Samsung refrigerator problems are common with users of this brand of refrigerator. But while there are problems, there are also ways to fix them.
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Do Samsung Refrigerators Have Problems?
Samsung refrigerators have problems. Some of the problems have to do with the freezers, some have to do with the fridges and others have to do with the ice makers.
The ice makers are known to freeze over quickly. And if they don’t freeze over, they stop making ice or stop working completely.
Out of all the refrigerator types the brand makes, the french-door type dies quickly. Some users reported their refrigerator dying within one year of purchase.
And the freezers and fridges, sometimes, find it hard to maintain a cool temperature due to faulty thermostats. This is just one out of many technical flaws in many Samsung refrigerators and freezers.
These are some of the problems Samsung refrigerators have.
Problems with a Samsung Freezer
There are different problems that a Samsung freezer can have. But some of the commonest ones are a Samsung freezer freezing up and a Samsung freezer not freezing.
Samsung Freezer Freezing Up – What to Do
Do the following if your Samsung freezer is freezing up:
1. Keep It Moderately Stocked
Make sure to fill the freezer ¾ of the way. Do not stock it too full or the cold air won’t circulate properly. Consequently, some parts will have frost while others will not cool.
Additionally, do not leave it too empty as the cold air will have nothing to freeze and as a result, it will make the freezer cold enough to build frost.
2. Close the Door Properly
Avoid opening and closing the door frequently; get everything you want from the freezer in one trip if it is possible. Doing this makes it easy for cold air to escape and for humid air to enter. Humid air has moisture that freezes over time in the freezer, forming ice or frost.
In addition, opening the door frequently reduces the cooling capacity of the freezer. Because of this, the freezer has to work extra to maintain the temperature. And when the freezer works extra, it could make the freezer accumulate frost.
One of the best things to do is to organize the contents of the freezer in such a way that things are easy to find. This way, the door is not held open for too long.
3. Don’t Store Hot Food
Hot food causes humidity in the freezer. And humidity has moisture. This moisture leads to frost when it freezes. Therefore, let the food sit out and cool before you store it in the freezer. But if you have to put it in a cool place, use the refrigerator.
4. Maintain the Right Temperature
Keep the temperature around the freezer conducive for the unit. If it is too cold or too hot, the freezer will have to work extra hard to maintain the right temperature. As a result, there will be a frost buildup in it.
For the temperature inside it, keep it at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the best temperature for the freezer to operate.
5. Don’t Store Wet Food Items
If you buy food stored in the freezer at the store, chances are that it will have condensation on it by the time you arrive home.
Therefore, before putting it in the freezer, clean the containers in which it is stored to make them dry. This way, the moisture on the exterior of the containers won’t refreeze and form frost.
Samsung Freezer Not Freezing – Quick Fix
If a Samsung freezer is not freezing or even getting cold, do the following:
1. Condenser Coils
Clean the condenser coils thoroughly to remove dirt and debris. Do this regularly, especially if you have hairy pets. This keeps the coils in the right form to release heat from the unit so it does not overheat. Overheating affects its cooling capacity.
2. Evaporator Fan Motor
Open the door of the freezer and the motor of the fan will stop running. Activate the door switch to get it running again. If it starts running again, it means the motor is in proper working order.
But if the motor does not start running again when you activate the switch, it means it is probably broken. If you can, test it to check for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the motor.
The fan has the responsibility of spreading cold air in the freezer. So if the motor is not working, the fan won’t be able to spread the cold air and the freezer won’t cool or freeze.
3. Evaporator Coils
Remove the inside back panel of the freezer to inspect the coils. If there is a buildup of ice or frost on it, thaw it using a hair dryer or by defrosting the freezer manually.
To defrost it, unplug the freezer from the wall outlet or power the circuit breaker down. Next, remove every food item in the freezer and store them somewhere else to preserve them.
Then, leave the door open and place towels on the floor around the freezer to mop up the water dripping from the unit. Give the unit time to defrost fully so that ice accumulated on the frost can melt, too.
However, it is important to find the cause of the frost or ice buildup. The likeliest cause is a problem with the defrost system. Therefore, check the defrost components one by one to determine which is defective and replace the defective one.
