KitchenAid refrigerator FAE2: freezer evaporator fan fault
FAE2 on this model means the control detected a problem with the freezer evaporator fan.
What FAE2 means
- Brand
- KitchenAid
- Appliance
- French-door refrigerator
- Code
- FAE2
- Documented meaning
- Freezer evaporator fan fault
- Applies to
- 4 KitchenAid models on 1 platform
- Can you keep using it?
- With caution
What the refrigerator is detecting
The control runs the freezer evaporator fan and monitors it. When the fan does not run as commanded, it stores FAE2; cold air then stops circulating from the coil.
Causes listed for this condition
In the order the service documentation checks them. Documented causes come from the manufacturer's service documentation for these platforms; possible causes are based on how the system works; unconfirmed marks common assumptions that the documentation does not support.
- Documented A fan motor that has failed or is blocked.
- Possible Ice on the evaporator that stops the fan blade, often a sign of a defrost problem.
- Possible A wiring problem or a control board that does not power the fan.
Safe checks you can make
- Check the actual temperatures with an appliance thermometer placed in a glass of water in the middle of each compartment for a few hours. Fresh food should be about 37 to 40°F and the freezer about 0°F.
- Make sure food packages are not pressed against the air vents inside the compartments, and that the doors close and seal fully.
- Unplug the refrigerator (or switch off its breaker) for one minute and plug it back in, then see whether the code returns.
Further diagnosis requires opening the appliance. Beyond the owner checks, diagnosis involves removing panels, testing components and checking wiring. We describe what a technician investigates, not how to do it yourself.
What a technician checks
- Runs the fan from the service test and checks its supply and control signal.
- Checks for ice on the evaporator and for a related defrost fault.
Typical repairs and cost
Depending on what diagnosis finds, this code can lead to one of these repairs:
| Repair | Typical range | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator evaporator fan motor replacement | $200–$430 | Moderate |
| Refrigerator main control board replacement | $300–$750 | Moderate |
| Refrigerator defrost system repair | $230–$500 | Moderate |
Typical total ranges for the Las Vegas area, parts and labor included. The final cost depends on diagnosis, the exact model, parts availability and whether other damage is found.
Can you keep using it?
Use with caution. Check compartment temperatures; if the fresh-food side rises above 40°F or the freezer no longer keeps food frozen, move perishables to another cold space.
KitchenAid models documented with this code
Related problems and codes
Other codes documented on the same KitchenAid platforms:
Repair or replace?
A fault code alone rarely justifies replacing a refrigerator. Most FAE2 repairs involve a single component once diagnosed. Replacement becomes worth considering when the unit is near the end of its typical 10–14-year life and the diagnosed repair is a major one. See the repair-or-replace guide.
Need FAE2 diagnosed in the Las Vegas area?
We repair Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana and other Whirlpool-family appliances in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin and Boulder City. A model number helps but is never required to book.