This site is not affiliated with LG; this is an independent explanation.
Use this LG AC error code list when the indoor display shows CH followed by two digits, such as CH05, CH10, CH21 or CH38. The letters mark it as an LG fault, and the digits name the failed check: a sensor, the fan, the link with the outdoor half or an outdoor protection.
These are the common meanings on most inverter and dual inverter models. Some series reuse numbers differently, so your manual or LG authorised service has the final word. Sensors, fans, boards and everything refrigerant related need a trained technician, and this page sticks to what is safe for you to try.
Common causes
1Power dip, cut or unstable voltage
How to tellShows soon after the supply returns or when a heavy appliance starts
What fixes itRestart through the breaker after a rest; consider a suitable stabiliser
2Dirty filter or blower
How to tellWeak airflow, ice, fan noise, sensor or fan related codes
What fixes itWash the filters; the service visit cleans the blower and coil
3Temperature sensor out of range
How to tellCH01, CH02 or CH44 style codes, strange cut off, long compressor run
What fixes itTechnician tests and replaces the sensor
4Indoor to outdoor link broken
How to tellCH05 or CH53 style code, outdoor unit not starting
What fixes itCheck outdoor power, then call the service centre
5Inverter or compressor protection
How to tellCH21, CH23, CH26 or CH32 style codes after the outdoor unit hums and stops
What fixes itStop restarting; service engineer only
6Gas shortage or leak
How to tellCH38 appears with poor cooling and frost on the thin pipe
What fixes itLeak search and refill by a trained technician
How to fix it, step by step
Read the full code, including the digits
CH10, CH11 and CH01 look alike on small displays. Read it head on, and if your remote has a service display, compare the two. A wrong digit sends you to the wrong fix.
Stop the AC and let it settle
Turn the AC off from the remote and keep its breaker down for five to ten minutes. Then power on and run Cool at 24 degrees. Single event codes after a supply fluctuation will usually disappear.
Wash the filters and free up the air path
Open the front panel, remove both filters and rinse with plain water. Let them dry in shade. Move curtains and furniture away from the air outlet.
Look at what the outdoor unit is doing
From a safe distance see if the outdoor fan turns when the AC starts. Never open the cover. Silence outdoors with a code on the indoor screen points toward communication or power.
Check the household supply
If lights flicker or other machines trip when the AC starts, ask an electrician to check the supply. Poor voltage creates a long list of inverter codes.
Limit restarts to two
A repeating code is a real fault. More restarts only stress the compressor and boards.
Contact LG authorised service
LG AC error code list for CH codes
| Code | Usual meaning | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| CH01 | Indoor room temperature sensor fault | Technician |
| CH02 | Indoor pipe sensor fault | Technician |
| CH05 | Indoor and outdoor not communicating | You check power, then technician |
| CH10 | Indoor fan motor problem | You check blockage, then technician |
| CH21 | Compressor drive overcurrent protection | Technician |
| CH23 | Outdoor power circuit voltage problem | Technician |
| CH32 | Compressor discharge temperature too high | Technician |
| CH38 | Often linked to low refrigerant | Technician |
| CH44 | Outdoor air temperature sensor fault | Technician |
Treat the table as a map. Numbers like CH22, CH26, CH27 or CH29 also exist, and other series use different tables. Keep the code and model ready for service.
The CH38 and CH32 questions
CH38 is among the most searched LG codes, and it is commonly tied to refrigerant. A sealed system does not burn gas, so a low level always means a leak. The proper repair is a leak test, a fix and a measured charge. That is never a job to do with a cheap kit.
CH32 is about the compressor getting too hot. Dust on the outdoor coil, a failing outdoor fan or low gas can all push the temperature up. Washing the outdoor coil is something a technician does with the right care.
The AC cools for ten minutes, the outdoor unit goes quiet and the screen shows CH38. Over the past week the room was slow to cool. That pattern suits a gas leak, so ask for a proper leak check. Someone searching lg ac error code ch 38 or lg ac lo error code should read the table above and confirm with the manual.
Inverter versus dual inverter models
Dual inverter models add a more advanced compressor drive and more sensors, so they can show more of the CH2x and CH3x codes. A basic model has fewer. The searches lg dual inverter ac error code list and lg inverter ac error code list lead to the same family of codes, but part names differ. Always compare against the model name.
Cost, warranty and safety
Keep the outdoor casing shut, leave the boards alone and do not top up gas or short a sensor. These acts are unsafe and can cancel the warranty, while a service engineer has the right gauges and tools.
Sensors are the lower cost repairs, while boards, compressors and leak repairs cost much more. Age, warranty and access to the outdoor unit also change the bill.
Keeping CH codes away
Service the AC every year, keep the outdoor coil free of dust, and use a stable supply. For other brands see the all brands AC error code guide. When there is no code and the room is simply warm, the cooling checklist is the better page.
Frequently asked questions
What does the lg ch 38 error code mean, and is lg inverter ac ch 38 error code the same?
On most models CH38 is linked to refrigerant, usually a shortage from a leak. Do not add gas yourself; ask the service centre to trace the leak first.
What does the CH23 error code mean in an LG inverter AC?
CH23 normally concerns the voltage in the outdoor power circuit. Check for supply problems and ask a technician to test the outdoor board.
What is CH21 in LG AC?
CH21 usually refers to the compressor drive overcurrent protection. Repeated restarts can harm the unit, so stop and call service.
What does ch32 error code LG mean?
CH32 usually means the compressor discharge temperature is too high. Dust, a failing outdoor fan or low gas can cause it, and a technician must check.
What does ch44 error code LG mean?
CH44 generally points to the outdoor air temperature sensor. The AC may cut off or cool poorly until the sensor is replaced by a technician.
How do I clear an LG AC error code?
Turn off at the breaker for a few minutes and restart. A code that comes back means a genuine fault, so book a repair.