Troubleshooting Your LG Refrigerator’s Signals: A Comprehensive Guide to Error Codes

LG refrigerators are designed with sophisticated diagnostic systems that use error codes to signal potential issues. When a problem arises, these codes appear on the display, providing valuable clues to help you understand what’s going wrong. This guide will cover common error codes for a wide range of LG refrigerator models, including 3-door, 4-door, French door, InstaView Door-in-Door, side-by-side, and multi-door refrigerators with Smart ThinQ capabilities.

How To Check Error Codes On LG Refrigerators
How To Check Error Codes On LG Refrigerators

Important Safety Note: Before attempting any inspection or repair, always unplug your refrigerator to avoid the risk of electric shock. Exercise caution when working with appliance components.

How to Check Error Codes on LG Refrigerators

Error codes typically appear directly on the digital display panel of your refrigerator. The code is often preceded by “Er”. In some cases, the refrigerator’s Smart Diagnosis feature can also be used with the LG ThinQ app to identify issues and receive troubleshooting guidance.

Note: Once an issue is resolved, the corresponding error code should automatically clear from the display. If the code persists, the problem may not be fully resolved or there might be an underlying issue. Unplugging the refrigerator for a few minutes can sometimes reset the system and clear temporary error codes.

Fixing Error Codes On LG Refrigerators

Here is a breakdown of common LG refrigerator error codes, their meanings, potential causes, and suggested solutions:

