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LG Refrigerator Not Cooling: Linear Compressor and Other Causes

By HomeFixCodes Editorial TeamPublished 7 min read

Illustrated teal French-door refrigerator with the fresh food door open, a thermometer on the lower panel and a cutaway of the black compressor in the machine compartment marked with an amber warning sign

Quick Answer

If your LG refrigerator is not cooling, first rule out demo mode, which LG says disables all cooling, and read any code on the display. Er FF and Er rF usually mean a fan blocked by ice, which LG fixes with a full defrost. Then check the setting, vents and door. If both sections stay warm, the compressor or sealed system needs a licensed technician.

On this page
  1. What should you check first on an LG refrigerator?
  2. What do LG error codes say about a warm fridge?
  3. How do you clear an Er FF or Er rF code?
  4. Is the linear compressor the problem?
  5. What does LG's warranty cover for the compressor?
  6. Is the food in a warm LG refrigerator still safe?
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Our Take
  9. Sources

Key Takeaways

  • LG's demo or display mode turns off all cooling while the lights and display keep working. Turning it off takes a button combination, not a repair.
  • Er FF (freezer fan) and Er rF (fridge fan) usually mean ice around the fan motor. LG's fix is to unplug the unit and leave both doors open for at least 24 hours.
  • LG's own checks for a warm fridge: lower the setting by 2 to 4 °F, keep food away from the vents, do not overfill, and make sure the door closes fully.
  • Er CH, Er FU, Er dH and Er CF, or both sections warm after the checks, point to parts a technician must handle. Refrigerant work is for an EPA-certified technician.
  • LG's US limited warranty lists the compressor and sealed system separately from the rest of the fridge. Check your warranty card before you pay for a compressor repair.

What should you check first on an LG refrigerator?

Start with a thermometer, then the display. FDA says the refrigerator should be at or below 40 °F and the freezer at 0 °F, and calls appliance thermometers "the best way of knowing these temperatures" [7].

Demo or display mode. Showroom refrigerators are set to a mode that keeps the lights on without cooling. LG's error code page says this setting "disables all cooling in the refrigerator and freezer sections." On many models you turn it off by holding the FRIDGE button while pressing Express FRZ three times; on some, you hold both buttons for 3 seconds [1]. LG lists "OFF" among the readings that can appear on the display without a refrigerator fault, and some displays show it split as "OF F." Button names vary, so follow your owner's manual.

The temperature setting. LG's help page for a fresh food section that is not cold enough says the default on many models is 37 °F (Medium) and suggests lowering the setting by 2 to 4 °F. On dial models, set the cooling level to Strong [3]. You may need to unlock the control panel first.

Vents, load and the door. The same LG page asks you to keep food away from the air vents and the temperature sensor, fill the compartment to about 70% of its capacity, reseat shelves and drawers, and clean debris off the door gasket [3]. Another LG article gives about 60% as the fill level and says a loose door may need food removed from the door-side drawer [4].

Location and new installs. That second LG article says refrigerators "operate best" where the room is between 5 °C and 43 °C (about 41 °F to 109 °F), asks for about 10 cm (4 inches) between the cabinet and the walls, and notes that a newly plugged-in fridge starts building cold air after 1 to 2 hours but can take 2 to 3 days in summer to cool fully [4].

For the general airflow explanation when only the fridge is warm, see our guide to a refrigerator not cooling while the freezer works.

What do LG error codes say about a warm fridge?

Read the display before you open any panel. LG says its most common refrigerator codes may be preceded by E, r or Er [1], so "rF" and "Er rF" are the same code. Meanings and button layouts vary by model, so treat this table as a guide and confirm with your manual or our error code lookup.

Code on the displayLG's meaningWhat you can do
OFF or OF FDemo or display mode: no coolingTurn demo mode off with the button combination
Er FFFreezer fan fault, usually ice around the fan motorFull defrost, then service if it returns
Er rFRefrigerator (fresh food) fan faultFull defrost, then service if it returns
Er CFCooling (condenser) fan faultRequest service
Er dHDefrost heating did not warm the sensor in timeRequest service
Er FUFreezer compartment faultPower cycle and basic checks, then service
Er CHRefrigerant leak on the high pressure sideLicensed technician
Er COMain board and display not communicatingRequest service

The fan codes matter most for a warm fridge. LG says "if the fan is blocked, the compressor will overwork to maintain the temperature at the required level." For Er dH, LG says the defrost sensor reading has not risen by more than 5 °C within 80 minutes of the start of defrosting, and Er CH "appears when the temperature and compressor sensors show abnormal values" [1]. For Er FU, LG's guidance is to ensure the refrigerator is on and the compressor is running, unplug it for 60 seconds, use a wall outlet, and check the settings, vents and door gaskets before calling service.

