Display shows E7 and the ambient temperature reading is incorrect or the unit behaves oddly in normal room conditions.

Safety first: Unplug the refrigerator before accessing external sensor wiring.

Locate the ambient sensor: On many Hotpoint models, the ambient thermistor is located behind the front grille, near the condenser, or in the control housing.

• Inspect the sensor body and wiring for damage.
• Ensure it is not touching hot components like the compressor or condenser coil.
• Disconnect and measure resistance at room temperature; compare to spec.

Corrective action: Replace the ambient thermistor if readings are out of range or wiring is damaged. If the sensor is good but E7 remains, the main control board may be defective.