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Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator Error Code F40

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

Fan motor fault — a circulation fan is not running at commanded speed

The most common cause of the F40 error on a Fisher & Paykel refrigerator is fan blade iced up and stalled (~35% of cases); start with: check for ice.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$120 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $170–$350 Save $170+ by doing it yourself
Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator error code F40 on the display panel
How the F40 code appears on a Fisher & Paykel refrigerator display

What Does Error Code F40 Mean on a Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator?

Fan motor fault — a circulation fan is not running at commanded speed.

F40 fires when the control board commands a circulation or evaporator fan to run and its speed-feedback signal shows the blade never reaches the target RPM. The board distinguishes a stalled or slow fan from a completely absent motor by reading this feedback. Common triggers are a blade locked by frost, a burned-out motor, or an intermittent connector. Unlike defrost or sensor codes (F1/F2), F40 points specifically at the fan-drive circuit, and cooling degrades fast because air stops moving over the evaporator.

Models affected: Fisher & Paykel refrigerators using electronically-commutated circulation fans with speed feedback, including bottom-mount and French-door models such as the RF170ADUSX4
What owners report: Owners commonly report F40 appearing alongside weak cooling or a warming fridge, and many find the fan simply frozen in place after a defrost problem. A quick win some report is a full defrost restoring fan operation, though it often returns if the underlying defrost fault isn't addressed.

What Causes Error Code F40?

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

  1. 1
    Fan blade iced up and stalled 35% of cases
  2. 2
    Failed fan motor 35% of cases
  3. 3
    Loose fan connector 20% of cases
  4. 4
    Control board fan-drive failure 10% of cases

How to Fix Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator Error Code F40

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

    Check for ice

    Unplug the fridge; if frost has locked the fan, defrost fully (8–24 hours, doors open, towels down) — then investigate why the defrost system let ice build.

  2. 2

    Test the fan and connector

    With the back panel off, verify the fan connector is seated and the blade spins freely by hand.

    ⚠️ Unplug the refrigerator before removing the evaporator cover.
  3. 3

    Replace the fan motor

    A fan that's free but won't run on power-up needs replacement.

    🔩 Fisher & Paykel fan motor ($50–$120)

How to Reset Error Code F40

Unplug for 5 minutes (or fully defrost if iced), then restore power.

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

Symptom guide: Refrigerator not cooling →

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When to Call a Professional

If the fan was iced over, have a tech check the defrost system — the fan fault will recur otherwise.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $170–$350

Related Error Codes

F1
Freezer compartment sensor fault
⚠ Medium Severity
F2
Fresh food compartment sensor fault
⚠ Medium Severity

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator:

🔩
Search PartSelect
Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator when error F40 appears? +
It is not advisable. The refrigerator may still power on, but running it while F40 is active can worsen the cooling fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.
What most commonly causes F40 on a Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator? +
Across reported Fisher & Paykel refrigerator repairs, the most frequent is fan blade iced up and stalled (35% of cases), failed fan motor (35%), then loose fan connector (20%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
F40 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored F40 fault; if it returns, the cooling problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — check for ice, then test the fan and 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 Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator error F40? +
A DIY repair typically runs $0–$120 in parts, versus $170–$350 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $170. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator models show error F40? +
F40 is documented on Fisher & Paykel refrigerators using electronically-commutated circulation fans with speed feedback, including bottom-mount and French-door models such as the RF170ADUSX4. 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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