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46

TROUBLESHOOTiNg

ENGLISH

Problem

Possible Causes

Solutions

Interior moisture 

buildup.

Doors are opened often or for 

long periods of time.

When the doors are opened often or for long 

periods of time, warm, humid air enters the 

compartment. This raises the temperature and 

moisture level within the compartment. To 

lessen the effect, reduce the frequency and 

duration of door openings.

Doors not closed correctly.

See the Doors will not close correctly section in 

the Troubleshooting section.

Weather is humid.

Humid weather allows additional moisture 

to enter the compartments when the doors 

are opened leading to condensation or frost. 

Maintaining a reasonable level of humidity in the 

home will help to control the amount of moisture 

that can enter the compartments.

Defrost cycle recently 

completed.

During the defrost cycle, the temperature 

of each compartment may be raised slightly 

and condensation may form on the back wall. 

Wait 40 minutes and confirm that the proper 

temperature has been restored once the defrost 

cycle has completed.

Food is not packaged correctly. Food stored uncovered or unwrapped, and damp 

containers can lead to moisture accumulation 

within each compartment. Wipe all containers 

dry and store food in sealed packaging to prevent 

condensation and frost.

Food is freezing 
in the fridge 
compartment.

Food with high water content 
was placed near an air vent.

Rearrange items with high water content away 
from air vents. 

Fridge temperature control is 
set incorrectly.

If the temperature is too cold, adjust the control 
one increment at a time and wait for the 
temperature to stabilize. Refer to the Setting the 
Controls section for more information.

Fridge is installed in a cold 
location.

When the fridge is operated in temperatures 
below 5°C, food can freeze in the fridge 
compartment. The fridge should not be operated 
in temperature below 13°C.

Frost or ice 
crystals form 
on frozen food 
(outside of 
package).

Door is opened frequently or for 
long periods of time.

When the doors are opened often or for long 
periods of time, warm, humid air enters the 
compartment. This raises the temperature and 
moisture level within the compartment. Increased 
moisture will lead to frost and condensation. 
To lessen the effect, reduce the frequency and 
duration of door openings.

Door is not closing properly.

Refer to the Doors will not close correctly or pop 
open section in the Troubleshooting section.

Fridge or Freezer 
section is too 
cold.

Incorrect temperature control 
settings.

If the temperature is too cold, adjust the control 
one increment at a time and wait for the 
temperature to stabilize. Refer to the Setting the 
Controls section for more information.

Summary of Contents for GF-J8381SB

Page 1: ...OWNER S MANUAL BOTTOM FREEZER FRIDGE Please read this owner s manual thoroughly before operating and keep it handy for reference at all times www lg com ENGLISH GF J8381SB ...

Page 2: ...ures 25 In Door Ice Bin 25 Detaching the In Door Ice Bin 25 Assembling the In Door Ice Bin 26 Automatic Icemaker 28 Ice and Water Dispenser 29 Storing Food 29 Food Preservation Location 31 Food Storage Tips 31 Storing Frozen Food 32 Adjusting the Fridge Shelves 32 Detaching the Shelf 32 Refitting the Shelf 33 Using the Folding Shelf 33 When Closing the Door 34 Big Fresh Zone 34 Removal of the Big ...

Page 3: ...s until it is closed EXPRESS FREEZE The freezer section is maintained at the coldest temperature for a 24 hour period before automatically resuming normal operation The freezer display temperature will not change when Express Freeze is engaged It will also enhance ice production whilst it is on Auto Closing Hinge The fridge doors close automatically with a slight push The door only closes automati...

Page 4: ...tric outlet conforming with the rating prior to use It y y is the user s responsibility to replace a standard 2 prong wall outlet with a standard 3 prong wall outlet Do not install the fridge where there may be a danger of it falling Installation on a non sturdy timber y y floor may cause difficulty in door alignment and cause the cabinet to deform Use DO NOT allow children to climb stand or hang ...

Page 5: ...the heating element that releases the cubes Do not place fingers or hands on the automatic ice making mechanism while the fridge is plugged in When dispensing ice from the dispenser do not use crystal ceramics y y Do not touch the cold surfaces in the freezer compartment with wet or damp hands when your fridge is y y in operation Do not put glass containers glass bottles or beverage cans in the fr...

