8 Reasons Your Samsung Refrigerator Is Not Cooling

There can be many reasons why your Samsung refrigerator isn’t cooling properly, and this article lists the most common ones along with some easy-to-follow tips for fixing the issue.

So, if you’re fed up with your food not staying as fresh and cool as it should and spoiling quicker as a result, keep reading for some practical advice on getting your refrigerator functioning how it should once again.

Before we start, quickly check that the fridge is plugged into a working wall outlet. Sometimes, this gets overlooked. If needed, try plugging another device into the same outlet to test it or check that the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped.

With that accomplished, here are 8 reasons why your Samsung refrigerator isn’t cooling.

Reason #1: The Door Seal May Be Damaged

An issue with the door seal, also known as the gasket, can allow warm air to enter and cold air to escape from inside your refrigerator, increasing its temperature.

If the seal is damaged, i.e., it’s heavily worn, cracked, or broken, it will need to be replaced with a new one compatible with your Samsung refrigerator model.

Door seals are relatively easy to replace yourself; simply pull out the old seal, give the area a good cleaning, and then gently push the new seal into place, starting on one side and gradually working your way around.

If the seal appears undamaged but is indented anywhere, you may be able to pull it back out and adjust it slightly with your hand so it sits correctly. If the seal is covered in food or grime, clean it with some warm, soapy water and a sponge or soft brush.

Essentially, you want to be confident that there are no gaps anywhere around the seal when the door is closed, so have a good look to make sure that’s the case before moving to the next tip.

Reason #2: It May Be Positioned Incorrectly

Your Samsung refrigerator needs to have adequate airflow around it for it to function effectively; therefore, it should have at least a 1-inch gap behind and above it and a 0.5-inch gap on each side.

Also, if the fridge is located in an overly hot or humid area or in direct sunlight, it can be difficult for your fridge to cool properly.

Try relocating your Samsung appliance, adding more space around it, or changing the room temperature and humidity if you believe any of these could be contributing to the issue. 

Reason #3: It’s Overfilled

If your fridge is jam-packed full of food to the point that the air vents inside are being blocked and there’s no space for air to flow between items, it will very likely lead to cooling issues.

Your fridge needs to be able to circulate the cold air throughout its entire interior, so try removing some items if your unit is overstocked.

Reason #4: The Temperature Is Set Too Warm

Your Samsung refrigerator should be set to 37°F on the fridge and 0°F on the freezer, so double-check that the temperature settings aren’t causing the problem.

If the thermostats are set correctly, you can also try lowering the temperature a few degrees to see if that makes a difference.

Reason #5: The Door Is Being Opened Too Often or Left Open

If the fridge door is being opened too often or left open for long periods, it can allow cold air to leave and warm air to enter its interior, increasing the temperature inside.

Aim to open the fridge door no more than 15 times daily to see if that helps. Also, avoid leaving it open for long periods to browse its contents. If your fridge’s temperature has increased because of excessive or extended openings, remember that it can take up to 24 hours for it to return to the correct temperature.

Reason #6: Hot Items Have Been Put in the Refrigerator

When hot food items are placed inside the refrigerator, they’ll temporarily increase the temperature of the interior, and it can take a little while for both the fridge and the food to cool down. It can also lead to excess condensation, which can lead to issues like frosting if done repeatedly.

It’s best to let food cool down a bit before placing it in the refrigerator. However, don’t leave your food sitting at room temperature for too long as this can allow bacteria to grow, making it unsafe to consume.

Reason #7: The Condenser Coils Need Cleaning

The condenser coils play a crucial role in keeping the fridge cold by releasing heat from the appliance. When the condenser coils are dirty, they’re not as effective at doing this, which can lead to cooling issues. The condenser coils naturally pick up dust and hair over time, so they do need to be cleaned every now and then.

You can find the condenser coils near the bottom at the back of most Samsung model refrigerators. However, you’ll need to remove the cover panel using a screwdriver to access them. This is easy enough, but you need to unplug the appliance beforehand for safety. 

Once you’ve gained access to the condenser coils, use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attached and a soft, slender brush to gently clean the coils until all the dust and hair are removed.

Reason #8: A Component May Be Defective

It’s usually best to call in a specialist appliance repair person if you suspect one of its major components is failing. For instance, if the compressor is making loud or unusual noises, indicating that it’s faulty, it’s very challenging to fix it yourself.

However, sometimes components fail because they’re frozen over, or perhaps debris is stuck in one of the fans, leading to your Samsung not cooling. These are the types of issues most people are able to fix themselves. 

To know, you’re going to need to gain access to the internal components. So start by unplugging the appliance, and then removing the panel on the back of the refrigerator and the back panels of the interior. 

Now inspect if there is ice, something caught in the fan, or anything else obviously causing the problem. If you find ice on any components, leave your fridge unplugged to defrost gradually, or use a hair dryer to speed up the process. Remove anything caught in the fans and check that they spin freely.