Where LG refrigerator codes pointSimplified front view of a French-door LG refrigerator. In the fresh food section, the refrigerator fan is labeled Er rF. In the freezer drawer, the freezer fan is labeled Er FF and the defrost heater and sensor are labeled Er dH and Er dS. In the machine compartment at the bottom back, the compressor is labeled Er FU and Er CH and the cooling fan is labeled Er CF. A note says layouts differ by model. Which part each code points to Fresh food Freezer Machine area Er rFFridge fan Er FFFreezer fan Er dH, Er dS Defrost Er CF Cooling fan Er FU, Er CHCompressor, refrigerant Simplified layout; part locations differ by model.
The fan codes point to parts inside the cabinet; the compressor and refrigerant codes point to the sealed system, which only a licensed technician should open.

How do you clear an Er FF or Er rF code?

LG says Er FF and Er rF are usually caused by "ice or frost buildup around the fan motor," which stops the fan from turning. Er FF points to the freezer fan motor and Er rF to the fan motor in the refrigerator compartment [2]. LG's fix is a full manual defrost:

  1. Move food to a cooler with ice or to another freezer.
  2. Unplug the refrigerator and leave both doors fully open for at least 24 hours.
  3. Let the ice melt on its own. LG says defrosting can take about one day in summer and up to three days in winter, depending on the amount of ice.
  4. Dry the interior, plug the refrigerator back in and let it cool down.

Put towels down: the melting ice has to go somewhere, and our guide to a refrigerator leaking water covers drain problems if water keeps appearing afterward. Do not chip ice away from the fan or the back panel, and do not remove panels while the refrigerator is plugged in. If the code comes back after the defrost, LG points owners to its chatbot or a technician visit and notes that "service fees may apply" when the product is out of warranty [2].

LG refrigerator not cooling: decision chartStart: LG refrigerator not cooling. Question 1: does the display show OFF? If yes, turn off demo mode. Question 2: does it show Er FF or Er rF? If yes, unplug and leave the doors open at least 24 hours to defrost, and request service if the code returns. Question 3: does it show Er CF, Er dH, Er FU or Er CH? If yes, write down the code and request service. If there is no code, check the setting, vents, load and door, and wait. If both sections are still warm, call a licensed technician for the compressor and sealed system. LG fridge not cooling Display shows OFF? Yes Turn offdemo mode No Er FF or Er rF? Yes Unplug, doorsopen 24+ hoursService if itcomes back No Er CF, Er dH,Er FU or Er CH? Yes Note the code,request service No code Lower the setting 2 to 4 °F, clear the vents,fill to about 60 to 70%, check the door and gasket,leave room around the cabinet, then wait Still warm Fridge only: technician for fans, defrost, controls Freezer warm too: licensed technicianfor the compressor and sealed system
Read the display first: demo mode and the fan codes have owner fixes, while the other codes and a fridge that stays warm need service.

Is the linear compressor the problem?

Sometimes, but you cannot confirm it from the kitchen. The compressor sits in the sealed system with the refrigerant, and the clues that point there are a freezer that warms along with the fridge after the basic checks, or an Er FU or Er CH code on the display. LG describes Er CH as "a refrigerant leak on the high pressure side" [1]. LG's warranty lists its linear or inverter compressor separately from the rest of the fridge.

Compressor, sealed system and refrigerant repairs are jobs for a licensed technician, not a homeowner. EPA requires technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants to be certified, and its certification includes a Type I category for small appliances [6].

What you can do is keep the compressor from working harder than it must. LG's code page says a blocked fan makes "the compressor overwork," and Er CF points to the cooling fan in the machine compartment [1]. Leave the clearance LG asks for around the cabinet. If your owner's manual tells you to clean the condenser or the rear grille, unplug the refrigerator first and follow the manual's steps; if it does not, leave that area to a technician.

