22E means the fridge compartment fan is not running — most often because ice has jammed the blade or a door has been left open too long. 5E (also shown as SE) points to a defrost sensor fault, typically in the fresh-food section, and the two codes often appear together because a failed defrost cycle is what causes the ice that then jams the fan.
What 22E and 5E mean
22E is a fresh-food fan error — the control board is not seeing the fan run as expected. 5E is a defrost sensor (thermistor) fault, most often in the fresh-food compartment, that prevents ice from being cleared properly. Because a stuck defrost sensor lets frost build up around the fan, the two faults frequently show up together.
Common causes
| Cause | How likely | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Ice buildup jamming the fan blade | Very common | Frost visible around the fan housing behind the back panel |
| Door left ajar or a worn door gasket | Common | Door switch reports the door open, shutting the fan down |
| Fan motor failed | Common | No fan noise even with a clear, ice-free housing |
| Obstructed fan from food containers or plastic wrap | Common | Item pushed against the back panel |
| Failed defrost sensor (5E) | Common | Ice accumulation even though the compressor is running normally |
How to fix it
- Power reset first
Unplug the refrigerator for a few hours with the doors open, then plug it back in. Samsung’s own guidance for both codes starts here, and it clears a temporary fault outright in some cases.
- Check the door seals
Run a hand around the gaskets on both doors for tears, dirt or a section that has come out of its channel. A door that is not sealing fully will trip the fan shutdown repeatedly.
- Clear any obstruction
Move food containers and plastic wrap away from the back wall and vents where the internal fan sits.
- Check for ice buildup
If accessible, look behind the back panel in the freezer for ice built up around the evaporator fan. A thick block of ice points to a defrost cycle that has not been completing properly.
- Give it time after a reset
After a reset, monitor for about ten minutes. If the code does not reappear, it was a temporary fault.
When to call a professional
If the error reappears after a reset with clear door seals and no obstruction, have a technician inspect the evaporator fan motor and, for 5E, test the defrost sensor’s resistance against Samsung’s specification — a reading well outside range means the sensor needs replacing.
Stop and call a qualified appliance technician or electrician if you find scorched or melted wiring, smell burning, see water that has reached electrical components, or if the fault returns immediately after a repair. Never bypass a safety device — thermal fuses, door interlocks and flood switches fail for a reason, and defeating one converts a broken appliance into a fire or flood risk.