Page 6: ...ce contains a small amount of isobutane refrigerant R600a natural gas with high environmental compatibility but it is also combustible When transporting and installing the appliance care should be taken to ensure that no parts of the refrigerating circuit are damaged Refrigerant squirting out of the pipes could ignite or cause an eye injury If a leak is detected avoid any naked flames or potential...

Page 7: ... The appearance and specifications of the actual product may differ depending on the model Fridge Exterior Applicable to some models only LED Display Displays the fridge and freezer s target temperature the water filter condition and the dispenser status Door in Door release Button Fridge Freezer Filtered Water and Ice Dispenser Dispenses purified water and ice ...

Page 8: ...lamps light up the inside of the fridge Shelf Dairy Product Bin Used to preserve dairy products Fridge Basket Shelf Freezer Basket Big Fresh Zone Hygiene Fresh Filter Door In Door Folding Shelf Big Fresh Zone Freezer Basket Extra Space Drawer Drawer Indoor Ice Bin Ice cubes are automatically produced ...

Page 9: ...w Please read the following installation instructions first after purchasing this product or transporting it to another location 1 Unpacking your fridge 3 Connecting the water supply and water line 2 Choosing the proper location 4 Leveling and Door Alignment ...

Page 10: ...ape or glue rub the area briskly with your thumb Tape or glue residue can also be easily removed by rubbing a small amount of liquid dish soap over the adhesive with your fingers Wipe with warm water and dry Do not use sharp instruments rubbing alcohol flammable fluids or abrasive cleaners to remove tape or glue These products can damage the surface of your fridge Fridge shelves are installed in t...

Page 11: ...from the rear wall 4 To avoid vibrations the appliance must be leveled 5 Don t install the appliance below 5 C It may affect the performance 2 5 08 cm 24 61 cm Removing the Left Fridge Door How to Remove the Fridge Door 1 The water supply is connected to the upper right part of the rear surface of the fridge Remove the ring in the joint area Hold the water supply connection and gently push the Col...

Page 12: ...ge free of the latch be careful that the door does not fall forward Hinge Lever Latch 5 Lift the door from the middle hinge pin and remove the door Caution Place the door inside facing up on a non scratching surface Removing the Right Fridge Door 1 Remove the top hinge cover screw Lift the hook not visible located at the bottom of the front side of the cover with a flat head screwdriver 2 Detach t...

Page 13: ...e lever clockwise Lift the top hinge free of the hinge lever latch 4 Lift the door from the middle hinge pin and remove the door Caution Place the door inside facing up on a non scratching surface Note 1 Gently insert the tube until only one line shows on the tube Correct Incorrect 2 Pull the tube to make sure that the tube is tightly fastened Collet Tube Insert Line ...

Page 14: ...pin as shown in the figure 2 Fit the hinge over the hinge lever latch and slot it into place Rotate the lever counterclockwise to secure the hinge Assembling the Right Fridge Door Hinge Lever Latch 4 Make sure that the door switch located inside the cover is tightly connected Position the cover in its place Insert and tighten the cover screw 3 Connect the wire harness ...

Page 15: ...asten the hinge Assembling the Left Fridge Door 3 Connect all the wire harnesses Hinge Lever Latch 4 Push the water supply tube into the hole on the top case and pull it through the backplate 5 Hold the water supply connection and gently push in the collet to connect the water supply line as shown in Insert the tube at least 5 8 inch 15 mm into the connector 6 Make sure that the door switch locate...

Page 16: ...sing the spanner as in the drawing for upper fridge doors use spanner 1 If the right side door is lower lift the right y y side door and use a pair of long nose pliers not supplied to additionally insert 3 a snap ring until the heights are balanced as in the drawing 3 Remove the door by raising it from the lower hinge How to Remove the Freezer Door TURN OFF THE MAIN POWER Same procedure for left a...

Page 17: ...ut clockwise to unscrew the locking nut 2 Use the narrower side of the spanner to turn the adjustment hinge pin clockwise or counterclockwise and adjust the gap difference between the fridge and the freezer door 3 After the door heights are adjusted completely tighten the locking nut counterclockwise Caution Do not adjust the hinge pin height level too much The hinge pin can fall out Range of heig...

