What E04 actually means
The automatic defrost heater isn't clearing the frost off the freezer's evaporator in the time it should, so the control board has flagged it as a heater fault.
A frost-free fridge freezer periodically warms a heater against the hidden evaporator coil to melt off any frost that has built up. The control monitors how long that takes, and if the defrost cycle runs for a full 60 minutes without the coil reaching the temperature that ends it, several times in a row, it logs E04 and shows it on the freezer display alternating with the set temperature, usually with the warning symbol lit. Cooling is not shut down — the compressor and fans carry on and the control will still attempt the next defrost when it is due — so the freezer keeps working for a while, but frost will gradually choke the coil and cooling performance falls away.
What E04 looks like on a Leisure fridge freezer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Leisure fridge freezer, E04 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 heating the water
- Washing coming out cold
- Cycle takes far longer than it should
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
- Failed defrost heater element on the evaporator
- Faulty defrost sensor or thermal cut-out ending the cycle wrongly
- Break in the wiring or connector feeding the heater
- Control board not switching the heater on
- Heavy ice build-up around the coil from a door left ajar or a worn seal, so a normal defrost can't finish in time
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 and back on — if the fault was a one-off reading it may clear
- Check both doors are closing and sealing properly, and that nothing inside is holding a door or drawer slightly open
- Make sure food and packaging aren't blocking the air vents inside the freezer compartment
- Look for obvious frost building up on the back wall of the freezer — if it's getting worse, mention that when you book the repair
Which Leisure models show E04
E04 means the same thing on all 2 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.
7222548085 · 7231248019
Common questions about Leisure E04
What does E04 mean on a Leisure fridge freezer?
The automatic defrost heater isn't clearing the frost off the freezer's evaporator in the time it should, so the control board has flagged it as a heater fault. A frost-free fridge freezer periodically warms a heater against the hidden evaporator coil to melt off any frost that has built up. The control monitors how long that takes, and if the defrost cycle runs for a full 60 minutes without the coil reaching the temperature that ends it, several times in a row, it logs E04 and shows it on the freezer display alternating with the set temperature, usually with the warning symbol lit. Cooling is not shut down — the compressor and fans carry on and the control will still attempt the next defrost when it is due — so the freezer keeps working for a while, but frost will gradually choke the coil and cooling performance falls away.
Can I fix Leisure E04 myself?
There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the appliance off at the socket for a minute and back on — if the fault was a one-off reading it may clear.
- Check both doors are closing and sealing properly, and that nothing inside is holding a door or drawer slightly open.
- Make sure food and packaging aren't blocking the air vents inside the freezer compartment.
- Look for obvious frost building up on the back wall of the freezer — if it's getting worse, mention that when you book the repair.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair Leisure E04?
£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 E04?
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 Leisure fridge freezer codes
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