LG Refrigerator Er FF Error Code — What It Means & How to Fix It

The LG refrigerator Er FF error code means the freezer fan motor is not working properly. LG explains that when an ER FF or ER rF error code appears, the fan motor in the freezer or refrigerator compartment may not be working properly, and that ice or frost build-up around the fan motor usually prevents it from turning. A full defrost, with the refrigerator unplugged and both doors open for at least 24 hours, is the fix LG recommends.

This guide explains exactly what Er FF means, why it appears, the causes in the order you should check them, and the safe steps to fix it. It follows LG’s own support page, listed in the sources at the end.

What the LG refrigerator Er FF error code means

LG’s support page for ER FF and ER rF error codes says: “If an ER FF or ER rF error code appears, the fan motor in the freezer or refrigerator compartment may not be working properly. Ice or frost buildup around the fan motor usually prevents it from turning.”

In a modern refrigerator, small fan motors circulate cold air. The freezer fan moves cold air from the evaporator coils around the freezer compartment, and helps keep the temperature even. If ice or frost builds up around the fan blades, the fan cannot turn. The control senses that the fan is not doing its job and shows Er FF.

The letters in the code describe the fault: Er stands for error, and FF stands for freezer fan. The related code Er rF is the same fault in the refrigerator compartment fan. Other LG refrigerator fan codes include Er FS, which points to the same kind of problem in a different fan.

On many LG models, the display shows the code as Er FF, on others as FF on its own, and on some models the freezer fan code appears as ER FF or with a flashing pattern. They all point to the same freezer fan fault.

What the Er FF error code does not mean. It does not mean the refrigerator has stopped cooling altogether, and it does not mean the compressor has failed. The compressor may still be running, but without the fan the cold air is not moving where it needs to go, so the freezer warms up unevenly. And it does not mean the temperature setting is wrong.

Most likely causes of the LG refrigerator Er FF error code, in order

Work through these in order. The first two account for most cases.

Ice or frost build-up around the freezer fan. LG says this is the usual cause: ice or frost around the fan motor prevents it from turning. Frost forms when warm, damp air gets in, so any source of warm air makes it worse.
Freezer door left open, or not fully closed. A door left ajar, or a drawer that is not pushed in fully, lets warm air into the freezer all day. That air brings moisture, which freezes around the fan. LG names a door that is not fully closed as a cause of the ice that stops the fan.
Freezer packed too full. LG notes that the build-up often happens when the freezer contains too much food. Overpacking blocks the air vents, stops cold air circulating, and can press food against the fan cover.
Food or packaging blocking the air vents. Boxes and bags pushed against the vents inside the freezer stop air moving. The area near the vents then gets far colder than the rest, and frost forms around the fan.
Worn or damaged door seal. A door seal that is torn, loose, or dirty lets warm air creep in all the time, even when the door is closed. That steady leak is a common cause of slow frost build-up.
Faulty freezer fan motor. If the fan motor itself has worn out or burnt out, it will not turn even when there is no ice. This is usually the cause when the code comes back straight after a full defrost.
Faulty defrost system. The defrost heater, defrost thermostat, or defrost sensor should melt away frost automatically during the defrost cycle. If any of them has failed, frost builds up until the fan stops.
Faulty main control board. The control board runs the fan and the defrost cycle. If it is not sending power to the fan, or it is failing to start a defrost, Er FF appears. This is the least likely cause, and it needs a professional to test.

Safety STOP, read this before you start.

Stop and read this first. Your refrigerator is full of food, and it will be off for a full day or more while it defrosts. Plan the food and the water before you start.

Move food out before you defrost. Put frozen food in coolers with ice or ice packs, and move chilled food to a spare refrigerator if you have one. Throw away perishable food that has been warm for more than a couple of hours.
Unplug the refrigerator before you open any panel or touch the fan. Never work on the fan while the refrigerator is plugged in.
Do not use a hair dryer or any other heat source to defrost the freezer. LG warns that the heat could warp the plastic parts or create a fire risk.
Do not chip ice off with a knife or screwdriver. You can damage the evaporator coils, the fan, or the plastic lining, and a punctured coil releases refrigerant.
Lay towels around the base of the refrigerator. A full defrost produces a lot of water, and it will run onto the floor.
Do not press or hold the fan blades to test them while the refrigerator is plugged in.
If the refrigerator is under warranty, check the warranty terms before you remove any panel. DIY work can affect cover.

How to fix the LG refrigerator Er FF error code safely

Tools you need: coolers and ice or ice packs for the food, old towels, a plastic scraper, and a torch. Time: 24 hours for the defrost, plus about 30 minutes of work and 24 to 48 hours for the refrigerator to cool back down. Difficulty: easy, apart from the waiting.

