What LG's Ice Plus Feature Does and When to Turn It On

Ice Plus makes your freezer run colder to produce ice faster

Ice Plus is a setting on LG refrigerators that lowers the freezer temperature below its normal operating point. When you turn it on, the compressor runs longer and harder to pull more heat out of the freezer compartment. This faster cooling speeds up ice production in your ice maker — useful when you need ice quickly or when you are hosting guests and your supply runs low.

The feature does not create a separate ice-making cycle or change how your ice maker works mechanically. It simply tells the refrigerator's cooling system to prioritize the freezer over the fresh food section for a set period, usually 24 to 48 hours. After that window closes, the refrigerator returns to normal temperature settings on its own.

Ice Plus is not the same as your ice maker's power switch. The ice maker itself must be turned on and working for Ice Plus to have any effect. If your ice maker is off or broken, turning on Ice Plus will only make your freezer colder without producing any ice.

Key Takeaways

• Ice Plus lowers freezer temperature temporarily to speed up ice production, and it turns off automatically after 24 to 48 hours.
• The feature works only if your ice maker is already on and functioning — it does not repair a broken ice maker or turn one on by itself.
• Turning on Ice Plus raises your refrigerator's energy use noticeably while it is active, so use it only when you actually need extra ice.
• You control Ice Plus through your refrigerator's control panel or touchscreen, depending on your model year and LG series.

Where to find the Ice Plus button or setting

The location of Ice Plus varies by LG model. On older refrigerators and some current models, it is a physical button on the front control panel, usually labeled "Ice Plus" or "Turbo Ice." Press it once to turn it on; the button lights up or a display shows that the feature is active. Press it again to turn it off before the 24-hour timer expires.

On newer LG refrigerators with a touchscreen display, Ice Plus is typically found in the main menu under settings or climate control. Tap the menu icon, look for "Freezer" or "Temperature," and select "Ice Plus" or "Turbo Ice." The screen will show whether it is on or off and how much time remains before it shuts down automatically.

If you cannot find Ice Plus on your control panel or in the menu, check your refrigerator's manual — the exact name and location depend on your specific LG model and year. Some entry-level LG refrigerators do not include this feature at all. Your model number is printed on a sticker inside the fridge, usually on the back wall or on the side wall near the top.

How Ice Plus affects your energy bill

Running Ice Plus increases electricity use because the compressor works continuously at higher capacity instead of cycling on and off as needed. During the 24 to 48 hours that Ice Plus is active, your refrigerator draws more power than it normally would. The exact increase depends on your model, your home's ambient temperature, and how often the refrigerator door is opened.

For most households, running Ice Plus once or twice a month has a small impact on the monthly bill — typically a few cents to a dollar per use. If you turn it on every day, the cost becomes noticeable. This is why LG designed it to turn off automatically: the feature is meant for occasional use, not continuous operation.

If you find yourself turning on Ice Plus every week because you run out of ice regularly, the real solution is to check whether your ice maker is working at full capacity. A slow ice maker or one that is partially blocked by frost will force you to rely on Ice Plus. Cleaning the ice maker inlet and ensuring the freezer is at the correct temperature (0°F or –18°C) often solves the problem without extra energy use.

When to use Ice Plus and when to skip it

Turn on Ice Plus when you genuinely need ice quickly — before a party, after a power outage that thawed your ice supply, or if your household suddenly uses more ice than usual. In these situations, the temporary energy cost is worth the convenience. Activate it in the morning if you need ice by evening, or the night before if you need it the next day.

Do not turn on Ice Plus as a permanent setting. Leaving it on continuously will wear out your compressor faster, raise your energy bill noticeably, and may cause the fresh food section to become too cold, damaging produce and dairy. It is a tool for short-term needs, not a way to run your refrigerator.

If your ice maker is producing ice slowly even without Ice Plus active, the problem is usually not the feature itself. Check that the water line to the ice maker is not kinked or frozen, that the inlet valve is not clogged, and that the freezer temperature is set to 0°F. If ice production is still slow after checking these, the ice maker itself may need service.

Ice Plus and your freezer temperature

When Ice Plus is on, your freezer temperature may drop to –4°F (–20°C) or lower, depending on your model. This is colder than the standard 0°F (–18°C) setting and is safe for frozen food — it will not damage anything. However, the fresh food compartment may also become colder than usual because the two sections share the same cooling system. Some LG models have a damper that reduces airflow to the fresh food section when Ice Plus is active, but not all do.

If you notice that your fresh food section is getting too cold while Ice Plus is running — for example, lettuce is freezing or milk is getting slushy — turn off Ice Plus early. You can press the button again or use the touchscreen menu to deactivate it. The refrigerator will return to normal temperature within a few hours.

Troubleshooting: Ice Plus is on but ice is not being made

If you have turned on Ice Plus and waited 24 hours but your ice maker is still not producing ice, the problem is not the feature itself. Ice Plus only speeds up production; it does not create ice if the ice maker is not working. Check these things first:

• Is the ice maker power switch on? Look for a small switch or lever inside the freezer, usually on the side wall of the ice maker itself. It should be in the "on" position.
• Is the water line connected and not frozen? Trace the plastic tube from the back of the refrigerator to the ice maker. If it feels hard or cold, the line may be frozen. If it is disconnected, reconnect it firmly.
• Is the inlet valve working? The inlet valve is behind the refrigerator where the water line connects. If water is not flowing to the ice maker, the valve may be stuck or clogged. This usually requires a technician to replace.
• Is the freezer at the right temperature? If the freezer is warmer than 10°F (–12°C), the ice maker will not work. Set it to 0°F (–18°C) and wait 24 hours.

If all of these check out and the ice maker still does not work, the ice maker assembly itself may be faulty. Contact LG support or a refrigerator technician for diagnosis and repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ice Plus damage my refrigerator?

No, Ice Plus will not damage your refrigerator if used occasionally. It is a built-in feature designed for short-term use. However, running it continuously for weeks or months may wear the compressor faster than normal operation. Use it only when you need it, and let it turn off automatically.

Can I leave Ice Plus on all the time?

You can, but you should not. Continuous Ice Plus operation raises your energy bill significantly, stresses the compressor, and may make your fresh food section too cold. It is designed to run for 24 to 48 hours and then stop. If you need ice constantly, the real issue is that your ice maker is not keeping up — have it checked by a technician.

How long does it take to make ice with Ice Plus on?

Ice production time depends on your model and how full the ice bucket is. With Ice Plus active, most LG ice makers produce a full bucket in 12 to 24 hours instead of the usual 24 to 48 hours. The exact time varies, so check your manual for your specific model.

Will Ice Plus freeze my fresh food section?

It may make the fresh food section colder than usual, but it should not freeze food unless you leave Ice Plus on for more than a few days. If you notice produce or dairy starting to freeze, turn off Ice Plus early. Most LG models have a damper that protects the fresh food section, but older models may not.

What if my LG refrigerator does not have an Ice Plus button?

Not all LG models include Ice Plus — it is more common on mid-range and higher-end models. If your refrigerator does not have it, you can still speed up ice production by lowering the freezer temperature manually to –4°F (–20°C) for a day or two, then returning it to 0°F. Check your manual to see if your model has any ice-production settings.