LG Refrigerator Error Codes: What They Mean and How to Fix Them
What the FF, FU, gF and CL E codes mean on an LG refrigerator, which ones you can try to clear and which need a technician.
LG refrigerators with a digital display show short codes made of letters and numbers, often preceded by E, r or Er depending on the model. Some codes are warnings that do not mean a fault, while others point to a failed fan, sensor or sealed system. If the display has gone blank or cleared after a power cut, LG says you can bring the code back by pressing the Freezer Temperature and Express Frz buttons together for at least 3 seconds.
Codes differ between models and model years, so find your model number first. In a refrigerator it is usually on a label inside the fresh food compartment, on a side wall or near the top. Models with an analog display show faults through indicator lights instead of text, so check your manual for those.
Never try to open the sealed cooling system or handle anything to do with refrigerant. Codes that mention a leak need a technician, and clearing the display does not fix them.
When defrosting, move food to a cooler and use dry towels on the floor. Do not use a hair dryer or other heat on the interior.
Warnings that are not faults
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lo | Room is too cold for the fridge | Warm the room above the limit | If it appears in a normal room |
| HI | Room is too hot for the fridge | Cool the room below the limit | If it appears in a normal room |
LG fridge Lo error
Lo is a warning rather than a fault. It tells you the ambient temperature around the refrigerator has dropped below minus 10 degrees Celsius, such as in an unheated garage in winter. The fridge will not work properly in a room that cold. Move it to a heated space, and book a technician only if the code shows in a normal room.
LG fridge HI error
HI is a warning that the ambient temperature around the refrigerator has risen above 50 degrees Celsius. At that temperature the fridge will not perform at its best. Ventilate or cool the space. If the code appears in an ordinary room, book a technician.
Code keeps coming back? Book a fridge & freezer repair and tell us the code and your model number.
Fan codes
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| FF (Er FF, E FF, F) | Freezer fan motor is not turning, often from frost | Defrost the unit fully, then restart | If the code remains after defrosting |
| rF (E rF) | Refrigerator compartment fan motor fault | Cut the power for about 5 minutes, then restart | If the code repeats |
| CF | Condenser fan fault | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
LG fridge FF (Er FF, E FF, F) error
FF, shown as Er FF, E FF or F depending on the model, means the freezer fan motor is not turning. Frost or ice around the motor is the usual cause, often from an overfull freezer or a door that is not fully closed. LG says to move the food to a cooler, unplug the fridge and leave the doors open for at least 24 hours, then dry the inside and plug it in again. Do not use a hair dryer to speed it up, and book a technician if the code stays.
Model note: Another LG page describes a shorter first step for E FF: unplug the fridge or trip its breaker for about 5 minutes. It also says that if the same code repeats, a technician should diagnose it.
LG fridge rF (E rF) error
rF, also shown as E rF, means the fan in the refrigerator compartment is not operating normally. LG suggests unplugging the fridge or tripping its dedicated breaker, waiting about 5 minutes and then using it again. If the same code repeats, the fan needs a technician to diagnose it.
LG fridge CF error
CF indicates a fault with the condenser cooling fan. The fan cools the condenser, and if it is blocked the compressor has to work harder, so the inside temperature rises. LG lists this as a code that needs service, so book a technician.
Cooling, defrost and sensor codes
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| FU | Freezer is not cooling as expected | Power cycle, then check door seals, vents and door habits | If the code continues after the checks |
| dH (FdH, dHF) | Defrost heater problem | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
| dS | Defrost sensor fault | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
| FS | Freezer temperature sensor fault | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
LG fridge FU error
FU is a freezer cycle error: ten minutes after starting, the freezer has not dropped below 3.5 degrees Celsius, or it has risen above that during operation. LG's steps are to unplug the fridge for 60 seconds and plug it directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip. Then check that the freezer is set correctly, the door is not opened too often or left open, no food is blocking the air vents and the door gaskets seal well. If the error continues, book a technician.
LG fridge dH (FdH, dHF) error
dH, sometimes shown as FdH or dHF, means the defrost sensor did not register a temperature rise of more than 5 degrees Celsius within 80 minutes of a defrost starting. The evaporator can then ice up. LG lists this as a code that needs service, so book a technician.
LG fridge dS error
dS indicates a fault in the defrost temperature sensor. Without a good reading, the evaporator can become blocked by ice from moisture in the air. There is no homeowner fix, so book a technician.
LG fridge FS error
FS indicates a fault with the freezer temperature sensor. The fridge loses accurate temperature information, which reduces its performance. There is no homeowner fix, so book a technician.
Water and communication codes
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| gF | Water flow sensor problem | Open the tap fully, check the hose for kinks, then power cycle | If it persists with good water flow |
| CO | Main board and display not communicating | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
LG fridge gF error
gF points to the water flow sensor, and the cause can be a closed water tap, a kinked hose or incorrect water pressure. Make sure the supply tap is fully open and the hose behind the fridge is not kinked. Then unplug the fridge for 60 seconds, plug it directly into the wall and allow up to 5 minutes for it to restart. If gF remains, book a technician.
Model note: LG says the flow sensor works only within a certain pressure range; see the user manual for the range for your model.
LG fridge CO error
CO indicates a communication error between the main control board and the display. LG lists this as a code that needs service. Book a technician and note the code when you call.
Sealed system codes
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| CL E (E CL) | Low side sealed system leak | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
| CH E (E CH) | High side sealed system leak | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
LG fridge CL E (E CL) error
CL E, or E CL, indicates a leak on the low side of the sealed cooling system, with the evaporator as a possible source. LG gives no steps for owners and says clearing the code from the display does not repair the leak. Write down the code and your model number, and book a technician.
LG fridge CH E (E CH) error
CH E, or E CH, indicates a leak on the high side of the sealed cooling system, with the condenser as a possible source. LG gives no steps for owners and says clearing the code from the display does not repair the leak. Write down the code and your model number, and book a technician.
How to reset your LG fridge
LG's demo or display mode is not shown as a code, so there is no code to look for. The clue is that the fridge and freezer are not cooling at all on a fridge that seems otherwise fine. LG documents a button combination to switch it off.
- Open the door on the refrigerator side.
- Hold down the FRIDGE button and press Express FRZ 3 times.
- On some models, hold FRIDGE and Express FRZ together for 3 seconds instead.
- A sound confirms that the mode has been switched off.
Frequently asked questions
What does FF mean on my LG refrigerator?
FF (also shown as Er FF or E FF) means the freezer fan motor is not turning, usually because of frost around it. Moving the food out, unplugging and leaving the doors open for at least 24 hours can clear it. If it returns, book a technician.
What does CL E mean on my LG refrigerator?
CL E, or E CL, means a leak on the low side of the sealed cooling system. There is nothing you can do yourself, and clearing the code does not fix the leak. Book a technician and give them the code and your model number.
What does gF mean on my LG refrigerator?
gF points to the water flow sensor, and common causes are a closed tap, a kinked hose or wrong water pressure. Check the tap and hose, then power cycle the fridge. If it persists, book a technician.
What does FU mean on my LG refrigerator?
FU means the freezer has not cooled as expected after starting, or has warmed up during operation. Power cycle the fridge into a wall outlet and check the door seals, vents and how often the door is opened. If it continues, book a technician.
Related
Codes and their meanings vary by model and model year, so keep your model number handy. If a code keeps returning after the safe checks above, book a repair and a technician will test your refrigerator in your home.
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