What E02 actually means
The fridge freezer has lost a reliable reading from the freezer temperature sensors, so it has flagged a fault rather than carry on guessing.
On electriQ side-by-side no-frost models, this code points to a problem with the freezer sensor and the evaporator sensor — the two probes the control board uses to decide when to cool and when to run a defrost. With no trustworthy reading, the board can't manage the freezer properly, so it warns you. In practice the compartment may run too warm, too cold, or ice up on the back wall while the display shows the fault.
What usually causes it
- A failed freezer temperature sensor (the most common single cause)
- A failed evaporator (defrost) sensor behind the rear panel
- A damaged or disconnected sensor wire or plug at the control board
- Moisture or ice ingress around a sensor connection
- Control board fault misreading a healthy sensor
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.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then restore power — occasional false readings clear on a restart.
- Check both doors are closing and sealing properly, as warm damp air pulls ice around the internal parts.
- Make sure vents inside the freezer aren't blocked by packed-in food or bags.
- Note whether the freezer is actually still holding temperature, and move anything at risk to another freezer if it isn't.
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
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.