H71
Panasonic Defrost Sensor / Heater Feedback Fault

H71 error, defrost cycle does not complete properly, ice buildup on evaporator

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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.

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Possible Causes

Defective defrost sensor (evaporator thermistor), open defrost heater, faulty defrost control circuit on main PCB, wiring fault in defrost loop

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Unplug the freezer. Heater and sensor wiring carry mains voltage.

Steps:

  • 1. Manually defrost: Open the door and allow all ice to melt. Place towels to catch water. Do not use sharp tools to remove ice.
  • 2. Access evaporator: Remove the inner rear panel to inspect the evaporator, heater, and sensor as in H23 and H04.
  • 3. Test defrost sensor: Measure resistance at known temperatures and compare to Panasonic specifications. Replace if readings are out of range.
  • 4. Test heater continuity: As in H23, check for an open heater and replace if necessary.
  • 5. Wiring and PCB: If both sensor and heater are good, the main PCB defrost control may be defective and require replacement.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Defrost Sensor
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