Danby ice maker will not make ice; display shows E1 shortly after power‑on.
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 ice maker before removing any panels. Do not work on the unit while it is connected to power.
Steps to check and address E1:
- Power reset: Unplug the Danby ice maker for 5 minutes, then plug it back in and see if E1 clears. If it returns, continue.
- Locate the ambient sensor: On most Danby countertop and freestanding ice makers, the ambient NTC sensor is clipped near the air intake or mounted on the side wall inside the cabinet, with two small wires leading to the control board.
- Inspect wiring: Remove the rear or side service panel. Trace the sensor wires from the cabinet to the main control PCB. Look for pinched, cut, or melted insulation and loose connectors. Reseat the plug on the control board.
- Check resistance: With the unit unplugged, disconnect the sensor from the board and measure resistance with a multimeter. A typical NTC will read between 5–50 kΩ at room temperature. If it reads open (OL) or near 0 Ω, the sensor is defective.
- Replace the sensor if faulty: Order a compatible Danby ambient temperature sensor/NTC for your exact model. Remove the old sensor clip or bracket, route the new sensor along the same path, and secure it away from moving parts and hot components. Plug it into the control board.
- Reassemble and test: Reinstall panels, plug the unit in, and run a full ice cycle to confirm the E1 code is cleared and ice production resumes.
When to call a technician: If the sensor tests good but E1 persists, the main control PCB may have a failed sensor input and should be diagnosed or replaced by a qualified technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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