Error CodeDescriptionPotential CausesSuggested Solutions
Fan Errors
E CFCondenser Fan ErrorFaulty harness connection, faulty condenser fan motor blade/motor, faulty main boardCheck condenser fan wire harness connector and harness on the main board. Ensure fan rotates freely; remove obstacles. Verify condenser fan voltage. Check/replace main board.
E FFFreezer Fan ErrorFaulty harness connection, faulty freezer fan motor blade/motor, faulty main boardCheck freezer fan wire harness connector and harness on main board. Ensure fan rotates freely; remove obstacles. Verify freezer fan voltage. Check/replace main board.
E rFRefrigerator Fan ErrorFaulty harness connection, faulty refrigerator fan motor blade/motor, faulty main boardCheck refrigerator fan wire harness connector and harness on main board. Ensure fan rotates freely; remove obstacles. Verify refrigerator fan voltage. Check/replace main board.
E IFIce Maker Fan ErrorFaulty harness connection, faulty ice maker fan motor blade/motor, faulty main boardCheck ice maker fan wire harness connector and harness on main board. Ensure fan rotates freely; remove obstacles. Verify ice maker fan voltage. Check/replace main board.
Sensor Errors
F dSDefrost Sensor ErrorFaulty wire harness, sensor connector disconnected (short/open circuit), faulty sensor, faulty main boardCheck defrost sensor wire harness connector and connections on main board. Check defrost sensor resistance with a multimeter. Check main board.
E FSFreezer Sensor ErrorFaulty wire harness, sensor connector disconnected (short/open circuit), faulty sensor, faulty main boardCheck freezer sensor wire harness connector and connections on main board. Check freezer sensor resistance with a multimeter. Check main board.
E rSRefrigerator Sensor Error (Upper)Faulty wire harness, sensor connector disconnected (short/open circuit), faulty sensor, faulty main boardCheck sensor wire harness connector and connections on main board. Check refrigerator sensor resistance with a multimeter. Check main board.
E r2Refrigerator Sensor 2 ErrorRelated to Refrigerator Sensor Error (E rS)Refer to troubleshooting for E rS.
E HSHumidity Sensor ErrorFaulty wire harness, sensor connector disconnected (short/open circuit), faulty sensor, faulty main boardCheck humidity sensor wire harness connector and connections on main board. Check humidity sensor voltage with a multimeter. Check main board.
E rtRoom Temperature Sensor ErrorFaulty wire harness, sensor connector disconnected (short/open circuit), faulty sensor, faulty main boardCheck sensor wire harness connector and connections on main board. Check room temperature sensor resistance with a multimeter. Check main board.
E IdCraft Ice Maker Sensor ErrorFaulty wire harness, sensor connector disconnected (short/open circuit), faulty sensor, faulty main boardCheck humidity wire harness connector and connections on main board. Check craft I/M sensor resistance with a multimeter. Check main board.
E ISIce Maker Sensor ErrorFaulty wire harness, sensor connector disconnected (short/open circuit), faulty sensor, faulty main boardCheck humidity wire harness connector and connections on main board. Check I/M sensor resistance with a multimeter. Check main board.
Communication Errors
E COCommunication FailureDisconnection at boards or hinge, faulty harness connections, faulty main board, faulty user interface boardCheck connections at user interface and main board. Check harness between user interface and main board. Check/replace UI board. Check/replace main board.
E C1Dispenser Communication ErrorFaulty harness connections, faulty dispenser board, faulty user interface boardCheck connections on the display. Check harness between dispenser and user interface board. Check/replace dispenser board. Check/replace user interface board.
Door and Drawer Errors
E ASAuto-door Switch ErrorFaulty door switch (Reed Switch), faulty wire harness connector, faulty main boardCheck wire harness on the main board. Check door Reed-switch using a multimeter and magnet. Check/replace mainboard if the error persists.
L ASLeft Auto Drawer Switch ErrorRelated to Auto-door Switch Error (E AS)Refer to troubleshooting for E AS, focusing on the left auto drawer.
I LSSmart Auto Drawer Switch ErrorRelated to Auto-door Switch Error (E AS)Refer to troubleshooting for E AS, focusing on the smart auto drawer.
r ASRight Auto Drawer Switch ErrorRelated to Auto-door Switch Error (E AS)Refer to troubleshooting for E AS, focusing on the right auto drawer.
E dLLeft Auto Drawer Module ErrorFaulty harness connection, faulty Hall sensor, faulty drawer motor, faulty module connection, faulty main boardCheck module wire harness connector. Check Hall sensor (resistance and voltage). Check drawer motor and module. Check/replace main board.
E drRight Auto Drawer Module ErrorRelated to Left Auto Drawer Module Error (E dL)Refer to troubleshooting for E dL, focusing on the right auto drawer.
E AdAuto Door Module ErrorRelated to Left Auto Drawer Module Error (E dL)Refer to troubleshooting for E dL, focusing on the auto door module.
I LdAuto Smart Drawer Module ErrorRelated to Left Auto Drawer Module Error (E dL)Refer to troubleshooting for E dL, focusing on the auto smart drawer module.
U LdSmart Auto-lift Module ErrorRelated to Left Auto Drawer Module Error (E dL)Refer to troubleshooting for E dL, focusing on the smart auto-lift module.
U LSSmart Auto-lift Switch ErrorRelated to Auto-door Switch Error (E AS)Refer to troubleshooting for E AS, focusing on the smart auto-lift switch.
Defrost System Errors
F dHDefrost Heater ErrorFaulty harness connection, faulty defrost heater thermal-fuse/heater, faulty main boardCheck defrost heater wire harness connector. Check defrost heater and thermal-fuse resistance with a multimeter. Check/replace main board.
Ice Maker Assembly Errors
E IUCraft Ice Maker Unit ErrorFaulty Craft Ice maker stepper motor, Hall IC or heater, faulty wire harness connector, faulty main board, faulty display boardCheck Craft Ice Maker Assembly components (Stepper Motor, Hall Sensor, Craft Sensor, Heater). Check main board. Check display board.
E ItIce Maker Unit errorOverloaded ice bin, disconnected ice maker unit, damaged motor or Hall IC, faulty main board, faulty user interface boardCheck I/M motor wire harness connector and connections on main board. Check ice maker motor voltage with a multimeter. Check/replace user interface board. Check main board.
Other Errors and Notifications
OFFDemo Mode notificationAppliance is in showroom/demo mode.Deactivate demo mode (refer to your user manual for specific button combinations, often involves holding REFRIGERATOR and Express FRZ buttons).
SbSabbath Mode notificationAppliance is in Sabbath mode.Deactivate Sabbath mode (refer to your user manual for specific button combinations, often involves holding SMART GRID and FREEZER buttons). Mode may turn off automatically after 96 hours.
E CHHigh Side Cycle leakage warningRefrigerant leak on the high-pressure side (faulty 3-way valves, general leaks), abnormal temperature/compressor feedbackAvoid DIY repairs. Contact an LG technician due to safety and environmental concerns with refrigerant.
E CLLow Side Cycle leakage warningRefrigerant leak on the low-pressure side.Avoid DIY repairs. Contact an LG technician due to safety and environmental concerns with refrigerant.
E FUFailing Unit ErrorIncorrect temperature, door not closing properly, insufficient cooling, faulty thermistor, faulty main boardEnsure appliance is on and cooling. Check freezer temp setting (-18°C). Minimize door open time. Ensure vents are not blocked. Check door seal.
E gFFlow meter sensor errorClosed water supply/kinked tube, faulty flow meter, sensor disconnection/short circuit, faulty main board, incorrect water pressureEnsure water tap is open and tube is not kinked. Check water pressure. Check flow meter specifications/operation.
E gSGas sensor errorProblem with gas sensing detection for PureNFresh ventilation system.This relates to the ventilation system; consult your manual or LG support if this error persists.
HiHigh Room TemperatureAmbient temperature exceeds +50°C.Wait until the ambient temperature is within the refrigerator’s climate class specifications before operating.
LoLow Room TemperatureAmbient temperature falls below -10°C.Wait until the ambient temperature is within the refrigerator’s climate class specifications before operating.

