LG Air Conditioner Error Code CH38
The unit has detected a loss of refrigerant, usually through its temperature sensors comparing the pipework against the expected values. LG's own documents are not consistent about the number: in some of them this same leak detection is shown as CH36 instead, so treat CH38 and CH36 as the same fault. Refrigerant work is licensed work — the checks here only confirm the basics before you call.
Also shown as: CH36
Applies to: Residential wall-split and multi-split systems
Common causes
- Refrigerant leaking at a flare connection or from damaged pipework
- Charge lost slowly since installation through a joint that was not fully tight
- A sensor reading wrongly, making the unit report a leak that is not there
What to check, in order
- Switch the unit off at the breaker for five minutes, switch it back on and run it in cooling for fifteen minutes to see whether the code returns
- Look at the pipe connections at the back of the indoor unit and at the outdoor unit for oily stains — oil traces are a common sign of a leak point. Look only; do not loosen any fitting
- Check whether the unit still cools or heats normally, and whether ice is forming on the larger pipe at the outdoor unit
- If the code returns, book a licensed refrigerant technician and tell them the code — finding and repairing a leak and recharging the system is licensed work
Clear the code and test
- Fix what the checks above found first — a filter cleaned, an obstruction removed, the breaker restored. Clearing the code without fixing the cause only brings it back.
- Restore power at the breaker and switch the unit on with the remote.
- Run the unit in cooling or heating for ten to fifteen minutes and watch whether the code returns; some codes only appear after the compressor has run for a while.
- If the unit runs with no code, the fault is cleared. If the code returns, write down the code and whether the indoor or outdoor unit shows it before calling a technician — it speeds up the diagnosis.
When to call a professional
This code usually points to a faulty part, wiring or the control board on a LG air conditioner. Run the checks above to rule out the simple causes, then book a technician — and book one straight away if any of these apply:
- The code comes back after you have run the checks and a test cycle.
- You smell burning, see sparks or scorch marks, or the breaker trips.
- Water is leaking and you cannot stop it.
- The fix needs panels opened beyond what your manual describes, or a part tested with a meter, and you are not set up for that.
When you call, give the brand, the code CH38, your model number (on a label on the side of the indoor unit) and the checks you already ran. It shortens the visit.
Repair or replace?
This fault is in professional territory: the fix usually means a major part or board-level work, and the labour adds up. If your machine is already well into its service life, get the repair quote first, then compare it with the price of a current equivalent model before you decide. Paying a large share of a new machine's price to repair an old one is rarely the better deal; replacing a machine over one cheap fault is wasteful too.
Parts that may be involved
Flare connectionsRefrigerant pipeworkPipe thermistors
Parts are model-specific. Find your model number first — usually on a label on the side of the indoor unit — and match the part to that number before ordering.
Questions people ask about CH38
What does CH38 mean on a LG air conditioner?
CH38 means: Refrigerant leak detected. The unit has detected a loss of refrigerant, usually through its temperature sensors comparing the pipework against the expected values. LG's own documents are not consistent about the number: in some of them this same leak detection is shown as CH36 instead, so treat CH38 and CH36 as the same fault. Refrigerant work is licensed work — the checks here only confirm the basics before you call.
Can I fix LG CH38 myself?
Only the preliminary checks. Code CH38 usually means a part, wiring or the control board has failed, which is a technician job. Run the checks to rule out simple causes before you book.
How do I clear LG CH38?
Fix what the checks above found first — a filter cleaned, an obstruction removed, the breaker restored. Clearing the code without fixing the cause only brings it back. Restore power at the breaker and switch the unit on with the remote. Run the unit in cooling or heating for ten to fifteen minutes and watch whether the code returns; some codes only appear after the compressor has run for a while.
Sources checked
The meaning and checks for this code were checked against the sources above in November 2026. Codes vary by model and region; if your manual lists a different meaning for your exact model, follow the manual.