Maytag Refrigerator Error Code E1 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

E1 on a Maytag refrigerator means the freezer temperature sensor (thermistor) has failed. The fridge can't tell how cold the freezer is. Food safety is at risk if this isn't fixed promptly.

Affected Models

Maytag French Door Refrigerator
Maytag Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Maytag Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Maytag Top Freezer Refrigerator

Common Causes

The freezer thermistor has failed and is sending an incorrect or no signal
A loose or corroded wire connection to the thermistor
Frost buildup on the thermistor is interfering with its readings
The main control board is not reading the sensor signal correctly

How to Fix It

Unplug the refrigerator for 5 minutes, then plug it back in. Check whether E1 clears.

A temporary sensor glitch or brief power fluctuation can sometimes trigger E1. A reset may resolve it.
Check the freezer temperature. It should read 0°F or lower. If the freezer is warming up, the sensor issue may already be affecting cooling.

Keep the freezer door closed as much as possible while you troubleshoot to preserve food.
Check inside the freezer for excessive frost buildup. Heavy frost on the back wall can coat the thermistor and interfere with its readings.

If frost is severe, manually defrost the freezer: unplug the fridge, remove all food, and let the frost melt. Place towels on the floor to catch water.
After defrosting, plug the fridge back in and monitor for 24 hours. If E1 does not return, excessive frost was the cause.

Recurring heavy frost usually means the defrost heater or defrost thermostat is also failing — have a technician check.
If E1 returns even without frost buildup, the thermistor has failed. Call a technician to test and replace it.

The thermistor is typically $15 to $40 for the part. It is mounted on the evaporator coils inside the freezer.

When to Call a Professional

A failed thermistor needs to be tested with a multimeter to confirm before replacement. The sensor is located inside the freezer compartment — behind a panel. A technician can diagnose and replace it for $100 to $200 including parts and labor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my food safe when E1 is showing?

Check the actual freezer temperature immediately. If it is still at or below 0°F, food is safe for now. If it is rising above 32°F and you can't fix it quickly, move food to another freezer or add dry ice.

Can heavy frost really cause E1?

Yes — thick frost can physically encase the thermistor and prevent it from reading air temperature accurately. The sensor ends up reading its own frost layer instead of the freezer air. A manual defrost often clears the error without any parts.

How do I reset E1 after replacing the thermistor?

Unplug the refrigerator for 5 minutes, then plug it back in. The error should clear once the new sensor is reading correctly. Allow 24 hours for temperatures to fully stabilize.