Electrical Characteristics of LG Refrigerator Sensors, Heater, and Fans

Component TypeSpecific Component NameElectrical CharacteristicValueMeasurement Conditions / NotesAbnormal Value / Indication
SensorsDefrost SensorResistance~9800 ΩAt 25°C / 77°FShort circuit or open circuit
Freezer SensorResistance~2300 ΩAt 25°C / 77°FShort circuit or open circuit
Refrigerator Sensor (R1, Upper)Resistance~9800 ΩAt 25°C / 77°FShort circuit or open circuit
Humidity SensorVoltageVariesCheck voltage using a multimeter.Short circuit or open circuit
Room Temperature (Ambient) SensorResistance~9800 ΩAt 25°C / 77°FShort circuit or open circuit
Craft Ice Maker SensorResistanceVariesCheck resistance using a multimeter.Short circuit or open circuit
Ice Maker SensorResistanceVariesCheck resistance using a multimeter.Short circuit or open circuit
Hall sensor (Auto Drawer/Lift)Resistance~17400 Ω (17.4 KΩ)Between Black and Red wires.
Hall sensor (Auto Drawer/Lift)Voltage+5 to 10 VdcVoltage received by the sensor.If voltage is present but sensor fails, replace sensor.
HeaterDefrost HeaterResistance~50 ΩCheck resistance using a multimeter.OL (Open Line) or ∞ Ω (Infinite Resistance)
Defrost Heater Thermal-FuseResistance0.1 – 1.2 ΩAt 76°C / 169°F. Check resistance using a multimeter.OL (Open Line) or ∞ Ω (Infinite Resistance)
FansCondenser Fan (4 wires)Main voltage~12 VdcTest point: VCC “V” and GND “G”.No voltage or incorrect voltage
Condenser Fan (4 wires)Feedback voltage~2.4 VdcTest point: GND “G” and FG “F”. Indicates if the fan motor is running.No feedback signal
Condenser Fan (4 wires)PWM voltage1.2 to 4.6 VdcTest point: PWM and GND “G”. Pulse Width Modulation signal controls fan speed.Incorrect PWM signal
Condenser Fan (3 wires)Main voltage~12 VdcTest point: VCC “V” and GND “G”.No voltage or incorrect voltage
Condenser Fan (3 wires)Feedback voltage~2.4 VdcTest point: GND “G” and FG “F”. Indicates if the fan motor is running.No feedback signal
Freezer Fan (4 wires)Main voltage~12 VdcTest point: VCC “V” and GND “G”.No voltage or incorrect voltage
Freezer Fan (4 wires)Feedback voltage~2.4 VdcTest point: GND “G” and FG “F”. Indicates if the fan motor is running.No feedback signal
Freezer Fan (4 wires)PWM voltage1.2 to 4.6 VdcTest point: PWM and GND “G”. Pulse Width Modulation signal controls fan speed.Incorrect PWM signal
Freezer Fan (3 wires)Main voltage~12 VdcTest point: VCC “V” and GND “G”.No voltage or incorrect voltage
Freezer Fan (3 wires)Feedback voltage~2.4 VdcTest point: GND “G” and FG “F”. Indicates if the fan motor is running.No feedback signal
Refrigerator Fan (4 wires)Main voltage~12 VdcTest point: VCC “V” and GND “G”.No voltage or incorrect voltage
Refrigerator Fan (4 wires)Feedback voltage~2.4 VdcTest point: GND “G” and FG “F”. Indicates if the fan motor is running.No feedback signal
Refrigerator Fan (4 wires)PWM voltage1.2 to 4.6 VdcTest point: PWM and GND “G”. Pulse Width Modulation signal controls fan speed.Incorrect PWM signal
Refrigerator Fan (3 wires)Main voltage~12 VdcTest point: VCC “V” and GND “G).No voltage or incorrect voltage
Refrigerator Fan (3 wires)Feedback voltage~2.4 VdcTest point: GND “G” and FG “F”. Indicates if the fan motor is running.No feedback signal
Ice Maker Fan (4 wires)Main voltage~12 VdcTest point: VCC “V” and GND “G).No voltage or incorrect voltage
Ice Maker Fan (4 wires)Feedback voltage~2.4 VdcTest point: GND “G” and FG “F”. Indicates if the fan motor is running.No feedback signal
Ice Maker Fan (4 wires)PWM voltage1.2 to 4.6 VdcTest point: PWM and GND “G”. Pulse Width Modulation signal controls fan speed.Incorrect PWM signal

Note: Always refer to your specific LG refrigerator model’s service manual for the most accurate and detailed specifications and troubleshooting procedures.

By understanding the meaning of these error codes, you can be better informed when troubleshooting issues with your LG refrigerator, potentially saving time and the cost of a service call.

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