LG Refrigerator Error Code 22: Fix it Fast the Easy Way

I once saw a fridge full of expensive steak turn into a warm mess because of one tiny plastic part. It's heartbreaking to see good food go to waste just because a screen shows a scary number. If you see the LG Refrigerator Error Code 22 on your display, your compressor is having trouble starting up. I will show you how to save your groceries and fix this common problem today.

First you must unplug the power cord from the wall to let the computer reset for about ten minutes. Then you should move the fridge away from the wall so you can reach the back panel safely. You need to remove the small metal cover at the bottom to find the black cooling tank called the compressor. Next you should pull off the small plastic starter relay and give it a gentle shake to hear if it rattles. If you hear a noise like broken glass you must buy a new relay for your specific model. Lastly you should clean all the thick dust off the metal coils to help the system breathe better.

Why is my LG Refrigerator Showing Error Code 22?

This error code is the way your fridge tells you that the compressor cannot start. The compressor is the heart of the cooling system and it needs a big boost of power to get moving. A small part called the start relay or PTC thermistor provides that boost. When this part wears out or burns it breaks the electrical circuit. Your fridge tries to start and you might hear a clicking sound but then it just gives up.

Sometimes the problem is not a broken part but just a simple computer glitch. Electronics can get confused by power surges or flickering lights in your kitchen. Other times the fridge is just too hot because the back is covered in pet hair and dust. If the system gets too hot it will shut down to protect itself from permanent damage. You need to figure out if it is a simple cleaning job or a part you need to swap.

I have fixed hundreds of these and most of the time it is just a cheap plastic plug. You don’t always need a pro to come to your house and charge you a lot of money. Just stay calm and look at the back of the machine first. Most people panic and think they need a whole new fridge. You can usually get this running again for less than fifty dollars if you follow the right steps.

• The start relay has failed internally.
• The compressor is drawing too much power.
• Dust is blocking the airflow in the back.
• A power surge glitched the control board.
• The wiring to the compressor is loose.
• The main power outlet is not grounded.

Steps to Fix Your LG Refrigerator Error Code 22 the Quick and Easy Way

Check the Power and Reset the Logic

First you should always try the easiest fix which is a hard reset. I have seen many people spend money on parts when a simple reboot was all they needed. Unplug the fridge and walk away for at least fifteen minutes. This lets the electricity drain out of the capacitors on the main board. It's like restarting your phone when it freezes up.

While the fridge is unplugged you should check your wall outlet. Use a lamp or a phone charger to make sure the plug is actually giving out power. Sometimes a tripped breaker in your garage or basement is the real sneaky culprit. If the outlet works fine then your fridge has a real internal issue. You are just making sure the “brain” of the fridge starts with a clean slate.

After fifteen minutes you can plug the unit back into the wall. Listen closely to the back of the machine for any sounds. If the cooling fan starts but the compressor clicks and stops you have a hardware problem. This reset usually clears temporary errors caused by quick power blinks. It is the first thing every real repair man does when they walk into a kitchen.

• Unplug the unit for fifteen minutes.
• Test the wall outlet with another device.
• Avoid using cheap extension cords.
• Listen for the clicking sound at the back.

Inspect the Compressor Start Relay

The start relay is a small black or white box tucked onto the side of the compressor. You have to remove a small wire clip to pull it off the metal pins. In my experience this is the most common part to fail on an LG fridge. It handles a lot of heat and electricity so it eventually just cooks itself. You can smell it sometimes if it has burned up recently.

Hold the relay in your hand and give it a quick shake near your ear. If it sounds like there are loose pebbles inside then the ceramic disk has shattered. A good relay should be silent or have a very tiny solid click. If it rattles it is definitely dead and you must replace it immediately. This is an “insider secret” that saves you from using a fancy multimeter tool.

