Samsung Refrigerator Error Code 24E
The freezer's defrost system is not melting frost off the evaporator, so frost will keep building until airflow and cooling suffer. A full manual defrost buys time and confirms the pattern; a returning code means a defrost part has failed.
Common causes
- Freezer defrost heater has failed
- Defrost bi-metal thermostat has failed
- Freezer defrost temperature sensor has failed
- Electronic control board is not running the defrost cycle
- Heavy frost load from a door left open or a leaking door gasket
What to check, in order
- Do a full manual defrost: unplug the refrigerator, move food to a cooler, and leave the doors open until all the frost on the freezer's rear wall has melted.
- Check the freezer door gasket seals all the way around, and avoid holding the door open, since moist air creates the frost the defrost system has to remove.
- Plug the fridge back in and watch over the next several days whether thick frost builds up again and the code returns.
- If it returns, a defrost component (heater, thermostat or sensor) has failed and needs multimeter testing and replacement; defrost-system repair is usually a technician job.
Clear the code and test
- Fix what the checks above found first. Clearing the code without fixing the cause only brings it back.
- Plug the appliance back in and restore its water supply if it has one.
- Run the shortest programme and watch the point where the code appeared before.
- 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
Most cases are solved by the checks above. Book a technician 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 24E, your model number (on a label inside the door or on the back) and the checks you already ran. It shortens the visit.
Parts that may be involved
Freezer defrost heaterDefrost bi-metal thermostatFreezer defrost temperature sensorElectronic control board
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 24E
What does 24E mean on a Samsung refrigerator?
24E means: Freezer evaporator defrost system failure. The freezer's defrost system is not melting frost off the evaporator, so frost will keep building until airflow and cooling suffer. A full manual defrost buys time and confirms the pattern; a returning code means a defrost part has failed.
Can I fix Samsung 24E myself?
Start yourself: the checks on this page cover the causes you can reach without opening the machine up. If they point to a faulty part, testing or replacing it is usually a technician job.
How do I clear Samsung 24E?
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
- Samsung support: washing machine information codes
- Samsung support: dishwasher information codes
- Samsung support (US): dishwasher troubleshooting
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.