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Samsung refrigerator stopped working
Common reasons your Samsung refrigerator stopped working
The most common reasons your Samsung refrigerator stopped working are a locked compressor, damaged evaporator or a defective electronic control board.
37% of the time it's the Compressor
18% of the time it's the Evaporator
12% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
33% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Samsung refrigerator
Compressor Replacement
A locked refrigerator compressor can exhibit several symptoms indicative of a malfunction. The most noticeable sign is a lack of cooling in the refrigerator compartment, leading to elevated temperatures and the potential for food spoilage. The freezer may also fail to maintain the desired freezing temperatures, resulting in no ice production from the ice maker or dispenser. Additionally, you'll observe that the compressor is unusually silent or fails to produce its typical humming sound during operation. In some cases, the compressor may attempt to start but fail, resulting in repeated clicking noises. The inability of the compressor to circulate refrigerant properly can affect the defrosting process, leading to ice buildup in the freezer. Furthermore, a faulty compressor could send a sudden influx of melting frost to the drain line, causing it to back up, preventing adequate draining, and potentially causing water leaks.
Evaporator Replacement
A damaged refrigerator evaporator causes a decrease in overall cooling performance, leading to elevated temperatures in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments. These higher temperatures can result in food spoilage and less effective preservation of frozen items. Frost or ice buildup on the evaporator coils may hinder their ability to absorb heat efficiently. Excessive condensation inside the refrigerator can lead to leaks. Additionally, a damaged evaporator may cause unusual noises, such as hissing or gurgling sounds, during the refrigeration cycle.
Electronic Control Board Replacement
A defective electronic control board can lead to various failures in a refrigerator, including a lack of power or cooling and water leaking. This is because the board serves as the brain of the refrigerator, controlling crucial operations such as regulating internal temperatures, running fans, managing defrost cycles, overseeing the ice maker, and controlling dispenser functions. If the electronic control board malfunctions, it can disrupt communication between many different components, including automatic doors if equipped. A failing board may cause a chattering or clicking noise from the refrigerator and may emit a burning odor. Due to the potential impact on multiple components, it is advisable to have a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests on the board to confirm if replacement is necessary.
Why did my Samsung fridge just stop working?
Check for power
First, check to see if your refrigerator has power. If the control panel is dead or the interior light won’t turn on when you open the door, reset the house circuit breaker to see if the fridge will power up.
If the refrigerator doesn’t power up after resetting the breaker, test the electrical outlet for power by plugging a night light or similar item into the outlet to check for power. If the outlet is dead, have an electrician fix the outlet.
Troubleshoot compressor problems
When your refrigerator has power but the compressor isn’t running, follow the tips in this DIY video to troubleshoot compressor problems that will prevent the fridge from cooling:
Check the compressor start relay
Remove the machine compartment cover and check the condenser fan. If the condenser fan runs, then your compressor should be getting power because the compressor shares a circuit with the condenser fan motor on almost all refrigerators.
Unplug the refrigerator and unhook the start relay retainer clip. Pull the compressor start relay out of the refrigerator. Shake the start relay to see if it rattles. If it does, that's a tell-tale sign the relay is fried. Replace that part and your refrigerator may begin working again.
If the start relay doesn't rattle, you’ll need to check for continuity to confirm that it’s bad. Put the one meter lead into terminal 5 and the other meter lead into terminal 6.
If you detect an open circuit between those terminals then the meter will read 1 in the far left digit. You’ll need to replace the PTC relay.
If the start relay's okay, then you may have a defective compressor. Unfortunately, you’ll need to get a service technician’s help to replace a compressor, because that repair involves recovering Freon.
Check for thermistor problems
If your condenser fan wasn’t running, then you may have a defective electronic control board or a bad thermistor (temperature sensor).
Testing a thermistor in a refrigerator is fairly simple. Follow the steps in this DIY video to test the thermistor(s) in your refrigerator and/or freezer compartments:
Replace a thermistor if it isn’t working properly. This may restore cooling in your refrigerator.
If the compressor start relay and thermistors in the refrigerator are okay, then a problem with the electronic control board or a wiring failure may be preventing the compressor from running.
Follow the remaining troubleshooting tips in the video to find and fix the cause of the compressor failure or have a service technician visit your home and fix the fridge if you’re not able to repair the problem yourself.
What to expect when you experience a Samsung refrigerator stopped working issue
How is the stopped working problem fixed?
Correcting most stopped working problems usually involves replacing the compressor, evaporator or electronic control board. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a refrigerator that has stopped working
When the refrigerator has stopped working it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. We provide Samsung refrigerator repair near you, and our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of refrigerator failures.
What to look out for with a refrigerator stopped working diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your refrigerator problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Refrigerator Resources
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Glossary Terms
A dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.
A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.
Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.
R-12 refrigerant, also known as Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compound that was once widely used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and aerosol propellants before its phase-out due to environmental concerns.