4. Temperature Setting
Make sure that the setting of the interior temperature is at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. If it has to be higher, it should not exceed 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Any setting higher than this will cause the freezer not to col or freeze.
Besides, constantly setting the temperature too high can cause food to spoil and damage the unit beyond repair.
5. Door
Avoid opening the door of the freezer often so that cold air does not escape to let in warm air. If this happens, the freezer won’t be able to remain cold for long.
Additionally, replace the door seal if it is damaged or weak. You can determine this by closing the door of the freezer on a dollar bill. Try to pull the bill out. If you can, the seal is damaged and must be replaced.
If the seal is dirty, clean it with warm soapy water until there is no dirt left. And be sure to clean the seal regularly so it does not compromise the temperature in the freezer.
A weak, broken or dirty door seal works in compromising the freezer in two ways. One, it can make the freezer build up frost due to humidity. And two, it can reduce the cooling capacity of the freezer and cause it not to freeze properly.
6. Air Circulation
If there are too many items in the freezer, it would be too hard for the cold air to circulate properly. Consequently, some parts of the freezer will freeze while others won’t.
Therefore, rearrange the contents of the freezer to create space for air to circulate. And ensure no item is obstructing the vents so that air can enter freely.
7. Start Relay
Detach the relay from the compressor and test it between the start and run terminal sockets to check for continuity. If there is no continuity between the sockets, buy a new relay for replacement. And if it rattles or smells as if it is burnt, replace it.
The relay helps the compressor to start and run. If the relay is bad, the compressor is likely to run intermittently or may not even run at all. As a result, the freezer won’t freeze.
8. Boards
The user control and display board and the main control board could be burnt or damaged. Check the solder points on the boards for burn marks. Replace any damaged one.
However, it is rare that these boards get damaged and they are often misdiagnosed. So before replacing them, be sure they are no longer working.
9. Compressor
A freezer cannot operate with a faulty or damaged compressor. But to check and fix the compressor, get a licensed technician according to the laws.
Problems with Samsung Refrigerators
Samsung refrigerators problems can come in a variety of ways which include:
1. Refrigerator not cooling
2. Refrigerator not defrosting
3. Refrigerator ice maker not working
4. Refrigerator freezer cold but refrigerator warm
5. Refrigerator freezing food
6. Refrigerator leaking water
Samsung Refrigerator Not Cooling – Quick Fix
If a Samsung refrigerator is not cooling, check the following parts and replace the defective ones:
1. Condenser Fan Motor
Check the blades of the fan to see if there is any obstruction. Because of the location of the fan, it is easy to gather debris, especially if there are pets around.
Clean the blades thoroughly and check how well they turn. If they don’t turn well, replace the motor of the fan. But if the blades turn well and are free of obstruction, check for continuity in the motor using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the motor.
The fan takes air over the compressor after passing it through the coils. If the fan is malfunctioning, the refrigerator won’t cool because the compressor will overheat.
2. Evaporator Fan Motor
Check to see if the blades of the fan turn well. If they don’t, it means the motor is defective and should be replaced. And if the motor is noisier than usual, replace it because it is damaged.
Additionally, if the motor does not come on at all, check for continuity in the windings using a multimeter. If there is no continuity in the windings, replace the motor of the fan.
After taking air over the evaporator coils, the evaporator fan circulates the air throughout the freezer and refrigerator compartments. If the motor is bad, the fan won’t work and there will be no cold air in the unit. While the freezer can retain some coldness, the refrigerator won’t cool enough or at all.
3. Condenser Coils
Dirty condenser coils cannot efficiently dissipate heat from the refrigerator. Therefore, clean them using a brush or rag. And be sure to check them from time to time to clean them.
As the refrigerant goes through the coils, they dissipate the heat from it as it condenses. But if they cannot do this, the refrigerant carries the heat along with it into the refrigerator, making the unit less able to maintain a cool temperature.
4. Thermistor
Again, this refrigerator component may not be the reason it is not cooling. But to cover all bases, test the thermistor using a multimeter to see if the resistance changes as the temperature of the unit changes. If this does not happen and there is no continuity, replace the thermistor.
