---
title: "Sub-Zero EC05: the upper wine compartment sensor is not reading"
description: "What EC05 means on Sub-Zero EC05: the upper wine compartment sensor is not readings, what to check before booking, and when it is not a failure at all."
url: "https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec05/"
---

# Sub-Zero EC05: the upper wine compartment sensor is not reading

EC05 names the upper cabinet thermistor, the probe the control relies on to decide when the upper section of the wine unit needs cooling.

## What EC05 actually means.

EC05 names the upper cabinet thermistor, the probe the control relies on to decide when the upper section of the wine unit needs cooling. Sub-Zero sets the code when that probe reads open or shorted for at least 10 seconds, or when its readings keep jumping around.

Sub-Zero wine cooler display · also shown as EC 05, EC5

What to do when EC05 shows on the wine cooler

### Kind of code Temperature sensors

The control has lost a believable reading from one of its thermistors: the probe in a zone, the one on the cold plate or coil, or on some models the one watching the room. With no trustworthy number, the cabinet either chills the bottles far below cellar temperature or lets a zone drift warm. A sensor sitting in frost, pinched behind a rack or unplugged during a move is ruled out before a new one is ordered.

### Usually leads to Wine cooler thermostat and sensor repair

Testing and replacing the thermostat or the temperature sensors that tell a wine cooler when to cool, when the cabinet runs too cold, too warm or back and forth.

### Shows up as Wine Cooler Error Code

A wine cooler error code appears as letters and digits on the display, a flashing temperature, dashes where a number should be or a blinking symbol, sometimes with an alarm tone and sometimes while the cabinet stays perfectly cool.

### Make Sub-Zero

Sub-Zero wine coolers repaired in place, with the collection kept closed and dark until the visit.

### Source Sub-Zero answer: Undercounter Wine (UW) error code EC 05

Undercounter Wine (UW) models and Classic (formerly Built-In, BW) wine storage, which show two-digit EC codes. Designer wine columns and Designer undercounter units report the same kind of problem with three-part codes instead.

## Before you book, in this order.

Each step comes from Sub-Zero's own guidance for EC05 on its wine coolers. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit.

01

Put a thermometer in a glass of water on an upper rack and note the reading after an hour; this tells you whether the bottles are actually warming.

02

Switch the breaker for the unit off for 30 seconds, then back on, and watch whether EC05 returns.

03

If the code comes back, keep the door closed as much as possible and book a visit; note the model from the rating plate.

### Still there?

It usually turns into [wine cooler thermostat and sensor repair](https://winecoolerrepair.center/services/wine-cooler-thermostat-and-sensor-repair/). Book with the code and the model number.

### What not to do

EC05 does not mean the upper section is already warm; it means the control can no longer measure it. A real warm-up with a working sensor shows EC10 instead.

## What you may notice with it.

The wine cooler problems EC05 tends to arrive with. Answer these at the wine cooler before anyone is booked.

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

Before you call

### [Wine Cooler Error Code](https://winecoolerrepair.center/problems/wine-cooler-error-code/)

[All 7 causes, cheapest first](https://winecoolerrepair.center/problems/wine-cooler-error-code/)

It also comes with

- [**Wine Cooler Temperature Swings**](https://winecoolerrepair.center/problems/wine-cooler-temperature-swings/)
- [**One Zone Warm in a Dual-Zone Wine Cooler**](https://winecoolerrepair.center/problems/one-zone-warm-in-a-dual-zone/)
- [**Wine Cooler Too Cold for the Wine**](https://winecoolerrepair.center/problems/wine-cooler-too-cold/)

Problem

### Wine Cooler Error Code

7 causes, cheapest first

Where EC05 usually leads

## Wine cooler thermostat and sensor repair.

**Thermostat or zone temperature sensor · low to moderate.**

Book a visit [What the job involves](https://winecoolerrepair.center/services/wine-cooler-thermostat-and-sensor-repair/)

## Sub-Zero wine coolers.

Sub-Zero wine coolers repaired in place, with the collection kept closed and dark until the visit.

