How To Fix a Samsung Refrigerator That Is Not Cooling

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Fleet Appliance
March 14, 2023
Refrigerator Repair

A refrigerator that stops cooling properly can result in your food becoming unsafe to eat. Thankfully, most of the time it’s quite an easy problem to fix.

This guide will tell you how to fix a Samsung refrigerator that is not cooling. Simply follow our step-by-step instructions and you should be able to find the root cause of the problem and fix it.

All major Samsung refrigerator models are covered by this guide, including:

RF268ABBP

RF268ABBPXAA

RF268ABPN

RF268ABPNXAA

RF268ABRS

RF268ABRSXAA

RF268ABWP

RF268ABWPXAA

RFG298AABP

RFG298AABPXAA

RFG298AAPN

RFG298AAPNXAA

RFG298AARSXAA

RFG298AAWP

RFG298AAWPXAA

RS2630SHXAA

RS2630WWXAA

RS267LABP

RS267LASH

RS269LARS

RS2777SL

1. Check the condenser coils

The best place to start is to check the condenser coils to ensure they aren’t dirty or covered in frost. When this happens your Samsung refrigerator will not be able to cool down. The coils can be found at the back of your refrigerator.

Follow these instructions to check the condenser coils:

  • Switch the power off to your Samsung refrigerator.
  • Pull the appliance out from the wall so you can access the coils.
  • Locate the coils and take the cover off.
  • If frosted over, leave the power off to let the ice defrost. Once defrosted, wipe the coils with a clean cloth.
  • If dirty, use a clean cloth to wipe the coils. If there is a lot of dust on them you can use a vacuum cleaner to clean them.
  • Once clean and/or defrosted, turn the power back on to your fridge.
  • Monitor your appliance for the next 12 hours to check if your fridge is now cooling properly. If not, go to step 2. 

2. Check the condenser fan

If your Samsung refrigerator still doesn’t coil properly after cleaning the condenser coils, the next step is to check the condenser fan. The condenser fan is at the back of your appliance and helps to keep the coils cool. When the fan becomes faulty or stops working at all, your fridge won’t be able to cool down correctly.

Follow these instructions to check the condenser fan:

  • Switch the power off to your Samsung refrigerator.
  • Pull the appliance out from the wall so you can access the condenser fan.
  • Locate the fan and take the cover off.
  • Turn the fan around manually a full 360 degrees.
  • If anything is obstructing the fan, remove it. If the fan is covered in ice, leave your appliance off for an hour to let it defrost. If removing loose debris and/or letting it defrost doesn’t allow it to freely rotate, the fan will need to be replaced.
  • If the fan can rotate correctly, the next step is to test the fan motor with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity.
  • If the fan motor doesn’t have continuity, the fan unit will need to be replaced. If it does have continuity, you can put the cover back on the fan and move on to step 3.
  • Once a new condenser fan unit is installed, check your Samsung refrigerator can now cool. If not, move on to step 3.

3. Check the evaporator fan

The next component to check is the evaporator fan. This fan helps to distribute cool air from the freezer compartment into the refrigerator compartment. If it becomes faulty your Samsung refrigerator might not be able to cool correctly.

Follow these instructions to check the evaporator fan:

  • Switch the power off to your Samsung refrigerator.
  • Open your freezer door and locate the evaporator fan. 
  • Remove the cover and then try to turn the fan around manually a full 360 degrees.
  • If anything is obstructing the fan, remove it. If the fan is covered in ice, leave your appliance off for an hour to let it defrost. If removing loose debris and/or letting it defrost doesn’t allow it to freely rotate, the fan will need to be replaced.
  • If the fan can rotate correctly, the next step is to test the fan motor with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity.
  • If the fan motor doesn’t have continuity, the fan unit will need to be replaced. if it does have continuity, you can put the cover back on the fan and move on to step 4.
  • Once a new evaporator fan unit is installed, check your Samsung refrigerator can now cool. If not, move on to step 4.

