Digital Danby upright freezer beeps and displays E1; temperature reading may be blank or flashing.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the freezer before removing any panels. Use a non-contact voltage tester if available.
Steps to check and address E1:
- Power reset: Unplug the freezer for 5 minutes, then plug it back in. If E1 returns, continue.
- Locate the cabinet sensor: On most Danby uprights, the cabinet temperature sensor is behind the interior rear liner or clipped to the evaporator tubing. Look for a small probe with two wires leading to the control.
- Inspect wiring: Check the sensor wires for cuts, pinches, or rodent damage. Ensure the connector at the control board is fully seated and not corroded.
- Test the sensor: With the unit unplugged, disconnect the sensor and measure resistance with a multimeter. At room temperature (around 77°F / 25°C), most Danby NTC sensors read roughly 5k–10k ohms. A reading of 0 ohms (short) or infinite (open) indicates a bad sensor.
- Replace if faulty: If readings are out of range, replace the cabinet temperature sensor (NTC probe). Route the new sensor along the original path and secure it away from moving parts or sharp edges.
- Check the control board: If a known-good sensor still triggers E1, the main control board sensor circuit may be defective and should be replaced.
When to call a technician: If you are not comfortable removing interior panels or testing resistance, or if the control board needs replacement, contact a qualified appliance technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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