Samsung · Refrigerator
Samsung Refrigerator 35E Error Code
Fridge ice maker heater circuit open
What this error means
35E is an Ice Maker (FF) Function Error—the heater that releases cubes from the fridge-compartment mold reads open. Harvest stalls with ice frozen in the tray and 35E on the display.
How 35E is detected
When 35E appears on a Samsung refrigerator, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Samsung RF28R6241SR, Samsung RF23M8590SG, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most 35E calls are resolved without parts: remove stuck cubes manually after unplugging—never pry with metal tools on the mold. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If 35E returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Ice maker housing shifted stressing the heater wires
- Corroded connector at the ice maker harness
- Open heater element inside the module
- Thermal fuse in the ice maker circuit blown
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Remove stuck cubes manually after unplugging—never pry with metal tools on the mold
- 2Toggle ice maker off 24 hours to let the module dry if moisture triggered once
- 3Verify water fill works on the next cycle before blaming heat only
- 4Breaker reset five minutes before re-enabling ice maker
When to call a technician
35E with good fill and empty harvest requires fridge ice maker assembly replacement.
Affected models
- Samsung RF28R6241SR
- Samsung RF23M8590SG
- Samsung RF28R7351SG
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use refrigerators to prevent 35E from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when 35E appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Samsung refrigerator—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for 35E; Samsung uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting 35E; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.