Is your Samsung fridge showing error code 22E or 22C? Learn what causes this evaporator fan error and follow our step-by-step DIY repair guide to get your cooling back to normal. 22C is often the code seen on newer Family Hub or touch-screen models, whereas 22E is the code on standard displays.
When a Samsung refrigerator fails to cool and the temperature reaches 36 degrees Fahrenheit, the 22E/C code appears. If you leave the fridge door open too long, this error may result until the temperature gets cooler enough again. If this code continues to show, you may have an issue with your evaporator fan. It might be may be noisy as well.
The Most Common Problem – Ice Build-up
The most common cause of an error code 22E on Samsung refrigerators is an ice build-up or obstruction that prevents air from circulating in and around the refrigerator‘s interior. These are the most common causes of ice build-up, causing an error code 22E:
Ice Around the Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan of the refrigerator is located beneath the freezer wall. It circulates air through the freezer and refrigerator compartments by drawing air over the evaporator coil. The evaporator fan turns on when the refrigerator compressor turns on.
In the event that the fan fails, the compressor will continue to work in an attempt to cool the compartments. If your refrigerator or freezer is running hot or the motor starts rattling behind the freezer wall, you may need to repair the evaporator fan to keep it working correctly.
An accumulation of ice or frost on the evaporator fan prevents air from moving over the coils. Without this air movement, the refrigerator cannot cool down to the proper temperature.
You should inspect the evaporator fan for ice or other debris that may be blocking the fan. In most Samsung refrigerators, the fan is located behind the internal back wall of the freezer. With the freezer compartment empty, you should remove the back wall and examine the fan. Check for any broken or bent blades.
If there is an ice build-up, carefully melt the ice using a hand-held hairdryer. Take care not to get things too hot, or you risk damaging the plastic components.
Once the fan blades are clear of any ice or obstructions, the fan should work normally. Once you are sure that the fan is operating, replace the internal back wall of the freezer, replace the contents, and shut the door securely.
Frost on the Coils
Take a look at the coils first. If you remove the freezer’s back panel to access the evaporator fan motor and discover that the coils underneath the fan are totally iced over, the fan motor may be fine and your problem might be something else. If you notice frost on all of the coils, disconnect the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours to defrost before plugging it back in. If it works, your issue isn’t with the fan.
Clogged Defrost Drain
Some Samsung refrigerators will display an error code 22E if the defrost drain is clogged. When your Samsung refrigerator goes through a defrost cycle, the water must have a place to go. Debris, lint, or ice can block the defrost drain and cause an error code 22E or 22C.
Clearing a plugged or blocked defrost drain can be a challenge. In many instances, the drains are behind interior panels that are not easily removed and require the attention of a Samsung refrigerator technician.
Occasionally, manually defrosting your refrigerator can solve the problem. Consult the user’s manual for your refrigerator for instructions on performing a manual defrost.
Check the Vent Hole for Obstructions
The vent hole between the freezer and refrigerator section of your appliance is critical to maintaining proper airflow. If an ice build-up or other material plugs or clogs the vent hole, the refrigerator side may not cool properly even if the freezer continues to work.
Locate the vent hole and damper between the freezer and refrigerator. This opening should be free of ice or other debris to allow continuous circulation of cold air into the refrigerator side. Remove any ice or debris and clean the opening carefully.
Wiring Issues or Problems with the Evaporator Fan Motor Itself
Wiring: Examine the wires connecting the fridge evaporator to the CN74 circuit board. Inspect their connection at the connector and, if necessary, repair it. If the connections are secure, the issue is with the fan motor.
Motor problems: If you turn the blades, you will notice that they are freely moving but the motor is not working, resulting in the 22c error number. Voltage fluctuations might cause the motor to blow. Dried-out lubrication might also cause this. Regardless, you’ll need to replace the motor to resolve this issue.
What If These Simple Fixes Don’t Work?
If the cause of the error code 22E on your Samsun refrigerator is not one of the problems above, you have more serious issues. More than likely, a sensor or control on your Samsung refrigerator has failed or needs to be adjusted.
Defrost Terminator Fault
When the defrost terminator is broken, it can lead to an ice build-up in your refrigerator and freezer that can cause airflow disruptions. This will eventually lead to an error code 22E.
Unfortunately, testing the defrost terminator requires removing the device from the refrigerator. The defrost terminator must be chilled to its operating temperature before testing with a multimeter for continuity.
This process is beyond the scope of most homeowners and requires the services of a trained Samsung service technician.
A Bad Defrost Timer
Another control in the defrost system on your Samsung refrigerator is the defrost timer. This gadget controls the schedule for the defrost cycle, and if it fails, your refrigerator may not start a defrost cycle. Without a defrost cycle, your refrigerator will eventually build up ice and stop the flow of air.
The defrost timer is another internal control part of your refrigerator that is hard for a homeowner to check and repair. The defrost time is in different places on different models of Samsung refrigerators.
Testing the defrost time requires an understanding of capacitors and the proper test equipment. For most homeowners, this is a diagnosis and repair best left to a trained technician.
A Defective Defrost Heating Element
Every Samsung refrigerator has an electric heating coil to assist in the automatic defrost system. These coils can fail in a variety of ways. Without the warmth from this defrost heating coil, your Samsung refrigerator may not remove all the built-up ice accumulated from everyday use.
Testing the defrost heating coil can be done easily with a
Using a
Most homeowners find it much easier and safer to have a trained Samsung service technician perform this testing and repair.
How To Defrost and Access the Evaporator Fan
First, it’s important un-plug the refrigerator from the electrical outlet. Failing to do so could result in whoever is working the fridge being electrocuted. You’ll also want to remove the contents of the freezer and fridge and place them in an insulated cooler so that don’t go bad. Defrosting can take anywhere from eight hours to a full day.
To access the evaporator fan, take out all of the freezer and fridge shelves as well as any storage bins. Using a screwdriver, remove any shelf clips or basket slides from the refrigerator walls that may be preventing the removal of the rear freezer wall.
Remove the screws that hold the back wall of the freezer together and release the fridge panel to reveal the evaporator fan and shroud. Be careful when pulling the panel free, as there may still be ice in the compartment.
You will also want to be mindful of any wires that attach the panel to the back of the fridge. In refrigerators where the fan motor is mounted to the panel rather than the rear of the freezer, just lay the panel down inside the fridge to access the fan wire. If it isn’t, you’ll be able to disconnect the wires after completely removing the back panel.
The entire panel should come out in one piece. It appears stuck, look around to check if you missed any screws that are still keeping the panel in place.
How to Replace the Evaporator Fan on a Samsung Refrigerator?
- Remove the Old Fan: Disconnect the wire connectors from the motor to release the fan and shroud from the freezer. Pull the fan blade off the shaft, then flip the shroud to remove the motor.
- Install the New Motor: Insert the replacement motor into the shroud, flip it over, and slide the fan blade back onto the motor shaft.
- Wire and Crimp: Connect the motor to the refrigerator by matching the wire colors. Secure the wire ends using the included crimp connections and a wire crimper tool.
- Reassemble: Reinstall the shroud and fan into the refrigerator. Replace the back panel, screws, shelf clips, basket glides, and storage bins.
- Power Up: Plug the refrigerator back into the wall outlet and verify that the unit is running correctly.
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