Editorial & technical review
- Written by ApplianceWorth Editorial Team
- Technically reviewed by Victor — appliance technician
- Last reviewed 2026-07-01
- Applies to Bosch refrigerators
- Confidence medium
- Also displayed as F3, R3
- Sources Manufacturer service documentation and field-repair experience · Methodology · Report a correction
What this code means
C1 indicates abnormal cooling performance. F3 and r3 indicate that freezer or refrigerator defrost reached its time limit.
Most likely causes
- Ice buildup or a defrost-system failure
- A fan or airflow problem
- Low refrigerant or a sealed-system restriction
- A sensor, wiring or control fault
Safe checks for the owner
- Move temperature-sensitive food if a compartment is warming.
- Confirm doors seal and exterior vents are clear.
- Arrange diagnosis if the code returns after a five-minute reset.
Estimated U.S. repair cost
$280–$1500, depending on model, access, parts availability and local labor.