How to Fix Kenmore Refrigerator Error F23

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⚠️ Safety Warning: Appliance repair involves electricity, gas, and moving parts. Always disconnect power before working on any appliance.

Error Code: Refrigerator Difficulty: Moderate

Problem: Defrost termination thermostat fault causing incomplete defrost cycles

⚖️ Repair Decision

✅ WORTH FIXING

Parts under $100

How to Fix Refrigerator Error

UNPLUG unit and initiate manual defrost until all ice melts.
Remove evaporator cover panel in freezer.
Locate defrost thermostat clipped to top of evaporator coil (small cylindrical device with 2 wires).
Test thermostat when cold/frozen – should read closed (<1 ohm).
Warm thermostat to room temperature with hair dryer – should open (OL) at approximately 50-60°F.
Replace if fails to open when warm or remains open when cold.
Install new thermostat in EXACT same location as original – critical for proper defrost cycle timing.
Monitor for 3 complete defrost cycles to verify heater shuts off when evaporator reaches proper temperature.

OEM Part #: WPW10271465

Estimated Market Price: $40-90

If the replacement part didn’t fix the issue, you may have a wiring problem or main board failure.

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Estimated repair cost (parts, or parts + labor) Most DIY parts are $50–$250. If you have a quote, use the total.

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Browse all Kenmore error codes: Kenmore Error Codes