My Samsung fridge not cooling but freezer works – a frustrating issue I recently faced.
I’m here to share what I’ve learned through my research. This problem with the refrigerator compartment is more common than you might think.
Many Samsung refrigerator owners have encountered similar cooling issues. The good news? Your Samsung French door appliance can often be fixed with a simple adjustment.
From simple DIY solutions to more complex repairs, I’ll cover it all. You might be surprised by how easy some of these fixes are.
I’ll guide you through each step, making troubleshooting a breeze. By the end, you’ll be equipped to tackle this cooling conundrum head-on.
Key Takeaways:
- Check for frosted evaporator coils
- Inspect the evaporator fan motor
- Examine the damper control assembly
- Clear blocked air vents
- Test the temperature control thermostat
- Clean condenser coils
- Ensure the fridge isn’t in Vacation Mode
How do I reset my Samsung refrigerator cooling?
Is your year old Samsung refrigerator freezer giving you trouble? No worries, I’ve got your back!
First things first, let’s try a quick reset. Unplug your fridge freezer for about 5 minutes, then plug it back in.
This might kick-start the compressor and get things getting cold again. If your Samsung fridge is not cooling properly, it could be due to a few things.
Maybe the fan is not working, preventing cold air over the evaporator from circulating. Or perhaps frost has started to accumulate on the evaporator coils, reducing the amount of cold air produced.
Sometimes, the freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm, or vice versa.
In this case, try the power freeze function to boost cooling. If the coils are frosted, you might need to melt away any frost.
Don’t forget to check the ice maker too – it could be affecting overall cooling. If all else fails with your Samsung French door appliance, it might be time to call in a pro!
Why Is My Samsung Fridge Not Cooling But Freezer Works?
When a Samsung refrigerator is not cooling while the freezer is functioning properly, several potential causes may be at play.
Frosted Over Evaporator Coils
Your Samsung fridge ain’t cooling but the freezer’s still working? No worries, I have been there.
One of the most common culprits is frosted-over evaporator coils. It’s a pain, but here’s how you can tackle it:
First off, you gotta find those evaporator coils. They’re usually hiding in the back of the freezer. You might need to take out some shelves and stuff to get to the defrost cycle components.
Once you spot them, check if they’re all iced up. If they are, that’s your problem right there – the defrost system’s not doing its job.
Now, to fix it, you’ve got a couple options:
Manual defrost: Unplug the fridge and let nature do its thing. If you’re impatient, you can use a hairdryer, but be careful not to melt anything important.
Caution: Use a hairdryer with minimal setting, don’t overheat it.
Forced defrost mode: Some fancy Samsung models have this. Check your manual to see if yours does and how to activate it.
You can activate “forced defrost mode” by clicking “Freezer” and “Lighting” Buttons both at the same time for 6-7 seconds.
While you’re at it, take a look at the defrost heater and thermostat. If they’re busted, you might need to replace them.
Oh, and don’t forget to clear out the drain line. Sometimes it gets clogged and causes all sorts of trouble.
If you’re feeling handy, you could even check the defrost system in your Samsung French door fridge and install a secondary heater near the coils.
Some folks swear by this trick to keep warm air from building up again in the defrost system.
If none of this works, or if you’re not comfortable poking around in there, it might be time to call in a pro. They can dig deeper and figure out what’s going on.
Malfunctioning Evaporator Fan Motor
Your Samsung French door fridge isn’t cooling, but the freezer is working just fine.
It might be the evaporator fan motor acting up. This little guy is key for pushing that cold air from the freezer into the fridge.
How to figure out if it’s the culprit:
Access the Evaporator Fan: You gotta access the fan. Clear out the shelves and pull out the lower crisper drawers. You’ll find the fan compartment hiding in the freezer section.
Check the Fan: Now, take a look at the fan. Try spinning the blades by hand. If they’re stuck or hard to move, it’s a sign that the motor might be shot.
Test the Motor: Grab a multimeter and check the motor’s resistance. A healthy motor should read around 160 Ohms. If it doesn’t spin when you give it 120 volts AC, it’s time for a replacement.
Replace if Needed: If you’ve determined the fan is indeed faulty, go ahead and swap it out. Look for a compatible part, like the DA81-06013A, to get that airflow back on track and your fridge cooling again.
Damper Control Assembly Issues
I’ve got a simple guide to help you tackle this problem yourself. Let’s get started.
Access the Damper Control: Let’s get to the damper control assembly. Start by pulling out the crisper drawers and the pantry drawer. Use a small flathead screwdriver to pop the tabs on the crisper shelf assembly.
The damper motor is usually mounted near the top or side of the freezer compartment.
Once that’s done, take off the pantry cover and the upper shelving. You’ll find the damper control assembly hiding behind the back panel near the top of the fridge.
Disconnect the wiring and carefully remove the old damper. When you’re ready to install the new one, make sure it lines up with the polystyrene insulation and secure the wires.
Inspect the Damper: Now it’s time to check things out. Look at the damper—if it’s stuck closed, that’s likely your issue.
