50 / 51 / 52 (gas lock)

Dometic Refrigerator: “50 / 51 / 52 (gas lock)”

danger RV refrigerator error codes

Safety This is a combustion/propane fault. If you smell gas (rotten-egg odor) at any time, do NOT attempt to reset or relight — shut off the gas at the bottle, extinguish all flames, ventilate, and leave the area before calling for help. Never search for a leak with a flame; use soapy water or a gas detector. Repeated ignition failures can vent unburned propane.

What it means

Gas (LP/propane) operation fault. On RUA models, codes 50/51/52 indicate the fridge has 'gas-locked' — typically after about three failed ignition attempts the control board stops trying and blocks gas operation until reset. The related 10-Series error E07 means 'no cooling capacity in gas mode.' This is the modern electronic equivalent of the older RM-series 'Check' light that comes on when no propane flame is detected after three ignition attempts.

Most likely causes

  1. Empty LP/propane bottle or the gas supply valve is shut off most likely
  2. Air in the gas line after refuelling or after running the tank empty (needs purging by repeated ignition attempts) common
  3. Clogged burner/jet or blocked flue restricting the flame common
  4. Faulty igniter, flame-sense electrode, or gas valve solenoid less common
  5. Fridge not level enough to develop cooling in gas mode (also triggers E07-type 'no cooling' faults) less common

Safe checks you can do yourself

How to reset / clear 50 / 51 / 52 (gas lock)

  1. On RUA models: after correcting the gas supply, press and hold the encoder/control knob ~3 seconds until a beep to reset; do not hold too long or the fridge switches off.
  2. On 10-Series models: press the control knob ~2 seconds to reset the error; E07 must be reset manually.
  3. If the fault returns immediately after a valid reset, stop and have it serviced.

When to call a technician

Gas supply is confirmed good, the unit is level, and air has been purged, but it still will not light or it gas-locks again — suspect a failed igniter, flame sensor, gas valve, clogged jet, or control board. Any gas smell or soot/yellow-flame condition warrants immediate professional service.

Applies to

Dometic RUA series · Dometic 10-Series (RM/RMD/RMS 10.5) · Older Dometic RM-series with 'Check' light (e.g. RM2652/RM3962/RM1350) for the equivalent flame-failure behavior

FAQ

What does Dometic Refrigerator code "50 / 51 / 52 (gas lock)" mean?

Gas (LP/propane) operation fault. On RUA models, codes 50/51/52 indicate the fridge has 'gas-locked' — typically after about three failed ignition attempts the control board stops trying and blocks gas operation until reset. The related 10-Series error E07 means 'no cooling capacity in gas mode.' This is the modern electronic equivalent of the older RM-series 'Check' light that comes on when no propane flame is detected after three ignition attempts.

How do I reset Dometic Refrigerator 50 / 51 / 52 (gas lock)?

On RUA models: after correcting the gas supply, press and hold the encoder/control knob ~3 seconds until a beep to reset; do not hold too long or the fridge switches off. On 10-Series models: press the control knob ~2 seconds to reset the error; E07 must be reset manually. If the fault returns immediately after a valid reset, stop and have it serviced.

What is the most common cause of 50 / 51 / 52 (gas lock) on a Dometic Refrigerator?

The most likely cause is empty lp/propane bottle or the gas supply valve is shut off.

Related · Dometic refrigerator

Note: RUA codes 50/51/52 are all gas-related lockouts confirmed by Dometic's own fault pages; the exact distinction between 50, 51 and 52 was not fully retrievable, so they are grouped. E07 ('no cooling in gas mode') is a related but distinct 10-Series error. The 'three ignition attempts' detail is documented for RM-series check-light behavior and is widely reported for these gas-lock codes but exact attempt count may vary by model/firmware.

Last verified 2026-06-29 · compiled from manufacturer documentation. Codes can vary by model year — always cross-check your unit’s manual.