Why Your Samsung Refrigerator Is Not Freezing: Common Issues and Solutions

Now, on the Internet, there are many different tips for the issue of a Samsung refrigerator not freezing, but they are all standard and lack detail. We have collected our technical experience in our company, and we want to share in more detail about the problems, why they happen, and how they can be solved by yourself.

1. Frozen Evaporator in the Samsung Refrigerator

Samsung refrigerators usually have two evaporators: one in the fresh food zone and one in the freezer. Due to factory design defects, the evaporator coil in the refrigerator section often freezes. Ice builds up behind the panel, blocking the evaporator coil and preventing air circulation. If left unchecked, the ice can also block the fan, stopping it from spinning and further hindering air circulation. As a result, the refrigerator’s temperature can rise to 47 degrees or even higher, sometimes reaching 55 to 65 degrees.

Solution: The easiest way to address this issue is to defrost the refrigerator manually. Unplug the refrigerator and leave the doors open for at least one day, preferably two days. This will ensure all the ice behind the cover melts. The extended time is necessary because the insulation material behind the plastic cover, similar to styrofoam, retains cold very well. Keeping the doors open for a longer period ensures thorough defrosting.

2. Why is My Samsung Refrigerator Not Freezing: Clogged or Frozen Drain

In the Samsung refrigerator fresh food compartment, a clogged or frozen drain can cause ice to build up and block the evaporator. Because of the fact that water can’t flow inside the drain, it starts to flow out under the lower drawer. Under the lower drawer, you can often find a crust of ice. Most importantly, the water starts to turn into ice, and ice starts to grow up and block the evaporator coil. This leads to the air stopping circulating through the evaporator coil, and the refrigerator is not cooled enough, causing the temperature to rise up to 60 degrees.

Solution: If the drain is simply frozen, defrost the refrigerator by unplugging it and leaving the doors open for a day. If the drain is clogged, pull out the refrigerator and remove the rear panel that covers the compressor. On the right side you will see one to three drain pipes depending on the model. Clean these pipes and their small rubber filters with water and a brush to ensure they are not blocked.

3. Samsung Refrigerator: Faulty Door Flapper

In Samsung refrigerators with a top freezer, there is a flapper attached to the left door that closes the gap between the doors when shut. Often, the flapper or its hook fails to close properly, leaving a gap. Warm air then enters the fridge, mixing with the cold air and raising the internal temperature. The excess moisture can also cause the evaporator coil to become heavily frosted, further worsening the cooling performance.

Solution: Check if the refrigerator is level. An uneven floor can cause the doors to misalign, preventing the flapper from sealing correctly. Adjust the refrigerator’s leveling legs to ensure the doors are even. If the flapper is broken, it will need to be replaced.

4. Samsung Refrigerator Not Freezing: Troubleshooting Compressor Issues

A malfunctioning compressor is a common cause of a refrigerator not freezing. This issue can be broken down into three sub-categories:

Faulty Compressor: The compressor itself may be defective, failing to pump refrigerant correctly. This affects both the fresh food and freezer compartments.
Freon Leak: A leak in the refrigerant system causes insufficient freon, leading to improper evaporation and inadequate cooling.
System Restriction: Blockages in the sealed system pipes, such as in the capillary tube or condenser coil, prevent proper refrigerant flow, causing cooling issues.

Solution: These issues require professional assistance. Contact a qualified technician to diagnose and repair the compressor or sealed system.

5. Faulty Sensors in a Samsung Refrigerator

Temperature sensors in the Samsung refrigerator, like the room temperature sensor or defrost thermistor, can malfunction.. If the evaporator coil freezes, expanding ice can damage these sensors, leading to incorrect temperature readings and improper function of the refrigerator’s electronics.

Solution: Diagnosing sensor issues requires a tester and knowledge of the sensor resistance values. You will need to access the control board, disconnect the sensor connectors, measure their resistance, and compare the resistance value with data charts. This is typically beyond the capability of most homeowners, so it is best to contact a professional.

6. Control Board Malfunction in a Samsung Refrigerator

Although rare, issues with the control board can affect the refrigerator’s performance. Problems with the relay or electronics can lead to improper cooling.

Solution: Diagnosing and fixing control board issues requires accessing the diagnostic menu and interpreting error codes, which generally requires professional expertise. Contact a technician for assistance.

7. Defrost System Malfunction in a Samsung Refrigerator

A malfunction in the defrost system, such as a burnt heater or thermal fuse, can prevent the evaporator coil from defrosting properly. This results in continuous ice buildup, blocking air circulation and raising the internal temperature.

Solution: As a temporary fix, defrost the refrigerator by unplugging it and leaving the doors open for one to two days. This will allow the ice to melt and the refrigerator to function temporarily. However, the problem will likely return in about a week. Use this time to schedule a repair with a technician.

8. Dirty Condenser Coil in a Samsung Refrigerator

Dirty condenser coils are also a common cause of insufficient cooling in the Samsung refrigerator. If you have pets, especially several dogs or cats, their fur can get stuck in the condenser coil. The condenser fan, located behind the coil, pulls in air to cool it. When the coil is clogged with dust or pet fur, it cannot cool the refrigerant properly. This is crucial because the condenser coil converts gaseous freon into hot and then cool liquid freon. If the coil isn’t cooled adequately, the freon won’t evaporate correctly in the evaporator, leading to a warm refrigerator.

Solution: Pull out the refrigerator and remove the panel covering the compressor compartment. Thoroughly vacuum the panel openings and the condenser coil, using a long, thin brush if necessary. Ensure the coil is clean before reassembling and repositioning the refrigerator.

9. Faulty Fan Motor in a Samsung Refrigerator

This issue can be divided into two subcategories: the evaporator fan motor and the condenser fan motor.

Evaporator Fan Motor: This motor circulates air inside the refrigerator. If it fails, there will be no air circulation. Typically, the top and middle of the fresh food compartment will be warm, while the bottom remains cold as cold air from the evaporator sinks.
Condenser Fan Motor: If the condenser fan motor stops working, air won’t be drawn through the condenser, preventing the cooling of freon. This causes a malfunction in the sealed system and improper freon evaporation, raising the refrigerator’s temperature.

Solution: If the evaporator fan motor is malfunctioning, it will need to be replaced by a professional. For a condenser fan motor issue, temporarily place a powerful household fan in front of the condenser coil to manually cool it and the compressor. This temporary solution allows the refrigerator to function until a technician can replace the condenser fan motor.

10. Samsung Refrigerator: Damaged Door Gasket

Door gaskets, or seals, often get damaged at the bottom. The rubber can tear, and the magnet inside the gasket can break and fall out, creating a gap. Warm air then enters the refrigerator, and when it circulates, it condenses on the evaporator coil, causing it to frost over and block air circulation. This leads to a rise in temperature inside the refrigerator.

Solution: Severely damaged gaskets should be replaced. As a temporary fix, apply vaseline to the gaskets, especially in the damaged areas, to improve the seal between the gasket and the refrigerator body.

We hope this detailed explanation of common issues and their causes helps you understand why your Samsung refrigerator may not be freezing properly. If you encounter these problems, you can often resolve them yourself. However, for more complex issues, consulting a professional technician is recommended.