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Why is My Samsung Refrigerator Not Cooling & How Can I Fix It?

If your Samsung refrigerator is running but the fridge compartment is warm, the most common causes are dirty condenser coils, incorrect temperature settings, or a failing condenser fan, with evaporator fan failure, a damaged door gasket, or an incoming power issue less likely but possible. Start simple: pull the fridge out and check the condenser coils under or behind the unit for lint and debris and clean them with a soft brush or vacuum; then verify the freezer is set to 0 to 5°F and the fridge to 34 to 40°F and give it 24 hours to stabilize. If the appliance still will not cool, inspect the condenser fan and condenser fan motor for obstructions and free-spinning blades, then check the evaporator fan in the freezer if the freezer is cold but the refrigerator is not. Look for torn or warped gaskets that let warm air in, and confirm the outlet and breaker are supplying steady power. If you need a replacement condenser fan motor, evaporator fan motor, door gasket or other part, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact part that fits your refrigerator.

01 - Condenser Coils are Dirty

As debris builds up on the condenser coils, usually located under the refrigerator, the appliance will become less efficient and will have to cycle on more often to maintain a cool temperature. If the condenser coils are significantly clogged with debris, the compressor may overheat and shut off prematurely, preventing the appliance from cooling at all. The condenser coils should be cleaned every 6 to 12 months by using a soft bristle brush (or a dedicated condenser coil cleaning brush) to wipe off the coils in a circular motion. A vacuum cleaner with a nozzle attachment can also be used for hard-to-reach areas.
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02 - Freezer or refrigerator temperature is set too high

Verify the freezer temperature is set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -15 Celsius). Verify the refrigerator temperature is set between 34 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 5 Celsius). After resetting the temperature wait 24 hours for the temperature to adjust appropriately.
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03 - Samsung Refrigerator Condenser Fan Motor

The condenser fan motor draws air though the condenser coils and over the compressor. If the condenser fan motor is not working properly, the refrigerator won’t cool properly. To determine if the fan motor is defective, first check the fan blade for obstructions. Next, try turning the fan motor blade by hand. If the blade does not spin freely, replace the condenser fan motor. If no obstructions are present and the fan blade spins freely, use a multimeter to test the fan motor for continuity. If the condenser fan motor does not have continuity, replace it.
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04 - Samsung Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor

The evaporator fan motor draws air over the evaporator (cooling) coils and circulates it throughout the refrigerator and freezer compartments. Some refrigerators have more than one evaporator fan motor. On refrigerators with only one evaporator, the evaporator is located in the freezer compartment. If the evaporator fan is not working, it will not circulate the cold air to the refrigerator compartment. If this occurs, the freezer may still get cold, while the refrigerator will not get cold. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, repla...ce the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy, replace it. Finally, if the motor does not run at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor.
Highly Likely

05 - Samsung Refrigerator Door Gasket

A refrigerator door gasket should form an airtight seal around the appliance's frame to keep the cold air in and the warm air out. If the door gasket is twisted or torn, gaps can form that will allow warm air in, resulting in the refrigerator not cooling properly. Inspect the door gasket for any damage and replace with a new one if necessary.
Highly Likely

06 - Incoming Power Problem

Ensure plug is tightly pushed into a regular electrical outlet and the outlet is supplying power. Using a ground fault outlet for a refrigerator is not recommended. Confirm that no circuit breakers have tripped or fuses have blown.
Highly Likely

Frequently Asked Questions

My refrigerator is not cooling. What should I check first?
Freezer is cold but refrigerator warm. Why is the fridge not cooling while the freezer works?
How can I tell if dirty condenser coils or the condenser fan motor are causing my fridge to run constantly or overheat?
Could a damaged door gasket make my fridge not cool properly?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic.com to find the right replacement part?

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