What Ice Plus Does on LG Refrigerators and When to Turn It On

Ice Plus is a fast-freeze setting that makes ice cubes and frozen storage colder in a short time

Ice Plus is a feature on many LG refrigerators that temporarily lowers the freezer temperature below its normal setting. When you turn it on, the compressor runs longer and harder to pull heat out faster. This is useful when you need ice cubes quickly, want to freeze fresh groceries right away, or are recovering from a power outage or door left open.

The feature does not make a separate batch of ice or change how your ice maker works. Instead, it makes the entire freezer colder for a set period — usually 24 hours on most LG models — then returns to your normal temperature setting on its own. You do not have to turn it off manually.

Ice Plus uses more electricity while it runs because the compressor works continuously instead of cycling on and off as needed. This is a trade-off: you get faster freezing in exchange for higher power use during those 24 hours.

Key Takeaways

• Ice Plus temporarily lowers freezer temperature for 24 hours, then automatically returns to your normal setting without any action from you.
• Use Ice Plus when you need ice cubes quickly, after adding warm food to the freezer, or following a power outage or open-door incident.
• The feature increases electricity use while active because the compressor runs continuously rather than cycling.
• Ice Plus works on the entire freezer compartment, not just the ice maker, so all frozen items will get colder during the 24-hour cycle.
• You can turn Ice Plus on and off using the control panel or touchscreen on your refrigerator door, depending on your model.

Where to find the Ice Plus button on your LG refrigerator

The location of the Ice Plus control depends on your specific LG model. On most newer LG refrigerators with a digital touchscreen display, Ice Plus is a button or option on the main control panel mounted inside the refrigerator door or on the exterior panel. Look for a button labeled "Ice Plus" or an icon that looks like a snowflake with a plus sign.

On some older LG models, Ice Plus may be part of a menu you access through the main temperature or settings button. Check your refrigerator's manual — the document that came with your unit — to find the exact location for your model number. If you no longer have the printed manual, you can search for your model number on the LG website and download a PDF copy.

Once you locate the button, pressing it once turns Ice Plus on. A light or indicator on the display will show that the feature is active. You do not need to press it again; after 24 hours, the freezer automatically returns to your normal temperature.

When to use Ice Plus and when to skip it

Turn on Ice Plus in these situations: you are expecting guests and need a full ice bucket within a few hours; you just brought home groceries and want to freeze them quickly before they warm up; you experienced a power outage and want to restore freezer temperature as fast as possible; or you left the freezer door open and need to recover the temperature quickly.

Do not use Ice Plus routinely or leave it on continuously. Running the compressor at maximum for days at a time shortens its lifespan and wastes electricity. Ice Plus is designed for short-term needs, not permanent operation. If your freezer is not getting cold enough even with Ice Plus off, the problem is likely a clogged air vent, a faulty thermostat, or a compressor issue — not a missing Ice Plus activation.

If you live in a very hot climate and your freezer struggles to stay cold during summer, Ice Plus can help temporarily, but it is not a solution to a broken refrigerator. A unit that cannot hold temperature on its own needs service.

How Ice Plus affects your electricity bill

Ice Plus increases power consumption while it is running because the compressor does not cycle off. A typical refrigerator compressor runs about 8 to 10 hours per day under normal conditions. When Ice Plus is active, it may run 20 to 24 hours per day for that 24-hour period.

The actual cost depends on your local electricity rate and your refrigerator's size and efficiency rating. A 24-hour Ice Plus cycle might add 50 to 100 cents to your electricity bill, though this varies widely. Since Ice Plus is meant to be used occasionally — not daily — the annual impact is small if you use it only a few times per year.

If you are concerned about energy use, use Ice Plus only when you genuinely need fast freezing. For routine ice making, your normal freezer setting is efficient enough; ice makers are designed to work at standard temperatures.

Ice Plus versus other LG freezer features

Some LG refrigerators have additional freezer controls that work alongside or instead of Ice Plus. Power Cool is a similar feature on some models that rapidly cools the refrigerator section (not the freezer). Power Freeze is another name LG uses for the fast-freeze function on certain models — it is the same concept as Ice Plus.

Your refrigerator may also have a Turbo Freeze or Super Freeze button, which serves the same purpose. Check your manual to see which name LG used for your specific model. The function is identical: press the button, the freezer gets colder for 24 hours, then it returns to normal.

If your LG has a Smart Diagnosis feature, you can use it to troubleshoot freezer problems. This feature lets you take a photo of your control panel or call LG support, and they can read your refrigerator's error codes to identify whether Ice Plus is working correctly or whether a deeper problem exists.

Troubleshooting Ice Plus when it does not seem to work

If you press Ice Plus and the freezer does not get noticeably colder, first check that the button actually activated. Look for a light or text on the display that confirms Ice Plus is on. Some models show a countdown timer or a message like "Ice Plus Active."

If the button is on but the freezer is not getting colder, the problem may be an air vent blockage. Ice flows from the freezer to the refrigerator through vents, and if ice buildup or food is blocking these vents, cold air cannot circulate properly. Check inside your freezer for ice buildup around the back wall or sides, and remove any items blocking the vents.

If the freezer is still not cold after clearing vents and waiting a few hours, the compressor or thermostat may not be working. This is a repair that requires a service technician. Do not attempt to repair the compressor yourself; it contains refrigerant and requires specialized tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ice Plus make ice cubes faster?

Ice Plus makes the freezer colder, which speeds up the time it takes for water in the ice maker tray to freeze solid. If your ice maker normally takes 6 to 8 hours to produce a full batch, Ice Plus may reduce that to 3 to 4 hours. The exact time depends on how much water is in the tray and how cold the freezer gets.

Will Ice Plus damage my refrigerator if I leave it on all the time?

Leaving Ice Plus on continuously will wear out the compressor faster because it never gets a rest cycle. The compressor is designed to cycle on and off throughout the day. Constant operation shortens its lifespan and increases your electricity bill significantly. Use Ice Plus only when you need fast freezing, then let it turn off automatically after 24 hours.

Can I turn off Ice Plus before 24 hours are up?

Yes. Press the Ice Plus button again to turn it off immediately. The freezer will gradually return to your normal temperature setting over the next few hours. You do not have to wait for the 24-hour cycle to complete if you no longer need the extra cold.

What is the difference between Ice Plus and just lowering the freezer temperature manually?

Ice Plus is a temporary boost that automatically resets after 24 hours. If you manually lower the freezer temperature using the thermostat dial or touchscreen, it stays at that colder setting until you change it back. Ice Plus is more convenient because you do not have to remember to adjust the temperature back up.

Does Ice Plus work if my ice maker is broken?

Ice Plus will make the freezer colder, but it cannot fix a broken ice maker. If your ice maker is not producing ice at all, the problem is usually a frozen water line, a clogged filter, or a faulty ice maker assembly — not the freezer temperature. Ice Plus will not solve these problems. You will need to troubleshoot the ice maker itself or call a technician.