Kenmore Refrigerator 22 22 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as Er 22, E 22 on some models.
On LG-built Kenmore 795/796 refrigerators, 22 22 points at the compressor start circuit - the start relay, start thermistor, or the compressor itself.
What this code means
The dominant documented reading for the 22 22 display on LG-built Kenmore 795-series refrigerators is a compressor start fault: the compressor isn't proving it started, so the relay, PTC start device, or compressor is suspect. One support thread reads it as a defrost sensor fault instead - worth mentioning honestly, but the start-circuit diagnosis matches Sears Parts Direct's own model-page guidance for this family.
Verify against the model number printed inside the fresh-food section: this is the LG-built Kenmore 795/796 platform, and the 22 22 compressor-start-fault reading is confirmed on Sears Parts Direct's LG-platform model page plus multiple independent 795 owner reports.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Failed compressor start relay or PTC start device | Common | No - the relay clips onto the compressor in the machine compartment. |
| Thermally tripped compressor that needs a long cool-down | Common | Yes - a patient power-off cool-down sometimes lets it restart. |
| Compressor itself failing to start | Occasional | No - compressor diagnosis and replacement require a credentialed tech. |
What you can try yourself
- Unplug the refrigerator and leave it off for at least thirty minutes - enough for a hot compressor and its relay to cool fully.
- Plug it back in and listen for the compressor hum and a smooth start; if it clicks and cuts out, the start circuit is struggling.
- While it runs, watch the display: a code-free start for a few hours suggests the cool-down did the job.
- Recurring 22 22 needs a tech to test the start relay, start device, and compressor windings in order - skip guessing and part-swapping.
Seeing the symptom rather than the code? Refrigerator not cooling: checks that apply across brands.
When to call a technician
- Stop if you'd need to reach into the machine compartment - start relay clips and live terminals are pro territory.
- Stop if the compressor chatters or trips repeatedly: repeated hard-start attempts can damage the sealed system.
Typical professional repair cost: $200-$450
Frequently asked questions
My fridge shows 22 22 but the freezer is still cold - what now?
Compressor start faults can be intermittent. Give it a long cool-down; if cooling comes back and the code stays away, monitor it.
Is 22 22 a defrost sensor error?
One support thread reads it that way, but the weight of the documentation - including Sears Parts Direct's LG-platform page - points to the compressor start circuit.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Kenmore codes
- Kenmore Refrigerator Er FF Er FF is the LG-built Kenmore 795/796 family's way of saying the freezer fan has stalled, is blocked by ice, or its motor is failing.
- Kenmore Refrigerator Er rF Er rF says the fan in the fresh-food (refrigerator) section of an LG-built Kenmore isn't spinning as it should.
- Kenmore Refrigerator Er dS Er dS flags a problem in the defrost system's temperature sensing on LG-built Kenmore 795/796 refrigerators.
- Kenmore Refrigerator Er dH Er dH is the LG-built Kenmore 795/796 defrost-heater fault - the heating circuit that melts frost off the evaporator isn't working.
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