Quick-Glance Solution
| Step | Action | Clock Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hard-reset – unplug / breaker off for 120 s | 0-2 min |
| 2 | Self-test – hold Lighting + Energy Saver 10 s | 2-4 min |
| 3 | Expose sensor – shelves out, rear panel (6 screws) | 4-8 min |
| 4 | Melt frost – low-heat hair dryer, 15 cm away | 8-18 min |
| 5 | Reconnect & reboot – re-fit panel, power on | 18-20 min |
If 5E stays gone for 30 minutes, you nailed it.
1. What Error 5E / 5C Really Means
Samsung’s fridge-side defrost sensor (thermistor) is reporting an open, short, or “out-of-range” value. In plain English: the tiny probe that tells the board when to defrost got iced up or went bad.
Top Calgary Causes
Power flickers ⇒ moisture refreezes on the sensor.
Stuffed rear vents ⇒ trapped humidity, sensor crusts over.
Loose white 2-pin plug behind the evaporator cover.
Worn thermistor (part # DA32-10104N) after ~7 years.
Main PCB glitch – rare, yet possible after voltage spikes.
2. 20-Minute DIY Fix (Detailed)
A) Hard-Reset (2 min)
Pull the fridge plug or trip the kitchen breaker.
Wait a full 120 seconds; boards need the whole two minutes.
Power back up. No more 5E? Celebrate. If error re-appears, continue.
B) Built-In Self-Test (2 min)
Press Lighting + Energy Saver (or the two top-left buttons) for 10 seconds.
Panel should flash through codes; if you now see “t” or “5E” again, sensor circuit is still unhappy.
C) Remove Twin-Cooling Panel (4 min)
Safety: Unplug again. Towels on floor.
Slide shelves and crispers out.
Remove six Phillips screws.
Pry panel straight back; don’t yank wiring.
D) Inspect & Thaw (10 min)
Ice crust? Hit it with a hair dryer on LOW, swinging left-to-right, 15 cm away.
Loose plug? Reseat firmly; look for green corrosion.
Sensor pod cracked? Time to replace.
E) Reassemble & Verify (2 min)
Panel on ➜ screws snug ➜ power up ➜ wait 3-5 minutes. If the display stays clean, load food back in and close the door with a grin.
3. Deep-Dive Troubleshooting (If 5E Returns Later)
| Symptom | Likely Culprit | DIY Level |
|---|---|---|
| 5E re-appears within 24 h | Thermistor failed → swap DA32-10104N | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Coil never defrosts | Heater open (multimeter ∞ Ω) | ★★★☆☆ |
| Code only during humid days | Drain gutter iced → flush with hot water | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Random codes + lights | Main PCB tired → replace board | ★★★★☆ |
Tip: A good thermistor reads ~5 kΩ at 25 °C (77 °F). Anything wildly off = new part.
4. Parts & Typical Calgary Prices (2025)
| Part | CAD | In-Van Stock? |
|---|---|---|
| Thermistor (DA32-10104N) | 30-40 | Yes |
| Harness kit | 25-35 | Often |
| Main PCB | 230-320 | By order |
Pro visit (diag + labour) | 139-189 | – |
Tip: A good thermistor reads ~5 kΩ at 25 °C (77 °F). Anything wildly off = new part.
| Part | CAD | In-Van Stock? |
|---|---|---|
| Thermistor (DA32-10104N) | 30-40 | Yes |
| Harness kit | 25-35 | Often |
| Main PCB | 230-320 | By order |
| Pro visit (diag + labour) | 139-189 | – |
5. When to Call a YYC Tech
Error recurs twice in 48 h.
Sensor reads “—” in service mode even after swap.
You notice scorch marks, burnt smell, or water near the board.
Heavy ice wall behind the panel (risking coil puncture).
Good shops offer same-day slots across NW • NE • SW • SE, fixed diagnostic fees, and a 12-month parts warranty.
6. Keep 5E From Coming Back
Rear-vent discipline: leave a 5-8 cm gap.
Stable temps: 3 °C fridge, –18 °C freezer.
Quarterly upkeep: vacuum condenser coils, wipe door gaskets, flush drain with 100 ml hot water.
Post-outage ritual: 2-minute reset before re-loading groceries.
Dollar-bill test: door seal should grip a bill firmly all around.
7. FAQ
5E vs 5C — same thing?
Exactly. The letter changes with firmware language.
Can I chip ice off the coil?
Don’t. One slip equals a coolant leak and a $1 000+ sealed-system repair.
Will my food spoil during a 20-minute thaw?
No. Interior rises ~2 °C—well inside the safe range.
Does insurance cover food loss?
Most Calgary policies cover ≥ 500 CAD. Snap photos of the fault code and receipts.
Samsung fridge error 5E flags a fridge defrost-sensor failure. Unplug for 2 minutes; if the code returns, remove the rear fridge panel (power off), melt frost off the sensor with a low-heat hair dryer, reseat the white connector, and reboot. Replace thermistor DA32-10104N if 5E reappears.
