LG refrigerator error codes show up on the temperature panel and each one points to a specific part of the fridge. OF F isn’t a fault at all, it’s demo mode. Er FF and Er rF are fan errors, Er dH is a defrost problem, and the Er codes ending in IF or IS are the ice maker. A few clear on their own. Others mean a part has failed and the fridge needs a technician.
This guide walks through what the common LG refrigerator error codes mean, what causes them, and what to try before calling anyone. It’s written for San Diego homeowners who want a straight answer, not a runaround.
How to read LG refrigerator error codes
LG refrigerators show fault codes on the front temperature display, usually on French-door and side-by-side models. The code replaces the normal temperature reading. Most LG codes use a two-character format, often with an “Er” or “E” in front, where the letters name the part. FF is the freezer fan, rF is the fridge fan, dH is defrost, and IF is the ice maker fan. On some models the “Er” doesn’t show and you just see the two letters.
The exact code map shifts a little across model generations, so the fastest way to confirm your code is the model number. It’s printed on a sticker inside the fridge compartment, along the side wall or near the crisper drawers. With that number you can pull the exact fault chart for your unit from LG’s support site or the manual.
Before you troubleshoot anything, try a power reset. Unplug the refrigerator for two minutes, or flip its breaker off and back on, then let it settle. A brief power fluctuation, common during a summer grid strain in San Diego, can trigger a code with no real hardware problem behind it. If the same code comes right back, keep reading.
OF F: demo mode, not a fault
This is the code that scares people the most, and it isn’t a malfunction. OF F on the display means the fridge is in demo mode, also called display or showroom mode. Stores use it so a floor model lights up without running the compressor. If your LG shows OF F and isn’t getting cold, that’s why. Nothing is broken.
To turn it off, open the refrigerator door, then press and hold the REFRIGERATOR and ICE PLUS buttons together for about five seconds. You’ll hear a chime and the display returns to a normal temperature. If your panel has different button labels, check the small print in your manual for the demo-mode combination. Once it’s off, give the fridge a few hours to reach temperature before you restock it.
Fan and defrost codes: Er FF, Er rF, Er dH, Er dS
These are the codes San Diego techs see most, and they cluster around two systems: the cooling fans and the automatic defrost. On most LG models:
- Er FF is a freezer fan error, often from frost jamming the blade.
- Er rF is a refrigerator fan motor error.
- Er dH is a defrost error, which means the defrost cycle didn’t finish inside its one-hour window.
- Er dS is a defrost sensor that has shorted or come loose.
The common thread is frost. LG refrigerators can build ice on the evaporator behind the back panel, and when that ice grows into a fan blade it stalls the motor and throws a fan code. The defrost codes mean the system that’s supposed to melt that frost on a schedule isn’t keeping up, so the ice keeps growing.
There’s one thing a homeowner can try. A full manual defrost sometimes clears a fan that’s jammed by frost. Empty the fridge, unplug it, and let it sit with the doors open for 24 hours so all the ice melts, then plug it back in. If the code came from a one-time frost jam, it may not return. But if a defrost sensor, defrost heater, or fan motor has actually failed, the ice rebuilds and the code comes back within a few days. At that point the part needs testing and replacement.
Ice maker codes: Er IF, Er IS, Er It, EID
LG’s in-door and Craft Ice makers are a known weak point, and they have their own codes:
- Er IF, sometimes shown as F1, is an ice maker fan error, often frost-related like the codes above.
- Er IS, or 1S, points to the ice maker fan motor or a disconnected ice maker sensor.
- Er It flags a general ice maker defect.
- EID or EIU is a freezer ice maker sensor or assembly failure.
An ice maker code sometimes clears after a full 24-hour manual defrost, since frost is a frequent cause. If the code faults again after that, the ice maker assembly or its sensor is the usual culprit. Because LG ice makers fail so often, we cover them separately in our guide on an LG ice maker not working.
Sensor, water, and communication codes: Er FS, Er rS, Er gF, Er CO
A second group of codes points at the sensors and the wiring between boards rather than a moving part.
Er FS is a freezer sensor that has shorted or disconnected, and Er rS is the same fault on the refrigerator sensor. Both feed temperature readings to the control board, so a bad one can make the fridge run too warm or too cold. Er gF is a water flow sensor error, and it often shows up when the household water pressure is low or the supply line is pinched. Er CO is a communication error between the main control board and the display board.
For any of these, run the power reset first. Er gF is worth a quick check of the water line and the shutoff valve behind the fridge before anything else. If a sensor or communication code stays after a reset, it usually means a failed sensor, a loose connector, or a board, which is a diagnosis for a technician with a meter.