4. Check the start relay

The next step is to check the start relay, and if defective, replace it. The start relay helps the compressor start-up and operate correctly. If the start relay stops working the compressor will also stop working and your fridge will not cool properly.

Follow these instructions to check the start relay:

  • Switch the power off to your Samsung refrigerator.
  • Locate the start relay (your owner’s manual will help you locate it if you’re not sure where it is).
  • Disconnect the start relay and test it with a multimeter for continuity.
  • If it has continuity, reattach it and move on to step 5. If it doesn’t have continuity, replace the start relay.
  • Once the new start relay is installed, switch your appliance back on and check if it can now cool. If not, move on to step 5.

5. Inspect the temperature control thermostat

The next step is to check, and if necessary, replace the temperature control thermostat. The thermostat monitors the temperature in your fridge so the compressor, evaporator fan, and condenser fan know when to turn on and off. If the thermostat doesn’t record the temperature correctly your appliance might not cool properly.

Follow these instructions to check the thermostat:

  • Switch the power off to your Samsung refrigerator.
  • Locate the temperature control thermostat (your owner’s manual will help you locate it if you’re not sure where it is).
  • Disconnect the thermostat and test it with a multimeter for continuity.
  • If it has continuity, reattach it and move on to step 6. If it doesn’t have continuity, replace the thermostat.
  • Once the new thermostat is installed, switch your appliance back on and check if it can now cool. If not, move on to step 6.

6. Check the start capacitor

If you still haven’t worked out how to fix a Samsung refrigerator that is not cooling, the next step is to check, and if defective, replace the start capacitor. This component also helps the compressor operate correctly. If it becomes defective your Samsung refrigerator may not cool properly.

Follow these instructions to check the start capacitor:

  • Switch the power off to your Samsung refrigerator.
  • Locate the start capacitor (your owner’s manual will help you locate it if you’re not sure where it is).
  • Disconnect the start capacitor and test it with a multimeter for continuity.
  • If it has continuity, reattach it and move on to step 7. If it doesn’t have continuity, replace the start capacitor.
  • Once the new start capacitor is installed, switch your appliance back on and check if it can now cool. If not, move on to step 7.

7. Inspect the thermistor

The thermistor is another component in your fridge that monitors the temperature and informs the main control board when to turn the compressor on or off. If it becomes defective your Samsung refrigerator might not cool correctly.

Follow these instructions to check the thermistor:

  • Switch the power off to your Samsung refrigerator.
  • Locate the thermistor (your owner’s manual will help you locate it if you’re not sure where it is).
  • Disconnect the thermistor and test it with a multimeter for continuity.
  • If it has continuity, reattach it and move on to step 8. If it doesn’t have continuity, replace the thermistor.
  • Once the new thermistor is installed, switch your appliance back on and check if it can now cool. If not, move on to step 8.

8. Check the compressor

The compressor is the main component in your fridge that keeps it cool. It does this by distributing refrigerant around your fridge. When it becomes defective it needs to be replaced. Checking and then replacing the compressor is very difficult and costly. It should only be done by a qualified technician.

Follow these instructions to check the compressor:

  • Switch the power off to your Samsung refrigerator.
  • Locate the compressor (your owner’s manual will help you locate it if you’re not sure where it is).
  • Disconnect the compressor and test it with a multimeter for continuity.
  • If it has continuity, reattach it and move on to step 9. If it doesn’t have continuity, replace the compressor or consider purchasing a new fridge.
  • Once the new compressor is installed, switch your appliance back on and check if it can now cool. If not, move on to step 9.

9. Install a new main control board

If you still haven’t found the cause of your Samsung refrigerator not cooling, your final option is to install a new main control board. Repairing the existing one is very difficult, so your best choice is to simply remove the old one and install a replacement board. However, you may decide at this point the better choice is to purchase a new fridge.

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