Check the freezer temperature and move the food. First, check whether the freezer is cold. If the food is still frozen solid, you have time. Move everything into coolers with ice or ice packs. If food has already thawed and feels warm, do not refreeze it. Throw away perishable items that have been warm for more than a couple of hours. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Check the door and the air vents. Make sure the freezer door is fully closed, and that no food or packaging stops it closing. Pull the drawers out and push them back in properly. Check the air vents inside the freezer: move any food that is blocking them. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Unplug the refrigerator and open both doors. This is LG’s own fix for Er FF: unplug the refrigerator and leave both doors fully open for at least 24 hours. The ice around the fan needs time to melt completely. LG notes that defrosting may take about one day in summer and up to three days in winter, because the ice can be thicker in cold weather. Put towels on the floor and in the bottom of the freezer to catch the water, and check them regularly. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Dry the inside fully. Once all the ice has melted, wipe the inside of the freezer and refrigerator dry with towels. Do not leave puddles of water inside, as they will turn back into ice as soon as the refrigerator restarts. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Plug the refrigerator back in and wait. Plug it back in and close the doors. LG says to allow 24 to 48 hours for the refrigerator to reach its normal operating temperatures. Do not keep opening the doors to check. Listen for the fan starting inside the freezer after a while. If this step fixes it, stop here.
Run it for a full day and check the code. After 24 hours, check the display and the temperatures. The freezer should be back to its set temperature, and the Er FF code should be gone. If the code is gone, put the food back in, but leave space around the air vents. If the code is still there, or it comes back within a few days, the fan motor or the defrost system is the likely cause, and the next step is a professional.

If Er FF comes back after a full defrost, or it returns within days, do not just keep defrosting. There is probably a failed fan motor, a failed defrost part, or a control board fault, and those need testing by a professional.

When to call a professional

Call a qualified appliance repair professional if any of the following apply:

Er FF returns after a full defrost of at least 24 hours with the doors open.
The freezer warms up again within a few days of the defrost.
You can hear the fan making a loud buzzing or grinding noise, or the fan does not run at all after the defrost.
The freezer needs replacing the fan motor, defrost heater, defrost thermostat, or control board. Reaching and testing these parts means removing panels and handling wiring.
There is a burning smell, or the refrigerator trips the breaker.
The refrigerator is under warranty. LG says to contact them for service if the code continues after the defrost steps.

Before the visit, write down the exact code you saw, such as Er FF or Er rF, the model number, how long you left it to defrost, and how quickly the code came back. That saves the technician time and helps them bring the right part.

How much does it cost to fix the LG refrigerator Er FF error code in the United States?

I could not verify a reliable, current price for fixing this error in the United States from the sources I checked, so I do not quote one here. In most cases there is no repair bill at all, because the fix is a full defrost. If a part is needed, the cost depends on the model, the part, and local labour rates. LG notes that service fees may apply for a repair outside the warranty period. Always ask the repairer for a written quote before they start work, and ask whether the visit fee is included.

Parts you may need

Part names only. Buy parts by matching them to your refrigerator’s model number, never by guesswork.

Freezer fan motor, also called the evaporator fan motor
Refrigerator fan motor
Fan blade
Defrost heater
Defrost thermostat
Defrost sensor
Main control board

Frequently asked questions

What does the LG refrigerator Er FF error code mean?

It means the freezer fan motor is not working properly. LG says that when an ER FF code appears, the fan motor in the freezer may not be working properly, and that ice or frost build-up around the fan motor usually prevents it from turning.

What is the difference between Er FF and Er rF?

Er FF is the freezer fan, and Er rF is the refrigerator compartment fan. Both codes mean the fan motor in that compartment may not be working properly, and the fix is the same: unplug the refrigerator and leave both doors fully open for at least 24 hours to defrost it.

Can I still use my refrigerator when it shows Er FF?

It can still cool, but not properly. Without the freezer fan, cold air does not circulate, so the freezer warms up unevenly and food can thaw. Do not leave it running with the code showing for days. Move the food out and start the defrost as soon as you can.

How long does the defrost take?

LG says to leave both doors fully open for at least 24 hours. Defrosting may take about one day in summer and up to three days in winter, because ice can be thicker when it is cold. After you plug it back in, allow 24 to 48 hours for the refrigerator to reach its normal operating temperatures.

Can I use a hair dryer to defrost it faster?

No. LG warns against it. The heat could warp the plastic parts inside the refrigerator or create a fire risk. Unplug the refrigerator, open both doors, and let the ice melt on its own.

When should I call a professional for the Er FF error code?

Call a professional if Er FF comes back after a full 24-hour defrost, if the freezer warms up again within a few days, or if the fan makes a grinding noise or does not run at all. LG says that if the code continues after the defrost steps, service is needed — the fan motor, defrost parts, or control board may have failed.

Sources and last verified

Last verified: 14 November 2026.

Source: LG USA Support, How to Fix ER FF and ER rF Error Codes on Your LG Refrigerator — LG states that the ER FF code means the freezer fan motor may not be working properly, that ice or frost build-up usually stops the fan, and that the fix is to unplug the refrigerator and leave both doors fully open for at least 24 hours.