Samsung fridges are some of the highest-rated appliances on the market today. Nonetheless, they are not immune to malfunction. What is wrong with your fridge when the lights will turn on but it won’t cool down?
If your Samsung fridge isn’t cooling but the light is still on, the problem could be an easy fix such as a gap in the door seal, too high temperatures outside of the fridge, or a faulty power source. Other reasons include a broken thermostat, evaporator motor, or evaporator coils. This could call for a repair or replacement of the broken parts.
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How to Determine What is Wrong with Your Samsung Fridge
If you realize that your fridge is not cooling, there are a few quick-fix problems you can check. First, be sure that the LED light above the door comes on when you open the door. If this isn’t happening, your problem is most likely from the power source.
Next, be sure that you set the thermostat to an appropriate temperature. The fridge thermostat should be set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below to keep your food safe. After changing the temperature settings, allow up to 24 hours for the fridge to cool completely.
If you have checked both of these things and still don’t know what could be causing the issue, read on to learn about some potential causes.
Broken Doors Can Cause Air Leaks
It is important for fridge doors to close and seal properly to keep the cool air in. If there is any obstruction around the door or a damaged rubber gasket, this can prevent your fridge from maintaining cold temperatures.
First, check to make sure that the rubber gasket around the door is clean. Enough build-up or debris on the seal can create a gap from which air can escape.
If you notice that the rubber gasket is broken in any spots, it is very important to replace it with a new one. Make sure to find one that is made for your model of fridge.
High Temperature Outside of Fridge
If you live in a particularly hot climate, especially in the summer months, the hot temperatures in your home could be to blame for your warm fridge. This is more likely if you do not have air conditioning.
To avoid this issue, make sure that your fridge is not in direct sunlight or near any strong heat sources.
Broken Evaporator Motor
The evaporator motor powers the fan which then circulates the cold air through your Samsung refrigerator. If this is broken, it will affect the temperatures in the fridge. You might notice uneven temperatures if this is the case.
Another sign that a broken evaporator motor could be your problem is if your freezer is still cooling, but not the fridge.
If you suspect this may be the issue, you can check by removing the shelves and unscrewing the inner back panel of the fridge. Once these are removed, listen and look for the fan.
If the fan seems to not be working it will need to be repaired or replaced. Replacing it is often the best option, as it is likely to break again more quickly.
Faulty Evaporator Coils
Especially if your Samsung fridge is a bit older, the issue could very likely be broken or frozen evaporator coils. If the problem is the evaporator coils, it is most likely because they are simply frozen or frosted over.
To check the evaporator coils follow the same steps for the evaporator motor. Remove the shelves and panel and you will be able to see the coils.
If the coils appear to be frozen, you can fix this by completely thawing the fridge. Remove it from power and allow at least 24 hours. You can speed up the thawing by using a hair dryer to warm the coils.
The coils may also be broken, but this is more rare. If this is the case, the coils will need to be replaced.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
If the thermostat or temperature sensors in your Samsung fridge are broken or malfunctioning, this can make it impossible to control the temperature of your fridge.
In order to check if the thermostat could be your problem, try this method. Turn the temperature setting to the lowest possible setting. Allow it to sit for a moment and then turn it all the way to the highest setting and listen for a click sound. If there is no click, the thermostat is likely not working.
To fix a malfunctioning thermostat, try resetting your fridge. You can do this by pressing and holding the “power cool” and “power freeze” buttons at the same time until you hear a chime sound. After this, the fridge should start up again.
If restarting the fridge doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to have the thermostat repaired or replaced.
Final Thoughts
There are multiple reasons that your Samsung fridge may not be cooling properly. By ruling out some of the reasons above, you should be able to isolate the problem. Then you can have your fridge working again in no time!
