By purchasing a refrigerator with an LG icemaker, each owner hopes that expensive equipment will work flawlessly. Quite recently, many were afraid to purchase refrigerators with ice makers, as they often broke. Now, ice-making refrigerators from well-known brands have been working for years without any problems. However, in practice, small malfunctions and breakdowns sometimes occur. Let’s talk about the most common problems with LG icemakers and simple methods to fix them.
Diagnostics in icemaker test mode
If you notice that the icemaker does not maintain the set temperature, then starting the electronics in test mode will help to find out the reasons for this. To start the ice maker test mode, first pull the handle to open the ice compartment and remove the ice bucket.
Place a small towel in the ice compartment to absorb water or ice that falls out of the compartment during the test. Then press the test mode start button and hold it for at least 3 seconds. At this time, the icemaker will begin to rotate and you will be able to understand how accurately it works.
In order to start the test mode on an already working refrigerator, it must be disconnected from the mains for 30 seconds so that the electronics of the ice maker will reboot.
If during the test the icemaker did not begin to fill with water, then there is a possibility of malfunctions, the reasons for which will be discussed further.
Ice freezes unevenly
If you notice that the ice is freezing in uneven pieces, then the problem may be in the clogged nozzles through which the water enters the tray. In this case, ice cubes have characteristic chips, cracks and look asymmetrical. To fix the problem, it is worth cleaning the nozzles.
If the problem persists in the cleaning field, the pump in the icemaker may be faulty. It will have to be replaced either independently or with the help of a wizard from the service center.
5 Reasons Why LG Ice Maker Won’t Fill With Water
1. The problem with the water filter is the most common problem that occurs if the icemaker is not filled with water. In the absence of a filter, or its incorrect installation in the icemaker housing, water will not flow into the dispenser intended for it.
If there is no filter, simply put it back in place and fix it with special clips.
If the filter was recently installed, the icemaker may start leaking due to water pressure. The new filter allows water to pass through easily and when it reaches the icemaker, it starts to spray. A small amount of water may even spill onto the floor near the refrigerator.
To eliminate the leakage problem, it is enough to adjust the water pressure using the tap to which the refrigerator with an icemaker is connected. You need to tighten it a little so that the water pressure becomes less and the problem of filter leakage will disappear.
Sometimes a small leak in the icemaker can be caused by pieces of ice getting stuck in the tray. When the water fills the tray again with ice cubes stuck there, it overflows and leaks.
In this case, you just need to clean the tray of adhering ice and remove limescale on the tray.
2. A defective inlet valve may cause no water in the icemaker. In order to check the inlet valve, you will need to use a multimeter and also estimate the water pressure on the valve. It must be at least 1.4 bar. If this figure is less, then the valve will not work normally.
Typically LG refrigerators have 2 intake valves. The main valve is on the back of the refrigerator, the second (for the ice maker) is in the left door. The second valve takes water from the main valve. Both valves need to be checked.
If you are convinced that the pressure in the system is working, then you should check the valve with a multimeter. If a malfunction is found, the valve will have to be replaced with a new one.
3. Water hose problem. There is a water hose behind the LG refrigerator that is connected to the intake valve. Kinking the water hose will restrict the flow of water to the inlet valve. Inspect the hose and correct the problem, if any.
4. Failure of the relay on the control panel. Every LG refrigerator has a control panel. If the control board does not supply power to the icemaker, or one of the relays on the control board fails, the icemaker will not operate.
5. Faulty fan in the icemaker. It is located in the freezer and blows cold air into the ice maker chamber, where it freezes the water. At the same time, if the air temperature in the freezer is several degrees higher than -120C, then the icemaker will not work normally.
To check the operation of the fan, a magnet is applied to the top of the door, where it is usually located. If you feel cold air coming out of the vents, then the fan is working and working properly. If there is no cold air flow, replace the fan with a new one and check the contacts when connecting.
Also, a malfunction of the ice maker may be associated with improper operation of the door switch. It turns off ice generation if the refrigerator door is open or not locked securely. You can check the operation of the switch with a multimeter. If no current is detected, then the switch should be replaced.
If the ice cube tray is Teflon coated, it can corrode more often than molds made from other materials. This also leads to breakdowns and leaks in the icemaker.
Popular questions and answers about LG icemaker
What is the temperature in the freezer for the icemaker to work properly?
Experts do not recommend keeping the temperature below -180C. It is best to set the value to -200C – this is enough for normal ice generation.
How do I reset the icemaker settings on my LG refrigerator?
In order to reboot the icemaker, turn off the refrigerator for 30 seconds. During this time, the electronics will reset the settings.
What does Ice Plus mean on LG fridge?
When all the ice in the LG refrigerator has been used up, it will take 2 hours to produce the next batch of ice. Some LG models are equipped with Ice Plus function. This useful option speeds up the freezing process and makes ice cubes 2 times faster. That is, you don’t have to wait long to get even more ice.
Why can water accumulate in the bunker of the icemaker?
This happens if the drain hose is clogged. Unplug the refrigerator and clean the hose. After that, the water will stop collecting in the chamber.
Why does the icemaker shut down or generate ice intermittently?
The cause may be a defective thermostat. To resume normal operation of the generator, it will be enough to replace the thermostat.
How long does it take for an LG refrigerator to make ice?
If you’ve just bought and installed an LG refrigerator, it may take about 24 hours. But if the refrigerator has been operating for a long time, in this case, the ice maker will produce new portions of ice every 2-3 hours.
How to check the optical sensor on LG ice maker?
A defective optical sensor is one of the reasons the ice maker may complete a cycle but not operate automatically. To check the optical sensor, do the following:
- Remove the ice container from the compartment.
- Close the left door.
- Wait 3 minutes with the freezer door open.
- Simultaneously press the refrigerator button and the lock button.
If ETY is displayed after the above procedure, the ice sensor is OK. When the display shows FULL, the ice sensor is defective. In the second case, the optical sensor will have to be replaced.
How to replace an icemaker?
If the icemaker breaks down, if it is not possible to restore its performance, it will have to be replaced. To do this, disconnect the refrigerator from the outlet and unscrew the screws holding the icemaker. In this case, it is not necessary to twist them all, the upper ones can be left by loosening them a little.
How to extend the life of your icemaker?
In order for the icemaker to serve for a long time, it requires care. First of all, you should pay attention to the quality of tap water, which is used to make ice. If possible, it is better to install a special filter on the tap from which water enters the refrigerator.
Excess chlorine will significantly impair the taste of ice. Hard salts from low-quality water form a hard-to-dissolve deposit on all parts of the icemaker, making it difficult to operate and leading to breakdowns.
Many LG icemaker models have a dedicated self-cleaning function. It should be run from time to time to keep the entire system in good working order.