RCA
RCA Freezers Error Codes
Complete list of fault codes and troubleshooting guides. Use the search below to find your specific error.
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AL
RCA freezer beeps and shows AL or an alarm icon; temperature may be high or door may have been left open.
General Alarm Condition (Door or Temperature)
dF
RCA freezer display shows dF or "DEF" periodically; compressor may be off while fans run intermittently.
Defrost Mode Indication (Normal or Extended Defrost)
E1
Digital RCA upright freezer beeps and displays E1; temperature may not match setpoint.
Cabinet Temperature Sensor (Thermistor) Fault
E2
RCA freezer display shows E2 and may not defrost properly; frost buildup on evaporator cover.
Evaporator Temperature Sensor Fault
E3
RCA freezer shows E3 and may run continuously or not maintain set temperature.
Ambient (Room) Temperature Sensor Fault
E4
RCA freezer displays E4 and may show heavy frost on the evaporator or warm cabinet temperature.
Defrost System Failure (Defrost Sensor/Heater Circuit Error)
E5
RCA freezer shows E5; compressor may not start or may short-cycle.
Compressor Start/Overload Protection Fault
E6
RCA freezer displays E6; interior lights and fans may work but compressor does not run.
Main Control Board Communication or Relay Fault
E7
RCA freezer shows E7; display may be blank or flickering, buttons unresponsive.
User Interface / Display Panel Communication Fault
H1
RCA freezer display shows H1 or "HI" and may beep; interior temperature is too warm.
High Temperature Alarm Condition
L1
RCA freezer display shows L1 or "LO"; interior may be extremely cold and some items may have freezer burn.
Low Temperature Alarm / Overcooling Condition
Symptom
Frost or ice buildup on the interior walls and ceiling of the RCA freezer.
Excessive Frost Accumulation
Symptom
RCA chest freezer has condensation or frost around the lid gasket area.
Lid Seal and Insulation Issue
Symptom
RCA chest freezer lid will not stay open or slams shut unexpectedly.
Lid Hinge or Support Failure
Symptom
RCA freezer cycles on and off frequently (short cycling), with the compressor starting every few minutes.
Short Cycling / Control Instability
Symptom
RCA freezer does not restart after a power outage, even though the outlet has power.
Post-Outage Non-Start / Control Lockup
Symptom
RCA freezer door gasket is torn, cracked, or not sealing, causing warm spots and frost.
Door Gasket Failure
Symptom
RCA freezer door is hard to close or pops open after being shut.
Door Alignment and Seal Issue
Symptom
RCA freezer emits a high-pitched squealing or grinding noise from inside the cabinet.
Evaporator Fan Motor Failure
Symptom
RCA freezer exterior sides or top feel very hot to the touch.
High Cabinet Surface Temperature
Symptom
RCA freezer has a chemical, burning, or electrical smell during operation.
Overheating Electrical Component or Insulation
Symptom
RCA freezer has a strong musty or sour odor inside.
Odor Contamination / Mold Growth
Symptom
RCA freezer interior fan is not running; little or no air movement inside even though the compressor is on.
Evaporator Fan Not Running
Symptom
RCA freezer interior light does not work, but the unit cools normally.
Light Bulb or Light Circuit Failure
Symptom
RCA freezer interior light stays on even when the door is closed; cabinet may get warm near the light.
Door Switch or Light Circuit Failure
Symptom
RCA freezer is completely warm but the compressor is hot and humming or clicking every few minutes.
Compressor Not Starting / Locked Rotor
Symptom
RCA freezer is vibrating excessively or walking/moving on the floor during compressor operation.
Excessive Vibration / Unstable Installation
Symptom
RCA freezer makes a gurgling or hissing sound periodically.
Normal Refrigerant Flow Noise
Symptom
RCA freezer makes loud buzzing or rattling noises during operation.
Vibration or Mechanical Noise
Symptom
RCA freezer not cooling at all; interior is room temperature, compressor and fans are not running.
No Power or Control System Failure
Symptom
RCA freezer runs but does not get cold enough; temperature stays above 15°F (-9°C).
Poor Cooling / Partial Loss of Refrigeration
Symptom
RCA freezer runs constantly and is too cold; ice crystals on food and very hard ice cream.
Thermostat or Temperature Control Failure (Mechanical Models)
Symptom
RCA freezer temperature display does not match actual temperature measured with a thermometer.
Temperature Calibration / Sensor Drift
Symptom
RCA freezer trips the household circuit breaker or GFCI outlet when it starts.
Electrical Short or Ground Fault
Symptom
RCA freezer with mechanical dial will not turn on; turning the dial has no effect and there is no click.
Mechanical Temperature Control Failure
Symptom
RCA freezer's condenser fan (rear bottom) is not running while the compressor is hot.
Condenser Fan Motor Failure
Symptom
Thick frost buildup on the evaporator coil behind the rear interior panel; airflow is weak and cooling is poor.
Defrost System Failure
Symptom
Water or ice buildup on the bottom inside of the RCA upright freezer compartment.
Internal Water Accumulation / Frozen Drain
Symptom
Water pooling on the floor under or around the RCA freezer.