Use a multimeter, the reading should be around 1000 to 10000 ohms, if there is no resistance or no continuity then the motor is faulty which means the motor should be replaced.
Replace the Damper Control Assembly: If the damper is indeed stuck, you’ll need to replace it.
Blocked Air Vents
If your Samsung fridge isn’t cooling right but the freezer’s fine, blocked air vents could be the issue. Those vents move cold air from the freezer to the fridge, so if they’re blocked, things won’t cool properly.
Here’s what to do:
- Find the Vents: Look inside the fridge, usually in the back or on the sides, to spot them.
- Clear the Way: Make sure nothing’s in front of them – no food containers or shelves blocking the air.
- Deal with Ice: If you see ice around the vents, carefully defrost it. A hairdryer on low or warm (not boiling!) water will do the trick.
- Check Airflow: Once it’s all cleared, make sure air’s flowing well. Keep an eye on the temp for the next few hours to see if things improve.
Faulty Temperature Control Thermostat
Your Samsung fridge’s not cooling right, huh? Even if the freezer’s still doing its job, it could be the temperature control thingy acting up.
That little gadget tells the compressor when to kick in and chill things down. If it’s on the fritz, your fridge might not get the memo to cool off.
Wanna try fixing your Samsung French door appliance? Here’s what you can do:
Hunt down the thermostat. Check the manual if you’re not sure where it’s hiding.
Grab a multimeter and see if it’s still kicking. No continuity?
If it’s busted, swap it out for a new one. Just make sure you put it in right.
Plug everything back in and keep an eye on it for a few hours to make sure it’s working its magic.
Dirty Condenser Coils
So you know those coils in your Samsung fridge? If they get all gunked up, it can seriously mess with how well your fridge cools stuff.
You might notice your fridge isn’t as chilly as it should be, but the freezer’s still doing its thing.
These coils, which are usually hiding in the back or underneath, are supposed to get rid of heat from the coolant. But when they’re covered in dust, fuzz, or your pet’s fur, they can’t do their job properly, and your fridge starts warming up.
Wanna fix it? Here’s what you gotta do:
Pull the fridge out from the wall and take off any covers if you need to.
Time to clean! Grab a vacuum with one of those skinny attachments and suck up all the gunk. If it’s really stubborn, you might need to use a special brush to scrub those coils.
Once you’ve vacuumed, give them a quick wipe with a damp cloth to make sure they’re squeaky clean.
And that’s it! Should have your fridge running like new in no time.
Refrigerator in Vacation Mode
If your Samsung fridge ain’t cooling but the freezer’s working fine, it might be stuck in Vacation Mode.
This mode is supposed to save power when you’re away by keeping the freezer normal but letting the fridge part stay warmer (around 15°C or 62.6°F).
To check if it’s on, look for a “Vacation” button on the control panel. If you see it, hold it down for 3 seconds to turn it off.
Some models are trickier – you gotta wake up the display, tap the fridge icon, then use arrows to find and turn off the Vacation Mode thingy.
Once you switch it off, the fridge should start cooling again in a few hours. If it doesn’t work, there might be something else wrong like broken parts or blockages.
FAQs
Why is my Samsung fridge not cooling but the freezer works?
If your Samsung refrigerator’s freezer is working but the fridge is not cooling, it could be due to several issues, like blocked vents, a malfunctioning damper control, or a defrost problem.
How can I tell if the defrost heater is the issue?
If the defrost heater is malfunctioning, you might notice that the evaporator coils are frosted over. Without the defrost heater working properly, ice buildup can block the flow of cold air into the refrigerator.
What does the temperature sensor do?
The temperature sensor monitors the fridge and freezer temperatures and communicates with the control board to maintain the right temperatures. If it fails, the refrigerator will not cool correctly.
Could the problem be with the control board?
Yes, if the control board is faulty, it can cause the fridge to be warm but the freezer to work. The control board regulates the cooling cycles and temperatures.
How do I know if the evaporator coils are frosted over?
If the refrigerator evaporator coils are frosted, you might notice ice buildup inside the freezer compartment or less cold air circulating in the fridge.
What role does the damper control play?
The damper control opens and closes to let cold air into the refrigerator. If it gets stuck or stops working, the fridge side can be warm while the freezer stays cold.
How do I check the damper control to determine if it’s faulty?
To check the damper control, inspect it to see if it opens and closes properly. If it’s damaged or stuck, it won’t regulate the cold air flow correctly.
What should I do if my fridge gets warm but the freezer is still cold?
Start by checking the airflow vents for blockages, the defrost heater, and the damper control. If the problem persists, it might be time to call a technician to inspect the control board or temperature sensor.
Can a malfunctioning compressor cause the fridge to be warm?
Generally, a compressor issue would affect both the fridge and freezer, but if only the fridge is warm, it’s more likely to be a problem with the defrost system or air circulation components.
Why might there be ice in the refrigerator if the freezer stopped freezing?
Ice buildup in the refrigerator can occur if the defrost heater isn’t working, causing the evaporator coils to frost over and impede cold air flow from the freezer into the fridge.