LG Freezer Not Freezing: What to Check

An LG freezer that is not freezing usually comes down to a setting that is too warm, doors or gaskets letting in warm air, poor airflow around or inside the cabinet, or Demo Mode switched on. LG generally recommends a freezer setting between 0°F and -4°F, and warns that settings around 1°F to 3°F are warm enough for food to start thawing. If an error code such as FF, dH or Er CH shows up, or the freezer stays warm after the checks below, call a technician.

This site is an independent directory of repair companies and is not affiliated with LG. The steps below follow LG's U.S. help library. Local technicians are listed on our LG ice maker and freezer repair page and across the wider freezer repair directory.

Keep food safe while you troubleshoot

Use an appliance thermometer at the front of the freezer; the FDA says that is the most reliable way to know the temperature, and the target is 0°F. Keep the door closed as much as possible. USDA guidance says a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours and a half-full one for about 24 hours with the door shut. FoodSafety.gov says thawed food can be refrozen if it still has ice crystals or is at 40°F or below, and USDA says perishables held above 40°F for more than 2 hours should be thrown out.

Checks you can do yourself

1. Freezer setting. Most LG models ship with the freezer at 0° and the fresh-food side at 37°. If the freezer does not feel cold enough or the room is hot, LG suggests lowering the setting to somewhere between -6°F and -11°F. Each press of the freezer button changes the setting by one step.
2. Demo Mode. LG's Demo Mode, also called Display Mode, is meant for store floors. It turns off all cooling while the controls still light up. If the display works but nothing cools, check your manual for the button combination that turns it off.
3. Doors. Rearrange anything that keeps a door from closing, then push both doors fully shut. Open them only when you need to.
4. Airflow inside. Keep food away from the cold-air vents and do not overfill the freezer. LG suggests storing items that thaw easily, like ice cream, deeper inside where the temperature swings less.
5. Clearance and room. LG's freezer guidance calls for at least 4 inches between the refrigerator and the wall and a room between 41°F and 109°F. Keep the unit out of direct sun and away from heat sources.
6. Dust. Unplug the refrigerator, then gently vacuum dust from the outside of the back cover. Do not remove the back cover itself; LG warns that it exposes electrical parts and refrigerant tubing.
7. Gaskets. Clean door gaskets with warm water or mild detergent, and reseat any section that has pulled away.

Be patient after a change. LG says a new refrigerator starts circulating cold air 1 to 2 hours after it is plugged in, and the freezer can take 2 to 3 days to reach normal temperature depending on how much food is inside.

Frost or ice inside the freezer

Frost only in the freezer usually means warm air is getting in. LG suggests confirming both temperature settings, making sure nothing keeps the door from closing, cleaning or reseating the gasket, and then watching it for 4 to 6 hours.

Ice forming on the floor of the freezer is different. LG says it usually means the freezer drain is blocked, so defrost water refreezes instead of reaching the drain tray. The fix is to unplug the refrigerator and leave the doors open until all the ice melts, which can take one to three days. Move food to another freezer or a cooler first, and never chip ice away with a knife or other sharp tool.

LG error codes that point to a freezing problem

For Er CH or Er CL, LG says to close both doors fully, unplug the unit for five minutes and restart it before requesting service. If the code comes back, it can point to a refrigerant leak, a compressor or valve fault, or a blockage in the sealed system, and LG tells owners not to open the unit or replace internal parts themselves. Wi-Fi models can run Smart Diagnosis through the LG ThinQ app, which is worth doing before the technician arrives.

What a technician tests

• Freezer fan. A failed or iced-over evaporator fan stops cold air from circulating.
• Defrost system. A bad heater or defrost sensor lets frost build up on the evaporator coil until airflow is choked off.
• Condenser fan and coils. If heat cannot leave the cabinet, the whole system runs warm.
• Sensors and control board. A faulty freezer sensor can keep the system from running when it should.
• Sealed system. Leaks, compressor faults and blockages are repaired only by a technician with EPA Section 608 certification. Owners should never open, puncture or recharge it.

When to call a pro

• Any of the codes above stays on the display after a restart.
• The freezer is still warm 2 to 3 days after you corrected the settings, doors and airflow.
• Ice keeps building up on the freezer floor after a full defrost.
• You hear no fan in the freezer, or the unit runs constantly without getting cold.
• The ice maker has stopped too; our guide to an LG ice maker not working covers that side.

LG freezer repair costs

Fixr puts a typical freezer repair at $100 to $400, and ConsumerAffairs puts a typical job at $250 to $500. These published ranges are national ballparks:

Fixr says a freezer service call runs about $45 to $150. ConsumerAffairs lists a costly compressor or control board repair, rising energy bills and repeat visits as signs that replacement makes more sense. See our freezer repair cost and repair or replace guides before you decide.

Find LG freezer repair near you

Browse freezer technicians in states such as Georgia, or in cities like Nashville and Austin. Our general freezer not freezing guide covers other brands. Have your model number, thermometer reading and any display code ready when you call.