LG Refrigerator Error Er FF – Causes & Fix
LG's freezer fan motor isn't operating normally; frost around the blade is the usual reason it can't turn.
At a glance
Severity: Moderate
- Meaning
- Freezer Fan Error – Fan Motor Not Running
- Typical repair cost
- $0–$500
- DIY difficulty
- Moderate
On most LG refrigerators a single fan behind the freezer's evaporator cover moves cold air through the freezer and, on bottom-freezer and many French-door models, up a duct into the fresh-food section as well. LG shows Er FF (or E FF, and on some displays just F) when that fan motor isn't operating normally, and names frost or ice around the fan as the most common trigger. That's why this code often comes with a warm fridge section too, not just a soft freezer. LG's own advice is a long defrost with the unit unplugged; if the code returns afterwards, the fan motor, its wiring or the automatic defrost system needs service.
How it looks on the display
Model families & display variants
| Model family | Shows | Note |
|---|---|---|
| French-door and bottom-freezer models with two readouts | Er FF | Er appears on one readout and FF on the other. |
| Models with a single-line panel | E FF | LG lists E FF as the same freezer-fan error. |
| Some compact and top-freezer models | F / FF | The code may appear as a single F or a blinking FF next to the temperature. |
Safety first · Consult a professional
Unplug the refrigerator before removing freezer baskets and the evaporator cover – the fan and defrost heater behind it are powered. During the long defrost, lay towels and a shallow pan on the floor so meltwater can't reach outlets or cords behind the fridge.
- Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.
Symptoms
- Er FF, E FF or FF on the display (Er on one readout, FF on the other)
- Freezer slowly warming and, on bottom-freezer and French-door models, the fridge section warming too
- Little or no air coming out of the vents at the top of the freezer
- Humming, clicking or a blade scraping ice behind the freezer's back wall
- Frost on packages near the back of the freezer
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Frost built up around the fan after a freezer door or drawer was left ajar
- Automatic defrost not working (heater, sensor or fuse), so the coil ices over
- Freezer fan motor failed or its speed feedback lost
- Overflowing freezer ice maker spilling water that freezes near the fan
- Damaged wiring or loose plug at the fan
- Fan output on the main board faulty
Fix it step by step
Check for a second code
Scroll through or watch the display for a while. Er FF together with Er dH means the defrost is failing and icing the fan – fix the defrost first. Er FF alone usually means frost from a door left open, or a worn motor.
Feel for airflow
Close the freezer, wait ten minutes after you hear the compressor start, then open it briefly and hold your hand at the vents near the top of the back wall. Cold air moving means the fan turns at least some of the time; still air confirms it is stopped.
Do LG's long defrost
Move the food to coolers, unplug the refrigerator and leave the freezer door or drawer fully open. LG recommends about a day in summer and up to three days in a cold room, because every bit of ice around the blade has to be gone before the fan can spin again.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan
Clear the ice maker if you have one in the freezer
On models with a freezer ice maker, empty the bin and check for ice sheets under the ice maker or dripping from its fill point. An overflow there can feed ice straight into the fan area and bring the code back after every defrost.
Tools: Flashlight
Restart and watch the next day
Plug the refrigerator back in with the doors closed and give it 24 hours. If Er FF stays away and the freezer reaches 0°F, the ice was the whole story; if it returns within days, something keeps making ice or the motor is worn.
Run LG Smart Diagnosis
Many LG models support Smart Diagnosis through the ThinQ app or by holding the phone to the fridge while it transmits a tone. The result helps the technician bring the right fan motor or defrost part on the first visit.
How to reset Er FF
- Unplug the refrigerator or switch off its breaker for about 5 minutes
- Plug it back in; the display clears once the fan reports normal rotation
- If Er FF comes back after a complete defrost, the fan or the defrost system needs service
Where the parts are
- 1Evaporator fan
- 2Defrost heater
- 3Temperature sensor
- 4Door switch
- 5Compressor
- 6Condenser
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Long defrost with the unit unplugged | Yes | $0 |
| Freezer fan motor (part only) | Yes | $35–$90 |
| Freezer fan motor replaced by a technician | No | $180–$340 |
| Defrost heater, sensor or fuse repair | No | $200–$400 |
| Main board replacement | No | $250–$500 |
Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.
When to call a technician
Call LG service or an appliance technician if Er FF returns within a week of a complete defrost, if Er dH shows up as well, or if the fan stays silent although the freezer is ice-free. Also call right away if the fridge section climbs above 40°F and you can't do a full-day defrost – a technician can steam the coil clear and test the motor in one visit.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my fridge section warm with a freezer fan code?
On LG bottom-freezer and most French-door models the freezer fan also pushes cold air up into the fridge. When it stops, both compartments warm up, the fridge often first because it has less cold stored.
Do I really have to wait 24 hours or longer?
LG recommends it because hidden ice between the blade and its housing takes the longest to melt. A shorter defrost often clears the display for a day, then the code returns.
What should I do with the food during the defrost?
Pack frozen food tightly in coolers with ice and keep perishables at 40°F or below. Anything from the fridge that has been above 40°F for more than two hours should be discarded.
What's the difference between Er FF and Er rF?
Er FF is the freezer fan, which on many LG models cools both compartments. Er rF is a separate fan in the fridge section on models that have one; with rF the freezer usually stays cold.
Sources
- Official LG user documentation and support pages (facts only; wording is our own)
- Methodology: How We Build Code Pages · Data Sources We Use · Editorial Policy