LG Refrigerator Error Codes — Complete Guide (2026)

Your LG refrigerator is flashing a code and you need answers — not a sales pitch. This guide covers every current LG refrigerator error code, what each one means, and exactly how to fix it. We also cover when the repair math stops making sense and buying scratch and dent becomes the better play.

LG Refrigerator Error Code Reference

| Code | Meaning | Severity | Likely Fix | |------|---------|----------|------------| | Er FF | Freezer fan motor failure | High | Check for ice buildup, replace fan motor | | Er rF | Refrigerator fan motor failure | High | Inspect fan, replace motor if seized | | Er dH | Defrost heater failure | Medium | Test heater continuity, replace if open | | Er dS | Defrost sensor failure | Medium | Replace defrost sensor/bimetal | | Er FS | Freezer sensor (thermistor) failure | Medium | Replace freezer thermistor | | Er rS | Refrigerator sensor failure | Medium | Replace fridge thermistor | | Er SS | Pantry sensor failure (select models) | Low | Replace pantry drawer thermistor | | Er HS | Humidity sensor failure | Low | Replace humidity sensor | | Er IS | Ice maker sensor failure | Low | Replace ice maker thermistor | | Er CF | Condenser fan failure | High | Clear debris, replace condenser fan motor | | Er CO | Communication error | Medium | Check wire harnesses, reset power | | Er IF | Ice maker fan failure | Low | Check for ice jam, replace fan | | Er gF | Flow sensor (water) failure | Low | Check water line, replace flow sensor | | Er It | Ice maker failure | Low | Reset ice maker, check fill tube | | Er 1F | Ice maker blower fan failure | Low | Replace ice room blower | | 22 | Compressor relay failure | High | Compressor relay or overload, service required | | 67 | Door gap detected | Low | Adjust door alignment, check gasket |

How to Reset Your LG Refrigerator

Before diagnosing anything, try a hard reset. It clears roughly 30% of error codes caused by temporary sensor glitches or power surges.

1. Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet
2. Wait 5 full minutes — this clears the control board memory
3. Plug it back in and wait 30 seconds
4. Check the display — if the code is gone, monitor for 24 hours
5. If the code returns, the underlying issue needs attention

Some newer LG models have a dedicated reset button on the control panel. Hold it for 3 seconds after restoring power.

Defrost System Errors (Er dH, Er dS)

Defrost failures are the most common LG refrigerator problems. The fridge runs a defrost cycle every 8 to 12 hours to prevent ice buildup on the evaporator coils. When this system fails, ice accumulates, airflow drops, and the fridge stops cooling properly.

Er dH — Defrost Heater Failure

What is happening: The defrost heater did not reach target temperature during the defrost cycle. The control board expected a temperature rise and did not see one.

How to diagnose:

1. Unplug the fridge and remove the rear panel inside the freezer compartment
2. Look for heavy frost or ice on the evaporator coils — this confirms defrost is not working
3. Test the defrost heater with a multimeter for continuity
4. If the heater reads open (no continuity), it needs replacement

Parts cost: $30 to $60 for the heater element. Labor adds $100 to $150 if you hire a tech.

DIY difficulty: Moderate. Requires removing the freezer back panel and disconnecting wiring. Plenty of YouTube walkthroughs available for specific LG models.

Er dS — Defrost Sensor Failure

What is happening: The defrost sensor or bimetal thermostat is not reading temperature correctly. The control board cannot determine when defrost is complete.

How to fix: Replace the defrost sensor assembly. It is usually clipped to the evaporator and connected by a two-wire harness. Cost is $15 to $30 for the part.

Forced Defrost Test

LG refrigerators have a diagnostic mode that lets you force a defrost cycle:

1. Press and hold Refrigerator and Ice Plus buttons simultaneously for about 5 seconds
2. The display will enter test mode — press the Refrigerator button to cycle through test options
3. Look for Fd on the display — this is forced defrost
4. Let it run for 20 to 30 minutes
5. If ice melts and the error clears, your heater works but the sensor was giving bad readings

Fan Motor Errors (Er FF, Er rF, Er CF)

Fan failures are the second most common category. LG refrigerators use multiple fans to circulate cold air, and when any of them fails, cooling drops fast.

Er FF — Freezer Evaporator Fan

This fan sits behind the rear panel in the freezer and circulates cold air from the evaporator coils. When it fails:

• Freezer temperature rises
• Refrigerator section warms up (it depends on freezer air)
• You might hear buzzing, clicking, or complete silence from the freezer

Common causes:

• Ice buildup around the fan blade (defrost problem causing a secondary failure)
• Fan motor bearing failure (common after 5 to 7 years)
• Wiring harness issue

Fix: Open the freezer rear panel and check if the fan spins freely. If ice is blocking it, you have a defrost problem — fix that first. If the fan is clear but will not spin, replace the motor. Parts run $25 to $50.

Er rF — Refrigerator Section Fan

Same concept as Er FF but for the fan that circulates air in the fresh food compartment. Less common since this fan runs less frequently.

Er CF — Condenser Fan

The condenser fan sits near the compressor at the bottom rear of the fridge. It cools the condenser coils. When it fails:

• Compressor overheats and cycles off
• Entire fridge stops cooling
• You may notice the fridge running constantly before failing

Fix: Pull the fridge away from the wall, remove the rear access panel, and check for dust, debris, or pet hair clogging the fan. Clean it out. If the motor is dead, replace it ($30 to $60 for the part).

