LG fridges are reliable, but the ice maker is a known weak point. If your LG fridge is producing no ice — or dramatically less than it should — the cause usually falls into one of five categories. Here’s how to diagnose and fix it.
Related Services: Fridge Repair in Vancouver
First check: is ice maker turned on?
On LG French door models, the ice maker has a power arm or a switch depending on the model. The arm lifts to pause ice production when the bin is full — check that it isn’t stuck in the raised position. On models with a dedicated ice maker switch on the panel, confirm it’s set to ON.
Also check: is the water line to the fridge connected and the supply valve open? The shut-off valve is typically behind the fridge or under the kitchen sink. It should be fully open (parallel with the pipe).
Most common reasons LG fridge makes no ice
1. LG ice maker frozen up
This is the most common LG ice maker failure. Ice accumulates in the ice maker mechanism itself — around the feeler arm, at the tray pivot, or in the fill tube — and jams the entire assembly.
How to check: Pull out the ice maker tray and look for ice buildup inside the ice maker housing. Feel along the fill tube (the small tube that supplies water from the back wall of the freezer to the ice maker) — if it’s frozen solid, water can’t reach the tray.
Quick fix: Use a hair dryer on low heat to thaw the ice maker assembly and the fill tube. Don’t use anything sharp to chip ice away from the mechanism. Once thawed, run a test cycle.
Why it keeps happening: Recurring ice maker freezing on LG units is often caused by the defrost system not running properly, or by a door seal issue that lets warm, humid air into the freezer — that moisture then freezes in and around the ice maker. If this is a repeat problem, the defrost heater or defrost thermostat likely needs inspection.
2. LG ice maker water inlet valve faulty
The water inlet valve is an electrically operated valve that opens to let water into the ice maker when commanded by the control board. When the valve fails or the solenoid inside it weakens, water flow drops or stops entirely — the ice maker runs its cycle but produces small cubes, hollow cubes, or no cubes at all.
How to diagnose: If the ice maker runs its ejection cycle (you can hear it) but no new ice appears in the tray, the inlet valve is a prime suspect. The valve is at the back of the fridge where the water line connects. Test it with a multimeter — the solenoid coil for the ice maker side typically reads 200 to 500 ohms when good.
Fix: Replace the inlet valve. LG inlet valves for common models (LFX, LFXS, LRMVS series) cost $30 to $80 in parts. Access is through the back panel — usually 6 to 8 screws.
3. Ice maker module failure
The ice maker module (the assembly itself, including the ejection motor and the feeler arm switch) can fail. When the module goes, the ice maker stops initiating cycles entirely — no harvest cycle, no water fill, no ice.
LG has a known issue with ice makers on their French door models (particularly those with the in-door ice and water dispensers, produced 2014–2019). Several class action settlements have addressed this. If your LG fridge was bought in that period and has persistent ice maker failures, check LG’s support site for your model number to see whether you’re covered.
Fix: Replace the ice maker module. Replacement assemblies for LG French door models are $80 to $150 and involve pulling the existing assembly (usually 2 to 3 screws and a wiring harness) and installing the new one.
4. Freezer temperature too warm
Ice makers need the freezer to run at 0°F (-18°C) or colder to produce ice reliably. If the freezer runs at 10°F or warmer, ice production slows or stops. Check your freezer temperature with a thermometer — not just the dial setting, but an actual reading inside the freezer.
Common causes of a warm freezer: dirty condenser coils (pull the fridge out and vacuum the coils at the bottom rear), a failing evaporator fan, or frost buildup blocking the evaporator. These are all repairable.
5. Clogged water filter
LG recommends replacing the water filter every 6 months. A clogged filter restricts water flow significantly — the ice maker gets inadequate fill, produces small or misshapen cubes, or stops producing ice if the filter is severely restricted.
Try bypassing the filter temporarily by installing the bypass plug (LG includes one with the fridge). If ice production returns, the filter was the issue. Replace with a genuine LG filter or a certified compatible replacement.
How to reset LG ice maker
After any repair or if the ice maker seems to have stopped without an obvious cause, do a reset:
- Locate the test button on the ice maker module (usually on the front face of the assembly — a small circular button).
- Press and hold until you hear a chime (about 3 seconds).
- The ice maker will run a test cycle — you’ll hear the motor and the ejection arm move.
- If the test cycle completes and the fill tube is clear, the ice maker should begin producing ice within 24 hours.
When to call a technician
DIY the basics: resetting, clearing a frozen fill tube, replacing the water filter, and checking the water supply valve. Call a technician if: the inlet valve needs testing and replacement, the ice maker module has failed, the ice maker is repeatedly freezing over (which requires defrost system diagnosis), or the freezer temperature is out of range for an unknown reason.
Vancouver Appliance Service repairs LG fridge ice makers across Metro Vancouver. We stock common LG ice maker modules and inlet valves and can usually complete the repair in a single visit.
