Samsung Freezer Not Working? Check These Simple Fixes

More than 99.8% of American households have a refrigerator and freezer in the home. Whether you’re bulk shopping to save money, you’re an avid cook with a freezer of homemade meals, or a regular person with a stockpile of comfort items, it’s no secret that a functioning refrigerator and freezer are pretty essential to modern life.

Unfortunately, Samsung refrigerators and upright freezers are known for difficult-to-diagnose and recurring issues. That said, not everyone has the luxury of hand-selecting their appliances or knowing what to look for. If you notice your Samsung freezer isn’t working properly, have hope. There are many steps you can take to remedy the issue and ensure it doesn’t interfere with your life unduly, including purchasing a home warranty to protect your future sanity.

 

Causes of Samsung Freezer Not Working

There are few things more frustrating and tedious than one of your essential home appliances malfunctioning and not knowing why. If you notice your Samsung freezer isn’t working, here are several potential causes:

• Incorrect temperature settings. Your freezer may not be freezing if it’s not set to the right temperature. Sometimes, controls get bumped or otherwise unintentionally altered. To set it to the right temperature, look at the control options. There’s usually a star next to the manufacturer’s preferred setting.
• Evaporator fan issues. If the evaporator fan isn’t functioning properly, you may hear loud noises. 
• Compressor issues. Loud noises or an absence of humming can indicate a malfunctioning compressor.
• Frost build-up on evaporator coils. Frozen evaporator coils occur when warm air passes over them before refreezing, which can lead to a host of secondary refrigerator issues. 
• Dirty condenser coils. When dust and other debris build up on the condenser coils, they may not be able to cool properly. To avoid this issue, we recommend cleaning the coils every 3–6 months.
• Broken or dirty door seal. The door seal ensures the freezer closes all the way. When it’s malfunctioning, you’ll notice ice build up inside the freezer. 
• Blocked vents. Vents direct air through the freezer, but they can occasionally become blocked by debris, ice, or food storage. Regularly clean them and ensure your freezer is appropriately packed to avoid issues.

Inspecting your refrigerator every three to six months and periodically cleaning it to prevent built-up debris and other issues is a good idea. Some contractors will even offer annual tune-ups to insure all components are in tip-top shape, so you can stay ahead of potential issues.

How to Troubleshoot Samsung Refrigerator Problems

If you’ve just noticed the issue for the first time, it typically makes sense to attempt repairs on your own. Here are a few troubleshooting suggestions for Samsung refrigerator problems:

• Double-check the power supply. If your Samsung freezer isn’t freezing, power supply issues can be among the most simple to solve. To assess the power supply, check your circuit breaker to confirm there aren’t any tripped breakers. If there aren’t, you can turn the breaker off for your refrigerator so you can safely pull the refrigerator away from the wall and confirm it’s plugged in securely.
• Check, clean, or replace the door seal. If you’re seeing ice build up in the freezer, it may be a door seal issue. Fortunately, this repair is simple to DIY, but we recommend inspecting and thoroughly cleaning it with hot water first to see if that remedies the issue.
• Verify temperature settings. Freezers work best when they’re set to -2 degrees Fahrenheit. If your temperature settings are off, you might have issues sufficiently freezing items.
• Demo Mode. If the refrigerator has inadvertently been set to Demo Mode, it won’t cool properly. Check your control panel to confirm it’s not in Demo Mode.
• Reference error code. Many newer model Samsung refrigerators and freezers will display an error code to make the diagnostics process easier. If you’re fortunate enough to have a model that does this, you can Google your error code number or reference your User Manual for more information.

You can also find a lot of appliance manuals online if you don’t have your original copy anymore. User manuals will often contain a robust troubleshooting section specific to your model’s known issues. 

When to Call A Professional

If your basic checks don’t glean any helpful information, you’ll want to bring in a professional to diagnose and repair your Samsung refrigerator. The question is, who should you call? For recent purchases or those still covered by a Samsung appliance warranty, you’ll want to contact the company or original dealer directly to discuss their next steps. 

Typically, they’ll connect you with a local service technician who will assess and diagnose whether the issue results from a covered malfunction. If it is, the technician will approve the repair or submit documentation for a replacement. 

Not all issues are covered, and sometimes Samsung freezers malfunction after the manufacturer’s warranty has lapsed. In this case, you’re likely on the hook for finding a repair technician on your own time––and dime. 

Home service contractors can get a bad reputation for overcharging and underdelivering, so it’s very important to carefully vet your technicians before inviting them to your home. Remember to read reviews, ask for referrals from your neighbors, family, and friends, and double-check that the person or company you hire has a license to operate and sufficient insurance. 

Protect Your Samsung Refrigerator with Liberty Home Guard Home Warranty

That’s where Liberty Home Guard comes in. When you enroll in a Liberty Home Guard warranty, you automatically have access to our vast network of vetted contractors. Should you need our services, all you have to do is file a claim, and we’ll dispatch your nearest available technician. 

A Liberty Home Guard home warranty can protect your budget and peace of mind when your everyday appliances malfunction due to normal wear and tear. While our services don’t apply when your item has an existing appliance warranty, they can be very helpful when you’re the second owner or your systems have otherwise aged out of other coverage options. Unlike manufacturer’s warranties, our home warranties bundle coverage for multiple systems and appliances, offering more protection. 

Liberty Home Guard and similar home warranties can defray the costs of repairing or replacing your appliances when they break down due to regular use. You’ll have to maintain your refrigerator adequately and avoid improper modifications––no homeowners’ specials––to benefit from services, but it’s often welcome peace of mind for those who do that as second nature.

When you opt for the Appliance Guard or Total Home Guard plans, we’ll assign a local technician within 48 hours of filing a claim––often even faster during business hours. You’ll pay a nominal service call fee outlined in your service contract, and your technician will assess the issue and determine the next steps. If the total repair costs are less than your coverage cap, you’ll pay nothing out of pocket. If the item can’t be repaired, we’ll coordinate a replacement up to your coverage cap. In some cases, you may owe some amount out of pocket, but much less than if you had not had a warranty at all. 

Interested in more information? Request a custom quote online or read a sample contract. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you reset the freezer on a Samsung?

You can reset the freezer on a Samsung by locating the control panel and holding the “Power Freeze” and “Power Cool” buttons for 10 seconds or until you hear a chime.

Why is my freezer not working, but my refrigerator is?

There are a number of reasons your freezer isn’t working but your refrigerator is, however it will often take a trained professional to get to the bottom of the issue. Some of the reasons your freezer isn’t working but your refrigerator is may include:

• Frost buildup
• Clogged vents
• Faulty evaporator fan
• Door gasket
• Overpacking

How do I put my Samsung freezer in diagnostic mode?

Not all Samsung refrigerators offer a diagnostic mode, but the Samsung Family Hub refrigerator does. To put your Samsung Family Hub refrigerator in diagnostic mode, swipe right on the home screen to get to Fridge Manager. From there, go to Fridge Settings and select Self Check. 

How do I fix my Samsung upright freezer?

Samsung’s upright freezers are similar to its standard refrigerator options. To troubleshoot and fix your Samsung upright freezer, check the door seals, verify the temperature settings, remove frost build-up, improve ventilation, clean away dust and debris, and replace any broken or damaged parts.