Lg refrigerator not cooling: check the most common cause first (see step 1 below). Lg uses brand-specific components that differ from other manufacturers.
LG's Linear Compressor has a documented failure problem, and it's honestly the first thing I check when someone calls me about an LG fridge that's not cooling. The compressor runs but doesn't actually compress refrigerant. LG extended the warranty to 10 years on that compressor because of known issues. Before you spend a dime on anything, check if you're covered. Repair without warranty runs $400-600 easy.
LG makes solid fridges but they've got a couple weak spots. The Linear Compressor issue is the big one with a whole settlement history behind it, but don't jump straight to that conclusion. Evaporator fan failures and frost-clogged evaporator coils are way more common and way cheaper to fix. You're looking at anywhere from a free condenser cleaning all the way up to a $500+ compressor job depending on what actually failed.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Primary Lg-specific cause35%
Secondary common cause25%
Tertiary cause20%
Less common cause10%
Other10%
Symptoms You May Notice
Fridge section is warm or room temperature but the freezer is still somewhat cold, or both sections are warming up together at the same time.
You can hear the compressor running, a low hum from the bottom back of the fridge, but nothing gets cold after 4-6 hours of running.
Solid sheet of frost or ice covering the entire back wall of the freezer compartment, completely blocking the air vents.
No airflow noise from the freezer at all. Open the freezer door and you should hear a fan running. If it's silent in there, that's a problem.
Food spoiling way faster than normal. Ice cream getting soft, milk going bad in 2-3 days instead of a week.
Can you reset a Lg refrigerator to clear the NOT-COOLING code?
Unplug the fridge for a full 5-10 minutes, not just 60 seconds. Plug back in. If the display is stuck or showing weird codes, hold Refrigerator and Ice Plus together for 3 seconds to clear diagnostic mode. After a hard reset give it at least 4 hours before you decide it's still not cooling. The fridge has to pull temperature all the way down from scratch and that takes time.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverFlat-head screwdriverDigital multimeterFlashlight or headlampCondenser coil cleaning brush or vacuum with brush attachmentNeedle-nose pliersTowels or a mop for ice melt
Service / Diagnostic Mode
Hold Refrigerator + Ice Plus 3 seconds.
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range15–30 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fix an LG refrigerator not cooling?
Depends a lot on what actually failed. Condenser cleaning is free, you do it yourself. Start relay is $10-15 in parts and about 10 minutes of your time. Evaporator fan motor runs $30-60 for the part and it's pretty DIY-friendly. Defrost heater and thermostat together are $20-40. If you're hiring a tech, add $100-200 labor to any of those. The expensive repair is the Linear Compressor. If it's not under warranty, you're looking at $400-600 for parts and labor combined.
Is it worth repairing an LG refrigerator that's not cooling?
If it's under 8 years old, usually yes. Especially if the repair is a fan motor, defrost parts, or start relay, those are all relatively cheap and the fridge has years of life left in it. The harder call is a failed compressor that's out of warranty. A $500+ compressor repair on a 9-year-old fridge is tough to justify. But under 5 years old with a compressor issue? LG's 10-year warranty should cover it. Check your purchase date before you make any decisions.
Can I fix my LG refrigerator not cooling myself?
Honestly, a lot of it yes. Cleaning condenser coils, swapping a start relay, replacing an evaporator fan motor, changing out defrost parts, all of these are solid DIY repairs if you're comfortable with a screwdriver and a multimeter. The one thing you can't DIY legally is adding refrigerant or any sealed system work. That requires EPA certification. But most not-cooling problems aren't sealed system issues, so don't assume the worst before you check the easy stuff first.
How do I know if my LG compressor is covered under the extended warranty?
LG extended the Linear Compressor warranty to 10 years from the original purchase date on most models. Go to LG's website and search your model number in the warranty lookup, or call 1-800-243-0000 with your model and serial number ready. The serial number actually encodes the manufacture date, so even if you don't have your receipt they can figure out the age. I've seen LG cover repairs on fridges that were 8 and 9 years old. It's worth making the call before you spend money.
Why is my LG freezer working but the fridge section isn't cooling?
This one's almost always the evaporator fan motor or frost covering the evaporator coils. Here's how it works. The freezer and fridge share one cooling system, but cold air has to be blown from the freezer section through a vent into the fridge section. If the fan dies or the coils ice over and block that vent, the freezer stays somewhat cold but the fridge gets nothing. Open the freezer door. Listen for fan noise. If it's quiet in there, you found your problem.
My LG fridge was working fine and suddenly stopped cooling. What happened?
Sudden stops usually point to the start relay dying, a compressor tripping on thermal overload, or a power event messing with the control board. Try unplugging for 10 minutes first. If it starts cooling after a reset but fails again a day or two later, that's a classic sign of a failing start relay or a compressor that's starting to go. If it straight up doesn't cool at all after the reset, pull that start relay and test it first. It's $10-15, takes 5 minutes, and you'd be surprised how often that's literally the whole problem.
Models Known to Experience NOT-COOLING Errors
This repair applies to most Lg refrigerators with this error code. Common model numbers include: