LG Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working - Common Causes & Fixes

Ice is a delicious modern convenience, but it’s not without its hiccups, especially in at-home refrigerators. ConsumerReports rates LG refrigerators among the most reliable on the market and applauds the manufacturer for listening to feedback and consistently making improvements. However, no model refrigerator is completely without issue, and every year around October and April, thousands of users take to the internet to figure out why their LG refrigerator ice maker isn’t working and how they can fix it. In this article, we’ll walk you through your options for assessing and troubleshooting the issue before bringing in a professional. Should it come to that, a Liberty Home Guard warranty can provide vital peace of mind. 

 

Causes of LG Fridge Not Making Ice

While Samsung is notorious for its refrigerators’ ice maker malfunctions, any American with a built-in ice maker can tell you a story about their frustrations with their model fridge. LG refrigerators aren’t immune to these problems, but with the right knowledge, you may be able to diagnose and repair the issue before it evolves into a long term inconvenience. Here are some of the common causes of LG fridges not making ice:

Inadvertently switched off

If you’ve noticed your ice maker has suddenly stopped dispensing, it’s important to rule out the simplest cause first. Moving things around, loading and unloading food items, and even just quickly grabbing ice from the bucket can accidentally trigger the off switch. With the off switch engaged, the ice maker won’t produce. Simply switch the ice maker on and wait a few hours to confirm it is back to producing ice as normal. 

Jammed ice bucket

If a flipped switch isn’t the issue, the next step is to check the ice bucket. Sometimes ice forms around the dispenser bucket, knocking it out of place or jamming new ice from dispensing. Check your ice bucket, remove it if possible, and thaw it if you suspect it’s jammed or find evidence of ice around it. 
Insufficient water pressure
Household water pressure should be a minimum of 20 PSI. If the water pressure is too low, debris can clog your water lines and stop your ice maker from producing. You can check your water pressure by using a gauge at a faucet. 

Frozen water line

Another common cause of malfunctioning ice makers is a frozen water line. Your water line should be located near your ice maker, so you can feel around for it. If you find a hard or cold supply line, it could be clogged or otherwise frozen. 

Water filter issues

The filter is responsible for circulating water to the dispenser and ice maker. If it’s old, damaged, or clogged, it may not be able to route water to the ice maker correctly, leading to production issues or foul smelling ice.
Refrigerator door switch
Your refrigerator door switch plays a crucial part in your freezer’s ice production. If it’s not functioning properly, it won’t send the right signals to the ice maker, leading to over or under production. 

Defective motor

Ice makers have a small auger motor that moves the product from inside the machine, down the chute, and into the dispenser. If the motor is not functioning, ice won’t drop into the dispenser, which could lead to jams and other issues. 

How to Troubleshoot LG Refrigerator Ice Maker Problems

Because every model LG refrigerator has nuances and varying features, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all troubleshooting guide. That said, you can reference your user manual with a complete step-by-step troubleshooting guide specific to your model.

Here are some common recommendations for troubleshooting LG ice maker problems:

• Confirm the freezer is set to -4 degrees Fahrenheit
• Review care and cleaning guides
• Discard old ice and remake it to see if problem persists
• Level the refrigerator
• Ensure doors close and seal completely
• Wait at least 24 hours after installation for first production
• Remove excess ice to confirm it’s not triggering the off switch

If these options don’t work, some LG refrigerators have built-in Smart Diagnosis. To engage this feature, contact customer support and follow their instructions.  

When to Call a Professional

It’s time to call in a professional if your past attempts at troubleshooting are unsuccessful. If your refrigerator is a recent purchase and you’re the original owner, you may be entitled to LG manufacturer’s warranty protection. Parts and labor for internal and functional repairs are completely covered within one year of purchase, but parts will be covered for up to seven years. The parts for linear compressor are covered for up to 10 years, but you will have to pay for labor.

If you purchased the refrigerator secondhand, it came with your home, or it’s otherwise outside the warranty period, you have a few options. You can vet and contact an authorized repair technician in your area or read through your home warranty contract terms to learn more about your coverage and the process for filing a claim. 

Protect Your LG Fridge With Liberty Home Guard Home Warranty

Home warranties protect your household budget when your most-used appliances and systems break down due to normal wear and tear. With the right home warranty, such as Liberty Home Guard’s Appliance Guard or Total Guard, you can continue to protect your kitchen refrigerator, even after it’s out of warranty with the dealer or manufacturer.

Our optional in-fridge ice maker add-on further expands your coverage for a nominal monthly fee. When you choose a Liberty Home Guard home warranty, our representatives take the hard work out of locating a technician, scheduling a repair, budgeting for the expense, and sourcing the necessary parts, thereby taking a lot of pressure off you by the unexpected happens.

Our services enable homeowners to make quick repairs without trading off valuable time or resources, which can feel like a saving grace in your already hectic life.

To learn more, request a custom LHG quote today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset my LG refrigerator’s ice maker?

While every model LG refrigerator is slightly different, you can typically reset the ice maker by removing the dispenser bucket and pressing the reset/test button for three seconds. This process ejects ice that may have inhibited proper dispensing. 

Why is my LG refrigerator not making ice but the water works?

There are several reasons your LG refrigerator isn’t making ice, but the water still works. Here are a few possible reasons:

1. Jammed or broken dispenser
2. Dirty or old water filter
3. Kinked water line
4. Faulty water inlet valve
5. Warm freezer temperatures

With a Liberty Home Guard home warranty that covers appliances, you can file a claim for ice maker malfunctions, and our experienced technicians can diagnose the precise problem. 

How do I test my LG bottom freezer ice maker?

You can test your LG bottom freezer ice maker by holding the test button for three seconds. Running a test cycle will force your LG refrigerator to run through its three main stages: water supply, ice making, and harvest.