Continental Refrigerator Alarm LO: Low Temperature
LO is the low temperature alarm. The display alternates between the cabinet temperature and AL, the beeper sounds, and the cabinet has been below the low alarm set point for 60 minutes. Silence the beeper with SET/MUTE, look for frozen produce or drinks, and make sure nothing is blocking the air vents.
Medium: the cabinet is colder than set, which can freeze product and waste power.
- Code
- LO
- Maker
- Continental
- Equipment
- Reach-in refrigerators
- Applies to
- Continental electronic control
What does Continental error code LO mean?
A Continental reach-in with the easy electronic control, such as the 1RN, D2RN or 2RSN, has a low alarm set point as well as a high one. If the cabinet temperature stays under that set point for 60 minutes, the control sounds the beeper and alternates the display between the cabinet temperature and AL. Cold air that goes too far can freeze produce and drinks, wastes power and may point to a probe or control problem. The manual lists several causes: the regulation probe reading wrong, so the control thinks the box is warmer than it is; alarm limits or the set point that were changed; a compressor that is not cycling off; and product blocking air flow so that one area chills hard while the display reads normal. Check what is inside the cabinet first. Frozen lettuce or a bottle of liquid that has frozen tells you the cold is real, while a normal thermometer reading points to the alarm limits.
Affected models and control systems
This page covers Continental reach-in refrigerators with the easy electronic control, such as the 1RN, D2RN and 2RSN.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- Beeper sounds and the display alternates between temperature and AL
- Produce or drinks frozen on the shelves
- Frost on the back wall or on the product near the vents
Possible causes
Listed in Continental's documentation
- A regulation probe reading wrong
- Alarm limits or the set point changed
- A compressor that does not cycle off
- Product blocking air flow so one area chills hard
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code LO on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- A set point lowered during a cleaning and never returned to its normal value
- A case of product stacked against the evaporator cover that leaves cold air nowhere to go
- A probe that has slipped out of the air stream and reads warm, so the compressor runs too long
Safe checks before calling for service
- Silence the beeper with the SET/MUTE button.
- Look inside for frozen produce or drinks.
- Make sure nothing is blocking the air vents.
- Check the cabinet temperature with a thermometer.
- Call us to schedule service if LO returns.
How a technician diagnoses error code LO
- Read the display temperature, set point and alarm limits.
- Compare the display with a calibrated thermometer.
- Check the regulation probe and its position in the air stream.
- Watch the compressor cycle and the control output to it.
- Replace the probe or control only after the cabinet has been shown to run colder than it reads.
- Frozen product is lost product, so finding why the cabinet runs cold matters.
- Probe and output checks need the electrical compartment open, with line voltage inside.
- A compressor that does not cycle off can be a control or a relay problem that only testing shows.
How error code LO differs from similar codes
HI is the matching high temperature alarm, with AH on the display. LO shows AL.
Technical reference
- Document
- Continental Reach-Ins & Roll-Ins Operations Manual, Electronic Control Error Codes
- Models / control
- Continental electronic control
- Section
- Electronic Control Error Codes, printed p. 18 (same page: High and Low Temperature Alarms)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Continental reach-in refrigerator error codes
Why is my lettuce frozen?
The cabinet has been colder than its set point. Check the set point and the air vents, then call us.
Can I turn the set point up myself?
Only if you know the original value. Changes to the settings can cause the alarm in the first place.
Does LO use more power?
A cabinet that runs too cold usually does. That is one more reason to have it checked.
Need help with Continental error code LO?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.