Blomberg E18 fridge freezer: what it means & what to check

What E18 actually means

The fan that circulates cold air through the BioFresh compartment isn't running as the control board expects, so the fridge has flagged it.

Blomberg's control board watches each fan and expects to see it turning at the right speed when it calls for it. On this code it isn't getting that confirmation from the BioFresh compartment fan, so it logs the fault and shows E18 rather than carrying on as though the air were moving. The compressor and the rest of the appliance normally keep running, but without airflow the BioFresh drawer can drift warmer than the display suggests, and you may notice frost building unevenly or salad and meat spoiling faster than usual.

What E18 looks like on a Blomberg fridge freezer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Blomberg fridge freezer, E18 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Fridge freezer door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Fridge freezer not draining
Water left in the machine at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

The BioFresh fan motor has failed or seized
Ice or frost build-up jamming the fan blade
Air vents in the compartment blocked by packed-in food or packaging
A loose or damaged wiring connection to the fan
Control board not reading the fan's speed signal correctly

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Take the BioFresh drawer out and check nothing is pressed against the air vents at the back — packaging, a bag or a stray item is enough to stall airflow
Look for a build-up of ice around the vent area; if there is a lot, empty the appliance and let it defrost fully with the door open, then restart it
Make sure the drawer is seated properly and the door is closing on its seal
Switch off at the wall for a minute and back on — if the fan is turning, the code clears; if it returns, the fault is real
Put a fridge thermometer in the BioFresh drawer for a few hours so you know whether food is actually at risk

Which Blomberg models show E18

E18 means the same thing on this model. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

7287745715

Common questions about Blomberg E18

What does E18 mean on a Blomberg fridge freezer?

The fan that circulates cold air through the BioFresh compartment isn't running as the control board expects, so the fridge has flagged it. Blomberg's control board watches each fan and expects to see it turning at the right speed when it calls for it. On this code it isn't getting that confirmation from the BioFresh compartment fan, so it logs the fault and shows E18 rather than carrying on as though the air were moving. The compressor and the rest of the appliance normally keep running, but without airflow the BioFresh drawer can drift warmer than the display suggests, and you may notice frost building unevenly or salad and meat spoiling faster than usual.

Can I fix Blomberg E18 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Take the BioFresh drawer out and check nothing is pressed against the air vents at the back — packaging, a bag or a stray item is enough to stall airflow.
Look for a build-up of ice around the vent area; if there is a lot, empty the appliance and let it defrost fully with the door open, then restart it.
Make sure the drawer is seated properly and the door is closing on its seal.
Switch off at the wall for a minute and back on — if the fan is turning, the code clears; if it returns, the fault is real.
Put a fridge thermometer in the BioFresh drawer for a few hours so you know whether food is actually at risk.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Blomberg E18?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing E18?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most fridge freezer faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Blomberg fridge freezer codes

All Blomberg fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Blomberg E18 error — fridge freezer