Kenmore Refrigerator Er dH — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as F dH, Er dH (defrost heater) on some models.
Er dH is the LG-built Kenmore 795/796 defrost-heater fault - the heating circuit that melts frost off the evaporator isn't working.
What this code means
On LG-built Kenmore 795/796 refrigerators, Er dH (sometimes shown as F dH in references) is the defrost heater circuit fault. When the defrost heater can't do its job, frost builds on the evaporator and the freezer warms up even though the compressor keeps running.
Verify against the model number printed inside the fresh-food section: this is the LG-built Kenmore 795/796 platform, and Er dH is that platform's defrost-heater fault per LG/Kenmore service-manual code references.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Open defrost heater element or coil burn-out | Common | No - heater elements are wired into the evaporator assembly. |
| Failed defrost thermostat or thermal fuse | Occasional | No - testing these parts takes a multimeter and panel removal. |
| Defrost timer or board relay not energizing the heater | Less common | No - board-level diagnosis belongs to a tech. |
What you can try yourself
- Unplug the refrigerator and look inside the freezer for heavy frost or ice on the back wall - the classic symptom of a dead defrost heater.
- If frost is severe, let the freezer fully thaw with the doors open and towels down before doing anything else.
- Plug the unit back in and confirm cooling returns; if Er dH reappears, the heater circuit needs a technician's multimeter check.
- Budget for a service visit rather than part-swapping - the heater, thermostat, and fuse are all suspects until tested.
Seeing the symptom rather than the code? Refrigerator not cooling: checks that apply across brands.
When to call a technician
- Stop if reaching the heater means removing the freezer interior panels - defrost wiring is high-current and should be handled by a pro.
- Stop if frost is inches thick: power down and thaw completely first; running the unit won't fix a heater that's open.
Typical professional repair cost: $150-$300
Frequently asked questions
Can I just run a manual defrost cycle to clear Er dH?
If the heater circuit is truly dead, forcing a defrost won't clear anything - the code tells you the heat isn't proving out.
Is Er dH related to Er dS?
They're siblings in the same system - dS watches the defrost sensor, dH watches the heater. A bad sensor can make the heater misbehave and vice versa.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Kenmore codes
- Kenmore Refrigerator Er FF Er FF is the LG-built Kenmore 795/796 family's way of saying the freezer fan has stalled, is blocked by ice, or its motor is failing.
- Kenmore Refrigerator Er rF Er rF says the fan in the fresh-food (refrigerator) section of an LG-built Kenmore isn't spinning as it should.
- Kenmore Refrigerator Er dS Er dS flags a problem in the defrost system's temperature sensing on LG-built Kenmore 795/796 refrigerators.
- Kenmore Refrigerator Er CF Er CF is the LG-built Kenmore 795/796 condenser fan fault - the fan that cools the compressor and coils has stopped.
More: all Kenmore refrigerator codes · all Kenmore codes · search by symptom