Norcold fridge error codes: no FL, LI oP, dr and more, with fixes

Common symptoms

• The center display flips between two short words, like “no” and “FL”, and the fridge beeps.
• A single letter, such as F, A or C, shows where the temperature number should be.
• The power light is red, or flashes red in a pattern.
• The temperature number flashes when you press TEMP SET.
• A 12V compressor model blinks an E code, like E3 or E4.
• The display is blank.

Quick checks before anything else

• Write down the exact code and how it shows (words, letter, light color, number of flashes).
• Read the model number on the label inside the fridge.
• Check the house battery is charged.
• Check the RV has 120V shore power or the generator is on.
• Check the propane tank has gas and the valves are open.
• Close both doors firmly.

How to read a Norcold display

Norcold, now part of Thetford, has used several displays over the years, and the same problem shows up differently on each. So the first job is to know which family you have. The model number is on the label inside the fridge. In Norcold model numbers, the “X” stands for a letter or number for an option, and 3-way models include a “3”.

• Two-part words N64X, N84X, N109X, 1200, 121X, 2117X, 2118X, N7LX and N8LX. The display flips between two short words, like “no” “FL”, usually with a beep.
• One letter N62X, N82X, N41X and N51X. A single letter like F, A, C or n shows in the center.
• Light color and flashes N611v, N811v, N7V, N8V, N7X and N8X. Count the red flashes in each group; the groups repeat about every 5 seconds.
• ON and GAS lights N61X and N81X. Codes are the ON light flashing off 1, 3 or 4 times, and the GAS light flashing.
• E codes N15DC and N20DC 12V compressor fridges blink E1 to E9.
• Bar patterns N2000 compressor fridges use the power LED color plus which of 5 level bars are lit.

Not every display is a fault. On larger models, “AU” means AUTO mode, “AC” means it is running on 120V, “LP” means propane, and “dC” means 12V on 3-way models. Push and release MODE to see the current mode for 10 seconds.

The most common Norcold codes, and what fixes them

Step-by-step: fixing the common Norcold codes

Gas, power and door codes are things you can check. Codes Norcold marks as not owner serviceable need a dealer or a Norcold authorized service center, so we only cover what to write down for those.

1. Quiet the alarm On N64X and similar models, Norcold says to push and hold ON/OFF for one second to silence the alarm. That also turns the fridge off, so turn it back on once you have checked. For a door code, closing the door stops the alarm.
2. Fix “dr” or “d” (door) The door was open more than 2 minutes. Close it firmly and move any food that keeps it from sealing. If it comes back with the door shut, have a dealer look at it.
3. Fix “dc LO” or “C” (low 12V) The control panel needs 12V on every mode. Norcold gives a range of 10.5 to 15.4 volts DC for these models. Charge the house battery, and check that the converter or charger works. Our guide to an RV battery not charging when plugged in helps if the battery will not hold a charge.
4. Fix “no AC” or “A” (no 120V) Norcold’s checks: the fridge is plugged into a working outlet, the RV’s fuse or breaker is intact, and the generator runs if you use one. The outlet is behind the lower outside vent. Our guide to an RV fridge not working on electric walks through it.
5. Fix “no FL” or “F” (no flame) Check that the tank valve is open and the tank has gas, and that the manual shutoff valve on the fridge is open. After storage or a tank change, air in the line is common. Hold MODE until “LP” shows, then turn the fridge off and on to start a new 30-second ignition try. Norcold says you may need two or three tries. If it still fails, stop and call a dealer to check gas pressure (11 inches of water column).
6. Handle “no co” or “n” once Some Norcold 1200 and N41X/N51X models sense when the cooling unit has stopped cooling, then shut off the heat. The first time, check that the vents are clear, the doors are closed and the RV is level. Then reset by turning the fridge off and on. If it comes back after that reset, Norcold says it is not owner serviceable.
7. Write down dealer codes For “LI oP”, “AC rE”, “dc rE”, “Sr”, “AC HE”, “dc HE”, “FL –” and a flashing temperature number, note the code, model and serial number. “LI oP” means a high temperature limit switch opened and stopped the fridge. “FL –” means the fridge senses a flame when there should be none. Book service.
8. Check after the fix Once the code clears, put a thermometer in the fridge and watch it over the next few hours. If there is no code but it still will not cool, read our guide to an RV fridge not cooling.

   

How do I reset a Norcold refrigerator?

There is no reset button. On N64X, N84X and similar models, push and hold ON/OFF for one second to turn it off, then push it again to turn it on. On a “no FL” code this starts a new 30-second ignition try. The 1200 series manual 621823J says to hold ON/OFF for two seconds to turn it off. The Polar N7 and N8 manual says to turn the power off and back on to reset. A reset clears the code. If the cause is still there, the code comes back.

Norcold E3 and E4 codes (12V compressor models)

E codes belong to Norcold’s N15DC and N20DC 12V compressor fridges, not the absorption models. On these, E3 means the fridge shut off because the 12V power went too low or too high. E4 means a door has been open longer than 2 minutes. E5 is voltage too low. Norcold says the N15DC needs 10.9 volts to start, shuts off at 10.4 volts, and restarts at 11.7 volts. So for E3 or E5, charge the battery and check the charger. To turn it off, hold ON/OFF for 5 seconds. After that, the compressor waits 5 minutes before it starts. The full N15DC and N20DC code list has E1 to E9.

If you have a Dometic RM1350, its E3 means something else: the cooling unit has malfunctioned. Its E4 means the 12V supply is out of range. Check the brand on the label before you act on an E code.

Differences by model

Two-part word displays. These give the most detail. N64X and N84X models list codes in the N64X and N84X code set. On a 2-way fridge in AUTO with neither 120V nor propane, you see “no AC” and then “no FL” with an alarm. “LI oP” appears on some 1200 models and on 121X and 2117X models, and the 2118X shows it as “oP LI”. On N7LX and N8LX models, Norcold lists “oP LI” as a fault in the controls instead, and says to turn the fridge off and on before calling a dealer.

Flash code models. On N7V and N8V, flash code 8 means 12V too low and code 9 means too high. A solid red power light means the fridge tried the selected energy source and failed. The printed flash counts in that manual do not always match the code numbers, so go by the code number.

Not sure of your model? Use our RV error code lookup to pick the family and see every code. For how the fridge works, see our RV fridge repair guide.

When to call an RV tech

• Any code Norcold marks as not owner serviceable, like “AC rE”, “Sr” or a flashing temperature number.
• “LI oP” (or “oP LI” on a 2118X), a high temperature limit switch that opened.
• “no co” or “n” that returns after one reset.
• “no FL” after two or three purge tries with gas in the tank and the valves open.
• “FL –“, a flame sensed when there should be none.

Common questions