Wine cooler displays EC50 and may not defrost properly; frost buildup on evaporator and poor cooling performance.

Safety first: Disconnect power at the breaker or unplug the unit before accessing internal components. Surfaces around the evaporator can be sharp.

Step 1 – Visual inspection for frost

• Open the compartment and remove product and shelves.
• Remove the rear interior panel to expose the evaporator coil.
• If the evaporator is encased in solid ice, the defrost system is likely not working.

Step 2 – Manual defrost

• Leave the unit powered OFF with doors open for 24 hours to fully melt ice. Place towels to catch water.
• Do not use sharp tools to chip ice; this can puncture refrigerant lines.

Step 3 – Check defrost heater and thermostat (advanced users)

• With power still OFF, locate the defrost heater at the base or around the evaporator coil.
• Inspect for visible breaks, burn marks, or disconnected wires.
• Locate the defrost thermostat/bi-metal clipped to the evaporator tubing; check for cracked housing or loose mounting.
• Using a multimeter (if experienced), test continuity of the heater and thermostat (thermostat should be closed when cold).

Step 4 – Control board consideration

• If heater and thermostat test good and wiring is intact, the main control board may not be initiating defrost.
• Because board diagnosis requires live-voltage testing and reference to Sub‑Zero service data, this is best left to a professional.

Temporary workaround: You can periodically perform a full manual defrost to restore cooling temporarily, but this is not a permanent fix and EC50 will likely return.

When to call a technician: If EC50 reappears after a full manual defrost, or if you confirm an open heater/thermostat but are not comfortable replacing it, schedule service with a Sub‑Zero authorized technician.