Page 18: ...d 420 kPa less than 2 0 3 0 sec to fill a cup of 7 oz 200 cc capacity If the water pressure from the reverse osmosis system is less than 21 psi 145 kPa takes more than 4 0 sec to fill a cup of 7 oz 200 cc capacity Check to see if the sediment filter in y y the reverse osmosis system is blocked Replace the filter if necessary Allow the storage tank on the reverse y y usage If the issue concerning w...

Page 19: ... plumbing codes Water Line Installation Instructions Install the shutoff valve on the nearest frequently used drinking water line 1 SHUT OFF THE MAIN WATER SUPPLY Turn on the nearest faucet to relieve the pressure on the line 2 CHOOSE THE VALVE LOCATION Choose a location for the valve that is easily accessible It is best to connect into the side of a vertical water pipe When it is necessary to con...

Page 20: ... as possible Pipe Clamp Clamp Screw Washer Inlet End 7 CONNECT THE TUBING TO THE VALVE Place the compression nut and ferrule sleeve for copper tubing onto the end of the tubing and connect it to the shutoff valve Make sure the tubing is fully inserted into the valve Tighten the compression nut securely 8 FLUSH OUT THE TUBING Turn the main water supply on and flush out the tubing until the water is...

Page 21: ...er will not begin to operate until it reaches its operating temperature of 16 F 9 C or below It will then begin operation automatically if the icemaker power switch is in the ON I position Turning On The Power Plug in the fridge Caution Check to see if leaks occur at the water line connections Caution Connect to a rated power outlet y y Have a certified electrician check y y the wall outlet and wi...

Page 22: ...cause the food to spoil or a bad odor could remain inside the fridge Wait for the fridge to cool Allow your fridge to run for at least three to four hours before putting food in it Check the flow of cold air in the freezer compartment to ensure proper cooling The fridge makes a loud noise after initial operation This is normal The loudness will decrease as the temperature lowers Before Plugging in...

Page 23: ...tes the set target temperature of the fridge compartment in Celsius C The recommended Fridge set temperature in normal ambient conditions and loads is 3 C 4 C Freezer Temperature Indicates the set target temperature of the freezer compartment in Celsius C The recommended Freezer set temperature in normal ambient conditions and loads is 18 C 20 C Hygiene Fresh To replace the filter press the button...

Page 24: ...Lock button for approximately three seconds Caution Display Mode For Store Use Only The Display Mode disables all cooling in the fridge and freezer sections to conserve energy while on display in a retail store When activated OFF will display on the control panel and the display will remain on for 20 seconds To deactivate activate With either fridge door opened press and hold the Fridge button and...

Page 25: ...result in damage or personal injury The icemaker will stop producing ice when y y the in door ice bin is full If you need more ice empty the ice bin into the extra ice bin in the freezer compartment During use the ice can become uneven causing the icemaker to misread the amount of ice cubes and stop producing ice Shaking the ice bin to level the ice within it can reduce this problem Storing cans o...

Page 26: ...en the in door ice bin y y is full When full the in door ice bin holds approximately 6 to 8 glasses of ice Foreign substances or frost on the auto shutoff y y feeler arm can interrupt ice production Make sure the feeler arm is clean at all times for proper operation Auto shutoff feeler arm Icemaker Turning the Automatic Icemaker On or Off To turn the automatic icemaker On Off press and hold the Ic...

Page 27: ... may be affected Keep the glass at a proper distance from y y the ice outlet A glass held too close to the outlet may prevent ice from dispensing To avoid personal injury keep hands out of y y the ice door and passage Never remove the dispenser cover y y If ice or water dispenses unexpectedly turn y y off the water supply and contact a qualified service center Caution When You Should Turn the Icem...

Page 28: ...tinues contact a qualified service center Do not use the ice or water until the problem is corrected The dispenser will not operate when y y either of the fridge doors are open If dispensing water or ice into a container y y with a small opening place it as close to the dispenser as possible Some dripping may occur after y y dispensing Hold your cup beneath the dispenser for a few seconds after di...