Thermistor Errors (Er FS, Er rS, Er SS, Er HS, Er IS)

Thermistors are temperature sensors placed throughout the fridge. When one fails, the control board cannot regulate temperature in that zone.

Symptoms: Temperature in the affected compartment drifts — either too cold or not cold enough — while other zones work normally.

Diagnosis: Each thermistor can be tested with a multimeter. At room temperature (~77°F), a working LG thermistor should read approximately 5 kΩ. Significantly higher or lower readings indicate failure.

Parts cost: $10 to $25 per thermistor. These are the cheapest and easiest repairs on the list.

Where each sensor lives:

• Er FS — Freezer compartment, usually clipped to the evaporator housing
• Er rS — Refrigerator compartment, attached to the air duct or back wall
• Er SS — Pantry/crisper drawer (multi-door models only)
• Er HS — Humidity sensor in the fresh food section
• Er IS — Ice maker compartment

Communication Error (Er CO)

What is happening: The main control board and the display panel are not talking to each other. This can be caused by:

• Loose wire harness between the boards
• Power surge damage to one of the boards
• Corroded connector pins

How to diagnose:

1. Unplug the fridge
2. Locate the wire harness connecting the main board (bottom rear) to the display board (top of fridge)
3. Disconnect and reconnect each end firmly
4. Restore power and check

If the code persists after reseating connections, one of the boards may need replacement. Main control boards run $100 to $200. This is the point where repair-vs-replace math becomes important.

Ice Maker Errors (Er IF, Er It, Er 1F, Er gF)

Ice maker problems are annoying but rarely affect cooling. These codes indicate issues specific to the ice making system.

Er IF / Er 1F: Fan motors in the ice compartment. Check for ice jams blocking the fan.

Er It: The ice maker itself has failed. Try resetting it — most LG ice makers have a test button on the unit. Press and hold for 3 seconds. If it cycles and produces ice, the error was a glitch. If not, the ice maker module needs replacement ($80 to $150).

Er gF: The water flow sensor is not detecting water entering the ice maker. Check that the water supply valve behind the fridge is fully open and the water line is not kinked or frozen.

Compressor and Serious Failures (Code 22, 67)

Code 22 — Compressor Relay Failure

This is the most expensive error on the list. The compressor start relay or overload protector has failed, meaning the compressor cannot start.

Symptoms: Fridge is completely warm. You may hear a clicking sound every few minutes as the compressor tries and fails to start.

Repair cost: If only the relay/overload kit needs replacement, parts are $20 to $40 and labor is reasonable. If the compressor itself has failed, you are looking at $400 to $800 for parts and labor.

Code 67 — Door Gap

The control board detected that a door is not sealing properly. Check door alignment, clean the gasket, and make sure nothing is blocking the door from closing fully. This is almost always a quick fix.

When to Repair vs. When to Replace

Here is a straightforward framework:

| Situation | Action | |-----------|--------| | Thermistor failure (Er FS, rS, SS, HS, IS) | Repair — $10 to $25 part, easy DIY | | Fan motor failure (Er FF, rF, CF) | Repair — $25 to $60 part, moderate DIY | | Defrost failure (Er dH, dS) | Repair — $15 to $60 part, moderate DIY | | Ice maker issues (Er IF, It, 1F, gF) | Repair if under $150, otherwise live without ice | | Communication error (Er CO) | Repair if wire harness fix works. If board replacement needed, get a quote first | | Compressor failure (Code 22) | Replace if repair exceeds 50% of new unit cost | | Fridge is 8+ years old with any major failure | Strongly consider replacing with scratch and dent |

Using Error Codes to Evaluate Scratch and Dent Fridges

Here is a tip most people do not know: error codes are one of the best tools for evaluating a scratch and dent refrigerator before you buy it.

At the store or warehouse:

1. Ask if you can plug the unit in (most dealers will let you)
2. Wait 2 to 3 minutes for the control board to initialize
3. Check the display panel for any error codes
4. Listen for the compressor — it should kick on within a few minutes
5. Feel for cold air inside after 10 to 15 minutes

A clean display with no codes means the refrigerator's internals are working properly. The dent on the side panel is purely cosmetic. You are getting a fully functional fridge at 30% to 70% off retail.

If you see an error code, you now know exactly what it means from this guide. A fridge showing Er FS (bad thermistor, $15 fix) at a steep discount could be an even better deal — if you are comfortable with a simple repair.

LG Refrigerator Diagnostic Mode

LG fridges have a built-in diagnostic mode that runs through all systems:

1. Press and hold Refrigerator and Ice Plus simultaneously for 5 seconds
2. The display enters test mode
3. Press Refrigerator to cycle through tests:
   • FF — Freezer fan test
   • rF — Fridge fan test
   • CF — Condenser fan test
   • Fd — Forced defrost
   • Co — Compressor test
4. Each test runs the component so you can verify it works

This is especially useful when evaluating a scratch and dent purchase. Running the diagnostic confirms every major system is operational.

Summary

LG refrigerators are solid machines, but every appliance eventually shows its age through error codes. Most of these codes point to affordable, DIY-friendly repairs. The key is knowing what each code means so you can make informed decisions — whether that means fixing your current fridge or replacing it with a scratch and dent unit that gives you new-appliance reliability at a fraction of the price.

Bookmark this page. The next time your LG fridge flashes a code, you will know exactly what to do.