LG Refrigerator CL E Error Code (Er CL, E CL): Low-Side Refrigerant Leak (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

What the code means

LG calls CL "Low side cycle leakage". LG Canada says CL E or E CL indicates a refrigerant leak on the low-pressure side, with a high possibility that the refrigerant is leaking from the evaporator, the cold coil inside the freezer. LG's digital and analog error code guide describes CL as a refrigerant leak on the lower side that can be caused by a faulty valve, and says the fridge sets it when its temperature and compressor sensors report abnormal values. LG USA's Er CH and Er CL article says the code appears when the fridge detects insufficient cooling or an abnormal internal temperature, and lists low refrigerant or a leak, a compressor, valve or other sealed-system problem, a blockage in the sealed system, or a door left open for a long time. LG New Zealand calls ER CL an inspection code and notes it can also appear temporarily when a door is left open a long time or the power supply is unstable. Its twin code, CH (Er CH, E CH), means the same kind of problem on the high-pressure side, usually the condenser. LG also notes CL can show up right after a repair if the freezer hasn't yet cooled below 14°F (-10°C); in that case let it run about 24 hours.

Likely causes

• A refrigerator or freezer door left open or ajar for a long time, so the fridge can't pull the temperature down
• An unstable power supply or another electrical glitch, which LG New Zealand says can trigger the code temporarily
• A refrigerant leak on the low-pressure side of the sealed system, most likely at the evaporator (LG's most likely cause for CL)
• A defective valve in the sealed system
• A restriction or blockage in the refrigerant flow inside the sealed system
• A failing compressor
• A recent repair: the freezer hasn't cooled below 14°F (-10°C) yet, so the code shows until it catches up

Safe DIY checks

1. Check every door. Close the refrigerator and freezer doors completely if any were left open, give the compartments time to cool, and see if the code clears.
2. Restart the refrigerator. Unplug it from the wall outlet (or switch off its breaker), wait five minutes, and plug it back in. LG Canada also suggests a longer hard reset, unplugging it or turning off its breaker for about half an hour, to clear a false code.
3. On models that show CL E, LG Canada's clear-the-code steps are: open the right-hand refrigerator door and, with it open, press both the refrigerator and freezer temperature buttons together three times in a row. If the code comes back, it's a real fault.
4. If the fridge was just repaired, let it run for about 24 hours so the freezer can get below 14°F (-10°C). LG says to contact support if the code is still there after 24 hours or the freezer is still too warm.
5. If your fridge is connected to the LG ThinQ app, LG suggests running a ThinQ diagnosis before booking service.
6. Keep an eye on food temperatures with a thermometer. While CL is showing the fridge may not be cooling properly, so move perishables to a cooler or another fridge if temperatures climb.

Parts that commonly fix it

Always match the part number to your exact model.

Related codes

• CF E LG Refrigerator CF E
• CH E LG Refrigerator CH E
• FF LG Refrigerator FF
• IF LG Refrigerator IF
• CE Frigidaire Refrigerator CE
• Er FA Frigidaire Refrigerator Er FA

All LG codes →

Sources

1. LG USA: How to Troubleshoot Er CH and Er CL Error Codes on Your LG Refrigerator (causes, door check, 5-minute restart, 14°F/-10°C after repair, 24 hours)
2. LG Canada: CL E / CH E / E CL / E CH error codes (low side cycle leakage at the evaporator, no owner troubleshooting, clearing the error, half-hour hard reset, ThinQ diagnosis)
3. LG USA: Digital and Analog Error Codes (CL lower side of cycle leak, faulty valve, abnormal temperature and compressor sensor values)
4. LG New Zealand: ER(E) CH or CL error code (inspection code, temporary after long door opening or unstable power, 5-minute breaker reset)