LG Refrigerator Error Codes: What They Mean and What to Do

LG refrigerator error codes are the short letter codes on the control panel, such as FF, dH or IF, that tell you which part the refrigerator thinks has a problem. A few are not faults at all; OFF, for example, means the refrigerator is in a store display mode. Most point to a fan, a sensor or the defrost system, and several clear after a reset or a full defrost. LG says codes can look different depending on the model and are often preceded by E, r or Er, so confirm your code in your owner's manual or on LG's refrigerator error code page.

Safety first: unplug the refrigerator or switch off its breaker before you pull it away from the wall or remove any panel. Several of LG's fixes mean defrosting with the doors open, so put towels down first.

LG refrigerator error codes at a glance

• OFF (O F F): demo or display mode, not a fault
• FF (Er FF, E FF): freezer fan
• rF (Er rF): refrigerator fan
• CF: condenser fan
• IF, IS, It: ice maker fan, ice maker sensor, ice maker motor
• gF: water flow sensor
• dH (F dH, r dH, dHF): defrost failure
• FS, rS, r2, dS, rT, SS: temperature sensors
• CO: communication error
• CH, CL: refrigerant leak

How to reset an LG refrigerator

For most codes, LG's first step is a power reset:

1. Write down the code or take a photo of it.
2. Unplug the refrigerator or switch off its breaker. LG's code pages say to wait about 5 minutes (60 seconds on its general code page).
3. Plug it straight into a wall outlet. LG says not to use a power strip or a multiple socket.
4. Give it time. LG says a full restart can take up to 5 minutes.
5. If the same code comes back, the refrigerator needs service.

A reset clears the code; it does not fix a failed part. Our guide to resetting a refrigerator covers other brands too.

LG refrigerator demo mode: OFF on the display

LG says that when the panel shows O F F, the refrigerator is in demo mode, also called display mode. It turns off all cooling in the refrigerator and freezer to save energy on a store floor, while the lights and panel keep working. If a new refrigerator lights up but never gets cold, check for this first. To turn it off:

• 2018 and earlier models: open the right refrigerator door, then press and hold REFRIGERATOR and ICE PLUS together for about five seconds, until you hear a second beep.
• 2019 and newer models: open either door and press and hold ICE PLUS and REFRIGERATOR until you hear a second beep. Keep holding REFRIGERATOR and press ICE PLUS three times.

LG says to use the 2019 steps if your serial number starts with 901 or higher. The temperature settings reappear when demo mode is off. Button names vary; some models use FRIDGE and Express FRZ instead. No technician is needed.

LG refrigerator fan codes: FF, rF and CF

FF (Er FF, E FF): freezer fan

LG says this code appears when ice or frost keeps the freezer fan motor from turning. The fix is a full manual defrost:

1. Move the food to a cooler with ice. The USDA says a refrigerator without power keeps food safe for up to 4 hours even with the doors closed, and a cooler should hold food at 40°F or below.
2. Put dry towels on the floor around the refrigerator.
3. Unplug it and leave the doors fully open for at least 24 hours. LG says melting can take about a day in summer and up to three days in winter.
4. Wipe out the water, plug it back in and allow 24 to 48 hours for normal temperatures.

When to call a technician: FF comes back. A fan that keeps freezing means something else is wrong, most often the defrost system or a door that is not sealing.

rF (Er rF): refrigerator fan

LG says the fan motor in the refrigerator section is not running normally. Reset the power for about 5 minutes. If rF returns, it needs service.

CF: condenser fan

LG says the fan at the back of the refrigerator, which cools the compressor compartment, is not running. LG notes that a power reset makes the code disappear, but it comes back about 3 hours later if the fault is still there. That is a service call.

LG refrigerator ice maker codes: IF, IS, It and gF

• IF: the ice maker fan, which moves cold air from the freezer to the ice maker, has a problem. LG says to request service.
• IS: a fault in the ice maker temperature sensor. The ice maker may stop dropping ice into the bucket.
• It: a fault with the ice maker motor.
• gF: a water flow sensor problem. LG says a closed water valve, a kinked hose or incorrect water pressure can cause it.

For gF, LG's steps are to unplug the refrigerator for 60 seconds, plug it straight into a wall outlet and wait up to 5 minutes for it to restart. Then make sure the water supply valve is fully open, the hose is not kinked and your water pressure is within the range in your manual. If ice is the real complaint, see ice maker not making ice.

LG refrigerator sensor and defrost codes

dH (F dH, r dH): defrost failure

LG says the section did not reach its normal temperature within a set time after defrosting started. It lists ice buildup, a blocked drain hole, a disconnected temperature fuse or heater, or a main board failure as causes. For an ice-blocked drain, LG says to unplug the refrigerator, open the doors wide and let the ice melt; the meltwater should then run to the drain pan. If dH comes back, a technician needs to find the failed part.

Temperature sensor codes

LG says these sensor codes need service, and that most of them reduce the refrigerator's performance:

• FS: freezer temperature sensor
• rS and r2: refrigerator temperature sensors, upper and lower
• dS: defrost sensor; LG notes the evaporator may ice up as a result
• rT: ambient (room) temperature sensor
• SS: water tank temperature sensor

Communication and refrigerant codes

• CO: the main board and display cannot communicate. A temporary power problem can cause it, so reset the power for about 5 minutes. If it repeats, LG says a failed board or a loose wire may be the cause.
• CH and CL: LG says these indicate a refrigerant leak on the high side or low side of the sealed system.

What usually fails

• Fan motors. Behind FF, rF, CF and IF.
• Defrost parts. The heater, thermal fuse, sensor or a clogged drain, behind dH and repeat FF codes.
• Temperature sensors. Behind FS, rS, dS and the rest.
• Water valve or flow sensor. Behind gF and a quiet ice maker.
• Control board or wiring. Behind CO.
• Sealed system. Behind CH and CL, and the most expensive repair on any refrigerator.

What it costs in Jacksonville

The diagnostic is $79 ($119 for built-in refrigerators), waived when you approve the repair. Repairs start at $179 plus parts, with a written flat-rate estimate before any work begins. On standard brands, a typical refrigerator repair runs $200 to $450 all in; fans, defrost parts, relays and valves sit at the low end, and control boards and ice makers at the high end. Premium brands run higher. Sealed-system work is rarely worth it on an older refrigerator, and our repair-or-replace guide walks through that decision.

A refrigerator that is not cooling gets priority scheduling, and most calls placed before noon are seen the same day. Many LG refrigerator repairs can be finished on the first visit, and there is no trip charge to come back and install an ordered part. Every repair carries our 90-day parts-and-labor warranty. See our pricing.

Schedule refrigerator repair or call (904) 561-4790 for same-day service across Jacksonville & the First Coast.