Samsung refrigerator, error 22E / 22C, evaporator fan, thermistor, control board, Calgary appliance repair, forced defrost, French-door models, RS/RF series, DA97-15765A motor, DA32-10104N sensor.
Table of Contents
1. What Error 22E / 22C Means
Error 22E (or 22C on some panels) flags the refrigerator-side evaporator fan: it’s stalled or airflow is blocked by frost. Typical triggers in Calgary’s variable humidity:
| Trigger | Why It Happens | % of Cases* |
|---|---|---|
| Power flicker → refreeze | Fan restarts against ice after outage | 45 % |
| Over-packed shelves | Vents clogged, warm air condenses & freezes | 25 % |
| Leaky door gasket | Constant moisture load | 15 % |
| Failing fan motor / thermistor | Age or voltage surge | 10 % |
| Main PCB fault | Rare, but possible |
5 % |
2. Rapid 5-Step Fix (20 Minutes)
| Min | Action | Details | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | Hard reset | Unplug or trip breaker 120 s. | Clears soft fault. |
| 2-4 | Fan sound test | Hold door switch; listen. Silent = iced. | Confirms blockage. |
| 4-15 | Panel off & thaw | Remove 6 screws, hair dryer on low, 15 cm away. | Melts frost safely. |
| 15-18 | Connector & spin | Seat white plug, hand-spin blade (should glide). | Restores rotation. |
| 18-20 | Reboot & verify | Panel on, power up. Wait 3 min. | No code = success. |
Safety: Power off whenever panels or heat tools are inside. Keep towels under coils.
3. Deep-Dive Troubleshooting
A. Heavy Ice Wall
-
Symptom: Solid block behind panel.
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Fix: Engage Forced Defrost (Fd): press Power Freeze + Fridge 8 s → tap Fridge until “Fd”. Let cycle 20 min, door closed.
B. Recurrent 22E After 24 h
Likely component failure. Test with multimeter (Ω at 77 °F):
| Part | Expected Reading | PN |
|---|---|---|
| Evap fan motor | 9–11 Ω | DA97-15765A |
| Evap thermistor | ~5 kΩ | DA32-10104N |
Replace if > ±10 %.
C. Drain Blockage
Pour 100 ml hot water into drain trough. If water doesn’t reach pan, clear with turkey baster + warm water.
4. Parts & Cost Breakdown (Calgary 2025)
| Part / Service | Street Price | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Evap fan motor kit | 85 – 110 CAD | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Evap sensor | 25 – 35 CAD | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Defrost drain kit | 20 CAD | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Main PCB | 220 – 300 CAD | ★★★★☆ |
| Pro visit (diag + labour) | 139 – 189 CAD | – |
5. When to Call a Calgary Technician
-
Code returns twice within 48 h.
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Fan rattles or screeches after thaw.
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Heavy ice every few weeks (possible sealed-system issue).
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You spot cracked plastic, burnt wiring, or water on PCB.
Local Advantage: Samsung-certified repair vans cover NW, NE, SW, SE the same day; most keep DA97-15765A on board, so one visit = one fix.
6. Keep 22E Gone – Maintenance Cheatsheet
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Air gap: 5-8 cm clearance from rear wall vents.
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Temps: Fridge 3 °C (37 °F); Freezer –18 °C (0 °F).
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Quarterly: Vacuum condenser coils; wipe door gaskets; flush drain with hot water.
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After outage: 2-min reset before restocking cold items.
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Shelf discipline: Don’t stack food beyond vent level.
7. FAQ
Is 22E identical to 22C?
Yes. “E” vs “C” depends on your fridge’s firmware language; both flag the same fan circuit.
Can I chip ice with a screwdriver?
Never. One puncture equals coolant leak and a $1 000 sealed-system repair.
Will contents spoil during the 20-minute thaw?
No. Internal temp rises ~2 °C tops; meat and dairy stay in the safe zone.
Does homeowner insurance cover food loss?
Most Calgary policies cover ≥500 CAD; keep receipts and time-stamped photos of the error.
Samsung fridge error 22E means the refrigerator evaporator fan is stalled, usually by frost. Unplug for 2 minutes to reset; if the code returns, remove the rear fridge panel (power off) and melt ice around the fan with a low-heat hair dryer, spin the blade freely, reconnect wiring, and restart.
