--- title: "Wine-Mate dF: the unit is in its defrost cycle" description: "What dF means on Wine-Mate dF: the unit is in its defrost cycles, what to check before booking, and when it is not a failure at all." url: "https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-mate-df/" --- # Wine-Mate dF: the unit is in its defrost cycle dF is a status message, not an alarm. ## What dF actually means. dF is a status message, not an alarm. Wine-Mate's earlier controller puts the unit into defrost every day for about 30 minutes and shows dF while it runs; holding the defrost button for more than 5 seconds starts one by hand. On current controllers the defrost light comes on instead, and the default interval is every 12 hours for up to 30 minutes. Wine-Mate wine cellar cooling unit display · also shown as DF What to do when dF shows on the wine cellar cooling unit ### Kind of code Mode, not a failure Something the controller was told to do, not a part that wore out: a display switched between Fahrenheit and Celsius so 13 looks alarming, a set point or differential changed by someone leaning on the keys, a keypad lock that ignores every press, a standby state left on after a power cut, a reminder that service is due. The unit is fine, and the controller's own keys or its manual put it back. ### Usually leads to No repair Wait: the older manual gives 30 minutes as the most a defrost should take. ### Shows up as Cellar Cooling Unit Error Code A cellar cooling unit error code appears as letters or digits on the controller, a flashing reading, a blinking light on the unit, or an alarm tone, sometimes while the cellar still holds its temperature. ### Make Wine-Mate Wine-Mate cooling units repaired on site when they will not start, ice over, trip a breaker or leave the walls wet. ### Source Wine-Mate cooling systems digital display instructions (older VINO models) Older Wine-Mate units with the earlier digital display, sold under VINO- model names such as VINO-1500CD, VINO-1500 HZD and VINO-2500SS. Current WM- units use the five-button controller instead. On current controllers a defrost light replaces dF. ## Before you book, in this order. Each step comes from Wine-Mate's own guidance for dF on its wine cellar cooling units. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit. 01 Wait: the older manual gives 30 minutes as the most a defrost should take. 02 Look again after about 15 minutes to see whether the unit has gone back to normal cycling. 03 If dF stays on far longer than half an hour, or the coil is still iced afterward, book a visit. ### Cleared? The controller has stopped showing the code and the cellar is drifting back to its set point without any new part. If the code returns within the week, or the room creeps warm again, book a visit and tell us it came back. ### What not to do dF does not mean the unit has stopped working, even though the compressor is off. A unit that is off with no dF and no lights points to power or the controller instead. ## What you may notice with it. The wine cellar cooling unit problems dF tends to arrive with. Answer these at the wine cellar cooling unit before anyone is booked. [All problems](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/) Before you call ### [Cellar Cooling Unit Error Code](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/cellar-cooling-unit-error-code/) [All 8 causes, cheapest first](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/cellar-cooling-unit-error-code/) It also comes with - [**Cellar Cooling Unit Not Turning On**](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/cellar-unit-not-turning-on/) - [**Cellar Cooling Evaporator Coil Icing Up**](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/evaporator-coil-icing-up/) Problem ### Cellar Cooling Unit Error Code 8 causes, cheapest first No repair indicated ## Nothing to repair. Something the controller was told to do, not a part that wore out: a display switched between Fahrenheit and Celsius so 13 looks alarming, a set point or differential changed by someone leaning on the keys, a keypad lock that ignores every press, a standby state left on after a power cut, a reminder that service is due. The unit is fine, and the controller's own keys or its manual put it back. [How to read what your wine cellar cooling unit is telling you](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/cellar-cooling-unit-error-code/) ## Wine-Mate wine cellar cooling units. Wine-Mate cooling units repaired on site when they will not start, ice over, trip a breaker or leave the walls wet. [Wine-Mate wine cellar cooling unit repair](https://winecellarrepair.center/brands/wine-mate/) More Wine-Mate codes [P1](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-mate-p1/) [HA](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-mate-ha/) [LA](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-mate-la/) [CA](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-mate-ca/) [HI](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-mate-hi/) [LO](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-mate-lo/) [POF](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-mate-pof/) Mode, not a failure on other makes [CellarCool dEF](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-def/) [WhisperKOOL dEF](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/whisperkool-def/) Wine-Mate builds this ### Through-the-wall cellar cooling unit A self-contained box set into an opening in the cellar wall: its cold face blows into the wine room, and its warm face breathes out into the room next door. Wine-Mate builds this ### Ducted cellar cooling unit A self-contained cooling unit placed outside the cellar, in a mechanical room, attic or basement, that sends chilled air in and takes return air back through insulated ducts. Wine-Mate builds this ### Split-system cellar cooling An evaporator inside or beside the cellar and a condensing unit outside or in another room, joined by an insulated copper line set and charged on site. ## In Wine-Mate's own words > This is not a alarm signal, but rather an indication that the unit is in defrost mode [Wine-Mate cooling systems digital display instructions (older VINO models)](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/0676/3891/t/7/assets/description_image_WineMate_instruction.pdf?v=1643942293) [Wine-Mate cooling systems digital display instructions (older VINO models)](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/0676/3891/t/7/assets/description_image_WineMate_instruction.pdf?v=1643942293) [Wine-Mate cooling systems digital display instructions (older VINO models)](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/0676/3891/t/7/assets/description_image_WineMate_instruction.pdf?v=1643942293) [Wine-Mate HZD self-contained cooling system manual](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/0676/3891/t/7/assets/description_image_wm1500_8500hzd_owners_manual_v4.pdf?v=1643942325) Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Older Wine-Mate units with the earlier digital display, sold under VINO- model names such as VINO-1500CD, VINO-1500 HZD and VINO-2500SS. Current WM- units use the five-button controller instead. On current controllers a defrost light replaces dF. ## Wine-Mate dF wine cellar cooling unit 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. 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Wait: the older manual gives 30 minutes as the most a defrost should take. ### Why is my Wine-Mate not cooling while dF is showing? Wine-Mate lists defrost among the reasons a unit is not running, since the coil needs a break to shed its frost. Cooling picks up again when the cycle ends. ### Can I start a defrost myself on a Wine-Mate? Yes. On the older display, hold the defrost button for more than 5 seconds; on the current five-button controller, press and hold the defrost key until the defrost light comes on. ### What if the Wine-Mate coil keeps icing even with defrost? On current controllers Wine-Mate suggests setting FnC to C-y, idF to 4 and MdF to 20, which defrosts more often. If ice keeps forming after that, the airflow or the refrigerant side needs a technician. --- **[Read on the site: Wine-Mate dF: the unit is in its defrost cycle](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-mate-df/)** **[Book a visit with WineCellarRepair.center](https://winecellarrepair.center/schedule/)**