Error 23E points to a fault with the condenser fan motor, the fan that moves air across the condenser coils to shed heat. If the fan slows, stops, or loses connection to the control, the sealed system runs hotter than designed, cooling efficiency drops, and the compressor can overwork.
Why the Condenser Fan Matters
Your refrigerator keeps cold by pumping heat out of the cabinets and into the condenser. The fan pulls room air through the coil fins and expels warmed air away from the machine. Without steady airflow, head pressure rises, cycle times lengthen, temperatures drift, and components face unnecessary thermal stress.
Typical Symptoms You’ll Notice
You may see longer run times, a cabinet that struggles to reach set temperature, or intermittent warm spikes after door openings. The compressor may sound louder or cycle strangely. Standing near the machine’s rear or kick plate, you may not hear the familiar condenser-fan “whoosh” when the compressor runs, or you might hear the fan start and stop erratically.
First, Make It Safe and Accessible
Unplug the refrigerator or switch off the dedicated circuit before touching panels or connectors. Pull the unit forward carefully to create working space and protect the floor. Locate the condenser section—on many models it sits behind a rear service panel near the compressor, while others place it behind a lower front grille.
Visual Inspection and Air Path Cleanup
Remove accumulated dust from the grille, condenser fins, and fan area with a vacuum and a soft brush. Look for plastic wrap, pet hair, or debris wrapped around the fan hub or trapped between blades and shroud. Check that the fan spins freely by hand; it should turn smoothly without scraping or wobble. If the blades are nicked, bent, or rubbing the shroud, correct the interference or plan on replacing the assembly.
Listening and Operational Check
Restore power briefly and observe a cooling cycle. When the compressor starts, the condenser fan should run with it. If the compressor hums while the fan sits still or stutters, the control will flag 23E and reduce cooling to protect the system. If the fan runs but ramps down or cuts out after a minute, internal motor wear or thermal protection may be tripping.
Electrical Connections and Harness Condition
Disconnect power again and inspect the fan’s connector and wiring back to the main harness. Reseat the plug until its latch clicks and look for heat discoloration, loose pins, or nicks in the insulation where the harness routes past metal edges. A partially seated plug can mimic a failed motor by dropping the tach or power signal under vibration.
Distinguishing Motor Failure from Control or Obstruction
If the fan spins freely by hand, the air path is clean, and the harness is solid, yet the fan fails to run with the compressor, the motor itself is the most likely culprit. A seized bearing, a weak internal driver, or a blown winding will produce a silent or intermittent fan and trigger 23E. Control-board faults are far less common than motor failures; only consider the control after you’ve verified a known-good fan and wiring.
Replacing the Condenser Fan Motor
Match the replacement to the full model number and revision so the mounting pattern, blade pitch, and connector all fit. Transfer any rubber grommets or stand-offs from the old assembly to prevent vibration. Seat the fan so the blade clears the shroud evenly, secure the wiring away from rotating parts, and reinstall the service panel or grille before testing.
Post-Repair Verification
Power the unit and allow a cooling call. Confirm that the compressor and condenser fan start together, that airflow feels steady at the grille, and that no rubbing or abnormal noise occurs. Monitor temperatures over the next few hours; the fresh-food and freezer sections should stabilize at their setpoints without extended run times or new alerts.
Preventing a Repeat of 23E
Vacuum the grille and condenser area a few times per year, more often in homes with pets or construction dust. Keep clearance around the refrigerator so exhaust air can escape freely, and avoid pushing the cabinet so far back that the grille or rear panel presses against the wall. Clean airflow and proper spacing keep head pressure in check, extend compressor life, and help the control avoid another 23E.