LG Refrigerator 22 Error: Compressor Relay Error
LG refrigerator error — here’s what you need to know. The 22 error code on your LG refrigerator indicates a compressor relay failure — the start relay that activates the compressor has failed or the compressor is not starting. This is a High severity issue. What Does 22 Mean on an LG Refrigerator? The start […]
~45%
DIY Fixable
From $160
Typical Repair Cost
30 min–4 hours
Pro Repair Time
Quick Assessment
Answer to continue safely
Is it safe to keep using?
No. With the compressor not running, all cooling has stopped. Temperatures will reach room temperature within 4–6 hours, making all refrigerated and frozen food unsafe. Remove and store food immediately in a cooler with ice.
Can I reset the code?
Yes. A power reset will not fix a failed start relay or compressor. The relay must be physically replaced. Resetting only causes the refrigerator to attempt another failed start cycle.
When to stop immediately?
Stop if you notice: All food is at room temperature — move perishables to a cooler immediately, Clicking continues after installing a new start relay — compressor has failed.
Symptoms You May Notice
No Cooling in Either Compartment
Both the freezer and refrigerator compartments lose cooling completely and temperatures rise to ambient room temperature within hours. The compressor is the heart of the cooling system — nothing cools without it running.
Clicking Sound from the Bottom Rear Every Few Minutes
A distinct click or series of clicks from the compressor area repeats every 2–5 minutes. This is the start relay attempting to start the compressor, failing, allowing the thermal overload to cool briefly, then trying again in a continuous loop.
Compressor Feels Hot but Motor Does Not Run
The compressor body is warm or hot to the touch from repeated failed start attempts, but you cannot hear the steady hum of a running motor. A working compressor produces a consistent low hum; a failed-start compressor produces only brief clicks.
Clicking sound at startup followed by silence
The refrigerator makes a distinct click as the relay attempts to start the compressor, followed by silence — the compressor fails to engage and the unit does not cool.
Possible Causes
Failed Compressor Start Relay
The PTC (positive temperature coefficient) start relay plugs onto the compressor start terminal. When the relay element cracks or burns out, it cannot provide the starting current surge needed to get the compressor motor spinning. Shake the relay near your ear — a rattling sound confirms it has failed.
DIY PossibleFailed Compressor Motor Windings
The internal motor windings of the compressor can open-circuit or short to ground, making the compressor impossible to start regardless of relay condition. This is confirmed when a new relay does not restore operation and winding resistance tests show an open or shorted circuit.
Requires ProfessionalControl Board Compressor Output Failure
On inverter-drive LG models, the inverter board that controls compressor speed can fail, preventing the compressor from receiving a start command. Error code 22 with an inverter model may point to the inverter board rather than the relay.
Requires ProfessionalSafe Checks You Can Do
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1
Test the Start Relay by Shaking It
Unplug the refrigerator. Pull the refrigerator out and remove the rear lower access panel. The start relay is a small plastic component plugged onto one of the compressor's wire terminals. Unplug it and shake it next to your ear. If it rattles, the internal PTC element has broken and the relay must be replaced.
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2
Replace the Start Relay
Order a replacement start relay using your refrigerator's model number (found on the label inside the fresh food compartment). The relay simply pulls off and pushes back on — no tools required beyond removing the access panel. After installing the new relay, plug in the refrigerator and listen for the compressor to start within 2–3 minutes.
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3
Verify Compressor Starts After Relay Replacement
After installing the new relay, stand next to the refrigerator and listen. Within 5 minutes you should hear the compressor begin a steady hum and the condenser fan spin up. If the clicking pattern resumes with the new relay, the compressor itself has failed and a technician is needed.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- New start relay installed but compressor still does not run — compressor failure
- Compressor winding resistance tests show open circuit or short to ground
- Inverter-drive model: inverter board output voltage absent when compressor is commanded on
Need Professional Help?
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