Outdoor Fan Motor Lock
LG CH67 Error Code
If your system displays the LG CH67 error code, the outdoor unit has detected that its fan motor is locked, stalled or not reporting its speed. Without that fan, the outdoor coil and inverter cannot shed heat, so LG stops the system quickly. Below you will find the likely causes, the safe checks and what the repair involves.
In Short
What Does LG CH67 Mean?
The large fan you can see through the grille on your outdoor unit is driven by a brushless DC motor, usually abbreviated to BLDC. That type of motor has electronics built in and reports its speed back to the outdoor board. The board decides how fast the fan should spin based on outdoor temperature and system load.
When the board commands the fan to run but receives no speed feedback, or feedback far below what it asked for, it concludes the motor is locked. It stops the system and raises CH67. LG describes it as an outdoor BLDC fan motor lock error.
This is the outdoor version of the indoor fan lock code. The logic is the same, but the setting is very different. An outdoor fan lives in the weather, faces debris, and works much harder in summer heat.
CH67 matters because the outdoor fan cools both the condenser coil and the inverter electronics. Without it, temperatures climb in seconds, which is why the system reacts promptly.
What Is Involved
Which Parts Can Trigger an LG CH67 Code?
The fault can come from the fan blade, the motor, the wiring or the board. Each needs a slightly different fix.
The Fan Blade
A large plastic propeller fan. It can be jammed by sticks, leaves or toys, cracked by impact, or loose on its shaft so it wobbles and strikes the grille or shroud.
The Fan Motor
A sealed brushless motor with internal electronics. Bearings can wear and seize, and the electronics can fail from heat, moisture or surges.
Motor Wiring
The motor connects to the outdoor board through a multi wire plug. Corrosion, chafing or pest damage can break the speed signal.
The Outdoor Board
The board powers the motor and reads its feedback. A failed fan drive circuit can leave a healthy motor unable to turn.
Signs to Watch
How Do I Know My LG Has a CH67 Fault?
The indoor display shows CH and 67, or a blink pattern on lights only models. Ducted systems show it on the wall controller. Other signs are often visible at the outdoor unit itself.
The Fan Is Not Turning
Looking through the grille from a safe distance, you may see the fan standing still while the unit is supposed to be running.
The Fan Turns Slowly or Unevenly
A fan that crawls, stops and starts, or rocks back and forth can point to a bearing or motor electronics problem.
Noises Before the Code
Scraping, ticking or a rhythmic knock suggests the blade is striking something. A grinding or rising whine suggests worn bearings.
Do not confuse a stationary fan with a fault every time. LG outdoor fans sometimes pause during defrost in heating mode or slow down on mild days. CH67 is only confirmed when the code appears.
Ranked Causes
What Stops an LG Outdoor Fan From Spinning?
Outdoor fans face more physical threats than any other part of the system. The causes below run from simple to serious.
Physical Obstructions
- Sticks, leaves or palm fronds caught between the blade and grille
- Ice build up around the fan in cold, wet weather
- A bent grille or shroud touching the blade after an impact
- A bird, rodent or insect nest inside the fan area
Motor and Electrical
- Worn or seized motor bearings
- Moisture entering the motor electronics
- Surge damage to the motor or the board fan circuit
- Corroded or chewed motor wiring and plug
Storms are a frequent trigger. High winds blow debris into outdoor units, and a single stick wedged against the blade is enough to stall it. Power surges during the same storm can also damage motor electronics. If CH67 appeared after a storm, mention it, as both possibilities need checking.
Your Checks
What Safe Checks Can I Make for CH67?
The outdoor fan can start without warning while the unit has power. Always isolate the power before going near it, and never put hands or tools through the grille.
- Photograph the code and note any noise you heard beforehand.
- Switch off at the remote, then at the breaker and the outdoor isolator. Wait until the fan has completely stopped.
- From the outside, look through the grille for sticks, leaves or objects touching the blade. Do not reach in.
- Check the grille is not bent inwards or damaged.
- Clear debris from around and on top of the unit by hand.
- In cold weather, check for ice around the fan. If present, leave the unit off until it has fully melted.
