LG Refrigerator Not Cooling in Both Sections? Check the Compressor Warranty First

Your LG refrigerator still has power. The lights work, the display is on, and you may hear a fan running—but both the refrigerator and freezer sections are getting warm.

Does this mean you need a new refrigerator?

Not necessarily.

In our experience as appliance technicians, when both sections of certain LG refrigerators stop cooling, the compressor or sealed refrigeration system is an important possibility.

However, do not immediately pay for a compressor replacement.

Many LG refrigerators sold in Canada include an extended limited warranty on the compressor. Depending on the exact model and purchase date, the compressor part may be covered for up to 10 years.

The warranty does not necessarily cover labour, refrigerant, travel, or every sealed-system component. Always verify the coverage using the complete model and serial number before authorizing an expensive repair. LG's current Canadian product information shows that some models include a 10-year compressor-parts warranty, while the standard parts-and-labour period is shorter.

The Issue: Both Refrigerator Sections Are Warm

Common symptoms include:

The refrigerator section is not cold.
The freezer is no longer freezing.
Both sections become warm at approximately the same time.
The lights and control panel still operate.
The refrigerator runs quietly but produces no cold air.
Fans operate, but the compressor does not appear to start.
The compressor runs, but the temperature continues rising.
Food begins thawing in the freezer.
Unplugging the refrigerator temporarily restores cooling.
An error code appears on the display or LG ThinQ app.

When both compartments are warm, the problem normally involves a component shared by the entire cooling system.

Possible causes include:

Failed compressor
Refrigerant leak
Restricted sealed system
Compressor inverter or control-board failure
Condenser-fan failure
Main control-board problem
Defrost-system failure
Incorrect settings or Demo Mode

A technician must test the refrigerator before confirming a compressor failure.

How to Diagnose an LG Refrigerator That Is Not Cooling

Check the temperature settings

Confirm that the refrigerator and freezer sections are switched on.

Normal target temperatures are generally around:

Refrigerator: 3°C to 4°C
Freezer: approximately –18°C

Make sure the appliance is not in Demo Mode. In Demo Mode, the lights and display may work while the cooling system remains off.

Reset the refrigerator

Unplug the refrigerator or switch off its breaker for approximately five minutes.

Restore power and listen for the fans and compressor.

A reset may clear a temporary electronic problem, but it will not repair a failed compressor, inverter board, refrigerant leak, or damaged control board.

Do not repeatedly unplug and reconnect the refrigerator. Frequent attempts to restart a failing compressor can place additional stress on the electrical components.

Check the door seals

Inspect the refrigerator and freezer gaskets.

Make sure:

The doors close completely.
Food packages are not blocking the doors.
The seals are not torn or pulled away.
The freezer drawer is fully closed.
There is no heavy frost caused by warm air entering.

A small door-seal problem may cause poor cooling, but it is less likely to make both sections become completely warm at the same time.

Check the condenser area

Depending on the model, the condenser may be located underneath or behind the refrigerator.

Look for excessive dust, pet hair, or blocked ventilation.

A dirty condenser reduces the refrigerator's ability to release heat. This can make the compressor run longer and may reduce cooling performance.

Disconnect the refrigerator from power before cleaning around the condenser. Avoid bending tubing or damaging wiring.

Listen to the fans and compressor

The compressor is usually located near the bottom rear of the refrigerator.

Listen carefully for several minutes.

Fans operate, but the compressor is silent:

The compressor, inverter board, main control board, wiring, or electrical supply may be responsible.

The compressor starts and stops:

The compressor may be overheating, the inverter may be failing, or the sealed system may have a problem.

The compressor runs continuously, but there is no cooling:

A refrigerant leak, restriction, inefficient compressor, or sealed-system failure becomes more likely.

Nothing operates except the lights:

The controls, Demo Mode, main board, sensors, or power system should be checked.

LG compressors can operate quietly, so sound alone cannot confirm whether the compressor is working correctly.

Check for frost in the freezer

Look at the freezer's rear interior wall.

A thick layer of frost or snow may indicate that the evaporator is frozen because the defrost system is not working properly.

Possible causes include:

Defrost heater
Temperature sensor
Thermal fuse
Evaporator fan
Main control board
Damaged wiring

A defrost problem can restrict airflow and make both sections warm even when the compressor is still working.

The Likely Solution

If both sections are warm and the compressor is not operating correctly, a technician should test:

Power supplied to the refrigerator
Compressor inverter or control signal
Main control board
Compressor electrical readings
Condenser and evaporator fans
Temperature sensors
Evaporator frost pattern
Refrigerant pressures
Sealed-system operation

If the compressor or sealed system has failed, the repair may require:

Recovering the refrigerant.

Removing the failed compressor.

Installing a replacement compressor.

Replacing the filter dryer.

Evacuating the sealed system.

Charging it with the correct refrigerant.

Testing operating pressures and temperatures.

Updating or replacing the main board when required by the model.

This is not a normal do-it-yourself repair. It requires refrigeration tools, electrical testing, sealed-system training, and proper refrigerant handling.

Technician's Recommendation: Call Before Paying for the Repair

If an LG refrigerator is less than 10 years old and a compressor problem is suspected, check the manufacturer's warranty first.

LG Canada states that warranty conditions vary by product. Customers may need to be the original owner, provide the bill of sale, and have a visible model-and-serial-number label. LG's standard manufacturer warranty is generally one year for parts and labour, but specific refrigerators may include longer parts-only coverage for the sealed system or compressor.

Before calling LG, collect:

Complete model number
Serial number
Purchase date
Original receipt or bill of sale
Any displayed error codes
Photos of the model-and-serial label

LG Canada currently directs customers to its repair-request service and customer-support line for warranty verification.

Do not assume that "10-year compressor warranty" means the entire repair will be free.

Depending on the model and warranty terms, the compressor part may be covered while the customer remains responsible for labour, refrigerant, filter dryer, travel, or other components.

LG Refrigerator Repair Prices

The final price depends on the confirmed failure and warranty coverage.

Typical non-sealed-system repairs may include:

Professional diagnosis and labour: approximately $220–$280
Fan, sensor, or related component: approximately $100–$350
Main control or inverter-related part: approximately $250–$700

A compressor or sealed-system repair is more expensive and should be quoted after diagnosis.

When the compressor part is covered by LG, the customer may still have charges for labour or related components depending on the model-specific warranty.

When the refrigerator is completely outside warranty, compare the full repair estimate with the cost of purchasing, delivering, and installing a replacement refrigerator.

Book an LG Refrigerator Diagnosis

If both sections of your LG refrigerator are warm, move perishable food to another refrigerator or cooler as soon as possible.

Check the settings, doors, condenser area, fans, and frost buildup. If the refrigerator still does not cool, arrange a professional diagnosis.

TrustedFix Appliance Repair can test the fans, sensors, control board, inverter, compressor, and refrigeration system before recommending a repair.

If the compressor is confirmed as the problem and the refrigerator may still qualify for LG coverage, check with LG before paying for an out-of-warranty compressor replacement.

An honest diagnosis can help you avoid replacing the wrong part—and may help you use a manufacturer warranty that is still available.

LG Refrigerator Not Cooling? Compressor Warranty and Diagnosis