---
title: "Sub-Zero refrigerator showing 20 2 00"
description: "What 20 2 00 means on Sub-Zero refrigerators, what to check before booking, and when it is not a failure at all."
url: "https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-20-2-00/"
---

# Sub-Zero refrigerator showing 20 2 00

The control board reads the freezer defrost heater circuit as open.

## What 20 2 00 actually means.

The control board reads the freezer defrost heater circuit as open. Sub-Zero gives the cause as the defrost bi-metal being stuck open. That is a part in the defrost circuit, so the freezer's defrost cycle is what is affected.

Sub-Zero refrigerator display

What to do when 20 2 00 shows on the refrigerator

### Kind of code Defrost

The defrost cycle did not finish in the time the board allows. A heater, its thermostat or the sensor that ends the cycle.

### Usually leads to Defrost system repair

The failure behind most slow, gradual losses of cooling — and behind most visible frost.

### Shows up as Frost Building Up in the Refrigerator

Ice on the back wall, around the door, or over the whole freezer — and each location means something different.

### Make Sub-Zero

Built-in and column refrigeration with dual sealed systems, serviced from the front and worth repairing far up the cost curve.

### Source Sub-Zero support: Classic Built In Series Error Code 20 2 00

Classic Series (BI).

## Before you book, in this order.

Each step comes from Sub-Zero's own guidance for 20 2 00 on its refrigerators. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit.

01

Turn off the breaker for 30 seconds, then turn it back on.

02

Check whether the code comes back once the unit is running again.

03

If it does, book a service visit and give them the full three-part code.

### Still there?

It usually turns into [defrost system repair](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/services/defrost-system-repair/). Book with the code and the model number.

### What not to do

It does not mean the compressor or the sealed system has failed. The problem is in the defrost circuit.

## What you may notice with it.

The refrigerator problems 20 2 00 tends to arrive with. Answer these at the refrigerator before anyone is booked.

[All problems](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/problems/)

Before you call

### [Frost Building Up in the Refrigerator](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/problems/frost-buildup/)

[All 4 causes, cheapest first](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/problems/frost-buildup/)

It also comes with

- [**Fresh Food Section Warm, Freezer Cold**](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/problems/fresh-food-warm-freezer-cold/)

Problem

### Frost Building Up in the Refrigerator

4 causes, cheapest first

Where 20 2 00 usually leads

## Defrost system repair.

**Defrost heater, thermostat or sensor · low.**

Book a visit [What the job involves](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/services/defrost-system-repair/)

## Read these before the visit.

Short guides that make the call quicker and the diagnosis cheaper.

[All guides](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/guides/)

How not to need us

### Keeping the defrost drain clear before it floods

Why it is doing that

### Why refrigerators stop cooling, in order of likelihood

Error codes

### All 247 codes, by make

## Sub-Zero refrigerators.

Built-in and column refrigeration with dual sealed systems, serviced from the front and worth repairing far up the cost curve.

[Sub-Zero refrigerator repair](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/brands/sub-zero/)

More Sub-Zero codes

[Service](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-service-light/) [Vacuum Condenser](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-vacuum-condenser/) [EC40](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec40/) [EC50](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec50/) [EC30](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec30/) [H2 LO](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-h2-lo/) [L0 C](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-l0-c/) [10 R 00](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-10-r-00/) [35 R 33](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-35-r-33/)

Defrost on other makes

[LG dH](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/lg-dh/) [GE dE](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/ge-de/) [Café dE](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/cafe-de/) [Monogram dE](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/monogram-de/) [Kenmore F dH](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/kenmore-dh/) [GE Profile dE](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/ge-profile-de/)

[All 11 codes of this kind](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/#family-defrost)

Sub-Zero builds this

### Built-in refrigerator

Flush with the cabinets, serviced from the front, and almost always repaired rather than replaced.

Sub-Zero builds this

### Refrigerator column

Separate refrigerator and freezer towers, each with its own sealed system — so a failure stays on one side.

Sub-Zero builds this

### Side-by-side refrigerator

Full-height freezer beside full-height fresh food, with the ice maker and dispenser built into the freezer door.

## In Sub-Zero's own words

> Freezer defrost heater open Cause: Defrost bi-metal stuck open

[Sub-Zero support: Classic Built In Series Error Code 20 2 00](https://www.subzero-wolf.com/assistance/answers/sub-zero/classic/built-in-series-error-code-20-2-00)

Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Classic Series (BI).

## Sub-Zero 20 2 00 refrigerator repair, where we come out.

The same visit in every metro below: the code, the model number, and a diagnosis before any part is ordered.

