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Electrolux Refrigerator Error Code SH

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 11, 2026
⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Temperature sensor short circuit

The most common cause of the SH error on a Electrolux refrigerator is shorted thermistor (~50% of cases); start with: test the thermistor.

💰 DIY cost: $15–$35 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$300 Save $135+ by doing it yourself
Electrolux Refrigerator error code SH on the display panel
How the SH code appears on a Electrolux refrigerator display

What Does Error Code SH Mean on a Electrolux Refrigerator?

Temperature sensor short circuit.

The control board continuously reads each compartment thermistor as a resistance value. SH fires when a sensor circuit measures near-zero resistance — a short — which the board interprets as an impossibly cold reading. Unable to trust that zone, it falls back to default run timing, so temperatures drift. This is the inverse of OP (open circuit): SH points to a shorted thermistor, moisture bridging the connector, or a pinched harness grounding to the chassis, rather than a broken or disconnected sensor.

Models affected: Electrolux refrigerators with electronic control boards and thermistor-based temperature sensing, roughly the digital-display era onward
What owners report: Owners commonly report SH surfacing after high-humidity conditions or a defrost cycle, when condensation inside the sensor connector can briefly mimic a short. A frequent quick win is drying the connector and re-seating it before assuming the thermistor itself has failed.

What Causes Error Code SH?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

  1. 1
    Shorted thermistor 50% of cases
  2. 2
    Moisture in the sensor connector 30% of cases
  3. 3
    Pinched harness shorting to chassis 10% of cases
  4. 4
    Main control board failure 10% of cases

How to Fix Electrolux Refrigerator Error Code SH

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Test the thermistor

    Unplug the fridge and measure the suspect sensor — a near-0Ω reading confirms the short.

    🔩 Electrolux thermistor ($15–$35)
    ⚠️ Unplug the refrigerator before accessing sensors.
  2. 2

    Dry the connector

    Condensation inside the connector can mimic a shorted sensor; dry and re-test.

  3. 3

    Replace the sensor

    Thermistors are inexpensive clip-in parts on most Electrolux models.

How to Reset Error Code SH

Unplug for 5 minutes after the repair to clear the code.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

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When to Call a Professional

Persistent SH with a good sensor means board-level diagnosis — call a tech.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$300

Related Error Codes

OP
Temperature sensor open circuit
⚠ Medium Severity

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Electrolux Refrigerator:

🔩
Search PartSelect
Electrolux Refrigerator repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More Electrolux Refrigerator Error Codes

SY EF Evaporator fan circuit failure SY CE Communication error between control boards dF Defrost circuit fault

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Electrolux Refrigerator when error SH appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the sensor issue behind SH will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes SH on a Electrolux Refrigerator? +
Across reported Electrolux refrigerator repairs, the most frequent is shorted thermistor (50% of cases), moisture in the sensor connector (30%), then pinched harness shorting to chassis (10%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
SH keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored SH fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — test the thermistor, then dry the connector — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.
How much does it cost to fix Electrolux Refrigerator error SH? +
A DIY repair typically runs $15–$35 in parts, versus $150–$300 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $135. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which Electrolux Refrigerator models show error SH? +
SH is documented on Electrolux refrigerators with electronic control boards and thermistor-based temperature sensing, roughly the digital-display era onward. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 11, 2026.

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