You can find the part number printed right on the side of the plastic casing. Match that number when you shop online so you get the right fit. It's a very simple plug-and-play repair that anyone can do with their bare hands. Just make sure the fridge stays unplugged while you are swapping the parts. This one small fix solves about eighty percent of these error codes.

• Remove the back bottom service panel.
• Pull the relay off the compressor pins.
• Shake the part to check for rattles.
• Look for burn marks on the plastic.

Clean the Dirty Condenser Coils

Many people forget that a fridge needs to breathe just like a person. If the metal coils under or behind your fridge are covered in dust the heat stays trapped inside. This makes the compressor work twice as hard and get way too hot. When it gets too hot the start relay might pop or the computer throws an error. I always tell my clients to clean these coils twice a year.

Use a vacuum with a long skinny hose to suck up all the grey fur and dust. You might be shocked at how much junk hides under there if you have dogs or cats. You can also use a soft brush to gently scrub the metal fins. Be careful not to bend the fins or break any of the thin copper tubes. A clean coil means the fridge stays cool without struggling.

Check the small fan located next to the compressor while you are back there. That fan must spin freely to blow air across the coils and the motor. If the fan is stuck with a piece of trash or a pet toy the system will overheat fast. Give it a little poke to see if it moves easily. Keeping things clean is the best way to avoid seeing an error code ever again.

• Use a vacuum on the back coils.
• Brush away stubborn pet hair gently.
• Check that the cooling fan spins.
• Leave space between the fridge and wall.

Look for Damaged or Burnt Wires

Sometimes the problem isn’t the part but the wires that lead to it. Vibrations from the fridge running for years can make wires rub against metal. Eventually the insulation wears off and causes a short circuit. You should look for any black soot or melted plastic around the compressor area. A loose connection can mimic a broken part and confuse the computer.

Check the plastic plug that connects the wires to the start relay box. If the metal clips inside look green or rusty they won’t pass electricity very well. You can clean them with a bit of electronic cleaner or a dry toothbrush. Make sure every wire is pushed in tight and not wiggling around. A firm connection is key to getting that big motor started.

I once found a mouse had chewed a wire in the back of a customer’s kitchen. It was a simple fix but it caused a huge headache for the family. Follow the wires back as far as you can see to check for bites or breaks. If you find a broken wire you can often splice it back together. Just make sure the power is off before you touch anything shiny.

• Inspect all wires for melt marks.
• Tighten any loose wire connections.
• Look for signs of pest damage.
• Clean any corrosion off the metal terminals.

Test the Compressor Resistance

If the relay is fine and the wires are clean you might have a deeper motor issue. The compressor has three metal pins that sticking out of its side. You can use a tool called a multimeter to check the resistance between these pins. This tells you if the copper coils inside the motor are still good. It sounds technical but it's actually pretty simple.

Touch your meter probes to the pins in pairs to see the numbers on the screen. The resistance should be low but not zero and not “open.” If you get no reading at all the motor is internally broken. This usually means you need a professional because you cannot fix a broken motor yourself. LG compressors are known for being quiet but they can be a bit fragile.

Check your warranty before you give up hope on a bad compressor. Many LG models have a very long warranty on this specific part because of past issues. You might get a free replacement if the fridge is less than ten years old. Even if the part is free you will still have to pay for the labor. Knowing the health of your compressor helps you decide if it’s time for a new fridge.

• Use a multimeter to check motor pins.
• Look for consistent resistance readings.
• Compare your numbers to the service manual.
• Check your 10-year compressor warranty status.

Evaluate the Main Control Board

The last place to look is the main brain of the refrigerator. This is a large green circuit board usually hidden in a panel on the back or top. If a tiny component on this board burns out it won’t send the “start” signal to the compressor. You can often see a black smudge on the board if it has failed. Smelling for a “burnt toast” scent is a great way to find a bad board.

Look for any capacitors that look swollen or leaky on the surface of the board. A capacitor should be flat on top like a pancake. If it looks like a dome it is dead and the board needs to be replaced. Replacing the board is usually just a matter of unplugging several colorful wire clips. It is a more expensive part but it is much easier to install than a compressor.

