There is nothing worse than pulling something out of the fridge only to find that it has been frozen. I find this is a common issue with refrigerators, and have compiled a list of potential causes and solutions for this problem.
If your Samsung refrigerator is freezing food, try turning the power cool feature off. Also, make sure that your temperature settings are set correctly and that the door seals properly. Finally, inspect the internal components like the condenser coils, thermistor, and air vents for issues. If nothing works, contact Samsung support for further assistance.
The next section of this guide will cover the different troubleshooting methods you can apply to resolve your Samsung refrigerator issues.
Troubleshooting Samsung Refrigerator Freezing Food
1. Turn Power Cool Off
Your Samsung refrigerator’s power cool setting could be keeping your fridge cold enough to freeze the food you have stored. While this setting is meant to keep the refrigerator cooler than normal, it could reach temperatures cool enough that all the contents of your fridge are frozen.
The Power Cool setting enables the refrigerator to drop to its lowest temperature possible. It works by bypassing the native temperature settings so that temperatures below that are achievable.
I find that this is one of the most common reasons Samsung refrigerators freeze food. To resolve this, you will simply need to determine if the power cool setting is active and turn it off. The process to do this is simple and only takes a few minutes.
The process to turn off your Samsung refrigerators power cool option has been detailed below:
1. Check your refrigerator’s control panel for the Power Cool LED indicator, as shown in the picture below, to see if it is lit.
2. If the Power Cool LED indicator is lit, touch the Freezer button and hold it for around 5 seconds or until the LED indicator is no longer lit.
3. If your Samsung refrigerator is the Family Hub model, the Power Cool setting can be disabled by using the Fridge Manager application on your smartphone.
If this quick fix did not resolve your issue, you should try relocating the refrigerator next. The reasoning behind this will be detailed in the section below.
2. Relocate the Refrigerator
If your refrigerator is located in an area that is receiving direct sunlight or proximity heat from other appliances, this could cause freezing issues. This is because the extra heat will cause your refrigerator to react by lowering to internal temperature.
The more heat external heat that your refrigerator is exposed to, the more the compressor will have to work to compensate. To resolve this, you will need to relocate the refrigerator so that it is not exposed to large amounts of external heat or sunlight.
When repositioning your refrigerator, you should be sure to leave at least an inch and a half of space to ensure proper air ventilation. This will help prevent internal overheating that could lead to temperature compensation.
If this does not resolve your issue, you will need to start investigating a few of the internals of your fridge. One of the most common components I see causing freezing issues is the condenser coils. This will be discussed in more detail in the section below.
3. Clean the Condenser Coils
Your condenser coils are vital to the heat exchange process. If the condenser coils are damaged, worn, or dirty, heat will not be exchanged properly, which can trigger freezing temperatures. Your refrigerator will attempt to compensate by increasing internal cooling.
To check your condenser coils for damage and grime, follow the steps below.
1. Unplug your freezer and pull it out from the wall so you can get to the back of it.
2. Inspect the vent located on the back of your freezer. If there is visible dust, dirt, or grime, clean it and continue on to the next step.
3. Remove the vent plate using a screwdriver or drill.
4. Once the vent plate has been removed, the condenser coil will be exposed. An example of a clogged condenser coil that needs cleaning is pictured below.
5. Use a brush, compressed air, or a vacuum to clean the condenser coil and remove all dust, debris, and obstructions.
6. Replace the vent plate and push the freezer back in place.
It is a good idea to regularly inspect and clean your condenser coils so that you can avoid this issue in the future. A condenser coil that is too dirty could also be a fire hazard. This makes it an important component of your freezer to keep clear of debris.
One thing to consider is that your model of the refrigerator may feature condenser coils that run all the way to the front of the machine. These models will have condenser coils housed under the kick-plate at the front of the refrigerator, as pictured below.
If this does not resolve your issue, there are other internal components that are often overlooked that could be causing your issue. These will be covered in the next few sections below.
4. Leave the Air Vents Free
If the air vents located in the back of the refrigerator are obstructed, you could experience freezing temperatures internally to compensate for poor airflow. Your Samsung refrigerator has an internal cooling system that detects airflow and compensates when it believes cooler temperatures are needed.
Because of this, I find it best to position food in your refrigerator in a way that does not compromise the airflow. You should also avoid placing food containers and liquids near the coldest parts of the fridge, the back, and the bottom. This will help you avoid having your food frozen.
If you have rearranged your refrigerator to clear the airflow and are still having problems, you will need to consider replacing other internal elements that could have failed. One of these components is the thermistor, which will be detailed in the section below.
5. Replace the Thermistor
The thermistor that controls and regulates temperature changes in your refrigerator could have died, which will cause freezing issues. The thermistor works in tandem with the control board of your refrigerator to signal changes in temperature.
When the thermistor is not working properly, your fridge may become too cold or too hot because the temperature controls are not being communicated. To resolve this, you will need to locate and replace the thermistor inside your fridge.
The process to do this is fairly simple and will only take a few minutes. You will need a few tools before starting the process, including a ¼ inch nut driver, a screwdriver, and a pair of work gloves. Once you have obtained the proper materials, follow to steps below to replace your thermistor.
1. First, disconnect your refrigerator from the power source.
2. Remove the thermistor cover located underneath a plastic cover attached to either the back, wall, or ceiling of your refrigerator.
