LG Ice Maker Not Working: Causes and Fixes

An LG ice maker that is not making ice most often has a freezer that is not cold enough, an ice maker that is switched off or locked out at the control panel, or a water supply problem. LG says the freezer must be below 19°F for any ice at all and recommends -4°F or colder for steady production. If the ice maker test does nothing, an error code appears, or ice keeps building up in the freezer, it is time for a technician.

This site is an independent directory of repair companies and is not affiliated with LG. The steps below come from LG's U.S. help library, and you can compare local technicians on our LG ice maker and freezer repair page. For brand-neutral steps, see our guide to an ice maker not working.

LG ice systems at a glance

LG uses a few different setups. Many French door models have the Slim SpacePlus ice system, some with dual ice makers. Craft Ice models add a second ice maker that makes slow-melting round spheres alongside regular cubes. A Craft Ice+ setting in the ThinQ app speeds up sphere production, at some cost to shape and clarity, so slower Craft Ice output on the standard setting is normal.

Safe checks you can do first

Unplug the refrigerator or switch off its breaker before you reach in around the ice maker, and shut off the water supply valve before you handle the water line. Then go through these:

1. Freezer setting. Set the freezer to -4°F or colder and give it 24 hours after the change. The FDA recommends keeping an appliance thermometer at the front of the freezer so you know the actual temperature.
2. Ice maker switch. Depending on the model, the ice maker is turned on with a power switch on its left side or an Ice On/Off control on the panel. If the panel is locked, release the lock first.
3. Water valve and hose. Make sure the supply valve is fully open and the hose behind the refrigerator is not kinked. A newly installed unit can take a day or more to start making ice.
4. Water filter. If the filter has been in longer than six months, replace it, then run about 2.5 gallons through the dispenser to push out trapped air.
5. Door seal. Clean the gaskets with warm water or mild detergent, and make sure food is not keeping a door from closing. Warm air leaking in causes frost and poor ice production.

Run LG's ice maker test

On ice makers with a visible tray, press and hold the test button under the tray for about three seconds until the tray or ejector arms turn. On models without a tray, LG has you press the test switch through a small access hole with a paper clip. Put a towel underneath, because the test can spill water. On a new install, LG allows only one test in the first two hours.

If the tray turns and refills, the ice maker mechanics are likely fine and the issue is usually temperature or water supply. If nothing moves, the ice maker or its controls need a technician. Wi-Fi models can also run Smart Diagnosis through the LG ThinQ app, which gives the technician useful information before the visit.

Tray overfilling or leaking

LG rates its ice makers for 20 to 120 psi of water pressure, or 40 to 120 psi on models with a filter. The fill valve relies on that pressure to snap shut, so low pressure can let it drip and overfill the tray, which then freezes into a block. High pressure calls for a pressure regulator. LG suggests checking pressure at an outside faucet and adjusting the supply valve before running the test again.

A leaking Craft Ice maker is often a pressure or warm-air problem. LG suggests partly closing the supply valve, setting the freezer to 0°F or colder and checking that the door gasket seals.

Ice building up in the freezer

Ice forming on the floor of the freezer usually means the freezer drain is blocked, so defrost water refreezes instead of running to the drain tray. LG's fix is to unplug the refrigerator and leave the doors open until all the ice melts, which can take one to three days. Move food to another freezer or a cooler first.

Never chip the ice away with a knife or other sharp tool. You can puncture the liner or tubing, and any work on the sealed refrigeration system is only for a technician with EPA Section 608 certification. If the freezer warms up during a long defrost, USDA guidance says a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours and a half-full one for about 24 hours with the door shut, and FoodSafety.gov says thawed food can be refrozen if it still has ice crystals or is at 40°F or below.

LG error codes tied to ice

Freezer fan and defrost faults show up as ice problems because the ice maker depends on a cold, frost-free freezer. Our guide to an LG freezer not freezing covers those symptoms.

What a technician tests

• The ice maker assembly, its motor and its temperature sensor.
• The water inlet valve and flow sensor, especially if the tray overfills or the gF code appears.
• The fill tube, which can freeze solid after an overfill.
• The ice maker fan, freezer fan and defrost system when IF, FF, dH or dS codes show up.
• The freezer drain if ice keeps forming on the freezer floor.

When to call a pro

• The test button does nothing, or the tray turns but never refills with water.
• Any of the codes above stays on the display.
• The tray keeps overfilling even with water pressure in range.
• Ice returns to the bottom of the freezer after a full defrost.

LG ice maker repair costs

National cost guides give a starting point. Fixr puts a typical ice maker repair at $150 to $250, and HomeGuide lists refrigerator ice maker repair at $100 to $225 for parts and labor.

HomeAdvisor says diagnostic fees run about $60 to $100 and are often credited toward the repair. Our ice maker repair cost guide covers repair-or-replace decisions.

Find LG ice maker repair near you

Search ice maker repair companies through our state directory, or look at listings in Los Angeles, New York and Miami. Have your model number, any display code and the result of the ice maker test ready when you call.