External Water Leak / Drainage Issue
| Error Code | Symptom | Fault Type | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL |
RCA freezer beeps and shows AL or an alarm icon; temperature may be high or door may have been left open.
|
General Alarm Condition (Door or Temperature) | View Details |
| dF |
RCA freezer display shows dF or "DEF" periodically; compressor may be off while fans run intermittently.
|
Defrost Mode Indication (Normal or Extended Defrost) | View Details |
| E1 |
Digital RCA upright freezer beeps and displays E1; temperature may not match setpoint.
|
Cabinet Temperature Sensor (Thermistor) Fault | View Details |
| E2 |
RCA freezer display shows E2 and may not defrost properly; frost buildup on evaporator cover.
|
Evaporator Temperature Sensor Fault | View Details |
| E3 |
RCA freezer shows E3 and may run continuously or not maintain set temperature.
|
Ambient (Room) Temperature Sensor Fault | View Details |
| E4 |
RCA freezer displays E4 and may show heavy frost on the evaporator or warm cabinet temperature.
|
Defrost System Failure (Defrost Sensor/Heater Circuit Error) | View Details |
| E5 |
RCA freezer shows E5; compressor may not start or may short-cycle.
|
Compressor Start/Overload Protection Fault | View Details |
| E6 |
RCA freezer displays E6; interior lights and fans may work but compressor does not run.
|
Main Control Board Communication or Relay Fault | View Details |
| E7 |
RCA freezer shows E7; display may be blank or flickering, buttons unresponsive.
|
User Interface / Display Panel Communication Fault | View Details |
| H1 |
RCA freezer display shows H1 or "HI" and may beep; interior temperature is too warm.
|
High Temperature Alarm Condition | View Details |
| L1 |
RCA freezer display shows L1 or "LO"; interior may be extremely cold and some items may have freezer burn.
|
Low Temperature Alarm / Overcooling Condition | View Details |
| – |
Frost or ice buildup on the interior walls and ceiling of the RCA freezer.
|
Excessive Frost Accumulation | View Details |
| – |
RCA chest freezer has condensation or frost around the lid gasket area.
|
Lid Seal and Insulation Issue | View Details |
| – |
RCA chest freezer lid will not stay open or slams shut unexpectedly.
|
Lid Hinge or Support Failure | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer cycles on and off frequently (short cycling), with the compressor starting every few minutes.
|
Short Cycling / Control Instability | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer does not restart after a power outage, even though the outlet has power.
|
Post-Outage Non-Start / Control Lockup | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer door gasket is torn, cracked, or not sealing, causing warm spots and frost.
|
Door Gasket Failure | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer door is hard to close or pops open after being shut.
|
Door Alignment and Seal Issue | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer emits a high-pitched squealing or grinding noise from inside the cabinet.
|
Evaporator Fan Motor Failure | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer exterior sides or top feel very hot to the touch.
|
High Cabinet Surface Temperature | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer has a chemical, burning, or electrical smell during operation.
|
Overheating Electrical Component or Insulation | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer has a strong musty or sour odor inside.
|
Odor Contamination / Mold Growth | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer interior fan is not running; little or no air movement inside even though the compressor is on.
|
Evaporator Fan Not Running | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer interior light does not work, but the unit cools normally.
|
Light Bulb or Light Circuit Failure | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer interior light stays on even when the door is closed; cabinet may get warm near the light.
|
Door Switch or Light Circuit Failure | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer is completely warm but the compressor is hot and humming or clicking every few minutes.
|
Compressor Not Starting / Locked Rotor | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer is vibrating excessively or walking/moving on the floor during compressor operation.
|
Excessive Vibration / Unstable Installation | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer makes a gurgling or hissing sound periodically.
|
Normal Refrigerant Flow Noise | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer makes loud buzzing or rattling noises during operation.
|
Vibration or Mechanical Noise | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer not cooling at all; interior is room temperature, compressor and fans are not running.
|
No Power or Control System Failure | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer runs but does not get cold enough; temperature stays above 15°F (-9°C).
|
Poor Cooling / Partial Loss of Refrigeration | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer runs constantly and is too cold; ice crystals on food and very hard ice cream.
|
Thermostat or Temperature Control Failure (Mechanical Models) | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer temperature display does not match actual temperature measured with a thermometer.
|
Temperature Calibration / Sensor Drift | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer trips the household circuit breaker or GFCI outlet when it starts.
|
Electrical Short or Ground Fault | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer with mechanical dial will not turn on; turning the dial has no effect and there is no click.
|
Mechanical Temperature Control Failure | View Details |
| – |
RCA freezer's condenser fan (rear bottom) is not running while the compressor is hot.
|
Condenser Fan Motor Failure | View Details |
| – |
Thick frost buildup on the evaporator coil behind the rear interior panel; airflow is weak and cooling is poor.
|
Defrost System Failure | View Details |
| – |
Water or ice buildup on the bottom inside of the RCA upright freezer compartment.
|
Internal Water Accumulation / Frozen Drain | View Details |
| – |
Water pooling on the floor under or around the RCA freezer.
|
External Water Leak / Drainage Issue | View Details |
No matching codes found
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