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When your fridge experiences a problem with its cooling system, you have to get it fixed immediately to protect the items you keep inside it. A perfect example is the FF error code on an LG refrigerator which points to a freezer fan problem.
The FF error code on an LG refrigerator means there’s a freezer fan problem. The issue is most likely triggered by an ice buildup at the fan blades, a failed fan motor, or a problem with the main control board. Once the problem is resolved, give your fridge 24 hours to stabilize itself and reach the temperature you’ve set for it.
The following sections will explain the problem, its causes and solutions in more detail for you to understand.
What The FF Error Code Means On An LG Refrigerator?
When you see the FF error code on your LG refrigerator display, that means there’s a problem with the freezer fan. In particular, the evaporator fan in your freezer is affected.
The evaporator fan plays a critical role as it helps to distribute cold air to wherever it’s needed. For example, in your freezer, the fan will drive cold air to all corners of the compartment, ensuring that all your food items are frozen evenly and kept that way for as long as they’re stored inside the unit.
Read: How To Fix Er RF Error Code On LG Refrigerator
FF Error Code Causes And Solutions
The FF error code is most likely triggered by an ice buildup around the affected fan, a failed fan motor, or a faulty main control board. This section will help you understand each of these possibilities and what you can do to fix them.
Ice Buildup Around Fan
What it is: The evaporator fan turns on and off repeatedly. When the freezer is too warm, it’ll turn on and distribute cold air throughout the compartment. But when the set temperature has been reached, the fan will turn off until it’s needed again.
The fan blades must always be able to turn freely without anything obstructing its movement.
How it fails: Ice and frost can build up around the evaporator fan over an extended period. That typically happens because warm air and moisture enter the compartment, such as when the door is left open for too long.
As that ice buildup becomes larger, it will eventually block the path of the evaporator fan blade. When that happens, the fan blade can’t turn and will trigger the FF error code that you see.
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Read: Why Is Ice Or Frost Build Up In The Freezer?
How to fix it: The most effective way to remove an ice buildup is to let it thaw out naturally. You can do this by emptying the freezer and leaving the door open while keeping the
Remember: this process can take quite a long time, depending on how big you have an ice buildup.
Note:
Avoid using a hairdryer, heat gun, or similar equipment to melt the ice buildup. These tools work by shooting a focused blast of heat which could warp, melt, or otherwise damage the plastic panels inside the freezer compartment.
Failed Evaporator Fan Motor
What it is: The evaporator fan is powered by a fan motor that turns on and off as needed for the freezer to reach its set temperature. Whenever it receives electrical power and signals from the main control board, the fan will turn and blow cool air as it’s supposed to.
How it fails: The electrical evaporator fan motor can fail due to an electrical fault or from excessive wear. For example, an electrical surge like those during a thunderstorm can cause the motor to short out and stop working.
Besides that, any obstruction to the fan blades (like the ice buildup mentioned earlier) will force the motor to work harder than usual. When that continues for too long, the motor will experience excessive wear and burn out.
How to fix it: When an evaporator fan motor fails, it must be replaced with a new one. Always unplug your LG refrigerator before any repairs, for safety reasons.
Then, start by emptying the freezer compartment and taking off the panel towards the compartment’s rear.
Firstly, detach the fan blades from the motor. Then, unthread the screws that hold the motor in place. Once you’ve freed the motor, you can then detach its electrical connector.
At the same time, inspect the fan blades for any signs of damage. Suppose the fan blade is still in good shape. Then, you can reuse it with the new motor as well.
Next, mount the new motor in its place and reattach the fan blades. Finally, reconnect the electrical connector firmly to the motor.
Faulty Fridge Control Board
What it is: This component is arguably your fridge’s most critical part: the main control board. It’s a printed circuit board (PCB) with lots of tiny components attached to it, each controlling a different function of the appliance.
Besides sending power and signals to other fridge components, the board also receives signals to ensure that all components are working correctly.
How it fails: Your fridge’s main control board can fail totally (i.e. all of it stops working) or only fail in certain functions. For example, other fridge functions could continue to work, though the ones responsible for the freezer fan fail and trigger the FF error code.
This type of failure is most likely due to an electrical fault, such as a short circuit that causes the affected components to overheat and burn. However, the same can happen if moisture or excess heat finds its way into the main control board’s compartment.
How to fix it: Whether the main control board has failed totally or only partially, it must be replaced with a new one. Start by shutting off the appliance’s power and locating the board’s compartment at the back of the fridge.
Then, remove the screws holding the panel so you can take it off and access the main control board. The board is held in place with clips and is connected to several wire harnesses.
Firstly, remove the wire harnesses. Then, free the board from the clips that hold it in place.
Install the new board the same way as the old one, and reconnect all wire harnesses.
Lastly, reattach the panel that you removed earlier.
Read: How Long Should A Refrigerator Last?
How To Clear The FF Error Code?
The FF error code will be cleared once you’ve resolved the root cause and the freezer fan is working correctly again.
After troubleshooting and repairing the problem, you can also reset the fridge to clear the error code.
How To Reset LG Refrigerator?
To reset your LG refrigerator, follow these steps:
- Firstly, unplug your fridge from the wall socket.
- Then, leave the fridge alone for at least 30 seconds to clear its memory.
- Lastly, reconnect the fridge and give it a few hours to stabilize its temperature.
This process is sometimes referred to as ‘power cycling’. Depending on how warm the fridge compartments are, it could take up to 24 hours for the fridge to stabilize and reach its set temperature.
How To Test Your LG Fridge After Repairs?
The best way to test your
When you find that the fridge is cold enough and doesn’t show any other error codes, that means the repair was a success and that the fridge is free from any problems.
Running Automatic Test Mode
Alternatively, you can also test the fridge by running its automatic test mode. To do this, press the test button located on the main control board.
As mentioned before, the board is located in its housing, covered by a panel on the back of the fridge.
When the test button is pushed, the fridge will automatically run tests to check for any errors.
Pushing the button on the main control board while the fridge is on can be risky. So, only perform this task if you’re comfortable, and be extra careful when doing so.
Read: LG Refrigerator Is Not Cooling – Troubleshooting Guide + Service Manual