[Sub-Zero wine cooler repair](https://winecoolerrepair.center/brands/sub-zero/)

More Sub-Zero codes

[EC06](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec06/) [EC07](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec07/) [EC08](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec08/) [EC10](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec10/) [EC11](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec11/) [EC12](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec12/) [EC13](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec13/) [EC15](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec15/) [2](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-2/) [40 1 09](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-40-1-09/) [40 1 40](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-40-1-40/) [95 1 00](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-95-1-00/)

[All 15 Sub-Zero codes](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/#codes-sub-zero)

Temperature sensors on other makes

[ASKO H1](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/asko-h1/) [Fisher & Paykel F3](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/fisher-and-paykel-f3/) [Marvel Eu](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/marvel-eu/) [Perlick P1F](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/perlick-p1f/) [U-Line Zone T Open](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/u-line-zone-t-open/) [Vinotemp E1](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/vinotemp-e1/)

[All 17 codes of this kind](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/#family-sensor)

Sub-Zero builds this

### Undercounter wine cooler

A wine cooler about the height of a base cabinet, built in under the counter of a kitchen, a bar or a butler's pantry, with a glass door, sliding racks and a vented toe grille at the floor.

Sub-Zero builds this

### Wine column

A full-height built-in wine cabinet, 18 to 30 inches wide, set flush into tall cabinetry or paired with a matching column, with a glass or panel door and dozens to well over a hundred bottles inside.

Sub-Zero builds this

### Dual-zone wine cooler

A wine cooler with two separately set compartments, upper and lower or side by side, so reds and whites or a storage zone and a serving zone each keep their own temperature.

## In Sub-Zero's own words

> Upper cabinet thermistor read open or shorted for 10 or more seconds, or repeatedly read erratic temperatures

[Sub-Zero answer: Undercounter Wine (UW) error code EC 05](https://www.subzero-wolf.com/assistance/answers/sub-zero/undercounter-wine-storage/undercounter-wine-uw-storage-series-error-code-ec-05) [Sub-Zero answer: Classic wine storage (BW) error code EC 05](https://www.subzero-wolf.com/assistance/answers/sub-zero/classic-wine-storage/built-in-wine-bw-series-error-code-ec-05) [Sub-Zero answer: Undercounter Wine (UW) error code EC 05](https://www.subzero-wolf.com/assistance/answers/sub-zero/undercounter-wine-storage/undercounter-wine-uw-storage-series-error-code-ec-05)

Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Undercounter Wine (UW) models and Classic (formerly Built-In, BW) wine storage, which show two-digit EC codes. Designer wine columns and Designer undercounter units report the same kind of problem with three-part codes instead.

## Sub-Zero EC05 wine cooler 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://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For the heart of your home.

## Questions about EC05.

### Can I clear EC05 myself?

Put a thermometer in a glass of water on an upper rack and note the reading after an hour; this tells you whether the bottles are actually warming. If it comes back, it needs a visit.

### Can my Sub-Zero wine unit still hold temperature with EC05 showing?

Sometimes, but the control is working without a trustworthy reading from the upper section, so that zone can drift warm or cold. Check it with your own thermometer until the probe or its wiring is repaired.

### Does EC05 affect the lower zone of a dual-zone Sub-Zero?

The code points only at the upper cabinet probe. The lower section has its own probe, which reports as EC07 when it goes bad.

### Is a breaker reset enough to clear EC05 for good?

It clears a one-time glitch. If the probe or a connector has actually failed, the code returns after the reset, and the part has to be tested and replaced.

---

**[Read on the site: Sub-Zero EC05: the upper wine compartment sensor is not reading](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-ec05/)**

**[Book a visit with WineCoolerRepair.center](https://winecoolerrepair.center/schedule/)**
