Samsung Refrigerator Error Code 33E
Samsung lists 33E as the ice pipe heater error: the small heater that keeps the ice maker's water fill tube from freezing has failed. Once it goes, the fill tube ices up and ice production stops.
Common causes
- Fill tube heater has burned out (open circuit)
- Heater wire harness connection is loose
- Wiring between the heater and the control board is damaged
- Electronic control board is not powering or reading the heater
What to check, in order
- Power reset: unplug the refrigerator for a few minutes, plug it back in, and see whether the code returns.
- Check the fill tube above the ice maker for ice blockage and thaw any buildup; a frozen fill tube and a failed fill tube heater usually appear together.
- If the code returns, the fill tube heater needs testing (it should read about 102 ohms) and replacing if it reads open; the heater is part of the fill tube assembly.
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 33E, 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
Ice maker fill tube heaterElectronic 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 33E
What does 33E mean on a Samsung refrigerator?
33E means: Ice maker fill tube (ice pipe) heater failure. Samsung lists 33E as the ice pipe heater error: the small heater that keeps the ice maker's water fill tube from freezing has failed. Once it goes, the fill tube ices up and ice production stops.
Can I fix Samsung 33E 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 33E?
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.