LG makes some of Toronto's most popular refrigerators — French door, side-by-side, and bottom freezer models are common in condos, semis, and detached homes across the GTA. But LG fridges have a well-documented history of cooling problems, particularly around the linear compressor and defrost system.
This guide explains every major cause of an LG refrigerator not cooling, how to diagnose which issue you have, what the repair involves, and how much it costs in Toronto. We'll also cover LG's extended warranty program — if your compressor failed, you may not owe a cent.
1. Frozen Evaporator Coil (Most Common)
The single most common reason an LG fridge stops cooling — especially when the freezer still works — is ice building up on the evaporator coils. The evaporator sits behind a panel at the back of the freezer and is responsible for removing heat from both compartments. When frost accumulates into a solid block, airflow to the fridge section is cut off entirely.
Why does this happen? LG's defrost system uses a defrost heater to melt frost off the evaporator coils every 8–12 hours. When the defrost heater, defrost thermostat, or defrost timer fails, frost accumulates unchecked. Over 3–7 days, the evaporator becomes a block of ice and the fridge compartment warms up while the freezer remains cold (because it is adjacent to the icy coils).
How to test at home: Empty your freezer and look for excessive frost buildup on the back panel. If there's so much ice you can't see the panel, or the rear wall feels like a glacier, you almost certainly have evaporator freeze-over. You can force-defrost an LG refrigerator by pressing and holding the Refrigerator and Ice Plus buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds until the display shows "FF" — this starts the manual defrost cycle. If the fridge cools properly after defrost but the problem returns within a few days, the defrost component needs replacement.
Repair cost in Toronto: Defrost heater replacement: $150–$230. Defrost thermostat: $130–$200. If both need replacing (common on older units): $200–$300 including labour.
2. LG Linear Compressor Failure
LG's linear compressor technology was marketed as quieter and more efficient than conventional compressors — and it is, when it works. However, LG linear compressors manufactured in the 2014–2020 period had a known reliability problem leading to premature failure, class action lawsuits in both the US and Canada, and ultimately an LG warranty extension to 10 years on the linear compressor specifically.
Symptoms of compressor failure: Both the fridge and freezer are warm (not just the fridge section). You may hear the compressor clicking on and off every few minutes without running. The display may show error codes like Er IF, Er CO, or repeated flashing lights. The unit may run continuously but temperature never drops. LG's inverter board (which drives the linear compressor) often fails alongside or before the compressor itself.
Check your LG warranty first: LG Canada extended the linear compressor warranty to 10 years from date of purchase on affected models. If your LG fridge is under 10 years old and the compressor has failed, call LG Canada at 1-888-542-2623 before authorizing any repair — you may qualify for a free compressor repair or partial reimbursement.
Out-of-warranty repair cost: Linear compressor replacement in Toronto ranges from $400–$700 depending on the model. If the inverter board also needs replacing, add $150–$250. For older units, weigh repair cost against the value of the appliance.
3. Failed Inverter Board (Main Control Board)
LG French door and bottom-freezer refrigerators use an inverter board to control the linear compressor speed. When this board fails, the compressor either won't run at all or runs erratically, resulting in inadequate cooling or no cooling.
Diagnosis: The inverter board is located behind the lower rear panel of the fridge. A failed inverter board often produces a pattern of error codes or causes the compressor to click rapidly and shut off. Unlike compressor failure, an inverter board failure is less expensive to fix and doesn't require the extensive labour of compressor replacement.
Repair cost: Inverter board replacement in Toronto: $200–$380 including labour and part. Nika Appliance Repair carries LG inverter boards in stock for the most common Toronto models, enabling same-day repair.
4. Condenser or Evaporator Fan Motor Failure
LG refrigerators have two fan systems: the condenser fan (at the bottom rear, blows air over the condenser coils) and the evaporator fan (in the freezer, circulates cold air). If either fan fails, cooling performance drops significantly. A failed evaporator fan usually causes the freezer to be partially cold but the fridge compartment to be warm. A failed condenser fan causes the entire fridge to overheat and eventually stop cooling.