Page 29: ...pes of food Store your food in the optimal space to enjoy the freshest taste Freezer Basket Preserve small packaged frozen food or frequently taken out foods Drawer 1 Preserve small packaged frozen food or frequently taken out foods Drawer 2 Preserve frozen food to keep longer Big Fresh Zone Preserve vegetables and fruits Fridge Basket Store beverages water etc ...

Page 30: ...en warm air may penetrate the fridge and raise its y y temperature It can also increase the fridge s electricity usage Note If you are leaving home for a short period of time like a short vacation the fridge should be left y y on Refrigerated foods that are able to be frozen will stay preserved longer if stored in the freezer If you are leaving the fridge turned off for an extended period of time ...

Page 31: ...s or plastic containers and store in crisper Fish Store fresh fish and shellfish in the freezer section if they are not being consumed the same day of purchase It is recommended to consume fresh fish and shellfish the same day purchased Leftovers Cover leftovers with plastic wrap aluminum foil or plastic containers with tight lids Storing Frozen Food Freezing Your freezer will not quick freeze a l...

Page 32: ...ntainers y y Containers without tight lids y y Wax paper or wax coated freezer wrap y y Thin semi permeable wrap y y Adjusting the Fridge Shelves The shelves in your fridge are adjustable to meet your individual storage needs Your model may have either glass or wire shelves Adjusting the shelves to fit different heights of items will make finding the exact item you want easier Doing so will also r...

Page 33: ... glass shelves with y y warm water while they are cold Shelves may break if exposed to sudden temperature changes or impact Glass shelves are heavy Use special y y care when removing them Caution To reduce the risk of door scratches y y and breaking the door centre mullion please make sure that the fridge door mullion is always folded in The door Alarm will sound every 30 y y seconds the door rema...

Page 34: ...one drawer The Moisture balance keeper helps optimize humidity in the vegetable compartment 1 Pull the drawer back to the end of its travel 2 Lift the front of the draw up and remove it from its guide Refitting the Big Fresh Zone drawer 1 Insert the left and right roller of the drawer into the guides whilst the draw is slightly lifted at the front and push it in gently while lowering it at the sam...

Page 35: ...awers 2 Lift the vegetable box drawers with both hands and gently pull them toward you 3 Grab the back end with one hand to lift the vegetable box and then take it out while tilted How to refit vegetable box 1 Lift the vegetable box drawer assembly on to an angle and place it into the fridge compartment ready for fitting 2 Lift the vegetable box drawer horizontally and align to its original positi...

Page 36: ... cheese etc If you close the fridge door with the dairy corner left open the fridge door may not close properly It could also result in damage to the lid Note The Cheese Butter and Condiment bins are not recommended for storing items that spoil easily such as milk and mayonnaise Door In Door Applicable to some models only The Door In Door compartment allows for easy access of commonly used beverag...

Page 37: ...basket and raise it up to take it out 3 Move floating basket to the top compartment from magic space cover to where the Daily Corner was removed Door In Door Shelf Disassembly Applicable to some models only 1 Raise magicspace cover up and take it out Hold both ends of the basket and lift up the front part of the basket Assemble in the same method as y y disassembly ...

Page 38: ... items from basket before y y moving it up or down Not doing so could cause damage to the basket or food items Caution Always remove drawers with both y y hands to avoid breakage or injury Always open the freezer doors all the y y way before removing or refitting the drawers Freezer Drawer Use the compartment for packed frozen foods and frequently accessed foods Use the bottom compartment for froz...

Page 39: ...the correct level Freezer Fridge basket You can store small packaged frozen food Freezer basket small packaged refrigerated food or beverages Fridge basket such as milk water juice beer etc Do Not store ice cream or foods intended for long term storage in the Freezer Door Basket To remove the basket hold the basket with both hands and lift up the front part to pull it out To refit the basket align...

Page 40: ...eel exterior use a clean sponge or soft cloth with mild detergent in warm water Do not use abrasive or harsh cleaners Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth Caution Do not use a rough cloth or sponge y y when cleaning the interior and exterior of the fridge Do not place your hand on the bottom y y surface of the fridge when opening and closing Warning Use non flammable cleaner Failure to do so can resul...

