LG Oven Error Code F18
F18 is the lower-oven version of the F8 probe fault: the control sees the lower oven's meat probe sensor shorted. Testing with the probe removed separates a cheap probe replacement from a wiring or board problem.
Also shown as: F-18
Common causes
- Lower oven meat probe shorted inside the probe or cable
- Food residue or moisture bridging the probe jack contacts
- Damaged probe wiring harness
- Failed control board probe circuit
What to check, in order
- Unplug the meat probe from the lower oven jack, press CLEAR/OFF and run a short bake cycle. If the code does not return, replace the probe.
- Wipe the probe jack clean and dry; residue across the contacts can mimic a shorted probe.
- Check the probe lead for cuts, crushed sections or heat damage.
- If F18 shows with no probe fitted and a clean jack, the fault is in the oven's probe circuit and needs a technician.
Clear the code and test
- Fix what the checks above found first. Clearing the code without fixing the cause only brings it back.
- Plug the appliance back in and restore its water supply if it has one.
- Run the shortest programme and watch the point where the code appeared before.
- If the programme finishes with no code, the fault is cleared. If the code returns, write it down before calling a technician — it speeds up the diagnosis.
When to call a professional
Most cases are solved by the checks above. Book a technician 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 at the tap.
- 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 F18, your model number (on a label inside the door or on the back) and the checks you already ran. It shortens the visit.
Parts that may be involved
Meat probeProbe jack / receptacleElectronic control board
Parts are model-specific. Find your model number first — usually on a label inside the door, on the door frame or on the back — and match the part to that number before ordering.
Questions people ask about F18
What does F18 mean on a LG oven?
F18 means: Meat probe error: lower oven probe is shorted. F18 is the lower-oven version of the F8 probe fault: the control sees the lower oven's meat probe sensor shorted. Testing with the probe removed separates a cheap probe replacement from a wiring or board problem.
Can I fix LG F18 myself?
Start yourself: the checks on this page cover the causes you can reach without opening the machine up. If they point to a faulty part, testing or replacing it is usually a technician job.
How do I clear LG F18?
Fix the cause first — clearing the code on its own brings it straight back. Then restore power and water, run the shortest programme, and watch the stage where the code appeared. If the programme finishes with no code, it is cleared.
Sources checked
- LG Help Library: washing machine error codes
- PartsTown Resource Center: LG washing machine troubleshooting codes
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.