Written by
Elena Marsh Appliance Care EditorPublished October 29, 2026
VERIFIED
Error coder dH
ApplianceRefrigerator
Owners of 795 bottom-freezer units sold as Kenmore or Kenmore Elite may meet r dH. The sensor behind it never climbed past 40 F, and the trouble sits within the defrost system.
Suspects in the manual
A faulty fuse.
The heater.
The control board.
Parts on the list
Three parts are named: the controller assembly, the defrost heater and a relay mounted on the board. Every one is internal, so pinning down which failed falls to a technician.
Safety first
Disconnect the cord before opening any panel.
Related codes
r dS is the defrost sensor message for the refrigerator section of the same 795 line.
When r dH returns on your Kenmore, a San Francisco technician can work through the defrost system with you. Tell us the code and the 795 model number, then reach Kenmore refrigerator repair or (415) 825-6393.
Model compatibility: Kenmore reuses codes across series and model years, so r 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
A sensor did not rise above 40 F in the defrost system.
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.
Ready to get your Kenmore appliance working again?
Book a repair online or call us — clear estimates and approval before any repair work begins.
