Grundig E01 fridge freezer: what it means & what to check

What E01 actually means

The control board expects a steady temperature signal from the freezer evaporator sensor. When that signal goes open circuit, short circuit or reads nonsense, E01 is shown and the appliance drops into a timed emergency routine — the manuals describe the compressor and fan running for 20 minutes then stopping for 40 — instead of running to actual measured temperatures. It keeps things cold after a fashion, but because defrosts are no longer triggered properly, frost builds up on the coil and the freezer gradually loses performance.

What E01 looks like on a Grundig fridge freezer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Grundig fridge freezer, E01 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
Not cooling
Freezer not freezing
Ice building up at the back

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

A loose or corroded plug on the sensor lead where it meets the control board
The evaporator sensor itself has failed or drifted out of range
Moisture getting into the sensor or its connector, common where heavy frost has been melting
Damaged or chafed sensor wiring in the run up the back of the cabinet
Less often, a fault in the control board that reads the 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.

Turn the appliance off at the socket for a minute or so and switch it back on — the manuals note the fault is cleared and forgotten after a power interruption if the underlying problem has gone, so if the code returns it is a genuine sensor fault
Check the freezer door is closing and sealing fully, and that no drawer or packet is holding it ajar — a door left open makes heavy frosting worse while the defrost system is not working
Have a look at the back wall inside the freezer for a visible slab of ice; if there is one, mention it when you book the repair as it tells the engineer how long the defrost has been out of action

Which Grundig models show E01

E01 means the same thing on all 5 of these models. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

7278346313 · 7278449515 · 7280046313 · 7280046383 · 7287546382

Common questions about Grundig E01

What does E01 mean on a Grundig fridge freezer?

The fridge freezer has lost a sensible reading from the sensor that watches the freezer's evaporator — the cold-producing coil hidden behind the back wall of the freezer — so it can no longer tell when that coil needs defrosting. The control board expects a steady temperature signal from the freezer evaporator sensor. When that signal goes open circuit, short circuit or reads nonsense, E01 is shown and the appliance drops into a timed emergency routine — the manuals describe the compressor and fan running for 20 minutes then stopping for 40 — instead of running to actual measured temperatures. It keeps things cold after a fashion, but because defrosts are no longer triggered properly, frost builds up on the coil and the freezer gradually loses performance.

Can I fix Grundig E01 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the appliance off at the socket for a minute or so and switch it back on — the manuals note the fault is cleared and forgotten after a power interruption if the underlying problem has gone, so if the code returns it is a genuine sensor fault.
Check the freezer door is closing and sealing fully, and that no drawer or packet is holding it ajar — a door left open makes heavy frosting worse while the defrost system is not working.
Have a look at the back wall inside the freezer for a visible slab of ice; if there is one, mention it when you book the repair as it tells the engineer how long the defrost has been out of action.

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

How much does it cost to repair Grundig E01?

£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 E01?

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 Grundig fridge freezer codes

All Grundig 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.

Grundig E01 error — fridge freezer