E4
Vestfrost Defrost Heater Circuit Failure

Error E4 displayed; refrigerator may stop cooling periodically or show heavy ice on evaporator.

Advertisements

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.

Advertisements

Possible Causes

Open defrost heater element, Burnt heater wiring, Faulty defrost relay on main PCB, Overheated or loose heater connectors

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety warning: Unplug the refrigerator before any disassembly. The defrost heater operates at mains voltage.

Steps to diagnose and fix E4 (defrost heater):

  • Access the evaporator: Remove freezer drawers and the rear inner panel. Melt any ice buildup with warm air (hair dryer on low, kept at a safe distance) and towels. Do not chip ice with sharp tools.
  • Locate the defrost heater: The heater is usually a metal or glass-encased element mounted at the base or around the evaporator coil.
  • Visual inspection: Look for burn marks, broken heater tubes, or melted connectors. Check wiring for signs of overheating.
  • Test heater resistance: Disconnect the heater from its wiring. Measure resistance with a multimeter; typical values are between 50–300 Ω depending on model. An open circuit indicates a failed heater.
  • Check wiring and connectors: Verify continuity from the heater connectors back to the main PCB. Repair any burnt or loose terminals.
  • Replace the defrost heater: If faulty, install a new Vestfrost-compatible defrost heater assembly. Ensure it is properly clipped or screwed into place and not touching plastic parts.
  • Control board check: If the heater and wiring are good, the defrost relay or triac on the main PCB may be defective. This requires board-level diagnosis or replacement by a technician.

After repair: Reassemble the evaporator cover, restore power, and allow 24 hours for normal frost pattern and temperatures to stabilize.

Advertisements

Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Defrost Heater
Check Price on Amazon

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Advertisements