Samsung Refrigerator Not Cooling | 10 Easy DIY Tips

With the name Samsung, you always raise your expectations of fine quality.

Unfortunately, there are a few common problems often found in Samsung refrigerators, which can lead you to a frustrating experience and even worse.

One of the most common issues with their refrigerators is that the cooling system is not functioning properly.

Your Samsung refrigerator won’t cool for many reasons, and some of them are the frosted coils, temperature settings, and worn-out door seal.

So, in this DIY repair guide, we will look at the possible causes of a refrigerator that is not cooling as it should and show you how to fix it.

Related: Refrigerator Brands to Avoid

How to Fix Samsung Refrigerator Not Cooling? 

The reasons why your Samsung refrigerator is not cooling include frosted evaporator coils, dirty condenser coils, temperature sensor failure, defective compressor or thermostat, and broken door seals.

Let’s go through these in detail with simple troubleshooting tips for the Samsung fridge problem.

1. Evaporator Coils Frosted Over:

Frosted evaporator coils reduce the ability of the evaporator fan to circulate the cold air within the refrigerator.

However, it is possible to melt the frost from the evaporator coils with the help of the defrosting heater assembly.

If the defrost heater is defective, frost will continue to build up at the evaporator’s coils and affect the flow of cold air in the refrigerator.

Solution:

• First of all, check the evaporator coils to see if they are frosted.
• Then determine whether the heater is working properly or not.
• To determine defective heater assembly, make sure that you unplug the main connection of the refrigerator.
• Now, start testing each component with a multimeter for continuity. If they have fine connections, you can move on to the next test.
• If there is a problem with the continuity, replace the component.

2. Dirty Condenser Coils: 

Condenser coils have a key role in cooling the refrigerator. It works to dispel the heat and thereby cool the refrigerator.

With time, condenser coils can be covered up with dust, which may halt the cooling system. Look out the condenser coils at the back of the refrigerator and clean them.

You can fix this problem in a few steps at home.

• Make sure that you unplug the refrigerator first.
• Now, get to the condenser coils at the back of the refrigerator.
• Clean the coils by using a flexible brush or vacuum the dust and debris from the coils by using a narrow hose vacuum attachment.
• Check the working of the cooling system by letting it stand for time and have a look at the next component if there is still an issue.

 3. Temperature Sensor Failure: 

The temperature sensor works as a detector of temperature readings and sends them to the main control board.

Then, the control board administrates the voltage level, which is sent to the evaporator fan and other components to adjust the inside temperature of the refrigerator.

So, the defective temperature sensor can send a false reading to the control board or may not send any reading, leading to the problem of not having enough cooling in your refrigerator.

Solution:

• Disconnect all the circuits to check the thermistor.
• Take your multimeter and check the resistance of the temperature sensor.
• Resistance changes with the temperature change. If there is a problem with the continuity of resistance and temperature, it needs to be replaced.

4. Broken Start Relay: 

The compressor start relay failure is another cause of your Samsung refrigerator not cooling.

If you feel that the compressor is making a problem in its working or producing noise in the starting, you should check the start relay first.

The start relay helps the compressor by giving a proper input power supply. A faulty start relay would not give the compressor a smooth run.

You can check the start relay by following the steps.

• Check to be sure that all the wires of the refrigerator are disconnected.
• Use a multimeter to check the start relay. If there is no proper continuity, the start relay will be defective and must be replaced.
• You can also check the start relay by shaking it. If you hear some clattering noise, then something is broken inside the relay and needs to be changed.

5. Evaporator Fan Frosted Over Or Motor Failure: 

The evaporator fan gets the cold air through evaporator coils and circulates this air inside the refrigerator. It results in the cooling of the refrigerator.

But if there is a problem with your refrigerator cooling, you can check the evaporator fan at the back of the refrigerator.

If the evaporator fan is frosted over, it will not circulate cold air inside the refrigerator because of not rotating fan blades.

In this case, it is the reason for not cooling the refrigerator.