3. Remove the thermistor cover to expose the thermistor.
4. To remove the thermistor, detach the mounting clip and wire harness.
5. Install the new thermistor by reattaching the mounting clip and wire harness.
6. Plug in your refrigerator and see if your problem is resolved.
If you are having issues with this process, this video could help give you a visual representation of these instructions. If you are still having problems replacing your thermistor, it could be due to another internal component, the door gasket.
This component will be detailed more in the section below.
6. Change the Door Gasket
You should make sure that the refrigerator door gasket is sealing properly. I find that door gasket issues are extremely common and will cause your fridge to compensate for temperature internally.
When checking the doors of my fridge, I always ensure that the door gaskets are sealed completely and are not allowing any air to escape. Any gaskets that appear to be protruding, causing an air leak, can be pushed back into place with your hand.
If this did not help solve your problem, continue on to the next section for other troubleshooting suggestions.
7. Raise the Temperature
This may seem like an obvious fix, but you should consider raising the internal temperature of your refrigerator manually using the temperature settings. The recommended temperature for the inside of a refrigerator is 38 degrees Celsius or 3 degrees Fahrenheit.
You should ensure that the inside of your refrigerator is set to a temperature around these specifications. An internal temperature higher or lower than this can cause food to freeze or spoil. If your temperature is set correctly, you could also consider increasing the content of your fridge.
The significance of this will be detailed in the next section.
8. Increase the Content
Another simple fix is to increase the contents of your refrigerator. Because of the way the internal cooling works, it will be dispersed more evenly inside a fridge that has more contents. The more empty space you leave inside your fridge, the colder it will be.
Because of this, I recommend adding more contents to the fridge at once so that there is less space that will need to be filled with cold air. Of course, this is not always an option, but even adding placeholder containers to see if that resolves your issue temporarily or if you have a more serious problem.
9. Replace the Temperature Control Thermostat
The next component you should check on your refrigerator is the temperature control thermostat. The temperature control thermostat regulates power to the evaporator and compressor of your refrigerator. These are two vital components that will not work if they do not receive the right power supply.
I have found this is one of the more common components of a Samsung refrigerator to malfunction. You can check your temperature control thermostat using the steps listed below.
1. Turn off your refrigerator and unplug it from the wall. Make sure the power switch is set to OFF.
2. Locate your temperate control thermostat using your user manual. The location will differ depending on your particular model.
3. Once you have located your temperature control thermostat, check to see if you can adjust it manually from lowest to highest settings.
4. If you do not hear a clicking sound while moving from the lowest to highest settings, it could be the start capacitor causing your issue, and will need to be replaced.
5. Using a multimeter, test the thermostat for continuity. If the thermostat does not pass the test, purchase a new thermostat and replace it.
If you have tried everything thus far and are still having issues, it’s time to break into investigating one of the most important components of your refrigerator, the main control board. This will be detailed in the section below.
10. Main Control Board Problem?
Issues with the control board can also cause your Samsung refrigerator to freeze your food. The control board is responsible for many internal functions of your refrigerator that control temperature settings.
I find the most common control board issues to be caused by excessive heat exposure or electrical surges.
A faulty control board can be identified by persistent issues with temperature, blinking lights, and faulty ice dispenser door controls. If your refrigerator is exhibiting these symptoms, it is likely that your control board is damaged and needs to be replaced.
The process to do this is fairly complex and should only be attempted if you are comfortable removing electrical components from your refrigerator. If not, consider having a professional Samsung technician come out and do it for you as detailed in the next section.
If you wish to replace the control board yourself, follow the steps listed below. This process could take up to an hour.
1. First, purchase a replacement control board for your model Samsung refrigerator.
2. Once your replacement control board has arrived, unplug the refrigerator from the wall and move it enough to access the back.
3. Unscrew the back panel and locate the faulty control board.
4. Detach all of the wires connecting your control board to the refrigerator’s other internal components. It would help to take a picture of the old control board while it is still installed so you have a reference.
5. Using a screwdriver, release the tabs holding the control board in place and pull it out of the refrigerator.
6. Install the new control board using the reference picture to ensure that all connections are hooked up properly.
If you are having trouble, this video could be a useful resource to help walk you through the process visually. If you have tried all of the fixes in this guide and are still having issues, you may consider contacting a professional to come to resolve your issue.
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Call A Professional
You should consider contacting a certified professional to come to take a look at your refrigerator if you have not been able to resolve your issue. A certified technician can offer more in-depth information regarding your issue and replace internal components you may not be able to reach yourself.
You can typically get your refrigerator serviced by a technician for between $75 to $150, depending on the nature of your issue. You best option to consider is contacting Samsung Support so they can help determine the root of your problem.
Check Your Warranty
Checking your warranty information could be useful if you are having an issue. In this instance, your Samsung warranty could cover repair or replacement costs. I always recommend checking your warranty coverage before initiating any repairs or replacements.
All new Samsung refrigerators come with a one-year limited warranty that will cover basic repairs or replacements for manufacturer-related issues. They also offer extended warranty plans and also warranties for individual components like the compressor.
Samsung has one of the most reliable coverage systems of any refrigerator manufacturer and makes it easy to repair or replace your fridge when issues arise.
Conclusion
Samsung refrigerator freezing issues can be caused by several different things, including faulty internal components, improper temperature settings, or significant dust buildup. To resolve these issues, you should check all of the components of your applicant, like the thermistor, door gaskets, and condenser coils.
If you are still having issues, consider contacting Samsung support for more information. A Samsung technician will be able to identify and resolve any issues that you may be experiencing with your refrigerator.
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