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Samsung Refrigerator Error Code 33E

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

Ice maker fill tube heater error

The most common cause of the 33E error on a Samsung refrigerator is fill tube heater failed open (~50% of cases); start with: thaw the fill tube.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$50 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $140–$280 Save $140+ by doing it yourself
Samsung Refrigerator error code 33E on the display panel
How the 33E code appears on a Samsung refrigerator display

What Does Error Code 33E Mean on a Samsung Refrigerator?

Ice maker fill tube heater error.

33E fires when the control board reads an open or out-of-range circuit on the fill tube heater, the small heater that prevents residual water in the fill tube from freezing between ice cycles. The board senses no valid resistance or driver feedback and flags the fault. Unlike 34E (ice maker/defrost related) or 41E/42E fill and sensor faults, 33E points specifically at the fill tube heater element or its wiring, not the water valve, auger, or temperature sensors.

Models affected: Samsung refrigerators with automatic ice makers, particularly French-door and side-by-side models such as the RF28R7351SG, RF263BEAESR, RF23M8070SR, RS27T5200SR, and RF27T5201SR
What owners report: Owners commonly report this code alongside the ice maker quietly stopping while cooling stays normal, often after a fill tube ices over. Gently thawing the tube sometimes clears it temporarily, but a heater that has failed open usually brings the code back until the fill tube heater assembly is replaced.

What Causes Error Code 33E?

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

  1. 1
    Fill tube heater failed open 50% of cases
  2. 2
    Harness or connector fault to the heater 25% of cases
  3. 3
    Ice blockage stressing the heater circuit 15% of cases
  4. 4
    Control board heater driver fault 10% of cases

How to Fix Samsung Refrigerator Error Code 33E

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

    Thaw the fill tube

    Power off the ice maker, and gently warm the fill tube area (hair dryer on low) to clear any ice plug.

    ⚠️ Unplug the refrigerator before using any heat source near plastic parts; keep the dryer moving.
  2. 2

    Test the heater circuit

    With the unit unplugged, measure continuity across the fill tube heater; an open reading confirms failure.

  3. 3

    Replace the heater/fill tube assembly

    On most models the heater comes with the fill tube assembly.

    🔩 Samsung ice maker fill tube heater ($20–$50)

How to Reset Error Code 33E

Press and hold Power Freeze + Power Cool (or per your model's manual) for 8–10 seconds to reset, or unplug for 2 minutes.

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

Full Samsung refrigerator reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode → Symptom guide: Ice maker not working →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If the heater tests fine but 33E persists, the control board output should be checked professionally.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $140–$280

Related Error Codes

34E
Ice maker temperature sensor error
⚠ Medium Severity
41E
Ice maker (ice room) fan error — ice compartment fan not rotating
⚠ Medium Severity
42E
Ice room damper/sensor error — ice compartment not maintaining temperature
⚠ Medium Severity

Find Replacement Parts

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

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

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

More Samsung Refrigerator Error Codes

22E Refrigerator fan error — fresh-food compartment fan not running 21E Freezer fan error — freezer evaporator fan not running 24E Evaporator sensor error — freezer temperature sensor fault 25E Freezer defrost sensor error 88-88 Display test mode active — not a fault code 39E Ice maker function error — ice maker not cycling

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Samsung Refrigerator when error 33E appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the ice-maker issue behind 33E will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes 33E on a Samsung Refrigerator? +
Across reported Samsung refrigerator repairs, the most frequent is fill tube heater failed open (50% of cases), harness or connector fault to the heater (25%), then ice blockage stressing the heater circuit (15%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
33E keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored 33E fault; if it returns, the ice-maker problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — thaw the fill tube, then test the heater circuit — 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 Samsung Refrigerator error 33E? +
A DIY repair typically runs $0–$50 in parts, versus $140–$280 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $140. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which Samsung Refrigerator models show error 33E? +
33E is documented on Samsung refrigerators with automatic ice makers, particularly French-door and side-by-side models such as the RF28R7351SG, RF263BEAESR, RF23M8070SR, RS27T5200SR, and RF27T5201SR. 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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