Samsung Refrigerator Error Code 22E: Fresh Food Evaporator Fan & Defrost Sensor Fault

When a Samsung RF23 refrigerator flashes Error Code 22E on the dispenser display, the upper refrigerator evaporator fan motor is locked by frost buildup or has lost rotational feedback to the main control board.

★ Primary Culprit (78% of Confirmed Repairs)Genuine OEM Spec

Evaporator Fan Motor Assembly

Factory OEM Part #: DA31-00146E

Typical Part Cost~$34.5

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Secondary Culprit (18% — Replace if Coils Are Iced Over)

Defrost Temperature Sensor (Thermistor) (OEM #DA32-00006W)

Check #DA32-00006W Price →

🔬 Multimeter Resistance & Harness Pinout Specs

Unplug 120V Power Before Probing

Expected Resistance / Voltage10,000 Ohms (10k Ω) @ 77°F (Sensor) | 7–12V DC (Fan Supply)

Harness Connector PinoutTwin Cooling Rear Harness: Red (Pin 1) to Black (Pin 3)

Tools Required#2 Phillips Screwdriver, Plastic Trim Pry Tool, Digital Multimeter, Hair Dryer / Steamer

🔧 Step-by-Step Disassembly & OEM Part Replacement

Slide Out Middle Glass Shelf & Unplug Fridge

Disconnect power to the refrigerator. Open both upper French doors and slide the middle tempered-glass shelf straight out to clear access to the rear wall.

Unscrew the Twin Cooling Rear Evaporator Cover (DA97-12609C)

Remove the 3 Phillips head screws securing the white center Twin Cooling cover panel. If ice is gripping the panel behind the vents, warm the plastic vents with a hair dryer for 2 minutes before gently prying the cover forward.

Test the 3-Pin Fan & 2-Pin Defrost Sensor Harness

Squeeze the locking tab to unplug the white wire harness. Using a multimeter set to Ohms (Ω), probe the 2-pin defrost thermistor (DA32-00006W)—it should read ~10,000 Ohms at room temperature (77°F). Spin the fan blades by hand; if seized, noisy, or coated in ice, replace the fan motor.

Snap In New OEM Fan Motor (#DA31-00146E) & Reassemble

Unclip the faulty evaporator fan motor from the rear shroud, seat the new genuine OEM #DA31-00146E motor into the rubber grommets, click the molex plug back in, and tighten the 3 Phillips screws.

Frequently Asked Questions (Samsung Code 22E)

What causes Samsung Refrigerator Error Code 22E?

Error Code 22E indicates the Fresh Food (upper refrigerator) evaporator fan motor cannot spin at target RPM, caused 78% of the time by a failed DA31-00146E fan motor and 18% of the time by frost buildup from a faulty DA32-00006W defrost sensor.

Can I reset Error Code 22E without replacing the part?

Pressing and holding the top-left and top-right dispenser buttons for 8 seconds clears the display temporarily, but if the fan motor is seized or iced over, Code 22E will return within 2 hours until the part is defrosted and replaced.

▶ Animated CAD Repair WalkthroughAudio + Pinout

Shows exact rear cover screw locations (S1–S3), multimeter Ohm test, and OEM #DA31-00146E swap.

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