Home › Bosch error codes › Error code E01

Bosch Refrigerator Error Code E01

Call a professionalReviewed November 2026Checked against manufacturer documentation
What this code means
E01: Refrigerator compartment temperature sensor defective

E01 means the temperature sensor in the refrigerator compartment has failed, so the fridge no longer knows how cold it is in there. Unplug the fridge for at least 5 minutes to reset it; if the code comes back, the sensor needs testing and replacing, which is a technician job.

Also shown as: E1

Fix level
Call a professional
The checks on this page are preliminary. The likely fix involves a part, wiring or the control board.
Time to run the checks
About 20–40 minutes
For the 4 checks on this page — not a full repair.
You may need
No special tools
The checks below use basic household items only.
Parts that may be involved
Refrigerator compartment temperature sensor, Sensor wire harness
Parts are model-specific; see the note below before ordering.

Common causes

  1. Temperature sensor (thermistor) in the refrigerator compartment has failed or drifted out of range
  2. Loose connection on the sensor's wire harness
  3. Damaged sensor wire harness

What to check, in order

Safety first. Switch the appliance off and unplug it before checking anything inside it. If you are not comfortable with any step, stop and call a technician.
  1. Switch the refrigerator off and unplug it (or switch off its breaker) for at least 5 minutes, then restore power. A one-off glitch clears and the code does not come back.
  2. Put a refrigerator thermometer in the fresh-food compartment and check after a few hours whether it is holding around 4 °C (39 °F) as it should.
  3. Check that the air vents inside the compartment are not blocked by food packaging and that both doors close and seal fully.
  4. If E01 returns, the sensor itself has to be tested and replaced, which means opening the compartment liner — book a technician and tell them the code.

Clear the code and test

  1. Fix what the checks above found first. Clearing the code without fixing the cause only brings it back.
  2. Plug the appliance back in and restore its water supply if it has one.
  3. Run the shortest programme and watch the point where the code appeared before.
  4. If the programme finishes with no code, the fault is cleared. If the code returns, write it down before calling a technician — it speeds up the diagnosis.

When to call a professional

This code usually points to a faulty part, wiring or the control board on a Bosch refrigerator. Run the checks above to rule out the simple causes, then book a technician — and book one straight away if any of these apply:

  • The code comes back after you have run the checks and a test cycle.
  • You smell burning, see sparks or scorch marks, or the breaker trips.
  • Water is leaking and you cannot stop it at the tap.
  • The fix needs panels opened beyond what your manual describes, or a part tested with a meter, and you are not set up for that.

When you call, give the brand, the code E01, your model number (on a label inside the door or on the back) and the checks you already ran. It shortens the visit.

Repair or replace?

This fault is in professional territory: the fix usually means a major part or board-level work, and the labour adds up. If your machine is already well into its service life, get the repair quote first, then compare it with the price of a current equivalent model before you decide. Paying a large share of a new machine's price to repair an old one is rarely the better deal; replacing a machine over one cheap fault is wasteful too.

Parts that may be involved

Refrigerator compartment temperature sensorSensor wire harness

Parts are model-specific. Find your model number first — usually on a label inside the door, on the door frame or on the back — and match the part to that number before ordering.

Questions people ask about E01

What does E01 mean on a Bosch refrigerator?

E01 means: Refrigerator compartment temperature sensor defective. E01 means the temperature sensor in the refrigerator compartment has failed, so the fridge no longer knows how cold it is in there. Unplug the fridge for at least 5 minutes to reset it; if the code comes back, the sensor needs testing and replacing, which is a technician job.

Can I fix Bosch E01 myself?

Only the preliminary checks. Code E01 usually means a part, wiring or the control board has failed, which is a technician job. Run the checks to rule out simple causes before you book.

How do I clear Bosch E01?

Fix the cause first — clearing the code on its own brings it straight back. Then restore power and water, run the shortest programme, and watch the stage where the code appeared. If the programme finishes with no code, it is cleared.

Sources checked

The meaning and checks for this code were checked against the sources above in November 2026. Codes vary by model and region; if your manual lists a different meaning for your exact model, follow the manual.

Other Bosch refrigerator codes