- Restore power and test once.
If you see an object jammed in the blade that you cannot remove from outside, or if the code returns, leave the unit off and book a technician.
Running It
Can I Keep Running My LG With CH67?
No. The outdoor fan is essential in both cooling and heating. In cooling mode, without it the condenser overheats within moments and pressures spike. In heating mode, the outdoor coil cannot absorb heat or defrost properly.
The inverter electronics are also at risk, because they rely on the same airflow. Repeated attempts to run with a stalled fan can lead to heat sink overheating and stress on the power module.
A seized motor that keeps receiving power can also overheat its own windings and electronics. Switch the system off at the breaker after one failed reset and wait for a technician.
Repair Steps
How Does a Technician Fix an LG CH67 Fault?
The technician needs to separate mechanical causes from electrical ones. Here is the usual path.
Isolate the Unit
Power is isolated and the fan confirmed stationary before any panel or grille is removed.Remove the Grille and Inspect
The technician removes the front grille and checks for debris, nests, ice, cracks and signs of the blade striking the shroud.Spin Test by Hand
With power off, the blade is turned by hand. It should rotate smoothly and freely. Stiffness or grinding points to bearings.Check Blade Fit
The blade is checked for a secure fit on the motor shaft and correct position within the shroud.Inspect Wiring
The motor lead is traced to the board and checked for damage, corrosion and secure connection.Test Drive and Feedback
With careful live testing, the technician checks whether the board sends the correct drive signal and whether the motor returns speed feedback.Repair and Run
The fix may be clearing debris, refitting the blade, replacing the motor, replacing the blade or repairing the board. The unit is then run at different fan speeds to confirm.
Open more detail
When a brushless fan motor fails electrically, it sometimes damages the fan drive circuit on the board as it goes. Fitting a new motor to a damaged board can result in the new motor not running, or failing soon after. Careful technicians check the board output before and after fitting a replacement motor.
Replacement fan motors must match the original in shaft size, mounting, rotation direction and electrical type. The technician will confirm the correct part for your model, which is one reason the model number is so useful when booking.
Weather Effects
How Do Australian Conditions Lead to CH67?
Wind and storms are the leading cause of outdoor fan jams. Leaves, twigs, bark and palm fronds get blown into units, especially those near trees. A unit on a roof or balcony can catch airborne debris that a ground level unit would miss.
Heat affects the motor too. Fan motors in units exposed to direct afternoon sun run hot. Over years, that heat dries out bearing lubricant and stresses the motor electronics. Units in hot, dry areas often see bearing wear sooner.
Coastal salt corrodes motor shafts, bearings and wiring. Humid climates and heavy rain can push moisture into motor electronics if seals deteriorate. In cooler areas, freezing fog and frosty mornings can form ice around the fan in heating mode. Wildlife adds another layer, with birds, possums and rodents sometimes nesting in or around outdoor units.
Prevention
How Can I Help Prevent an LG Outdoor Fan Lock?
Most outdoor fan problems are preventable with a little attention to the surroundings.
Trim Nearby Trees
Keep overhanging branches and shedding plants trimmed back from the outdoor unit to reduce falling debris.
Check After Storms
After strong winds, look at the outdoor unit from a safe distance and clear debris by hand with the power off.
Regular Servicing
A service includes checking fan blade condition, motor bearings and wiring, catching wear before it causes a lock.
Avoid storing items on top of the outdoor unit. Objects can fall into the grille, and they restrict the airflow the fan needs anyway.
Real World Patterns
What Do Typical CH67 Call Outs Look Like?
Outdoor fan faults tend to fall into a few familiar stories. Recognising yours can help set expectations about the repair.
The first is the storm jam. A windy night drops twigs and leaves across the yard. The next afternoon, the system stops with CH67. The technician removes the grille, clears a stick wedged against the blade, checks the blade for cracks and the motor for damage, and the system runs normally again.
The second is the slow decline. Over a season or two, the outdoor unit has become noisier, with a growing hum or whine. One hot day the fan finally seizes. Here, worn bearings are the usual culprit, and a replacement motor is needed. Owners in this situation often say, looking back, that the noise had been building for months. Acting on a new outdoor noise early can turn an emergency into a planned repair on a cooler day, with far less disruption to your household. It is also usually easier to book a technician before the busiest part of summer arrives.