Page 41: ...loth and a mild detergent in warm water Do not use cleaning waxes concentrated detergents bleaches or cleaners containing petroleum on plastic fridge parts Plastic Parts covers and panels Use a clean sponge or soft cloth and a mild detergent in warm water Do not use window sprays abrasive cleansers or flammable fluids These can scratch or damage the material Condenser Coil Cover Use a vacuum clean...

Page 42: ...door Swing the right end of the water filter out of the compartment and then grasp and rotate the filter counterclockwise to remove it from the filter head Note Replacing the water filter could cause a small amount of water to drain Place a cup under the filter head to catch any water Note This fridge does not require a filter bypass plug when the filter is not in place 2 Replace with a new water ...

Page 43: ...vice center Only use the Smart Diagnosis feature when instructed to do so by the LG call center agent The transmission sounds that you will hear are normal and sound similar to a fax machine Smart Diagnosis cannot be activated unless your fridge is connected to power If your fridge is unable to turn on then troubleshooting must be done without using Smart Diagnosis Using Smart Diagnosis First call...

Page 44: ...rn fridges require more operating time but use less energy due to more efficient technology Fridge was recently plugged in or power restored The fridge will take up to 24 hours to cool completely Door opened often or a large amount of food hot food was added Adding food and opening the door warms the fridge requiring the compressor to run longer in order to cool the fridge back down In order to co...

Page 45: ...e should not be operated in temperatures above 43 C A large amount of food or hot food was added to either compartment Adding food warms the compartment requiring the cooling system to run Allowing hot food to cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge will reduce this effect Doors not closed correctly See the Doors will not close correctly or pop open section in Parts Features Troub...

Page 46: ...aled packaging to prevent condensation and frost Food is freezing in the fridge compartment Food with high water content was placed near an air vent Rearrange items with high water content away from air vents Fridge temperature control is set incorrectly If the temperature is too cold adjust the control one increment at a time and wait for the temperature to stabilize Refer to the Setting the Cont...

Page 47: ...eration Fridge is not resting solidly on the floor Floor is weak or uneven or leveling legs need to be adjusted See the Door Alignment section Fridge with linear compressor was jarred while running Normal Operation Whooshing Evaporator fan motor is circulating air through the fridge and freezer compartments Normal Operation Air is being forced over the condenser by the condenser fan Normal Operati...

Page 48: ...are dirty or sticky Clean the gaskets and the surfaces that they touch Rub a thin coat of appliance polish or kitchen wax on the gaskets after cleaning Door was recently closed When you open the door warmer air enters the fridge As the warm air cools it can create a vacuum If the door is hard to open wait one minute to allow the air pressure to equalize then see if it opens more easily Fridge wobb...

Page 49: ...en the water dispenser output decreases When the ice cubes are smaller than normal Low house water supply pressure The water pressure must be between 20 and 120 psi on models without a water filter and between 40 and 120 psi on models with a water filter If the problem persists it may be necessary to contact a plumber or install a booster pump to compensate for the low pressure Reverse Osmosis fil...

Page 50: ... 18 degrees If the freezer temperature is warmer ice production will be affected Dispensing water slowly Water filter has become clogged and congested It is recommended that you replace the water filter Approximately every six months When the water filter indicator turns on When the water dispenser output decreases When the ice cubes are smaller than normal Reverse osmosis filtration system is use...

Page 51: ...t the shutoff arm sensor is not obstructed Once the ice supply in the bin has been completely exhausted it my take up to 90 minutes before additional ice is available and approximately 24 hours to completely refill the bin Icemaker is not making ice Fridge was recently installed or icemaker recently connected It may take up to 24 hours for each compartment to reach the desired temperature and for ...

Page 52: ...ed dispense 2 5 gallons of water flush for approximately 5 minutes to remove trapped air and contaminants from the system Do not dispense the entire 2 5 gallon amount continuously Depress and release the dispenser pad for cycles of 30 seconds ON and 60 seconds OFF Tubing connecting fridge to house supply valve is kinked The tubing can kink when the fridge is moved during installation or cleaning r...

Page 53: ...er installation for the water storage tank to cool completely The water dispenser has been used recently and the storage tank was exhausted Depending on your specific model the water storage capacity will range from approximately 20 to 30 oz Dispenser has not been used for several hours If the dispenser has not been used for several hours the first glass dispensed may be warm Discard the first 10 ...

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