I suggest checking the board only after you have tried the relay and the cleaning. It is rare for the board to die but it does happen after big lightning storms. Make sure you get the exact version for your model or the ice maker might act weird. A new board can breathe life back into an old fridge and save you from buying a new one. It is the final boss of refrigerator repair.

• Locate the main control board panel.
• Smell for any burnt electronic odors.
• Look for swollen or leaking capacitors.
• Match the part number exactly for replacement.

Can I Still Use My Fridge with this Error?

You really should not keep using the fridge if it is not cooling. Once that error code stays on the screen the temperature will start to rise quickly. Your milk will spoil in just a few hours and raw meat will become dangerous. It is better to move your most important items to a cooler with ice right away. Don’t keep opening the door because you will let the last bit of cold air out.

If you leave the fridge plugged in while it has this error you might cause more damage. The fridge will keep trying to start the compressor every few minutes. This creates a lot of heat and can eventually ruin the main control board too. It is like trying to start a car with a dead battery over and over again. You are just wearing out the other parts while you wait.

Think of this code as a red light on your car dashboard. You can’t just ignore it and keep driving without making things worse. Take action immediately to save your food and your wallet. If you can’t fix it today keep the power off and keep the doors closed tight. This gives you the best chance of a cheap repair later on.

• Move dairy and meat to a cooler.
• Keep the refrigerator doors closed.
• Unplug the unit to prevent more damage.
• Don’t ignore the code for more than an hour.
• Check the freezer for melting ice.
• Plan your repair steps as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide helps you get your kitchen back to normal quickly. Dealing with a broken appliance is stressful but you can handle this task. Most of the time a simple part or a good cleaning is all it takes to clear that LG Refrigerator Error Code 22 for good. Just take your time and follow the steps carefully. You’ve got this and your fridge will be humming again soon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it expensive to fix the relay?

No it is actually one of the cheapest parts you can buy for a fridge. You can usually find a new start relay for between twenty and fifty dollars. If you do the work yourself you save a lot on labor costs. It is a very smart first step before calling a technician.

Can I fix the compressor myself?

You cannot fix the inside of a compressor because it is a sealed metal unit. If the motor inside is dead a professional must cut it out and weld in a new one. This requires special tools and chemicals that only pros have. Stick to the relay and cleaning for your home repairs.

Do I need special tools for this?

You only need a few basic things like a screwdriver and a vacuum cleaner. A multimeter is helpful if you want to be very precise but it is not always needed. Most of the parts just clip on and off with your hands. It is a very beginner-friendly repair job for most people.

Is the error code 22 always about the relay?

It is almost always related to the compressor’s ability to start up. While the relay is the most common cause it could also be a bad wire or a dead motor. However you should always check the relay first because it is the most likely culprit. It is the easiest part to test.

Can a power surge cause this error?

Yes a big spike in electricity can fry the sensitive parts in your fridge. It can burn out the relay or glitch the main computer board. I always recommend using a high-quality surge protector made for large appliances. This protects your expensive fridge from bad weather and power grid issues.

Do I have to move the fridge to fix it?

Yes you will need to pull the fridge away from the wall to reach the back. Most modern fridges have wheels that make this pretty easy to do. Just be careful not to scratch your kitchen floor while you move it. You need about two feet of space to work comfortably.

Is it worth fixing an old LG fridge?

If the fridge is less than ten years old it is usually worth fixing. A fifty dollar part is much cheaper than a two thousand dollar new refrigerator. If the compressor is the part that failed check your warranty first. Many times the most expensive part is covered for a long time.

How long does the repair take?

If you have the part ready you can finish this in about thirty minutes. Most of that time is spent moving the fridge and cleaning the dust. The actual swapping of the relay takes only a few minutes. It is a very quick job that makes a huge difference in your kitchen.