Samsung Refrigerator 40E Error: Ice Maker Sensor Fix

Quick Answer

Samsung 40E is specific to French door and 4-door Flex models with automatic ice makers - it does not appear on Samsung top-freezer or basic side-by-side models. On Samsung 4-door Flex models (RF23, RF28M series), 40E in the 40x range specifically points to the flex zone or ice maker compartment sensor, distinguishing it from freezer or fridge sensor codes in the 20s range.

When I see a 40E on a Samsung French door model, it usually means the ice maker's gone on strike because it can't tell how cold the tray is. You'll still have a cold fridge and frozen food, but ice production stops dead. Most of the time, moisture gets into the sensor connector or the thermistor just wears out. It's a really common headache on the RF23 and RF28 series that usually needs a quick sensor swap.

SamsungRefrigeratorSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate75% DIY Success

Time to Fix

30–75 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

$10 – $160

Tools Needed

Multimeter (ohm mode), Phillips screwdriver

What Does the 40E Code Mean?

Samsung uses a dedicated thermistor just for the ice maker, separate from the main freezer sensors. If this thing sends a reading that doesn't make sense, the control board locks out the ice cycle to prevent a flood. I often find that a massive ice buildup in the compartment has physically yanked the wires or corroded the plug, and that's exactly what leads to this specific fault.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Ice maker temperature sensor internal failure40%

Ice maker sensor connector loose or corroded from moisture24%

Ice maker assembly failure requiring full assembly replacement22%

Ice room freeze-over damaging sensor wiring (often follows 33E pattern)14%

Symptoms You May Notice

The panel shows 40E and your ice bin is bone dry even though the fridge has been running for days.
You can hear the ice maker motor trying to cycle but it never actually drops any cubes into the bin.
The tray fills with water and then just... sits there, never freezing or ejecting, ice maker just hangs mid-cycle.
Sometimes 40E shows up right alongside a 33E code, which tells you the whole ice room has basically frozen solid.
The auger or ice maker arms are frozen in place and won't budge when you try to turn them by hand.

Can you reset a Samsung refrigerator to clear the 40E code?

You can sometimes clear the code by holding the Energy Saver and Fridge buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds. But if the sensor's truly shot, it'll come back within minutes. If you just swapped the part, unplug the unit for a full five minutes so the main board clears its memory and recognizes the new resistance values from the fresh sensor. Don't skip that wait time.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Multimeter (ohm mode)Phillips screwdriverNut driver (1/4")FlashlightHair dryer (if ice room needs thawing)

Service / Diagnostic Mode

Hold the upper-left and upper-right panel buttons simultaneously for 8 seconds until the display beeps and starts cycling through error codes.

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range5000–50000 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Samsung Ice Maker Temperature SensorDA32-00006W · $10–$25	DA32-00006W	$10 – $25
Samsung Ice Maker AssemblyDA97-15217D · $80–$160	DA97-15217D	$80 – $160

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Samsung 40E and 40C?

Think of 40E as the sensor that's actually touching the ice tray itself, while 40C is usually the sensor measuring the air temperature inside the ice room. Both will stop ice production, but 40E is way more common because that tray sensor gets exposed to more temperature swings every single cycle. On the 4-door Flex models, these codes can sometimes overlap with the Flex Zone evaporator sensor, so always pull up your specific wiring diagram before you order parts. Don't just guess.

Will Samsung 40E prevent the entire refrigerator from working?

Your milk and frozen pizza are safe. The 40E code is isolated to the ice making system, so the fridge and freezer keep doing their thing. But if the code was caused by a massive ice buildup in the back wall, you might eventually see cooling issues in the fridge section too. The ice can grow big enough to block the air vents that feed the whole unit. Don't let it sit for weeks and weeks, basically.

Do I need to replace the full ice maker assembly for Samsung 40E?

I always try to replace just the sensor first if the harness lets me, because it saves you about a hundred bucks. But if the plastic housing of the ice maker is cracked or the heater loop looks corroded, just bite the bullet and replace the whole assembly. Samsung updated a lot of these assemblies to handle moisture better, so a new unit often outlasts the original. Part number DA97-07365G covers a bunch of the RF23 and RF28 models, but double-check your model tag before you order.

How much does it cost to fix Samsung 40E?

Just the sensor by itself runs about $15-30 depending on where you order it. If you need the whole ice maker assembly, budget $80-150 for the part. Add labor if you're calling a tech and you're probably looking at $150-250 total for a shop visit. Honestly though, this is one of the more DIY-friendly Samsung repairs. If you can use a screwdriver and read a multimeter, you can knock this out yourself in about an hour. The hardest part is usually just getting the ice maker slid out.

Can I still use my Samsung refrigerator while the 40E code is active?

Absolutely, yeah. The fridge and freezer sections keep running normally and your food's fine. The only thing that stops working is the automatic ice maker. So you might need to dig the old ice cube trays out of storage for a few days while you wait for the part. Just don't ignore it for months, because if there's an underlying freeze-over situation causing the 40E, that ice can eventually grow big enough to block airflow to the whole unit and then you've got a much bigger problem on your hands.

Related Samsung Refrigerator Error Codes

Code: HUBSamsung Refrigerator Error Codes: 39C, 33E, 40E and More Code: 33ESamsung Refrigerator 33E: Ice Maker Fan Motor Fault Code: 40CSamsung Refrigerator 40C: Ice Maker Room Temp Sensor Code: 39CSamsung Refrigerator 39C: Freezer Defrost Sensor Fault

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Samsung shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Samsung washerSamsung Washer 3C2 Error Code: Motor Stall Samsung washerSamsung Washer 3E Error Code: Motor Fault Samsung washerSamsung Washer 4E Error Code: Water Supply Fault (Top Load)Samsung washerSamsung Washer 5C Error Code: Drain Error (Older Display)Samsung washerSamsung Washer 8C Error Code: Vibration Sensor Fault Samsung washerSamsung Washer 8E Error Code: Motor Frequency Sensor Fault

Models Known to Experience 40E Errors

This repair applies to most Samsung refrigerators with this error code. Common model numbers include:

RF28R7351SR, RF23M8070SR, RF28K9070SR, RF28HMEDBSR, RF32FMQDBSR, RF23R6201SR, RF28T5001SR, RF29BB8200QL

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026