LG Refrigerator Error Er BU — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Er BU on an LG refrigerator indicates a fault related to the ice bucket or ice dispenser auger motor. The auger motor drives the spiral mechanism inside the ice bucket that moves ice toward the dispenser chute when you press the dispenser paddle. When this motor stalls, fails, or cannot operate the auger due to a jam, Er BU is triggered. Ice cannot be dispensed until the fault is resolved, but the refrigerator continues to cool normally.

Affected Models

LRMVS3006S
LRFXS2503S
LRMDC2306S
LRFOC2606S
LG French door and side-by-side refrigerators with motorized ice dispensers
LRFWS2906S

Common Causes

Auger motor has failed — the motor that drives the ice spiral can no longer turn
Large ice clump or a foreign object is jammed in the auger mechanism preventing it from rotating
Ice has built up and fused around the auger shaft, locking it in place
Auger motor wiring harness has a break or the connector has come loose
Ice dispenser assembly control board has a fault affecting the auger motor output circuit

How to Fix It

Press the dispenser paddle and listen for the auger motor. You should hear a humming or grinding sound as the motor tries to push ice. A motor that hums but does not move ice may have a jammed auger. No sound at all suggests the motor has failed or lost power.

A jammed auger is far more common than a burned-out motor. Always check for ice jams before assuming motor failure.
Turn off the ice maker and remove the ice bucket if accessible. Clear all ice from the bucket. Look for large clumps of ice, foreign objects, or ice formation around the auger shaft.

Ice clumping is common — especially in households that use ice infrequently. Breaking up the ice and removing the clumps often resolves Er BU immediately.
Leave the ice maker off for 30 minutes to allow any ice built up around the auger shaft to melt slightly. Reinstall the empty bucket, turn the ice maker back on, and test the dispenser.

You can use a hair dryer on low setting pointed at the ice bucket area to speed up the melting. Keep moisture away from electrical connections.
If the bucket is clear of ice and the motor still does not run, check the wiring connector at the auger motor. In LG in-door ice makers, the motor connector can work loose due to thermal cycling and vibration.

Firmly reseat the connector and test again before condemning the motor.
If the motor does not run after clearing ice and checking connections, the auger motor has failed and needs replacement. The auger motor is usually part of the ice maker assembly — confirm whether it can be replaced separately or requires a complete assembly replacement.

On many LG French door models the entire ice maker assembly is replaced rather than individual motor components — get a parts quote before proceeding.

When to Call a Professional

Auger motor replacement inside an LG French door ice maker door requires door panel disassembly. A certified technician can diagnose and replace the motor or clear the jam. Expect $120 to $280 for repair including labor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Er BU appear if I have not used the ice dispenser in a long time?

Yes — if ice sits in the bucket for days without being used, it fuses into a solid block. When you press the dispenser, the auger motor cannot break through the ice block, stalls, and Er BU is triggered. Regularly using the dispenser prevents this — and if you are going away for more than a few days, empty the ice bucket before you leave.

Will the refrigerator stop making ice when Er BU is showing?

On many LG models, the ice maker will continue to try to produce ice even when Er BU is active. However, if the auger is jammed and the bucket is full, the ice maker may detect the full bucket and pause. Fix the auger fault first, then verify ice production resumes normally.

Is Er BU expensive to fix?

If the cause is an ice jam — which it usually is — fixing it is free and takes a few minutes. If the auger motor has failed, replacement parts cost $30 to $100 and labor adds $80 to $150. A complete ice maker assembly replacement, if needed, runs $200 to $400 at a service center.