Written by
Elena Vasquez Appliance Care EditorPublished October 26, 2026
VERIFIED
Error codeE3
ApplianceRefrigerator
Two series, two readings of E3
UHRE515/524, UHWC524, UHBD524, UHRI124, UHRF124: thermistor 3 is open.
Echelon and Origins: the main door or the bottom drawer has stayed open longer than 20 minutes, and the unit beeps once a minute. The CLR2160 has no E3.
What you can do
Match the model number on the cabinet to one of the series above.
On an Echelon or Origins unit, close the door or drawer and the alarm resets. Should the light and display remain on, look at where the magnet is sitting.
On a newer unit, the code lives in the error log. All faults are written to memory, yet the display only announces a door error, with a sound.
For thermistor 3 open the manuals give the owner nothing to try, so if it comes back it needs a technician. The nugget and outdoor clear ice machine manuals carry the same list, and the clear ice manuals say E3 does not apply to them.
Nearby codes
E7 is thermistor 3 shorted, the opposite fault on that sensor.
E10 is the top drawer open past 20 minutes, much like the Echelon and Origins E3.
U-Line refrigerator repair in San Francisco
When E3 keeps returning on a refrigerator in San Francisco or elsewhere around the Bay Area, the U-Line refrigerator repair page explains how service works, and you can reach us on (415) 329-7078. Before calling, note the code, find the model number plate and think back over what you already tried.
Model compatibility: U-Line reuses codes across series and model years, so E3 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
E3 is thermistor 3 open on newer U-Line models and a main door or bottom drawer left open past 20 minutes on Echelon and Origins models.
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Seeing this code on your U-Line appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
You submit a request with your appliance model and symptom, we confirm an appointment window, and a technician performs an on-site diagnosis. You then receive a clear estimate and decide whether to proceed before any repair begins.
Yes. We provide an upfront estimate after diagnosis. No parts are ordered or installed until you approve the work, so there are no surprise charges.
Replacement parts are selected for the exact model and confirmed with you before ordering or installation.
Service areas are listed on the Locations page. Contact us with your ZIP code to confirm current coverage for your address.
Ready to get your U-Line appliance working again?
Book a repair online or call us — clear estimates and approval before any repair work begins.