Sealed-system and compressor codes: CH E, CL E, 22, 33
A handful of LG codes point at the sealed cooling system, and these are not DIY territory. CH E flags a high-side refrigerant leak and CL E flags a low-side leak. 22 and 33 both point to a compressor relay problem. These involve the compressor, the refrigerant, and the sealed lines, so they need a technician with the right tools and refrigerant certification.
LG’s linear compressor has been a widespread failure point on fridges built through the mid-2010s, and a compressor-related code often traces back to it. We go deep on that in our guide to LG refrigerator compressor problems, including which models are affected and the class-action settlement.
Codes that aren’t faults at all
Not every reading on the display is a problem. 88, or all the segments lighting at once, usually means the unit is functioning properly after a self-test, though on some models a stuck 88 88 is a display glitch that a power reset clears. Sb means Sabbath mode is switched on, which disables lights and some functions on purpose. 67 flags a door that isn’t closing fully, so check for an obstruction or a carton blocking the seal. And OF F, as covered above, is demo mode. None of these four call for a repair.
What you can reset yourself
A handful of LG refrigerator codes clear with something you can do in a few minutes, no tools required.
Power-cycle the fridge first for any code you see. Unplug it for two minutes so the control board fully discharges, then restore power. This clears a real number of transient codes without any parts involved.
For OF F, open the door and hold REFRIGERATOR and ICE PLUS together for about five seconds until it chimes. That’s a setting, not a repair, and it’s the whole fix.
For a fan, defrost, or ice maker code, a full 24-hour manual defrost can clear a frost jam. Empty the fridge, unplug it, and let all the ice melt before plugging back in.
For an Er gF water flow code, check that the water valve behind the fridge is fully open and the supply line isn’t kinked before you call anyone.
Codes that mean a part has failed
When a code returns after you’ve run through the basic checks, a component inside the refrigerator has failed and it needs hands-on diagnosis.
A fan or defrost code (Er FF, Er rF, Er dH, Er dS) that comes back within days of a manual defrost means a defrost sensor, defrost heater, or fan motor has failed, or the main board isn’t running the defrost cycle. These sit behind the interior back panel and need testing with a meter.
An ice maker code that returns after a defrost almost always means the ice maker assembly or its sensor has failed. It’s one of the more common LG refrigerator repairs.
A sensor or communication code (Er FS, Er rS, Er CO) that won’t clear points to a failed sensor, a loose connector, or the control board. And any sealed-system code (CH E, CL E, 22, 33) is a technician job from the start.
Any of these part failures call for professional refrigerator repair, since they involve testing electrical components and sourcing the correct LG part for your model.
San Diego LG refrigerator repair, same day
The technicians in the Repair Pro San Diego network work on LG refrigerators across San Diego County, and same-day service is available for most areas. The techs carry common LG parts, including evaporator fan motors, defrost sensors, heaters, and ice maker assemblies, so a lot of these repairs get finished on the first visit with up-front pricing and no trip fee.
Coverage includes Chula Vista, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, and dozens of other cities throughout San Diego County. For more on LG appliance work generally, see our overview of LG appliance repair in San Diego.
Frequently asked questions
What does OF F mean on an LG refrigerator?
OF F on the display means the refrigerator is in demo mode, also called display or showroom mode. It’s a setting, not a fault, and it stops the fridge from cooling. To turn it off, open the door, then press and hold the REFRIGERATOR and ICE PLUS buttons together for about five seconds until you hear a chime. If your model uses different buttons, check the manual for the demo-mode combination.
What does Er FF mean on an LG refrigerator?
Er FF is a freezer fan error. It’s usually caused by frost building up behind the interior back panel and jamming the fan blade. A full 24-hour manual defrost can clear a frost jam, but if the fan motor or the defrost system has failed, the code returns and the part needs to be tested and replaced.
Does unplugging an LG refrigerator reset the error codes?
Unplugging the fridge for two minutes clears many temporary codes. Cut the power, wait, then restore it and let the fridge settle. If the same code shows up again right away, it’s a real hardware fault, not a glitch, and the refrigerator needs proper diagnosis.
Why does my LG refrigerator keep showing a defrost or fan code?
Codes like Er FF, Er rF, and Er dH point to the cooling fans or the automatic defrost system. LG fridges are prone to ice buildup on the evaporator, and that ice jams fans and stalls the defrost cycle. If the code returns within a few days of a manual defrost, a defrost sensor, heater, or fan motor has failed and needs to be tested and replaced.
When to call us
When an LG refrigerator error code won’t clear after a reset and a manual defrost, or when the code points to a failed part like a fan motor, defrost sensor, ice maker, sensor, or compressor, it’s time to bring in a tech. Call us at (858) 988-7787 for a same-day estimate.