Skip to main content

What the Ice Plus Button Does on Your LG Refrigerator

The Ice Plus button makes your ice maker produce ice faster by running the freezer at its coldest setting

The Ice Plus button on an LG refrigerator is a temporary boost feature that lowers the freezer temperature to speed up ice production. When you press it, the freezer runs at maximum cold for a set period — usually 24 to 48 hours — to freeze water faster in the ice maker tray. After that time, the freezer returns to your normal temperature setting automatically.

This button is useful when you need ice quickly: before a party, after a power outage, or when your ice supply runs low. It is not meant to stay on all the time. Leaving Ice Plus active continuously wastes electricity and can make your freezer colder than necessary for food storage.

Key Takeaways

  • Ice Plus temporarily lowers your freezer to its coldest setting to produce ice faster, then returns to normal after 24 to 48 hours.
  • The button is designed for short-term use when you need extra ice quickly, not as a permanent setting.
  • Leaving Ice Plus on continuously raises your electricity bill and can freeze food too hard or damage some items.
  • You can turn Ice Plus off manually at any time by pressing the button again, even before the timer ends.

How to Use Ice Plus on Your LG Refrigerator

Locate the Ice Plus button on your refrigerator's control panel. On most LG models, it is on the front of the fridge near the ice and water dispenser controls, or on the interior wall above the ice maker compartment. The exact location varies by model year and style.

Press the Ice Plus button once to activate it. A light or indicator will turn on to show the feature is running. Your freezer will immediately begin operating at its coldest temperature. Leave it running for 24 to 48 hours, depending on how much ice you need. The freezer will automatically return to your preset temperature when the cycle ends.

If you need ice sooner or want to stop the cycle early, press the Ice Plus button again to turn it off manually. There is no penalty for canceling it — you can restart it later if needed.

When to Use Ice Plus and When to Skip It

Use Ice Plus in these situations: you are hosting guests and your ice bin is nearly empty, you just had a power outage and need to rebuild your ice supply, or you are moving into a new home and want to stock ice quickly. These are all temporary needs that justify a short burst of extra cold.

Do not leave Ice Plus running all the time. Running your freezer at maximum cold 24/7 increases your electricity bill noticeably and can cause problems. Frozen vegetables and meats may become too hard or develop freezer burn faster. Some foods in the back of the freezer can freeze solid and become difficult to remove. Your ice maker itself may work less efficiently if it is always at peak cold, because the water inlet can freeze before it reaches the tray.

If you find yourself using Ice Plus frequently — more than once a month — check your ice maker settings. You may be able to raise the normal freezer temperature slightly or adjust the ice maker's production rate in your refrigerator's menu. Your user manual will show you how to access these settings.

How Ice Plus Affects Your Freezer Temperature and Energy Use

When Ice Plus is active, your freezer temperature drops to approximately 0°F or below, compared to the standard 0°F to 5°F range most people use for food storage. This extra cold requires your compressor to run longer and more often, which uses more electricity. The difference in your power bill depends on how long you run it and your local electricity rate, but expect a small increase for each 24-hour cycle.

The energy cost is worth it for occasional use — a day or two every few months is negligible. Continuous use, however, adds up. If you run Ice Plus for a full week, you may see a measurable jump in your monthly bill. Check your refrigerator's energy guide label or your user manual for the estimated annual consumption at normal settings, then factor in the extra draw when Ice Plus is active.

Troubleshooting Ice Plus When It Does Not Seem to Work

If you press Ice Plus and nothing happens, first check that your ice maker is turned on. Look for an on/off switch inside the freezer, usually on the side wall or on the ice maker unit itself. If the ice maker is off, the Ice Plus button will not function because there is no water supply to freeze.

Next, verify that water is reaching your ice maker. Listen for a humming sound when you press Ice Plus — that is the water inlet valve opening. If you hear nothing, the water line may be frozen, kinked, or disconnected. Check the water line at the back of your refrigerator to make sure it is not bent or pinched. If the line appears intact, you may need to thaw it or have a technician inspect the inlet valve.

If the button lights up but ice production does not increase after 24 hours, your freezer may already be at maximum cold. Check your freezer temperature setting in the refrigerator menu. If it is already set to the coldest option, Ice Plus will have little effect. In that case, the issue is likely with the ice maker itself — a clogged water line or a faulty ice maker motor — rather than the Ice Plus feature.

Finding Your Model's Ice Plus Location and Instructions

Your LG refrigerator's user manual contains the exact location of the Ice Plus button for your specific model and explains how long the cycle runs. You can find the manual in three ways: check the drawer where you keep your refrigerator paperwork, visit the LG website and search by model number (the model number is on a sticker inside the fridge, usually on the wall above the vegetable drawer), or contact LG customer service with your model number and they will email or mail you a copy.

The model number is important because Ice Plus works slightly differently on different LG refrigerator styles. Some models have a 24-hour cycle, others 48 hours. Some turn off automatically, others require you to press the button again. Your manual will clarify exactly how your model behaves so you know what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ice Plus damage my refrigerator?

No, Ice Plus is a built-in feature designed for your refrigerator and is safe to use. It will not harm the compressor or other parts when used occasionally. Continuous use over weeks or months may increase wear slightly, but normal intermittent use — a few times per year — poses no risk.

Will Ice Plus freeze my food solid?

If you have food stored in the freezer, it may freeze harder or develop freezer burn during a 24 to 48-hour Ice Plus cycle. This is not dangerous, but it can affect texture. If you are concerned, remove items you plan to eat soon before activating Ice Plus, or use it only when your freezer is mostly empty.

Can I turn Ice Plus off before 24 hours?

Yes, you can press the Ice Plus button again at any time to stop the cycle early. Your freezer will return to your normal temperature setting within a few hours. There is no harm in canceling it if you no longer need the extra ice.

Why is my ice maker not making ice even with Ice Plus on?

Check that the water line is connected and not frozen. Verify the ice maker switch is in the on position inside the freezer. If both are fine, the inlet valve or ice maker motor may be faulty and require service. Ice Plus cannot work if water cannot reach the ice maker tray.

Does Ice Plus use a lot of electricity?

A single 24 to 48-hour cycle uses a small amount of extra electricity — roughly equivalent to running a light bulb for a few hours. The impact on your bill is minor for occasional use. Continuous use would be noticeable, which is why the feature is designed to turn off automatically.