Written by
Elena Marsh Appliance Care EditorPublished October 29, 2026
VERIFIED
Error codeF dH
ApplianceRefrigerator
During a defrost cycle, the sensor on a Kenmore or Kenmore Elite 795 bottom-freezer refrigerator should climb past 40 F. F dH is the message when it does not.
Faults and parts the manual names
Possible faults: a bad fuse, heater or control board.
Parts: the controller assembly, the defrost heater, and the relay on the control board.
Who does the work
All of these belong to the defrost system, and the manual offers no owner steps, so a technician takes it from here.
Other defrost codes
F dS is the freezer defrost sensor error. FD Lo/Hi reports a freezer defrost sensor failure, and F3 a freezer defrost heater failure.
Kenmore defrost repair in San Francisco
Defrost trouble on a Kenmore refrigerator in San Francisco or the Bay Area is covered by Kenmore refrigerator repair. Call (415) 825-6393 and say that the display reads F dH, then add the model number and what you have tried.
Model compatibility: Kenmore reuses codes across series and model years, so F dH may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
F dH means the defrost sensor did not rise above 40 F during defrost.
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Seeing this code on your Kenmore appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
You submit a request with your appliance model and symptom, we confirm an appointment window, and a technician performs an on-site diagnosis. You then receive a clear estimate and decide whether to proceed before any repair begins.
Yes. We provide an upfront estimate after diagnosis. No parts are ordered or installed until you approve the work, so there are no surprise charges.
Replacement parts are selected for the exact model and confirmed with you before ordering or installation.
Service areas are listed on the Locations page. Contact us with your ZIP code to confirm current coverage for your address.
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