The third is the sudden electrical failure. The fan was quiet and smooth, then simply stopped, often after a storm or outage. The blade spins freely by hand, but the motor does not respond. Testing then shows whether the motor electronics or the board fan circuit has failed.
A fourth, less common story involves wildlife. A possum, bird or rodent has nested in the unit, or an animal has chewed through the fan motor lead. Removing the nest, repairing the wiring and checking for other damage usually follow. Pest control may also be worth arranging so the animal does not return to the same warm, sheltered spot next season.
Comparing Fan Codes
How Is CH67 Different From the Indoor Fan Code?
LG has separate codes for the indoor and outdoor fans, and knowing which one you have saves time.
CH10: Indoor Fan
The blower wheel inside your indoor unit. Common causes include grime build up, mould and indoor debris. The repair happens inside your home.
CH67: Outdoor Fan
The propeller fan in the outdoor unit. Common causes include storm debris, weather wear, wildlife and corrosion. The repair happens outside.
Both share the same basic test sequence, but the likely causes and the parts are quite different. If your unit has shown both codes, tell the technician, as it may point to a shared electrical cause such as a power surge.
Getting Ready
What Details Help When Booking a CH67 Repair?
Good information helps the technician bring the right part, which can mean a one visit repair.
- The model number from the outdoor unit rating label.
- A photo of the code and of the outdoor unit from the front.
- Whether the fan was stopped, slow or making noise.
- Any recent storm, strong wind, hail or power outage.
- Any signs of animals or nests around the unit.
- How the unit is accessed, such as ground level, balcony, wall bracket or roof.
For roof or high wall installations, the technician may need extra equipment for safe access, so letting us know in advance helps with planning.
If the system is new and still under warranty, check your warranty paperwork before booking. Some faults on newer units may need to go through the manufacturer’s service network.
Related Codes
Which LG Codes Are Related to CH67?
Outdoor fan problems often lead to heat related codes. These pages explain the connections.
LG CH10
The indoor fan motor lock code.
LG CH61
Condenser overheating, a common result of poor outdoor airflow.
LG CH62
Inverter heat sink overheating, also cooled by the outdoor fan.
Find every code we cover on the LG air conditioner error codes hub, or visit the error code library for other brands.
Getting a Technician Out
Who Repairs LG Outdoor Fan Faults Near Me?
We arrange licensed technicians for LG CH67 repairs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Storm season brings a rise in outdoor fan calls in every city.
Brisbane
Summer storms and tree debris.
Sydney
Coastal winds and salty air.
Perth
Hot sun that wears fan bearings.
Rapid Air Cooling is a booking service and is not affiliated with LG. The technicians we send hold the licences their work requires.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pull a stick out of my outdoor fan?
Only if the power is fully isolated and you can remove it from outside the grille without reaching in. If not, leave it for a technician.
Why is my outdoor fan stopped but there is no code?
LG fans pause during defrost and slow down on mild days. That is normal. CH67 is only a fault when the code appears.
Did the storm cause my CH67?
Possibly. Storms blow debris into fans and can send surges that damage motor electronics. Both need checking after a storm related fault.
Is a new outdoor fan motor a big job?
It is a moderate repair that does not involve refrigerant. Access can add time if the unit is on a roof or high bracket.
Can ice cause CH67 in winter?
Yes. Ice around the fan in heating mode can stop the blade. Leave the unit off until the ice melts, then book a check if it recurs.
Will running with CH67 damage anything else?
It can. Without outdoor airflow, the condenser and inverter overheat. Switch off at the breaker after one failed reset.
Where can I find more help?
Our troubleshooting guide covers everyday faults, and our page on air conditioning service Australia explains how bookings work.
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LG Outdoor Fan Stopped?
Switch off at the breaker and call with your CH67 code. We will arrange a licensed technician to clear, test or replace the fan and get your system breathing again.
Reviewed by AC repair and service specialist on 22 October 2026. How we write our articles