A bad thermistor can prevent the evaporator fan and compressor from running. This is because it is responsible for monitoring the temperature in the refrigerator and sending the results to the main control board. With the results, the board knows the amount of voltage that the fan and compressor need.
But if the thermistor submits a wrong reading, the board will regulate the wrong amount of voltage and consequently, the parts won’t operate as needed and the refrigerator won’t cool as it should.
5. Start Relay
Test the start relay between the start and run terminals to check for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity between the terminals, replace the relay. And if it rattles when shaken or smells burnt, then replace the relay.
If the start relay is faulty, the compressor will have a hard time running. And if the compressor does not run, the refrigerator won’t cool.
6. Temperature Control Thermostat
While it is not likely this is the problem, check the thermostat by turning it from low to high. There should be an audible click. If there is no click, test it to check for continuity. And if there is no continuity at both the high and low settings, replace the thermostat.
If the thermostat is defective, the refrigerant may not run as it should and the refrigerator won’t cool without the refrigerant.
7. Start Capacitor
Much like the start relay, test the capacitor to check if it is still working. If there is no response from it, replace it.
This is because the capacitor helps the compressor start. But it cannot perform its duty if it is faulty. So, the compressor may not start at all.
This is one of the best known Samsung refrigerator problems
Samsung Refrigerator Not Defrosting – Quick Fix
Do the following if a Samsung refrigerator is not defrosting:
1. Check the Defrost Heater
Test the defrost heater using a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the heater.
The defrost thermostat allows the defrost heater to turn on a few times a day in order to warm the evaporator coils. This keeps them from getting frozen. But if the heater is defective, frost would accumulate on the coils, interrupting the defrost cycle.
2. Check the Defrost Timer
Manually turn the dial of the timer slowly to advance it into the defrost cycle. When you do this, the defrost heater should turn on as the compressor turns off. If this happens, this is the first indication the timer is faulty.
But if it does not come out of the defrost cycle in 30 minutes or transmit power to other defrost components, it is clear that it is faulty. Replace the timer.
3. Check the Defrost Thermostat
Test the thermostat using a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity even at the operating range’s low temperature, replace the thermostat.
The thermostat keeps an eye on the evaporator or cooling coils to know when they are cold enough. At a preset temperature, the thermostat allows the defrost heater to turn on in order to warm the coils to prevent frost buildup.
If the thermostat malfunctions, this process would be interrupted and there will be an ice buildup in the refrigerator.
This is one of the known Samsung refrigerator problems.
Samsung Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working – Quick Fix
The following are what to check if a Samsung refrigerator ice maker is not working:
1. Water Inlet Valve
Ensure that the water pressure is up to 20psi, at least, because this is the only way the valve can get enough pressure to open and supply water to the ice maker. If the pressure is insufficient, increase it.
But if the pressure is right, test the solenoid of the valve with a multimeter to be sure it is getting enough power. If there is power yet the valve can’t supply water to the ice maker, replace it.
2. Temperature
If the temperature in the freezer is high, the ice maker will have a hard time making ice. So check the temperature setting and adjust it if it is higher than 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the right temperature for the ice maker to produce ice.
3. Ice Maker Switch
Make sure that the ice maker is on. It could be turned off accidentally. If it is clearly on, then test the ice maker switch with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity in the ice maker switch, it means it is defective and should be replaced.
4. Water Filter
Replace the water filter if you have been using it for longer than 6 months. If it is newly installed, check to see it is properly installed and there is no damage to the head or the housing.
A clogged filter inhibits the flow of water to the ice maker and water dispenser. As a result, the ice maker won’t be able to make ice as it should.
While the ice maker can function without a water filter, it is not recommended. This is because the water filter screens the water to remove impurities that are dangerous to health and can damage the machine over time.
5. Ice Maker Assembly
The ice maker assembly could be the cause of the problem. But to be sure, test all the other parts that work along with it to produce ice. If all test fine, then check the ice maker. One or more parts could be faulty, causing it not to work.
However, it may be difficult to find individual parts to replace faulty ones. It is usually easier to just replace the entire assembly.
Ice maker issues is a common occurrence among Samsung refrigerator users. Therefore, it is common to Samsung refrigerator problems.
