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LG refrigerators are well-engineered appliances, especially when it comes to error reporting. Suppose you’re seeing the CL error code on your fridge’s display. If that’s the case, don’t worry. The code is straightforward to understand.
The CL code on an LG refrigerator has two causes. Firstly, it’s triggered when the fridge door is left ajar or open for too long. Secondly, it’s triggered when there’s a leak, blockage, or other problem with the sealed system that circulates refrigerant and generates cold air. Unfortunately, sealed systems can only be repaired by licensed technicians and not by yourself as a DIY home repair.
Keep reading as we help you understand what the code means, what causes it, and how it can be fixed.
What Does The CL Error Code Mean On An LG Fridge ?
LG refrigerators will show you the CL error code for one of two reasons:
- When the door has been left open or ajar for too long
- When there’s a leak, blockage, or other problem with the sealed system.
For both of those reasons, your
Read: LG Refrigerator Is Not Cooling – Troubleshooting Guide + Service Manual
Why Shouldn’t You Leave The Fridge Door Open?
At first glance, it might not seem like a big deal to leave your fridge door open for too long. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
When a fridge door is left open for too long, cold air will escape rapidly. At the same time, warm air and moisture will enter the fridge compartment.
Because of that, it’s crucial to keep your fridge door closed tightly whenever you’re not putting items in or taking them out.
What Is The Sealed System In A Refrigerator, And How Does It Work?
The CL error code can also be triggered by problems with the fridge’s ‘sealed system’. That term refers to the system that circulates refrigerant to remove heat and help to produce cold air in the compartments.
It’s considered a ‘sealed’ system because nothing can enter or exit the system’s pipes or components. Because of that, a leak in the system is a critical problem that must be fixed immediately.
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Causes and Solutions for the CL Error Code
Here are the most likely causes for the CL error code and the solutions you can use to fix them.
Door Left Open Or Ajar For Too Long
What it is: Fridge doors are designed to form a tight seal with the rest of the fridge when you close them. That seal is crucial to keep cold air trapped inside while preventing warm air or moisture from seeping into the compartment.
How it happens: There are two reasons why a fridge door might be left open or ajar for too long. The first reason is user error, which means that someone did not close the door firmly. As a result, there is enough gap in the door seal to let cold air leak out and warm air seep into the fridge.
However, the same can also happen if a foreign object is trapped between the seal and the fridge’s body. When that happens, the door can’t form a tight seal even if you close it firmly.
How to fix it: To fix this problem, check the fridge’s door seal for any foreign objects that might be stuck on it. For example, there might be dust, dirt, or even food bits preventing the door from forming a tight seal. Clean away anything that you find.
Secondly, be sure to close the door firmly after opening the fridge. Gently swinging the door shut might not be enough to close it properly. So, always press the door shut gently to make sure it’s closed correctly.
Leak In The Sealed System
What it is: As mentioned before, your LG refrigerator circulates coolant through a sealed system to remove heat and distribute cold air. This system consists of copper tubing that travels throughout the back of the fridge, connected to several components like a compressor, evaporator, and condenser.
How it happens: A leak in the sealed system likely means a hole somewhere on the copper tubing. When that happens, the refrigerant will leak out, and the fridge loses its ability to generate cold air for the compartments.
One of the most likely places you’ll find a leak is at a connection where two copper tubes join each other. Besides that, any section of tubing that rubs against surfaces could also experience leaks due to excessive friction.
How to fix it: You cannot repair your fridge’s sealed system yourself. Firstly, the repair involves working with refrigerant, which can be risky to you and the environment if it leaks out. Secondly, a person must be trained and certified by the EPA to work on any refrigerant system.
For this problem, you must hire a qualified technician to do the repair. They’ll have the skills and machinery necessary to seal the leak or replace the tubing before recharging the system with new refrigerant.
Read: Why Is Fridge Making Rattling, Humming Or Buzzing Noise?
Faulty Compressor
What it is: The compressor is designed to compress the refrigerant and circulate it throughout the fridge’s cooling system (i.e. the sealed system mentioned above). When the fridge is too warm, the compressor will turn on and do its job. However, the compressor will turn off once the set temperature has been reached.
How it happens: Fridge compressors have a long life expectancy. Still, they can fail due to an electrical surge or if the refrigerant flowing through it is contaminated. Besides that, the compressor can also wear out due to old age or if it is forced to overwork itself to keep the fridge cold.
Read: Why Is Fridge Compressor Running But Not Cooling?
How to fix it: A faulty compressor must be replaced. However, this component is a crucial part of the sealed system that was described above. That means you can’t replace it by yourself. Instead, a qualified and licensed refrigeration system technician will have to do it for you.
Typically, the process will involve removing the refrigerant from the sealed system before detaching the faulty compressor. After a new compressor is installed, the technician will then recharge the system with refrigerant once more.
Read: How Do You Know If Refrigerator Compressor Is Bad?
How To Clear The CL Error Code?
Clearing the CL code will depend on the root cause. For example, if the code is triggered by a door that has been left open for too long, you’ll need to close the door. Then, give the fridge some time to stabilize the temperature inside.
Depending on how long the door was left open, it could take up to 24 hours for the fridge to stabilize and reach its set temperature.
However, if the CL code was triggered by a sealed system problem, it can only be cleared once it no longer senses a leak.
How To Reset An LG Refrigerator?
Once the root cause has been addressed, you can also clear the CL error code by resetting the fridge. On LG refrigerators, a reset is done by following these steps:
- Firstly, unplug the unit entirely by removing its plug from the wall socket. You can also turn off its dedicated circuit breaker for the same reason.
- Next, leave the fridge alone for at least 30 seconds.
- Lastly, reconnect the fridge to its power source. You’ll hear the compressor turn on when you do so.
Remember: if the fridge compartments are warm, it’ll take up to 24 hours for the appliance’s temperature to stabilize and become cool once more.
How To Test Your LG Fridge After Fixing?
The best way to test your
Alternatively, you can also run the fridge’s test mode to check for other errors.
LG Fridge Test Mode
LG fridges have a test button on their main control board. Pressing that button will enter the fridge into its test mode, checking for problems in its systems.
However, accessing the main control board can be risky, especially while the fridge is turned on. So be sure only to do this if you have the necessary skills and experience to do it safely.
The main control board is located on the back of the fridge, concealed behind an access panel.
