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.
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.
Table of Contents
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.
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.
If during the test mode, your ice maker didn’t fill with water, then check your
water filter .
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.
IF YOU DISCOVER A LEAK AFTER CHANGING THE FILTER:
If you recently changed the
water filter and you noticed the ice maker has now started to leak, the problem might be with water pressure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Make sure the control board fits the refrigerator model you have .
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
-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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
my LG just stopped making ice, the tray is down no water in it. rt side is hanging down more. i turned it off and back on. no sound. the water is still working just not producing ice. I need help. Reply
Hi Denise,
Is your filter installed properly? See the section of this article “If The Ice Maker Is Not Filling With Water”. Also check your secondary water inlet valve, if equipped. See “The Water Inlet Valve Is Broken” section above. Here is another article that has some extra information. Hope this helps! Reply
The metal arm on my LG ice maker isn’t functioning to automatically make ice. It will pop up to half way position and make ice only if I pull it up further, then it make 4 cubes and goes down all the way and even if you pull it up it won’t work until it pops up on its own to the half way mark. Any ideas?
Hey Trent, what is your model and approximate year? From what you said, it sounds like the switch may be acting up. Or it could be the actuator motor assembly. If it’s a sprocket and gear type, perhaps there are broken teeth which causes it to skip parts of the cycle.
Bruce HaebeHi James. Our less than 2 years old LG bottom freezer has consistently dropper ice cubes inside the freezer box and on the kitchen floor since it was new. Is there any way to adjust the ice maker?
Hi Bruce,
This tends to be a problem with design on some LG and Samsung bottom-freezer fridges. At this time, I’m not aware of any way to keep this from happening. In fact, it happens on my own Samsung, but only occasionally, when the ice tray is full. It’s something I’ve been planning to look into eventually, but as it’s only a minor nuisance for me, I’ve pushed it to the back burner. 🙂
If you come across a remedy, please let us know here so others can benefit, as well. Thanks!
My ice maker does not operate. The test button on it does not make it work. I tried a new unit, same results. The ice dispenser motor does work. When I ‘trick’ the door switch with a magnet, I do not feel any air flow increase from the ice fan. The lights do go out when I do this operation. My only other thought is the main control board in the back. I did press the reset on it with no luck. Smart diagnostics showed no problems and no error code is indicated. Any help would be appreciated. Reply
Gladine MitchellWe have ice frozen in the ice maker trays. So it’s unable to make ice because the water isn’t going in the slots it’s spraying and splashing everywhere and freezing in the compartment. Please how do we get the frozen cubes out of the ice trays. Reply
I have the same problem, water running down the outside of the fridge. Did you find a solution? Reply
You may have calcium buildup word spraying the water into the tree compartment area also make sure your fridge is very level could be slightly forward or back which will have water possibly run over the sides and not produce your adequate ice Reply
Read up on how to take the icemaker compartment out and clean out ice cube trays as best you can. Could use boiling water once that unit is out and unplugged or CLR and rinse it thoroughly there after. It’s not calcium buildup and not the level issue than the water line/ hose pressure from your residence can be turned down a little bit behind the fridge or under your floorboards so that’s not splattering water everywhere when in refill mode.
I replaced the ice maker and the waterline inlet valve assembly. I also changed the external water filter. The tray isn’t filling with water. What is the solution? Reply
Pull your fridge out and shut off your water supply to the fridge. Then disconnect the connecter to your waterline to your fridge and have someone turn on that valve if you happen to have a valve behind the fridge you’ll know right away if you have appropriate pressure coming from your residence. If there is water pressure at the valve when you test it then reconnect waterline try unplugging your fridge for 30 seconds and plug it back in to reset your ice cube maker. Thirdly there are valves that turn on and off the valve to the ice maker behind the fridge, you can look at the LG website if you want to do it yourself to test or call a LG / refrigerator repair company. And you can also check the optical sensors that may be just dirty or need to be replaced and there’s a simple self testing of those as well.if covered with calcium spray, It will think that the ice bucket is full and water won’t be released to the water/ ice tray. Reply
David G MantheTray when goes upside down it catches the upper shell and stops the tray from completing the cycle so is throat stretched out or is there away adjust it it doesn’t catch the upper shell Reply
I have the same exact issue! Haven’t figured it out yet though…was thinking to file down the upper shell or the tray itself. YOu have any luck? Reply
Not sure exactly what you’re watching when you do the reset /test button. The ice cube tray should flip over on certain models and then it will look looks it’s binding on the right side /give a twist so it looks like it’s jamming, but in actuality it has to twist the poly/ plastic tray to release the ice cubes. That is perfectly normal Reply
Will GraydonThis afternoon the ice in our ice maker started melting and tonight we noticed everything in our freezer is almost thawed. The refrigerator seems cool, but not cold. Any ideas of what is going wrong and suggestions for what we can try? Our fridge is 2 1/2 years old. Reply
There is a known problem with the compressors on LG fridges. We had an issue last July of 2021. The replacement compressor is under warranty but not the labor to install it. We spent $600 but you may be able to find a tech who will do it for less. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/appliances/lg-refrigerators-still-plagued-with-cooling-problems/ Reply
Bret DroneDon’t know but our LG fridge is doing the exact same thing so if you find out the problem I would appreciate it if you could let me know. Thanks.
I did turn down the temp on fridge and freezer and food seems to be more frozen now. Reply
The metal arm that must go up to reset the ice maker sometimes has drops of frozen water on the end, therefore inhibiting the are from rising with a no ice. Reply
We have a new big LG model that produces white powder in the ice. The fridge is about 3 months old. What’s going on? We spent over $3k on this. Thank you! Reply
Rocco MaioloHi
My ice maker tray turns to dump ice, makes a loud clicking noise like it’s trying to get back to the right side up position then gets stuck upside down. When I press reset or on/off it makes this same loud noise and gets stuck. Any suggestions/help would be great! Reply
Model LFX25961AL/01 ice tray not filling with water and sounds like an intermittent growling noise coming from the housing. Any ideas? Reply
Freddie GonzalezLG refrigerator ice maker not making ice always cross tray on it filling up five of the seven what could be the problem changed the pump the filter and new ice maker and still doing the same thing any help thank you Reply
Had my LG Fridge for about 5 years now and its never reliably made ice. It seems to work and not work at totally random times … sometimes it’s fine for weeks, filling up the bucket over and over and then its cactus for months on end. Just stops dispensing ice. Ice is in the tray part ready to go – just never cycles the fingers to rotate and push the ice out. At 1am last night (or this morning if you prefer) I heard ice drop into the ice bucket … waited a few seconds – could hear the water line turn on to fill the tray back up again. Now this was after 6 months of ZERO ice production. It continued to work fine for about 6 more cycles of making ice today then it just magically stopped again with about 30 bits of ice collected in the bottom of the ice bucket … it’s not even 1/4 filled. The ice maker tray is sitting there, ice cubes frozen and ready to go, but it never cycles the fingers to rotate and push the ice out, nor does it heat up to begin to dislodge them. If I press and hold the button on the actual ice maker (there is only one button on it) the fingers will go round – then get forever stuck on the ice and not dislodge them until I pour some boiling water on them to help dislodge them. For an expensive fridge – it’s disappointing that the icemaker has been a complete piece of garbage 🙁 Reply
Latisha HillMy LG thinq makes ice but does not dispense the ice unless I press the reset button. What could be the problem? Any suggestions? Reply