Solution:

• Switch off your refrigerator for a few hours until all the ice from the evaporator fan melts.
• Rotate the fan by hand. If it rotates smoothly, turn on your refrigerator after some time.
• If it still causes the problem, then it may be the fault of the defrost heater assembly, as mentioned earlier. You can check the continuity of it by the multimeter. If there is some problem, change it.
• Also, check the continuity of the fan motor with a multimeter. If all of the wiring connections are good, the problem will be somewhere else. If you don’t see the continuity, replace the motor.

6. Malfunctioning of Start Capacitor

The capacitor is also like the surge to help the compressor start. So the compressor cannot start properly if it doesn’t get the proper input supply from all its components.

See the following easy steps to find a solution to this problem.

• Turn off all the input supplies of the refrigerator and get the start capacitor at the back of the unit, near the compressor.
• Check the continuity with the help of a multimeter.
• If it shows a continuity issue, consider the replacement of this component and then check the system’s working.

7. Faulty Defrost Thermostat: 

A defrost thermostat is the element of a refrigerator that controls the temperature in the refrigerator’s automatic defrost system.

When evaporator coils are frosted over, it gives the power to the defrost heater assembly that warms the coils until all the ice melts.

A timer in the defrost thermostat automatically turns off the heater when extra ice defrosts.

If the defrost thermostat is corrupted, it may leave the components frosted or can give extra heat as well. So, make sure the proper functionality of this portion.

Solution:

• Disconnect all the main wires of the refrigerator from the socket board.
• Take a multimeter and check its continuity.
• If it does not have acceptable continuity, replace it on time.

8. Check the Door Sealing:

The sealing of the door makes the maximum cooling of the refrigerator confined to the inside compartment, preventing any outside heat effect.

Hence, if there is a problem with cooling in your refrigerator, then check the door seals on the spot.

Seals can break from anywhere, or there can also be frozen dust on seals. Breaking or dirty seals make gaps and can also result in the Samsung refrigerator icemaker not working properly.

Solution:

• Switch off your refrigerator to avoid any harm.
• Add some dishwashing detergent to a cup of warm water.
• Clean the seal by scrubbing this mixture and then let it dry. Turn on your refrigerator and check it works after a few hours.
• If the seal is broken somewhere, then you need to replace it.

9. Defective Compressor

If you have checked all of the other issues and still have a problem with the cooling system, the whole compressor might be defective.

It works like a pump to circulate the air and also exert pressure, having a leading role in the cooling process.

So you cannot expect the perfect functionality of the refrigerator owing to the flawed compressor.

Solution:

• Unplug all the supplies of the circuits and get the compressor.
• Check the continuity of the component. It is done between the pins of the compressor, located at the side of it.
• Call the company or hire a professional to replace the compressor if it doesn’t show fine connectivity.

10. Main Control Board Not Working: 

Finally, there comes the main control board of the refrigerator that works like a brain by controlling everything in the unit.

So, If you have checked all of the points mentioned above and still your refrigerator is not cooling properly, then the fault may be in the main control board.

It is not a common fault, and you can’t repair it alone if you are not qualified.

Solution:

• Turn off all the circuits at first.
• Go to the back of your refrigerator and locate the inverter control board, which gets a signal from the main control board. ( in most Samsung refrigerators)
• There will be an LED indicator; if it is blinking or off, it means there is a problem with the main control board. Continuity is checked carefully to examine the activity of the board.
• You need a professional repair technician to solve this and replace the control board.

Conclusion

Samsung refrigerators are perfect, but it is normal to find issues in refrigerators after years of use.

The Samsung refrigerator not cooling is one of the common problems that many users face. We tried to clarify all the possible facts about this issue.

However, if you find the complete repair cost or more than half of the original price, it would be recommended to change the whole unit in some cases.

After all this guide, it is also highly recommended to use the refrigerator with some care, like not putting the extra load or keeping the system away from any kind of dust.

Steven Settles

Steven Settles is an ISCET-certified master in appliance repair. He has aced the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam, showcasing his exceptional diagnostic and repair skills. With an in-depth understanding of the latest repair technologies and a keen eye on evolving industry standards, Steven is a go-to expert for any appliance issue.