Norcold Refrigerator: “no FL”
warning RV refrigerator error codes
What it means
The refrigerator tried to run on LP/propane (gas) mode but the control board did not detect a burner flame. In Norcold's own words it means the burner did not ignite, or it lit but the flame went out and could not re-ignite, so the gas safety valve closed and the fridge stopped on gas. The display shows the two segments 'no' and 'FL' (no FLame), usually with an audible alarm.
Most likely causes
- No or low propane supply reaching the fridge (empty/closed cylinder, closed valve, regulator issue, or air in the line after a refill) most likely
- Dirty, clogged, or partially blocked burner orifice or burner tube (spiders, soot, dust) so the flame won't light or won't stay lit most likely
- Igniter electrode gap wrong or electrode dirty/corroded, so it sparks but the flame never establishes common
- Flame-sense circuit fault on the power board or a bad/loose electrode-to-board connection, so a real flame is not 'seen' (board keeps sparking after lit) common
- AC power dropped out (below roughly 85VAC) forcing the fridge into auto gas mode, then gas failed to light less common
- Failed or sticking gas safety solenoid valve less common
Safe checks you can do yourself
- Confirm propane is actually available: light a stovetop burner or another LP appliance in the RV and verify it runs steadily. If the cylinder was just refilled, the line may need a few ignition attempts to purge air.
- Make sure the LP cylinder valve is fully open and the regulator/changeover is set correctly.
- Push the MODE button to silence the alarm, then clear the fault by turning the fridge OFF and back ON (press ON/OFF twice). Allow up to ~30 seconds for gas ignition on a restart.
- Visually check the exterior lower vent/burner access area for obvious spider webs, nests, or debris around the burner (only if cool and accessible — do not disassemble gas components).
- Make sure the RV is reasonably level, since absorption cooling and ignition can be affected by extreme tilt.
- If it repeatedly fails after 2-3 restart attempts, stop and have the burner/orifice and flame-sense circuit serviced rather than forcing it.
How to reset / clear no FL
- Press MODE to silence the audible alarm.
- Press the ON/OFF button to turn the refrigerator OFF.
- Press ON/OFF again to turn it back ON (the manual notes the 'no FL' code stays until the unit is stopped and restarted this way).
- Wait up to ~30 seconds for gas ignition. If it does not light after 2-3 tries, check the gas supply and have it serviced.
When to call a technician
Call a qualified RV technician if propane is confirmed available but the fridge still shows 'no FL' after a couple of off/on resets, if the burner won't light or won't stay lit, if you suspect a clogged orifice or a flame-sense/power-board fault, or any time you smell gas.
Accuracy notes
Meaning, model coverage, and the 'push ON/OFF twice' reset are directly confirmed by Norcold's own service manuals. The 'F' single-letter display and the flashing GAS light on older models (N4xx/N5xx, N611/N811, N620/N621/N820/N821) are the equivalent flame-not-sensed fault rather than the literal 'no FL' text. Specific cause likelihoods are a reasonable field-experience synthesis, not a ranked list published by Norcold. Always verify the exact procedure against the manual for your specific model number.
Applies to
N641 · N642 · N641-IM · N841 · N842 · N841-IM · NX641 · NXA641 · NX841 · NXA841 · 1200 · 1210 · 1211 · 2117 · 2118 · (N620/N621/N820/N821 and older N4xx/N5xx units show the equivalent fault as a single 'F' or as the GAS light flashing instead of the 'no FL' text)
FAQ
What does Norcold Refrigerator code "no FL" mean?
The refrigerator tried to run on LP/propane (gas) mode but the control board did not detect a burner flame. In Norcold's own words it means the burner did not ignite, or it lit but the flame went out and could not re-ignite, so the gas safety valve closed and the fridge stopped on gas. The display shows the two segments 'no' and 'FL' (no FLame), usually with an audible alarm.
How do I reset Norcold Refrigerator no FL?
Press MODE to silence the audible alarm. Press the ON/OFF button to turn the refrigerator OFF. Press ON/OFF again to turn it back ON (the manual notes the 'no FL' code stays until the unit is stopped and restarted this way). Wait up to ~30 seconds for gas ignition. If it does not light after 2-3 tries, check the gas supply and have it serviced.
What is the most common cause of no FL on a Norcold Refrigerator?
The most likely cause is no or low propane supply reaching the fridge (empty/closed cylinder, closed valve, regulator issue, or air in the line after a refill).
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Sources
- Norcold Service Manual for N620/N621/N640/N641/N820/N821/N840/N841 (and -IM ice-maker variants) — Part No. 619394 (5-98), Fault Codes section: '"no" "FL" — The burner did not ignite or reignite — Refer to LP Gas Ignition Failure'; operation section: fault remains until ON/OFF is pushed twice (Norcold, Inc. (OEM), hosted by MyRVWorks)
- Norcold 2118IM Service Manual — No AC, No FL fault description — Page 18: NO FL = power board detects AC input below 85VAC, switches to LP Gas Mode, and cannot detect a flame in Auto Gas Mode (Norcold, Inc. (OEM), via ManualsLib)
- Norcold Fault Codes F, no FL, or gas light flashing every second (LP/Flame Problems) — Lists affected models (N641/N642/NX641/NXA641/N841/N842/NX841/NXA841/1200/1210/1211/2117/2118) and burner/electrode/flame-sense diagnostics (RV Fridge Guys (RV refrigerator repair specialists))
● Checked against 3 manufacturer documents · Last verified 2026-06-29 · compiled from manufacturer documentation. Codes can vary by model year — always cross-check your unit’s manual. How we verify