Bosch Refrigerator r3 Shows a Fresh Food Defrost That Timed Out

What r3 means

Think of r3 as the fresh food version of the freezer defrost problem. The defrost cycle for that evaporator reached its fifty-minute limit and the coil never got warm enough to end it normally. The manual's check is the resistance of the fridge defrost heater, assembled together with that evaporator. Over several days the fresh food section quietly loses its chill.

Common causes of r3

Fresh food defrost heater that has failed open
Defrost circuit thermostat or fuse that is open
Heater wiring damaged at the evaporator

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Think back over the last few days: has the fresh food section been losing its chill while the freezer seemed fine? 2. Look under the crisper drawers for pooled water. 3. Both fit this code. Wipe up any water, keep a thermometer inside, and call us.

! Why to stop there

Mopping up water without finding the source lets it return and may reach electrical parts.
Heater, thermostat and fuse failures look alike without testing.
Waiting lets ice build up on the evaporator, which reduces airflow.

Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.

→Same appliance

Other Refrigerator codes

C1Bosch Refrigerator C1 Means the Compressor Runs but the Cabinet Will Not Cool F3Bosch Refrigerator F3 Shows a Freezer Defrost That Timed Out ESBosch Refrigerator ES Means a Dispenser Button Reads as Pressed rtBosch Refrigerator rt Reports the Room Temperature Sensor drBosch Refrigerator dr Means the Fresh Food Door Reads as Open dFBosch Refrigerator dF Means the Freezer Drawer Reads as Open E21Bosch Refrigerator E21 Means the Dispenser Module Stopped Responding F1Bosch Refrigerator F1 Shows the Freezer Sensor Reads Open or Shorted

r3r3 questions

What does the fifty minutes refer to?

It is the maximum length of the defrost cycle. When the coil has not reached the end temperature in that time, the cycle stops and the control sets r3.

Why is there water under my crisper drawers?

Poor defrosting can leave meltwater with nowhere to go, or ice that melts later. It is a common companion of this code. Waiting only lets the ice thicken.

Is r3 urgent?

Moderately so. Food may stay safe for a while, but the problem only gets worse. We would book a visit soon so the evaporator does not ice over.