What does LG's warranty cover for the compressor?

LG's US limited warranty for refrigerators, in the version we read (dated 2022), lists these periods from the date of original retail purchase [5]:

  • The refrigerator as a whole: 1 year, parts and labor.
  • The sealed system (condenser, dryer, connecting tube and evaporator): 5 years, parts and labor.
  • The compressor: 5 years, parts and labor.
  • Linear or inverter compressor only: parts only for years 6 to 10, and "consumer will be charged for labor."
LG US refrigerator limited warranty periodsTimeline from purchase to 10 years, based on LG's 2022 US refrigerator limited warranty. The whole refrigerator: parts and labor for 1 year. Sealed system: parts and labor for 5 years. Compressor: parts and labor for 5 years. Linear or inverter compressor only: parts only from year 6 to year 10, with the owner paying for labor. Terms can differ by model, so check the warranty card. LG US refrigerator warranty (2022 version) Whole refrigerator 1 yr parts and labor Sealed system 5 yrs parts and labor Compressor 5 yrs parts and labor Linear or inverter compressor Yrs 6 to 10: parts only 0 1 5 10 yrs Amber: you pay labor. Check your own warranty card.
In LG's 2022 US warranty, the linear or inverter compressor keeps parts coverage to year 10, but labor stops after year 5.

The same document requires proof of the original retail purchase with the model and purchase date, and says the warranty starts 90 days from the manufacture date when there is no valid proof of purchase. It also contains an arbitration provision [5]. Terms can change between model years, so the warranty card for your model is the one that applies.

Is the food in a warm LG refrigerator still safe?

Not always. If the fresh food section has stayed above 40 °F, perishable food may no longer be safe. FDA's power outage guidance says to throw out refrigerated perishable food that has been "at refrigerator temperatures above 40°F for 4 hours or more" [8]. That page is written for outages, but a fridge that runs warm, or one unplugged for a defrost, leaves food in the same position. Move perishables to a cooler with ice first.

For other LG problems, browse our LG repair guides, or see all refrigerator repair guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my LG refrigerator have lights but no cooling?

The most likely cause is demo or display mode, which LG says disables all cooling in the refrigerator and freezer sections. On many models, hold the FRIDGE button and press Express FRZ three times; some models need both buttons held for 3 seconds. Check your owner's manual for your model's combination.

How long does an LG refrigerator take to get cold?

LG says cold air starts to build 1 to 2 hours after the refrigerator is plugged in, but filling the whole fridge with cold air can take 2 to 3 days in summer. After a manual defrost for Er FF or Er rF, plan on the same wait before judging the temperature.

Will unplugging my LG refrigerator reset it?

Unplugging for 60 seconds is one of LG's first steps for Er FU, but a reset will not fix a failed fan, a defrost fault or a compressor problem. If the code returns, request service.

Our Take

We think most LG owners should spend ten minutes on the display and the setting before anything else, because demo mode and the fan codes have fixes LG documents for owners. A manual defrost costs a day of inconvenience, not a service fee. If the fridge and freezer both stay warm after that, or the display shows Er CH or Er FU, we would stop and book a technician. Before that visit, we would pull out the receipt and the warranty card, since LG's 2022 US warranty treats the linear compressor differently from the rest of the fridge. We would not rely on anything said about past lawsuits unless it comes from LG or a court record.

Sources

  1. [LG Refrigerator] Digital and Analog Error Codes. LG Electronics.
  2. How to Fix ER FF and ER rF Error Codes on Your LG Refrigerator. LG Electronics.
  3. If Your Refrigerator Compartment Is Not Cold Enough. LG Electronics.
  4. [LG refrigerator refrigeration] The fridge is not cold enough. LG Electronics.
  5. Limited Warranty USA: Refrigerator. LG Electronics, 2022.
  6. Section 608 Technician Certification. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  7. Are You Storing Food Safely?. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2023.
  8. Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2024.

Repair information is general guidance. Unplug the appliance and shut off water or gas before working on it, follow your owner's manual, and call a qualified technician for gas, refrigerant or high-voltage work. Spotted an error? Tell us.