LG OLED TV F30 Error Code Fix Guide

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What This Error Means

F30 on an LG OLED TV is a hardware protection code. In plain talk: the TV thinks the power going to the OLED panel or main boards is out of spec, so it locks up or refuses to turn on to avoid frying itself.

That usually shows up as F30 plus the TV shutting off, rebooting, or never getting past the LG logo.

Official Fix

This is the by-the-book path LG wants you to follow before anyone opens the TV.

  • 1. Hard power reset
    Unplug the TV from the wall. Not just standby, pull the plug. Wait at least 5 minutes. While it is unplugged, press and hold the power button on the TV (not the remote) for 15–20 seconds. Then plug it straight into the wall outlet and try turning it on.
  • 2. Remove the power strip
    LG wants the set plugged directly into a grounded wall outlet. No bargain surge bar, no extension cord. Weak strips cause voltage drops and can trigger a protection code like F30.
  • 3. Disconnect everything
    Pull all HDMI, USB, antenna, and audio cables. Leave only the power cord. Turn it on. If F30 disappears with everything unplugged, one of your devices or cables is messing with the TV.
  • 4. Firmware update (if it will stay on)
    If you can reach the menus, go to Settings → Support → Software Update and install any update it offers. Then power cycle again. LG’s official flowchart is update first, replace boards second.
  • 5. Run built-in self-check (if your model has it)
    On many newer LG OLEDs: Settings → Support → Device Self-Care → Self Diagnosis. Run it. If it flags hardware along with F30, the manual answer is: service required.
  • 6. Stop and call LG or an authorized shop
    If F30 comes right back after all this, LG’s official position is simple: internal fault. That means power board, main board, or the OLED panel needs proper diagnosis and likely replacement.

Officially, you stop here and let a pro take it from there.

The Technician’s Trick

Here is what working techs try in the field that you will not see in the glossy manual.

  • 1. Deep discharge reset that actually bites
    Unplug the TV. Leave it unplugged. Hold the TV’s power button for a full 60 seconds. While you are still holding the button, plug it back in, then release after 5 more seconds. This can clear a latched protection state on some LG power boards that a normal reset does not touch.
  • 2. Start it totally naked (no cables)
    Move the TV to a known good outlet on a different circuit if possible. Plug in power only. No HDMI, no antenna, no network, nothing. Power it up. If F30 only shows when a certain HDMI device is connected, kill CEC (Simplink) in Settings on the TV and on that device, or swap HDMI cable/port. Bad HDMI gear can crash the TV and fake a fault condition.
  • 3. Quick heat check on the power area
    With the back accessible, power the TV and carefully feel the rear panel after 1–2 minutes, especially where the power board sits (usually around the AC input). If one spot gets very hot very fast while the rest stays cool, the PSU is straining. A test: aim a small fan at that area and try again. If the TV runs longer before throwing F30, odds go up that the power board is the weak link.
  • 4. Out-of-warranty, brave mode: reseat the guts
    Only if the TV is unplugged and you are comfortable around electronics:
    • Lay the TV face down on something soft so the screen is protected.
    • Remove the back cover screws and lift the cover off.
    • On the power board and main board, unplug and firmly re-plug each multi-pin harness one at a time.
    • Visually check for burned spots or obviously swollen capacitors.
    If a loose connector or mild oxidation was tripping F30, this alone can bring the set back. If you see burn marks or smell cooked electronics, do not keep forcing it; plan on a board swap.
  • 5. Pro-style outlet check
    Plug a heavy load (space heater, hair dryer) into the same outlet the TV was using. If lights dim or the outlet cuts out, your house wiring or breaker is suspect. Move the TV to a solid circuit before you spend money chasing phantom F30 problems.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: TV is under about 5 years old, picture was clean before F30, and a shop quotes under roughly $300–$400 for a board swap.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: TV is 5–7 years old, mid-range model, and repair is around half the price of a similar new OLED. Maybe fix it if you love the set and there is no burn-in; otherwise start pricing replacements.
  • ❌ Replace: Visible burn-in, physical damage, or a quote over $500 on a 55" (or more than ~60% of a new comparable TV). If the panel itself is bad, do not sink real money into it.

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