[All service areas](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/)

[Tampa Bay](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/) FL · 31 areas

- [Hyde Park](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/hyde-park/)
- [Davis Islands](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/davis-islands/)
- [Palma Ceia](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palma-ceia/)
- [Westchase](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/westchase/)
- [Carrollwood](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/carrollwood/)
- [Belleair](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/belleair/)
- [St. Pete Beach](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/st-pete-beach/)
- [Palm Harbor](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palm-harbor/)

[Orlando](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/orlando/) FL · 30 areas

- [Winter Park](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/orlando/winter-park/)
- [Windermere](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/orlando/windermere/)
- [Dr. Phillips](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/orlando/dr-phillips/)
- [Bay Hill](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/orlando/bay-hill/)
- [Lake Nona](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/orlando/lake-nona/)
- [Heathrow](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/orlando/heathrow/)
- [Celebration](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/orlando/celebration/)

[Miami / South Florida](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/) FL · 47 areas

- [Brickell](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/brickell/)
- [Coconut Grove](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coconut-grove/)
- [Coral Gables](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coral-gables/)
- [Pinecrest](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/pinecrest/)
- [Key Biscayne](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/key-biscayne/)
- [Aventura](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/aventura/)
- [Sunny Isles Beach](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/sunny-isles-beach/)
- [Bal Harbour](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/bal-harbour/)
- [Miami Beach](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/miami-beach/)
- [Golden Beach](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/golden-beach/)
- [Weston](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/weston/)
- [Boca Raton](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/boca-raton/)
- [Palm Beach](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/palm-beach/)

[New York Metro](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/) NY · 75 areas

- [Upper East Side](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-east-side/)
- [Upper West Side](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-west-side/)
- [Tribeca](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/tribeca/)
- [SoHo](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/soho/)
- [Greenwich Village](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/greenwich-village/)
- [Battery Park City](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/battery-park-city/)
- [Brooklyn Heights](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/brooklyn-heights/)
- [Park Slope](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/park-slope/)
- [DUMBO](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/dumbo/)
- [Forest Hills](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/forest-hills/)
- [Great Neck](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/great-neck/)
- [Southampton](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/southampton/)
- [Scarsdale](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/scarsdale/)

[Houston](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/) TX · 36 areas

- [River Oaks](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/river-oaks/)
- [Memorial](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/memorial/)
- [Tanglewood](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/tanglewood/)
- [Greater Heights](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/greater-heights/)
- [Kingwood](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/kingwood/)
- [Bellaire](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/bellaire/)
- [Bunker Hill Village](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/bunker-hill-village/)
- [Piney Point Village](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/piney-point-village/)
- [Hunters Creek Village](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/hunters-creek-village/)
- [Sugar Land](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/sugar-land/)
- [Cinco Ranch](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/cinco-ranch/)
- [The Woodlands](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/the-woodlands/)
- [West University](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/west-university/)

[Chicago](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/) IL · 50 areas

- [Lincoln Park](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lincoln-park/)
- [Near North Side](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/near-north-side/)
- [West Loop / Near West Side](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/west-loop-near-west-side/)
- [Wilmette](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/wilmette/)
- [Winnetka](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/winnetka/)
- [Glencoe](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/glencoe/)
- [River Forest](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/river-forest/)
- [Oak Park](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/oak-park/)
- [Hinsdale](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/hinsdale/)
- [Lake Forest](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lake-forest/)
- [Highland Park](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/highland-park/)
- [Gold Coast](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/gold-coast/)
- [Lakeview](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lakeview/)

[Los Angeles](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/) CA · 95 areas

- [Beverly Hills](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/beverly-hills/)
- [Bel Air](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/bel-air/)
- [Holmby Hills](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/holmby-hills/)
- [Brentwood](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/brentwood/)
- [Pacific Palisades](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pacific-palisades/)
- [Santa Monica](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/santa-monica/)
- [Hancock Park](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/hancock-park/)
- [Studio City](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/studio-city/)
- [Calabasas](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/calabasas/)
- [Manhattan Beach](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/manhattan-beach/)
- [Palos Verdes Estates](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/palos-verdes-estates/)
- [Pasadena](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pasadena/)
- [San Marino](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/san-marino/)
- [Malibu](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/malibu/)

[San Diego](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/) CA · 31 areas

- [La Jolla](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/la-jolla/)
- [Carmel Valley](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/carmel-valley/)
- [Point Loma](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/point-loma/)
- [Del Mar](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/del-mar/)
- [Rancho Santa Fe](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/rancho-santa-fe/)
- [Coronado](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/coronado/)
- [Encinitas](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/encinitas/)
- [Solana Beach](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/solana-beach/)

[San Francisco Bay Area](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/) CA · 74 areas

- [Pacific Heights](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/pacific-heights/)
- [Presidio Heights](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/presidio-heights/)
- [Russian Hill](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/russian-hill/)
- [Noe Valley](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/noe-valley/)
- [Sea Cliff](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/sea-cliff/)
- [Hillsborough](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/hillsborough/)
- [Atherton](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/atherton/)
- [Woodside](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/woodside/)
- [Palo Alto](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/palo-alto/)
- [Los Altos Hills](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/los-altos-hills/)
- [Tiburon](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/tiburon/)
- [Piedmont](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/piedmont/)
- [Marina](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/marina/)

For the heart of your home.

## Questions about 20 2 00.

### Can I clear 20 2 00 myself?

Turn off the breaker for 30 seconds, then turn it back on. If it comes back, it needs a visit.

### Is Sub-Zero 20 2 00 a compressor problem?

No, it concerns the freezer defrost heater circuit, which the board reads as open. Sub-Zero traces it to a defrost bi-metal stuck open. The compressor and sealed system are not what this code names.

### What happens if I ignore 20 2 00 on my Sub-Zero?

The code points at the freezer's defrost cycle, so defrost is the function at stake. Try the 30-second breaker reset once and see whether the code returns. If it does, book service and give the full three-part code.

---

**[Read on the site: Sub-Zero refrigerator showing 20 2 00](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-20-2-00/)**

**[Book a visit with RefrigeratorRepair.center](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/schedule/)**