Samsung Refrigerator Freezer Cold but Refrigerator Warm – Quick Fix
Check the following for faults:
1. Evaporator Coils
Open the inside back panel of the freezer section to assess the coils. If they are frozen, thaw them by defrosting the unit manually.
Empty the unit and unplug it from power. Leave the doors open and place towels around the unit to soak up excess water. Give the unit some hours to fully defrost so that the coils can defrost as well. Clean the unit and floor after that and plug it back in.
However, frozen evaporator coils mean something is wrong with the defrost system of the refrigerator. Test each component one by one to determine which is faulty and replace it.
Additionally, check the thermistor, damper control and main control board, though they are not likely to be the reason why the refrigerator is warm while the freezer is cold.
2. Evaporator Fan Motor
Check to see if the blades of the fan turn freely. If they don’t, it means the motor is bad. Replace it. And if the motor is too noisy, it should be replaced because something has gone wrong with it.
But if the motor of the fan does not run at all, check for continuity between its windings using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the fan motor.
Among the list of Samsung refrigerator problems, this is a common one.
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Samsung Refrigerator Freezing Food – Quick Fix
If your Samsung refrigerator is freezing food, do the following:
1. Check the Air Damper Control
If the damper is stuck open, it means it is broken and needs to be replaced. Too much cold air will get through the opening and cause the refrigerator to get too cold.
2. Check the Thermistor
Test the thermistor using a multimeter. You should see the resistance of the thermistor changing along with the temperature of the refrigerator. If this does not happen and there is no continuity, replace the thermistor.
The thermistor is responsible for monitoring temperature and sending the result to the control board. The board sends power to the cooling fan and the compressor based on what the result says.
So if the thermistor is bad, it could cause the fan and compressor to run too much, making the refrigerator cold enough to freeze food.
3. Check the Temperature Control Board
Check to see if the temperature control board is damaged or burnt at any solder point. Replace the board if it is.
The temperature control board could send voltage continuously to the fan motors and compressor if it is faulty. This, in turn, will make the refrigerator cold enough to freeze food.
However, it is easy to misdiagnose control boards and this is no different. Therefore, be sure it is damaged before replacing it.
4. Check the Temperature Control Thermostat
Take the thermostat from the lowest temperature setting to the highest point. Wait to hear an audible click. If you don’t hear the click, test the thermostat using a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, no matter the temperature setting, replace the part.
The fan motors and the compressor get voltage through the thermostat. If it is not working well, the motors and the compressor could run too much, making the refrigerator too cold.
Freezing food is a common one among Samsung refrigerator problems.
Samsung Refrigerator Leaking Water – Quick Fix
Replace any part that is defective if a Samsung refrigerator is leaking water:
1. Water Filter
An improperly fitted water filter can cause water to leak from its head. And if the head is cracked, it will leak, making it look as if the refrigerator is leaking.
Check the filter and fit it properly to the housing if it is not done correctly. Consult the user manual for instructions on how to do this. Replace the filter entirely if the head is cracked and be sure to get the right type of filter for a Samsung refrigerator.
2. Water Valve
If the valve is not tightly fitted or has a cracked head, it will cause water to leak into the refrigerator. Therefore, tighten the valve if it is loose and replace it if it cracked.
3. Drain Hole
If the drain is clogged or blocked with ice or dirt, clear it out using hot water. Pour the hot water down the hole to melt any ice or push the dirt out. Be sure to pour the water until it runs clean and clear.
4. Drain Pan
Check the drain pan to see if it is filled to overflowing or cracked. Empty it if it is filled but determine why the water did not evaporate as it should. However, replace the pan if it is cracked. Otherwise, it will keep leaking water, making the refrigerator look as if it is leaking.
Another reason why a refrigerator leaks water is a clogged defrost drain. If there is ice or debris over or in the hole, flush it out using hot water. Pour the water until it runs free and clear.
This is also one of the known Samsung refrigerator problems.
Recap
Keep an eye out for any of these Samsung refrigerator problems. If you find any, follow the guide above to fix it. But if you find it difficult to replace any part of the refrigerator, contact Samsung to request service or call a certified refrigerator repair technician.
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