Air Conditioner
LG
Updated Jul 17, 2026
LG AC CH38 Error — Low Refrigerant or Electrical Fault & Fix
CH38
LG · Air ConditionerCH38 means the system has detected low refrigerant pressure or an electrical fault. The AC…
Quick answer
CH38 means the system has detected low refrigerant pressure or an electrical fault. The AC stops to protect the compressor.
What CH38 means
CH38 is one of the most frequently reported LG AC errors. It can indicate either low refrigerant (similar to CH35) or an electrical anomaly. On inverter models, the board monitors compressor current patterns and refrigerant parameters together — an abnormal combination triggers CH38.
LG's official guidance states that CH38 is designed to protect the appliance from potential damage due to low gas levels.
First step: Try a power cycle (breaker off for 5 minutes, then on). If CH38 was caused by a temporary power glitch, it may clear. If it returns, gas is likely low.
How to fix it
What does the CH38 code mean?
CH38 indicates low refrigerant pressure or an electrical protection fault. The compressor is shut down to prevent damage from running with insufficient gas.
Common causes
- Refrigerant leak — most common cause
- Unstable power supply causing transient electrical fault
- Pressure sensor anomaly
- Piping connections not properly tightened (new installation)
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How to fix the CH38 error
Power cycle first
Turn the breaker off for 5 minutes, then restore. If CH38 clears and does not return within an hour, it was a transient electrical glitch.
If CH38 returns
The refrigerant charge is low. Do not keep resetting.
Call the installer or a technician
They will check piping connections, perform a leak test, repair any leak, and recharge.
On new installations
CH38 within the first few days often means a flare connection is not tight enough. The installer should return to fix it.
Safety first: Do not attempt to add refrigerant yourself. R410A and R32 are high-pressure gases that require professional handling.
Part you may need: Refrigerant service / piping connections
If CH38 appears during the LG test-run mode (CH90/CH91), the piping connections need re-checking by the installer.
Frequently asked questions
Is CH38 always a gas leak?
Not always — temporary power instability can trigger it. But if it returns after a power cycle, low gas is the most likely cause.
CH38 on a brand new AC?
Almost certainly a loose flare connection. Contact the installer — this should be covered under installation warranty.
✎ Written by
REZAUL Karim (Riad)
REZAUL Karim (Riad) is the founder of ErrFixHub and a hands-on electronics and home-appliance repair specialist with over 15 years of experience diagnosing and fixing air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, inverters and other household appliances. He built ErrFixHub to turn cryptic error codes into clear, step-by-step fixes anyone can follow — cross-checking every code against manufacturer documentation and real repair-bench experience.
