On the covered LG refrigerator, dH, F dH, r dH, Er dH means defrost resistance issue: LG says the dH code (sometimes shown as FdH or dHF) means the temperature measured by the defrost sensor has not increased by more than 5 degrees Celsius within 80 minutes of the start of defrosting, so the evaporator may be blocked by ice formed from moisture in the air. On analog-display models LG adds that the defrost resistor and temperature fuse may be broken, the heating relays may be malfunctioning, or the drain may be clogged. First, protect the food and document heavy frost or airflow loss.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG refrigerator code dH, F dH, r dH, Er dH”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A defrost that does not heat
What separates it dH shows and frost builds on the evaporator, which points to a defrost that does not heat
How to confirm LG says the defrost sensor temperature has not risen by more than 5 degrees Celsius within 80 minutes of defrost starting
- 2
A failed defrost resistor or fuse
What separates it The evaporator is iced over, which points to a failed defrost resistor or fuse
How to confirm On analog models LG says the defrosting resistor and temperature fuse may be broken
- 3
A clogged drain or a heating relay fault
What separates it Water pools under the freezer, which points to a clogged drain or a heating relay fault
How to confirm LG says heating relays may be malfunctioning or the drain may be clogged
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: dH, FdH or dHF
- Whether the freezer back wall is iced
- Whether water pools at the bottom
Try in this order
0 of 4 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleProtect the food and document heavy frost or airflow loss.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleLG's page says to request service for the codes that indicate a malfunction, and that if the issue continues you should contact LG Customer Support.
Note the symptoms
ReversibleRecord whether the freezer is frosting over and whether water is pooling.
Request service
ReversibleIf dH returns, request service; the defrost heater, fuse and relay are technician items.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- dH, FdH, dHF, F dH, r dH, Er dH.
- Parts named
- Defrost heater; temperature fuse; heating relay; drain.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Do not chip ice or use a heat gun on the evaporator
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 5 degree and 80 minute figures are LG's own.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does dH, F dH, r dH, Er dH mean on a LG refrigerator?+
Defrost resistance issue: LG says the dH code (sometimes shown as FdH or dHF) means the temperature measured by the defrost sensor has not increased by more than 5 degrees Celsius within 80 minutes of the start of defrosting, so the evaporator may be blocked by ice formed from moisture in the air. On analog-display models LG adds that the defrost resistor and temperature fuse may be broken, the heating relays may be malfunctioning, or the drain may be clogged.
What does dH mean on an LG refrigerator?+
The defrost temperature did not rise more than 5 degrees Celsius within 80 minutes.
What are FdH and dHF?+
The same code shown differently.
Why is my evaporator iced?+
Because defrost is not working, moisture freezes on it.