DIY check: Open the freezer door and listen — you should hear the evaporator fan running. If it's silent, the fan motor may have failed or ice may be jamming the fan blades. For the condenser fan, pull the fridge away from the wall (unplug first), remove the rear access panel, and look for the fan near the compressor. If it's not spinning when the fridge is running, it needs replacement.
Repair cost: Evaporator or condenser fan motor replacement: $130–$250 including labour.
5. Dirty Condenser Coils
LG fridges accumulate dust on their condenser coils over time. In Toronto's older homes and condos with carpet, dust buildup can be significant. When coils are heavily clogged, the fridge cannot dissipate heat efficiently and starts running warm — particularly in summer. This is the one issue homeowners can fix themselves: unplug the fridge, remove the rear access panel or grill, and vacuum the coils thoroughly. Repeat every 6–12 months. If the fridge returns to normal cooling after this, no professional repair is needed.
LG Fridge Repair Cost Summary — Toronto 2026
| Issue | Repair Cost (Toronto) | Same-Day? |
|---|---|---|
| Defrost heater or thermostat | $150–$280 | Yes |
| Inverter control board | $200–$380 | Usually |
| Fan motor (evaporator or condenser) | $130–$250 | Yes |
| Door gasket seal | $100–$180 | Yes |
| Linear compressor replacement | $400–$700 | 1–2 days |
All repairs by Nika Appliance Repair include a 90-day warranty on parts and labour. Prices are estimates — call (647) 697-9930 for a firm quote after diagnosis.
When to Replace Instead of Repair
As a general rule: if the LG fridge is under 8 years old, repair makes sense for most issues. If it's over 10 years old and needs a compressor, the math often favours replacement — a new mid-range LG French door fridge costs $1,200–$1,800 and comes with a full warranty. Our technicians will always give you an honest assessment of repair vs. replace before proceeding.
Same-Day LG Fridge Repair in Toronto
Nika Appliance Repair has been servicing LG refrigerators across Toronto since 2017. We stock LG parts for the most common models — inverter boards, defrost heaters, thermostats, fan motors — so most repairs are completed in a single visit. We serve all Toronto neighbourhoods including East York, The Beaches, Midtown, Leslieville, and Bloor West Village, as well as Scarborough, North York, and Etobicoke.
Call us at (647) 697-9930 — we're available Monday–Saturday 8am–8pm and Sunday 9am–6pm. Same-day service is available for most Toronto locations. For LG-specific brand information and service pages, visit our LG repair page.
FAQ: LG Refrigerator Not Cooling
Why is my LG fridge not cooling but the freezer works?
When the LG fridge compartment is warm but the freezer is cold, the defrost system has almost certainly failed. Ice has built up on the evaporator coil and is blocking airflow from the freezer to the refrigerator section. A technician will replace the defrost heater or thermostat and defrost the coil — this is one of the most common and most straightforward LG repairs, typically completed in under 2 hours.
How do I know if my LG linear compressor has failed?
Signs of LG linear compressor failure: both compartments are warm, you hear the compressor clicking every few minutes without running, error codes appear on the display (Er IF, Er CO), or the unit runs constantly but temperature never drops. LG extended the linear compressor warranty to 10 years — check with LG Canada before paying for a repair.
What is the LG refrigerator class action in Canada?
LG Canada faced class action lawsuits over linear compressor failures in models made 2014–2019. As a result, LG extended the linear compressor warranty to 10 years from purchase date. If your LG fridge compressor failed and the unit is under 10 years old, contact LG Canada at 1-888-542-2623 — you may qualify for a free repair or partial reimbursement.
How much does LG refrigerator repair cost in Toronto?
LG fridge repair costs in Toronto: defrost system $150–$280, inverter board $200–$380, fan motor $130–$250, door gasket $100–$180, linear compressor $400–$700. Nika Appliance Repair offers same-day service with upfront pricing and a 90-day warranty. Call (647) 697-9930 for a same-day appointment.