If a Samsung freezer only works on Power Freeze and you are looking for how to fix it, this article guides you on what to do.
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What Is Power Freeze on Samsung Fridge?
Power Freeze on a Samsung fridge or freezer is a function that is responsible for speeding up and increasing the freezing time and power of the freezer.
This function comes in handy when there is a need to cool the contents of the freezer quickly, especially if the temperature is high due to an open door or a damaged door seal.
How does it work? It works by shortening the cooling time inside the unit, making contents freeze faster than normal.
It also makes the ice making process faster, reducing the time of making one tray of ice from 90 minutes to 55 minutes.
If your unit has the Power Freeze button, simply push it to activate the Freeze function. Otherwise, just push the Freezer button and hold it for about 3 seconds to activate the function. To cancel the function, press the Power Freeze button again or push the Freezer button and hold it for about 3 seconds.
It is important to note here that the Power Freeze function works for the freezer section. For the refrigerator or fridge section, the Power Cool function is what speeds its cooling time up.
Also, activating the Power Freeze function increases the unit’s energy consumption. So if there is no need for it, cancel the function to save energy.
Additionally, if you have to freeze a large amount of food or drinks, activate the Power Freeze function about 20 hours before storing them. This makes the food and drinks freeze faster and saves time.
Samsung Freezer Only Works on Power Freeze – What to Do
Check the following parts of the Samsung freezer or refrigerator if it works only when the Power Freeze is activated:
1. Defrost System
Test the defrost components of the freezer’s defrost system. To test the defrost timer, slowly turn it clockwise until it clicks. The defrost heater should come on as the compressor goes off so that it can melt the frost off the cooling coils.
After running on this defrost cycle for about 30 minutes, the timer should be able to advance out of the cycle and transmit power to other parts. However, if the timer does not advance out automatically, it means it is defective and should be replaced.
To make doubly sure, test it with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the defrost timer.
To test the defrost heater, check its continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the defrost heater. This is because it melts frost off the cooling or evaporator coils so they don’t freeze and reduce the cooling capacity of the freezer.
To test the defrost thermostat, check its continuity using a multimeter. The resistance should change but if there is no continuity or resistance even at the lowest point of its operating range, replace the thermostat.
Once the evaporator coils are cold enough, the thermostat has the job of sensing the temperature and closing contacts so that power can flow to the defrost heater. This way, the heater can warm the coils to keep them from freezing up.
You can also check the defrost control board, which controls all the other components and supplies power for the defrost cycle. If it is damaged, the system won’t work properly.
A poorly-functioning defrost system can cause the freezer not to freeze as it should. Consequently, it would need the Power Freeze function to maintain the freezing ability.
2. Condenser Coils
Dirty condenser coils reduce the freezer’s ability to freeze. The solution to the problem could be as simple as just checking the condenser coils and cleaning them if they are dirty. So, except the coils are inside the walls of the freezer, clean them and repeat the cleaning process regularly.
3. Evaporator Fan Motor
Check the motor of the fan by activating the door switch after opening the door of the freezer. Usually, the motor goes off as soon as the door is opened. But activating the door switch causes the motor to start running again even with the open door. However, if the motor does not run when you activate the switch, it is faulty and needs to be replaced.
There is also a chance that the fan blades are frozen, stopping the circulation of cold air. To determine this, open the interior back panel of the freezer section to check the fan.
If the blades are frozen, thaw them by manually defrosting the freezer or using an external heat source. But do this carefully as the heat could damage the freezer beyond repair.
When the evaporator fan motor is faulty, the fan won’t be able to circulate the cold air in the freezer. This means the freezer won’t cool, needing extra power to function. This is where the Power Freeze function comes in.
Therefore, if you always have to use the function before the freezer freezes, consider checking the evaporator fan.
4. Freezer Door
Check the door seal or gasket to see if it seals tightly. To determine this, do the dollar-bill trick. Open the door of the freezer and close it properly on a dollar bill. If the seal seals the door tightly, you should not be able to pull the bill out. So try pulling it out; if you can, the seal is weak and should be replaced.
Also, clean the door seal if you find that it is dirty. Clean it with a soft cloth dipped in a mixture of mild soap and warm water.
Dirt keeps the seal from sealing tightly and any tiny opening will easily let out cold air and let in warm air. Over time, the freezer won’t be able to maintain a cold temperature, thereby needing the Power Freeze function.
In addition, regulate the frequency at which the door of the freezer is opened daily. If there is anything needed from the freezer, it is important to get them out in groups instead of one by one, thereby reducing the number of times the door is opened.
And if anyone opens it, make sure it is closed properly and tightly. That is, ensure nothing in the freezer pokes out and keeps the door from closing and that the door seals completely when closed.
5. Start Relay
Remove the relay from the side of the compressor and test it between its start and run terminals to check for continuity. If you don’t find continuity between the terminals, replace the relay. In addition to that, if it rattles when shaken or smells as if it is burnt, replace the relay.
The start relay supplies power to the compressor to enable it to run properly. If the relay is defective, the compressor may have a hard time starting and running or may not run at all. And if the compressor does not run, the freezer won’t get cold, sometimes even with the Power Freeze function activated.
6. Temperature Setting
Check to see if the temperature setting of the freezer is at the correct point. If it is higher than 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the freezer won’t cool and will need the Power Freeze function. Therefore, adjust the setting and give the freezer time to adjust to the new setting before determining if this fixes the problem.
Ideally, the correct setting is 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This setting makes the freezer remain cold enough to freeze food and make ice.
If all the parts above test good, then check the compressor, the user control and display board, the temperature control thermostat or the main control board. While these parts are usually not the cause of the problem, they could become defective and affect the cooling capacity of the freezer.
Troubleshooting the freezer could be difficult so call a qualified refrigerator technician to run diagnostics on it and fix it. You can also contact the Samsung Service center to report the cooling issue and request service.
Check out these other articles…
Samsung Freezer Icing Up [How to Fix]
Samsung Refrigerator Not Getting Cold [How to Fix]
Known Issues with Samsung Refrigerators [How to Fix]
Recap
If your Samsung freezer only works on Power Freeze, it means one or more parts of the freezer is defective, affecting its ability to remain cold enough to freeze food. Fix it as soon as possible so that it can preserve food.
Remember: Unplug the freezer or refrigerator from the wall outlet when running diagnostics. If you cannot reach the outlet, power down the circuit breaker that controls that part of the house. Doing this keeps you safe from electrocution and prevents damage to the unit.
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