DIY HVAC Tools

York mini split error code LF

Compressor over-speed protection.

  • TypeProtection
  • SystemCompressor / inverter
  • Can I fix it?Technician job

What LF means on a York

The drive detected the compressor running faster than commanded and shut down.

On this platform, LF is a protection: the system stopped or throttled itself to prevent damage; many clear on their own once conditions return to normal.

Common causes

  • A failed inverter drive.
  • A failing compressor.
  • Unstable supply voltage.

How to fix it yourself

Do the reset and the visual checks, but the underlying repair needs a technician with a meter and the service manual.

  1. Reset the system: switch the breaker (or the outdoor disconnect) off, wait a full five minutes so the boards fully discharge, then switch it back on and restart from the remote.
  2. If you own a multimeter and are comfortable using it, measure the supply voltage at the outdoor unit's L1 and L2 terminals with the unit running. A 230 V system should read roughly 208 to 253 VAC.

Switch off power at the breaker before opening either unit. Capacitors in the outdoor unit hold a charge for several minutes after power is cut.

When to call a technician

Technician diagnosis of the drive.

Which York units show LF

This page applies to York M-Series inverter-driven (DHM / DHP) and York multi-zone (DHM…CMB) units. York's own documentation lists LF as "Compressor over-speed protection", the same definition used across the Gree platform it is built on. If your unit shows a code with a different shape (for example a four-character code, or a plain number), it is from a different table; use the lookup with your exact code.

Where York shows this code

The code shows on the indoor unit's display in place of the temperature. If the display is off, press the Light button on the remote. Some models also count out the code as indicator blinks. E codes are system protections and faults, F codes are mostly sensor faults, H codes are outdoor and compressor protections, U codes are motor and valve faults, and P codes are power-supply faults.

Other York codes

Same part of the system as LF:

E4Compressor discharge temperature too highF9High discharge temperature frequency limiting (protection)H3Compressor overload protectionH5IPM (inverter module) protectionH7Compressor desynchronization (loss of sync)LcCompressor start failureLdCompressor phase loss or phase sequence errorLECompressor stall (locked rotor)
E1High pressure protectionE2Indoor anti-freeze protectionE3Low pressure protection (refrigerant shortage or blockage)E5Over-current protectionE6Communication error between indoor and outdoor unitsE7Mode conflict (multi-zone)E8High temperature protection (overheating)E9Indoor unit water-full (drain) protection

All York error codes

LF on other brands

The same characters do not always mean the same thing. Check the brand on your unit.

Questions people ask

Can I reset a York LF code myself?

Yes. Turn the system off at the breaker for five minutes, then restart it. If LF comes back, the fault is real and needs the checks above.

Is it safe to keep running a York showing LF?

Not repeatedly. A protection code means the unit stopped itself to prevent damage, and resetting it over and over can turn a cheap repair into a compressor failure. Reset once, check the basics, and stop if it returns.

What will a technician check for LF?

Technician diagnosis of the drive. Ask for the measurements, not just a parts quote.

Sources

  • York M-Series Inverter-Driven Air Conditioning Units Service Manual (DHM18-42CMB21S), Troubleshooting error code tables

Updated September 2026. Codes and definitions vary by model year. If your manual disagrees with this page, your manual wins. Send a correction.