Frigidaire Refrigerator Error Code SY CE – How To Clear The Fault Code?

What does Frigidaire refrigerator showing SY CE mean? When your Frigidaire refrigerator displays the SY CE error code, this means there is a communications issue. This communication problem is caused by either a wiring issue, wire harness issue, faulty control board, or a bad user interface board. Below we will show how to troubleshoot the SY CE error code on a Frigidaire refrigerator. NOTE: The Frigidaire refrigerator error code SY CE may look or be determined to be 5Y CE.

Frigidaire refrigerator displays the SY CE error codeSY CE error code – Frigidaire refrigerator

Frigidaire refrigerator Error Code SY CE: Communication error during powering up.
This error indicates a problem with wiring to and from the main control board and the user interface board.
Error can also mean the main control board or user interface board (display board) is defective or faulty.

Frigidaire refrigerator system error codesFrigidaire refrigerator system error codes – SY CE

HINT: To try and clear the SY CE error code the easiest way, try unplugging your Frigidaire Refrigerator for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes plug the refrigerator back in. This may have reset the control board and cleared the error code. If not, see below…

How to diagnose and clear the SY CE error code (Remove power to the refrigerator before troubleshooting)
MAIN CONTROL BOARD – LOCATED UNDER THE REFRIGERATOR BEHIND KICK PANEL
Check the wires/wiring on the main control board.
Check to be sure wires/wiring is secure on the board and not damaged.
Visually check the main control board for signs of burns/melted areas.
Disconnect all wires on main control board and plug back in.

USER INTERFACE DISPLAY BOARD/PANEL – LOCATED BEHIND DISPLAY PANEL
Check the wires/wiring on the user interface display panel/board.
Check to be sure wires/wiring is secure on the interface and not damaged.
Visually check the user interface board for signs of burns/melted areas.
Disconnect all wires on user interface display panel/board and plug back in.

Need the Frigidaire Refrigerator Tech Manual? Download the Frigidaire Refrigerator Technical Manual & Electrical Schematics Guide here. Note, opens in new window as a PDF file.

After checking user interface board, main control board, wiring/wires, disconnecting and reconnecting of wiring, if no obvious signs of a problem are found, plug the refrigerator back in to see if possibly a wire connection or wire harness was not fully secure. If the refrigerator runs properly and does not show the SY CE error code, then a wire connection or wire harness was loose and securing the wire has fixed the issue.

If there are no obvious signs of a problem with the wiring connections, wire harnesses, user interface board, and main control board, you will need to test to be sure the wiring is not damaged by using a meter. Check the wires for continuity. If all wires to and from the boards have continuity, then you will know one of the boards are faulty. If any wire harness does not show continuity, replace the wire harness.

If all other means of troubleshooting are used and the refrigerator still shows the SY CE error, the technical manual recommends to first replace the main control board. Replace the main control board and test the refrigerator. If the error code clears, the issue was a faulty main board.

If after replacing the main control board the error code does not clear, the tech manual recommends to next replace the user interface board. Replace the user interface board and test refrigerator. If the error code clears, the issue was a faulty user interface board.

HINT: If you find that the main control board is faulty, it has been known that a new control board is not able to communicate properly with the older interface display board. We suggest to replace BOTH BOARDS at the same time of install to ensure no other communication issues occur. This is because the newer main control boards are revised and do not properly communicate with the display board on the freezer door.

Frigidaire refrigerator replacement boards control boards display boardsFrigidaire refrigerator replacement boards control boards display boards

NOTE: Be sure you unplug the refrigerator before checking the refrigerator wiring. If you need to perform a live voltage check, please remember to wear safety gloves and safety goggles for your protection.

7 thoughts on “Frigidaire Refrigerator Error Code SY CE – How To Clear The Fault Code?”

  1. Same issue same resolution. The capacitor was $3.50 and a new board $150 so it was worth gamble. Glad I did. Thanks to those that recommended this fix. Saved me a bunch. You rock!!!

  2. I had the SY CE error code. I unplugged it for 15min, plugged it back in, and it worked fine for about a week. After a week, the error appeared again. Unplugging and plugging in again would only get me a few hours, and eventually the until would no longer power on.

    I removed the main board from beneath the unit, behind the kickplate. It had one slightly swollen capacitor, 35V 470uf. I replaced this single capacitor, and this solved the issue.

  3. I just had this very same issue this morning. It was preceded by several loud, sharp notes. Then I got the “SY CE” error code, accompanied by the fridge-side lights out. The freezer lights were still on and the entire fridge was still running properly.

    I unplugged my fridge for one minute and that reset everything.

  4. My Gallery model was displaying the SY CE code. I unplugged it for the 15 minutes. And now the display is totally blank. The lights inside the refrigerator compartment have been on and off for a few days. Now off completely. Freezer side is still lit up. Unpluuged/replugged a few times no change. Luckily the unit is still running and keeping things cold as they should be.

  5. I have replaced both control panel and still shows the code sy ce. What else can I do

  6. Hey David… having this code on my fridge now… what model do you have? Frigidaire Professional FPHC2399KF1?? I haven’t checked the back of the fridge yet.. replaced the control board and replacement from Frigidaire didn’t even turn the damn thing on… I’m at a loss and the SY CE code still there.

  7. Had this issue, checked control board behind kick-plate, found a capacitor swollen on top!
    Replaced it and now everything is back to normal!
    Many people buy a new board, what a waste of money!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.