know the actual temp in the ice maker compartment. If its high then 4F , ice maker will not work properly. It maybe be frozen, but not dumping ice. Also, check ice maker fan in the freezer compartment, to make sure its working
Hi,
I have LG no plumbing 2 door side by side fridge with ice and water dispenser. Last few days the freezer is not working as is should be. Meaning ice cream etc are melting. The freezer is not over full, the temp is set to -19. The water also drips from the water dispenser and filling up the door handle under the dispenser. The fridge is almost 2 yrs old. Can you please help. Tried doing the mobile phone app diagnostics but no luck.
You need to pull fridge out and listen to the compressor. If it’s running but not cooling, then compressor is failed. You need to call LG, they should provide 10 years warranty on the compressor
Hi Eugene,
I have an LG LXF28968ST French door, in door ice maker. I have come across a variety of issues with the ice maker this last week and have been reading different sites/opinions and now have found your site.
Ice maker worked with different issues until yesterday when I finally turned it off.
Has been running at 8F per what installer set when it was delivered in 12/2013 without issue. Turned down to 0°F after seeing other posts.
First looked like ice maker was making ice but not dumping so water would fill tray again and overfill would run down inside of door and collect on top of freezer drawer. I removed what was now a block of ice instead of a tray of cubes. Turned ice maker off overnight and ice maker seemed to work for a day or so, or so I thought. Wasn’t getting ice out of door, usually just have to remove bin and shake because of traffic jam at the dispensing blades. No traffic jam, now there wasnt even ice. Tray rotated to dump ice and never returned to upright position for refilling hence water down inside of door and on top of freezer door again.
Turned power off and on and got tray to cycle to upright position. Made more ice, then not getting ice through drawer so opened ice compartment again to find ice tray IN ice bucket just hanging from the white flexible tubing on left side. THOUGHT I had gotten tray reinstalled properly but just checked again and bottom tray was again dangling in ice bin by white flexible tubing. 🙁 Any help you can provide i would greatly appreciate.
Thanks
Hi Wendy, first of all you need to figure whats the actual temp in the ice maker compartment. Maybe its fluctuating a lot allowing ice to melt and freezes up again. Its one thing.. Another one, is to check if filler tube spills water during filling. Unfortunately, there are some many issues with these ice makers and there is no one solution for everyone.
I have a model LG LMXS30776D /02 refrigerator where the ice maker is not producing ice. I have tested the unit with the test button and all 3 cycles work properly. Water is discharged into the tray but the ice will not freeze. Temp of freezer is at -21degC. I also tested the ice bucket sensors according to your instructions and tested fine. I think I tested the cooling fan/blower but not sure. I used a magnet at the upper left side of the left door and the inside fridge light went out but I did not hear any cooling fan or felt any cool air from the 2 vents on the side. Is the cooling blower fan malfunctioning?
Seems like its an ice maker fan issue, it is located in the freezer compartment
Hi I have the ice maker in the fridge part of the door,I have this problem it makes ice ,but he ice freezers solid in the bottom of the bin and blocks up the shoot ,this happen every day,have to pull the bin out and unblock it ,can you please help me with this cheers
Check dispenser flapper, to make sure is properly closing and sealed
I have a LG LMXS3077. The ice and water will not work. On the panel it will have a E and F1 showing and nothing works. We can unplug it and it will work for a few hours then quit.
No problem.
That screw just didn’t want to break loose BUT I finally got it apart.
Looks like the switch is bad, top terminal is corroded. That top wire connector didn’t want to budge and looks to be corroded too, see pics.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKQViEtHtMH/?igshid=1b9g5witf7xxs
I figured I should just cut the wires and replace but can’t seem to find a new microswitch connector & terminals. Tried pulling the wires but they are in there good and don’t want to break it.
Any idea what these are called and where to find them? Do you need a special crimper?
Thought about just putting on a regular slip terminal on each wire but figure with all that crud that was in there it will just happen again that much sooner.
Thanks again for your help!
I dont know whats the exact part number of this microswitch. But you can find similar on Amazon.. Maybe like this one https://www.amazon.com/OdiySurveil-XV-152-1C25-Hinge-Miniature-Switch/dp/B00W1VK9VG/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=micro+switch+with+lever&qid=1611165733&sr=8-10
Hi Eugene,
I was referring to the plastic molded terminal cover that slides over the terminals on the top and back of the microswitch.
