Grundig E20 fridge freezer: what it means & what to check

What E20 actually means

The temperature sensor that monitors the BioFresh compartment has stopped giving a sensible reading, so the fridge can no longer control that drawer's temperature properly.

Grundig's control board watches a small air sensor (a thermistor) inside the BioFresh compartment and uses it to decide when to cool that section. E20 is logged when the reading from that sensor goes out of range \u2014 typically open circuit or short circuit \u2014 either because the sensor itself has failed or because its wiring or plug connection has gone bad. The rest of the appliance usually carries on cooling, but the BioFresh drawer is now running blind and can drift warm or too cold, so anything delicate stored in there is at risk.

What E20 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, E20 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
Not cooling
Freezer not freezing
Ice building up at the back
Food going off in the fridge
Running constantly and never getting cold

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 compartment air sensor itself has failed
A loose or corroded plug on the sensor lead, often after condensation or a defrost water problem
Chafed or broken sensor wiring where it runs into the cabinet
A control board fault misreading the sensor \u2014 less common, and worth ruling the sensor out first

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 the appliance off at the wall for a minute, then back on \u2014 some sensor faults are cleared once the reading returns to normal
Check the BioFresh drawer is not overpacked and that air can move freely around and behind it
Note the actual temperature in the BioFresh drawer with a fridge thermometer over a few hours so you know whether food in there is still safe
Move anything expensive or perishable out of the BioFresh drawer into the main fridge for now

Which Grundig models show E20

E20 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.

7278346313

Common questions about Grundig E20

What does E20 mean on a Grundig fridge freezer?

The temperature sensor that monitors the BioFresh compartment has stopped giving a sensible reading, so the fridge can no longer control that drawer's temperature properly. Grundig's control board watches a small air sensor (a thermistor) inside the BioFresh compartment and uses it to decide when to cool that section. E20 is logged when the reading from that sensor goes out of range \u2014 typically open circuit or short circuit \u2014 either because the sensor itself has failed or because its wiring or plug connection has gone bad. The rest of the appliance usually carries on cooling, but the BioFresh drawer is now running blind and can drift warm or too cold, so anything delicate stored in there is at risk.

Can I fix Grundig E20 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Switch the appliance off at the wall for a minute, then back on \u2014 some sensor faults are cleared once the reading returns to normal.
Check the BioFresh drawer is not overpacked and that air can move freely around and behind it.
Note the actual temperature in the BioFresh drawer with a fridge thermometer over a few hours so you know whether food in there is still safe.
Move anything expensive or perishable out of the BioFresh drawer into the main fridge for now.

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

How much does it cost to repair Grundig E20?

£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 E20?

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 E20 error — fridge freezer