My LG Ice Maker Tube Freezes Up

Frozen Tube

• The ice maker tube is located in back of the refrigerator, so you will need to pull the unit away from the wall and unscrew the back of the unit. Look for thin tubing traveling up from the water supply valve to the freezer; this is the tube. You should be able to see and feel ice in the tube if it freezes up. Repeated freezing can indicate the freezer is set at a too-cold temperature. Adjusting the temperature up can prevent future freezes.

Fixing the Freeze

• You can thaw a light freeze with a washcloth soaked in hot water. Wrap the washcloth around the ice maker tube for a few minutes. When the ice melts, your ice maker should work. Alternatively, use a hairdryer to blow hot air over the tube and melt the ice without disconnecting the tube from the water supply valve. If the tube is still frozen, you must remove it to melt the ice. Unscrew the flare nut on the water supply valve to loosen it. Unscrew the screws holding the valve bracket in place to remove the bracket from the copper pipe. Pull the valve and front of the bracket out of the unit; they are now loose and will move freely. Pull the tube out of the valve to remove the tube from the unit. Place it in a bowl of hot water until the ice melts. Replace the tube and water supply valve, then replace the refrigerator's back panel.

Other Problems

• The feeler arm monitors the level of ice in your bin, telling the ice maker when to stop producing ice and when to make ice. If this arm becomes frozen in place, it triggers the LG ice maker to stop working. To fix this problem, turn off the appliance until the freezer defrosts enough to get the arm moving. Turn the ice cube size down to make smaller cubes, and turn down the water pressure, using the valve switch. Blockages occur when large clumps of ice melt enough to stick together. This can happen if your freezer goes into a defrost cycle, if the freezer temperature is not cold enough, if you rarely use the ice maker or if the ice is old. Remove the fused ice by hand to keep your ice maker from backing up.

Considerations

• If thawing the ice in your ice maker tube does not solve the problem, check whether a secondary problem is preventing the unit from working. If everything else seems in order, you most likely need a part replaced in your ice maker. Ice makers are relatively inexpensive, so a good repair shop may recommend replacing the unit over replacing a part. Find an appliance shop near you that specializes in LG refrigerators, by calling LG at (800) 243-0000.