Its like a molded together block, one rectangular long box that slips onto the top terminal and another that is staggered off just below to slip over the terminal on the back of the microswitch.
These two pieces are molded together to make one unit which i cant seem to find anywhere.
If you look at the last set of pictures you can see it. You can see the slip on connecter that goes to the top terminal is greenish from the corrosion.
I was hoping to find the molded cover and bare terminals that go with it to cut and replace.
Thanks again!
Hello Eugene,
I have an LG LFX25991ST and have a similar problem where the ice will not dispense when you press the Ice Cube panel.
I dont have any ice stuck in the chute and the ice is not clumped or stuck in the ice bin.
I watched the video above and the flap seems to be working fine. I can open it and it seals properly.
When I softly press the panel I can hear the switch click on/off but nothing happens.
Any ideas on what is causing the ice not to dispense?
Here are a few pictures…
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKM4QqynaOU/?igshid=1mbyasiypq61w
The screw for the ice microswitch is rusted but the rest seems ok. I suppose it could be bad inside. How do you test it?
Water microswitch seems good. Should it be replaced since everything is out?
Definitely could use some cleaning. What would you recommend to use on the area below the chute opening?
I had seen a reference in a YouTube video re an LED light (for this model) that turns on when you use the Water or Ice function but can’t seem to find it. Can you tell me where that is located?
Thanks for your help. Very much appreciated!
Ed
Maybe this video will be helpful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmT7b3oIat0
Thats the same video where the flap is the problem. I dont have that issue.
Sorry Ed.. well in this case i would disassemble that panel and check continuity of the microswitch. Then i would check wires from the switch to the control board. If everything tested ok, last thing left its the control board
I have the LG with the ice maker with the test switch. My ice maker makes lot of ice, but it won’t dispense it sometimes. Any ideas why, and how to fix it? I make sure I empty the ice maker, so it’s not clogged, but where you press to dispense the ice feels like sometimes it connects and sometimes it does not.
Is this what you are looking for? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmT7b3oIat0
Hello!
I have the ice maker without a switch and am getting a small icicle right at the 90 of the little metal bar. Ran in test mode, did push existing ice out, but looks like the bar is freezing to the actual ice maker. The icicle will get to be an inch or two over night. when the tray filled in test mode, did not spray all over. Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Did check and have a drip from looks to be between the tray and the housing that the test hole is located.
I don’t know Jared.. Without seeing it hard to say what is it
I have the LG Ice Maker that is in your Kenmore video where is twists the tray to make the ice fall out.
In the last 6 months it seems to get stuck in that twisted position and clicks repeatedly very loudly. Most times it fixes itself and goes back to the position to fill with water, but other times I have to open it and clear out ice around the outside of the tray.
Do you know how to get it back to working normally?
Thank you!
If you have ice outside the tray, maybe water splashes when tray filling up and then freezes up. Or ice tray overfilling with water? Or fill tube at the end, got calcium deposits and not providing smooth water flow. IDK.. it requires some troubleshooting
hi Eugene,I having problem with the ice dispenser,when I push the plate take almost 10 or more seconds to dispence the ice,I had no clue just replace the switch and improve a little bit but now is back to the delay,any sugestion ? thanks
So, when you press dispense button is anything happening during 10 seconds? Any sound?
Hi Eugene, I have the same problem with my ice maker. I tried the holding the Reddit and lock button and it comes up ICE, does that mean it’s ok? I’ve tried everything! Grr please help! Thank you!
Hi Debbie, dealing with LG ice makers not an easy task . You need to check many things before figure out why its not working. All methods described in the post above. Concerning “ICE”, i am not sure why it comes up.
Hi Eugene
I have a LG LFX28968, The ice maker makes I ice just fine. But, It freezes up together on the bottom and won ‘t come down. I have to open it up, and break it up, get my ice. And it does it again. I thought it might be because the door is open, but have been vigilant keeping it closed and opening it for shorter time. Still happens, what do we do?
Gerard
Water collecting at the bottom can cause by: faulty inlet valve, filler tube on the ice maker partially clogged allowing water to spill when filling or temperature fluctuating in the ice maker compartment.
Ice level arm moves freely, same with door switch. Has started ejecting ice, but still puts too much water into the ice tray.
Thanks
How do you know, that it overfill the ice tray? Did you actually see it when it spills?