Error Code 5E
Fridge defrost sensor is open or shorted
Moderate
Address soon - your appliance may not work properly
Also displayed as: 5E
What This Means
Defrost sensor connector at CN30 unseated; Open circuit in defrost thermistor wire; Short circuit in sensor
What actually causes this:
The thermistor that monitors fridge evaporator temperature during defrost has failed, causing the unit to potentially run defrost indefinitely or not at all.
First Thing to Check
Inspect the defrost sensor wire at the fridge evaporator — look for kinks or pinched wires from the evaporator cover.
Parts Involved
How to Fix
- 1
Measure voltage between Main PCB CN30 pin 1 and pin 6; should be within 4.5V–1.0V
- 2
Measure resistance between CN30 pins 6 and 7 and compare to temperature table
- 3
Inspect connector behind fridge evaporator cover
This Error Applies To
Samsung RF23 Series Refrigerators (2023) (2023–present)
Related Error Codes
Freezer defrost sensor has an open or short circuit
Fridge compartment temperature sensor is faulty or disconnected
Freezer temperature sensor has failed or lost connection
Ambient temperature sensor has failed or is disconnected
Freezer fan motor stopped or lost feedback signal
Cool Select Room fan has stopped or lost feedback
Internal board communication chip has failed
Cool Select Room temperature sensor is disconnected or failed