Error 15E indicates the refrigerator can’t read the ice room (ice compartment) sensor correctly. That sensor reports compartment temperature to the control so the system can time ice production, manage fan operation, and prevent freeze-ups. When the reading drops out or looks implausible, the control posts 15E and may pause ice making to protect the unit.
What the Ice Room Sensor Does
The sensor (a thermistor) sits near the ice maker housing or in the dedicated ice compartment airflow path. As the compartment warms or cools, the sensor’s resistance changes. The main control expects values in a normal range; broken wiring, a loose connector, or a failed thermistor produces “open” or unstable readings, which the control flags as 15E.
Typical Symptoms You’ll Notice
Ice production slows or stops, the bin stays low, or cubes form inconsistently. You may hear the ice room fan start and stop more often than usual, or notice the compartment feels warmer/colder than expected. Sometimes 15E appears after a door was left ajar, heavy frost formed, or a recent service disturbed harness routing.
Common Root Causes (Explained)
Most 15E cases come from loose or oxidized sensor connectors or a damaged wire harness that flexes with door movement. A failed thermistor is the next most common cause. Less often, significant frost buildup insulates the sensor or blocks airflow, and in rare cases the main control’s input for that sensor misreads even a good signal.
Safety and Preparation
Unplug the refrigerator or switch off its dedicated breaker before you touch wiring or panels. Note the full model number, because sensor style and location vary.
Locating and Inspecting the Sensor
Open the fresh food section that feeds the ice room (or the door compartment, model-dependent) and locate the ice maker housing and its cover. The ice room sensor usually mounts on or near that housing or along the duct feeding cold air into the compartment. With power off, check the sensor’s connector for a solid latch and clean, untarnished pins. Follow the harness from the sensor into the cabinet; look for pinched insulation, rubbed spots at pass-throughs, or strain where the harness bends with door motion. Reseat each connector firmly until it clicks.
Frost, Moisture, and Airflow Checks
If you see frost around the ice room, let the compartment fully defrost (doors open, towels down, power off) so ice doesn’t insulate the sensor. Confirm the ice room fan path is clear and the damper (if equipped) moves freely. Residual moisture on the sensor or its connector can skew readings—dry everything before re-testing.
Sensor Testing and Decision Path
After a visual inspection and reseating, restore power and see if 15E clears at startup. If the code returns, unplug again and test the sensor with a multimeter if you’re comfortable: a healthy thermistor shows a finite, stable resistance at room temperature and changes smoothly when gently cooled or warmed. An open (OL) or erratic value points to a bad sensor or a broken lead near the pigtail. If the sensor measures correctly, check continuity from the sensor connector back to the main control; a break in the harness can mimic a bad sensor. Only consider the control board if you’ve confirmed a good sensor and an intact harness yet 15E persists.
Reassembly and Functional Verification
After repairs or reseating, power up the refrigerator and allow the ice room to stabilize. Verify that the compartment fan runs normally, the sensor no longer throws 15E, and the ice maker initiates a harvest/fill within its usual time window. Over the next several hours, confirm that cubes form at a normal cadence and the bin level rises.
Practical Prevention
Keep gaskets clean so doors seal and the ice room doesn’t over-frost, avoid packing items against the ice duct, and route shelves so airflow can reach the ice compartment. When moving the unit or cleaning behind trim, support and protect any exposed harness sections to prevent pinching. Periodically check the ice room for early frost and clear it before buildup stresses the sensor again.
15E = unreliable ice room temperature feedback. Most fixes come from reseating or repairing the sensor wiring or replacing a failed thermistor. Clear any frost, verify airflow, confirm the harness is sound, and the refrigerator should resume normal ice production without recurring errors.