Kenmore Refrigerator Er IS Code: Causes & Fix

What is the Kenmore Refrigerator Er IS error?#

Er IS on a Kenmore refrigerator is an ice-maker sensor fault: the thermistor that tells the ice maker how cold the mold is has failed, so ice stops dropping, the maker clicks without harvesting, or cubes come out hollow. It is a convenience fault, not a cooling emergency — the fridge still keeps food cold. On these LG-built Kenmores the ice maker has its own test button, which is the fastest way to see where the cycle stalls.

Er IS on a Kenmore Refrigerator: likely causes and repair cost#

On a Kenmore Refrigerator, the Er IS code signals: ice maker sensor fault.

Typical professional repair: $150–$325 · Difficulty: hard · usually a technician job

Symptoms that often accompany Er IS: No ice dropping into the bin; The ice maker clicking but never harvesting; Hollow or half-formed cubes

Technician diagnostic sequence for Er IS:

1. Check ice maker water supply — verify valve is open and line is not frozen
2. Test ice maker thermistor resistance — should vary with temperature (~5K at 32F)
3. Inspect wiring harness from ice maker to main board
4. Run ice maker test cycle using the test button on the ice maker module

Parts a technician may check or replace: LG platform

Field note: On this LG-built 795-series Kenmore the ice maker carries its own test button — hold it about three seconds to force a harvest and watch which step stalls. That single test usually tells you whether the fault is the fill valve, the mold thermistor, or the harvest motor before you swap anything.

How to troubleshoot the Er IS error yourself#

There is a genuinely useful owner check here. First, confirm the ice maker's water supply is on and the fill line is not frozen, since a starved maker mimics a sensor fault. Then use the test button on the ice maker module — the field note says to hold it about three seconds to force a harvest and watch which step stalls. That single test usually reveals whether the trouble is the fill valve, the mold thermistor, or the harvest motor.

If the test cycle points at the sensor or module, the repair moves to a technician, who tests the ice-maker thermistor resistance against the reference the table above gives, inspects the wiring harness back to the main board, and replaces the failed LG part. Confirming the water supply and running the self-test is the owner's share; metering and replacing the sensor or module is the professional half.

Is the Kenmore Refrigerator Er IS error worth fixing?#

Er IS is a discretionary repair, since the refrigerator keeps working — but if you want ice back, it is reasonable. The table above lists $150 to $325 for a professional fix, the ice-maker sensor or module plus labor, on LG-built parts. On a fridge in good shape that is a fair spend for a working ice maker. Because it does not threaten cooling, it is also perfectly fine to defer if the cost feels high on an older unit; nothing else is harmed by waiting.

Kenmore Refrigerator Er IS: frequently asked questions#

What does the Er IS error mean on a Kenmore refrigerator?#

It is an ice-maker sensor fault: the thermistor reading the ice mold temperature has failed, so ice stops harvesting or cubes come out hollow and half-formed.

Is it safe to keep using a Kenmore refrigerator showing Er IS?#

Yes — it only affects the ice maker. The fridge and freezer keep food cold normally, so you can defer this repair without any risk.

Can I clear the Er IS error myself, or do I need a technician?#

Check the water supply and run the ice maker's test button to see where it stalls. A failed thermistor or module then needs a technician to replace.

How much does it cost to repair Er IS on a Kenmore refrigerator?#

The table above lists $150 to $325 for a professional repair, the ice-maker sensor or module plus labor.

Which parts usually fail when a refrigerator throws Er IS?#

The ice-maker thermistor is the common failure, followed by ice-maker wiring faults and, less often, the ice-maker module itself.

Is a Kenmore refrigerator with Er IS worth repairing?#

It is optional since cooling is unaffected, but a $150 to $325 fix is reasonable if you want ice back on a sound refrigerator.

Why does a failed ice-maker thermistor trigger Er IS?#

The ice maker uses the thermistor to know when the mold is cold enough to harvest. When it fails, the module cannot judge the cycle, so the control reports Er IS.