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Solved: How To Turn off A Samsung Refrigerator (2023)

How To Turn Off A Samsung Refrigerator

Are you moving houses?

Or are you planning on taking a long vacation?

Then, perhaps you’d want to turn off your home appliances for a while. 

Particularly your Samsung refrigerator. As this consumes energy even when not actively used.

Do you want to know how easy that is? Okay then, I got you!

Read on to learn:

  • 3 ways to turn off a Samsung refrigerator.
  • 7 reasons why your Samsung fridge turns off.
  • What is “Demo Mode,” and does it turn off the unit.
  • How to turn off a Samsung fridge without unplugging.
  • And that’s only the beginning…

How to turn off a Samsung refrigerator?

To turn off a Samsung refrigerator, unplug its power cord from the wall socket. Or switch off its circuit breaker to cut off its power supply. Alternatively, you can turn your unit into “Demo Mode” by pressing the “Freezer” and “Power Freeze” buttons to turn off the fridge’s cooling function.


How to turn off the freezer in a Samsung refrigerator?


A Samsung fridge has one cooling system for its fresh food compartment and freezer. So, there’s no way you can turn off the freezer on its own.

If you want to shut it down, you have to turn off the whole unit.

And there are 3 ways you can do that:

  • By unplugging the fridge.
  • By switching off its circuit breaker.
  • By turning the fridge into “Demo Mode.”

Since Samsung refrigerators have no “ON/OFF” buttons, you have to cut off their power supply to shut it down.

Let’s break down the 3 methods to help you decide which one to do.

By unplugging the fridge

The safest and best-recommended method is to unplug the fridge’s power cord from the power source.

The reason:

Doing this completely cuts off the fridge’s power supply. This means that your fridge would be safe from power surges and electrical hazards even when you’re away.

To do this:

  1. Extend your hand to the back of the fridge.
  2. Search and reach for its power cord.
  3. Then, pull out the power cord from the power socket.

Note: If your fridge is in-between walls or other large appliances, you may have to pull out the fridge first.

Since this method requires accessing the back or side of the fridge…

This method may not be practical in some kitchen setups where the fridge is placed in a built-in cabinet.

Do this method when: You’re taking a long vacation or moving houses.

By switching off its circuit breaker

Switch Off The Circuit Breaker

If you can’t access the power cord of your Samsung refrigerator, this method is for you.

Usually, refrigerators have a separate circuit breaker. It may either be included in your home’s breaker box. Or it has a separate single circuit breaker located just around your kitchen.

Why?

Refrigerators have to be plugged in all the time, making them prone to electrical hazards

That’s why most home contractors require separate circuit breakers for refrigerators.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Search for the fridge’s circuit breaker.
  2. Then, toggle it OFF.

Do this method when: You can’t access the fridge’s power cord.

By turning the fridge into “Demo Mode”

Another thing you can do is to turn your fridge into “Demo Mode.” Or other times referred to as “Cooling Off Mode.”

Technically, doing this doesn’t shut off the refrigerator. It only turns off the compartment’s cooling function but not the fridge’s compressor.

It’s a good method if you want to partially turn off your fridge to save energy.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Tap anywhere on the screen to activate the control panel.
  2. Press and hold the first 2 buttons on the left side of the screen.
  3. Then, release once you’ve heard a chime.

If this doesn’t work, press the first 2 buttons on the left side of the screen + the button on the top-right corner.

Once done, the screen will display “OFF” or “OF OF” to confirm that the fridge is in “Demo Mode.”

To exit the mode, follow the same process.

Note: Regardless of which fridge model you have, the location of the buttons you have to press is the same.

Do this method when: You want to save energy, especially if you’re using it in an RV.

You might also like: How to turn a Samsung ice maker on and off?


Why did my Samsung refrigerator turn off? 7 reasons


#1: Improperly plugged power cord

If your fridge keeps on turning OFF and ON, it’s possible that it’s not correctly plugged into the power source.

This can often happen if the socket is loose. So, you may want to check on that. 

If the plug doesn’t stay plugged in, ask a technician to repair the socket as soon as possible.

Or if you have pets at home, they might have tripped over it. And cause the power cord to get partly unplugged.

#2: Damaged power cord

If the wall socket isn’t loose, the problem must be on the power cord itself.

Consider your fridge’s power cord damaged if you see any of these:

  • Bite marks.
  • Burnt prongs.
  • Exposed wirings.
  • Bent wire near the plug.

These things can cause the power current from the socket to get blocked from going to your appliance. And so, cause your unit to turn off.

If this is the case, replace the power cord of your Samsung refrigerator.

#3: Overheating fridge

Another possible reason is that your fridge may be overheating.

And it can happen if:

  • The room temperature is too hot.
  • Its back and sides are too close to the walls.
  • It’s near other heating appliances (e.g., oven).
  • Something is blocking its condenser coils.

To prevent this from happening, make sure to leave adequate spaces around the unit. 

Here are the minimum allowances according to Samsung:

  • Top: 3.94 in (100 mm).
  • Rear: 1.97 in (50 mm).
  • Sides: 1.97 in (50 mm).

#4: Too dusty condenser coils

When was the last time you cleaned your fridge’s condenser coils?

The condenser coils cool your fridge by removing the heat from its interior. And it can’t do its function if there’s too much dust on it. 

When that happens…

The condenser coils may fail to communicate with the other components. And so, cause your fridge to turn off.

So, if your refrigerator keeps on turning off, make sure to clean its condenser coils.

To do that:

  1. Unplug the refrigerator.
  2. Pull out your fridge to access its back.
  3. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the lower back panel.
  4. Then, get a handheld vacuum to clean the condenser coils.

#5: Faulty power control board

A faulty power control board can also cause your Samsung fridge to turn off and on randomly.

“How would I know if it is faulty?”

Consider it faulty once your fridge isn’t cooling, or if some of the functions wouldn’t work. And if all the troubleshooting methods you know have failed to resolve the issue.

When this happens, replace your fridge’s power control board.

Note: Replacing it requires removing and attaching wires. If you’re not confident about it, ask a technician for help.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Unplug the refrigerator
  2. Pull out the fridge to access its back.
  3. Unscrew the upper back panel.
  4. Locate the power control board at the top-right corner.
  5. Remove the blue, red, and white wires.
  6. Remove the old power control board.
  7. Place the power control board replacement.
  8. Reattach the blue, red, and white wires.
  9. Then, return the back panel.

Or you can also watch this video for visual instructions:

#6: Worn-out defrost timer

Similarly, a worn-out defrost timer can also cause the issue.

The defrost timer is responsible for defrosting your fridge. Which helps avoid frost and ice build-ups.

But once it gets broken or worn out…

Frost will build up in the evaporator coils and mess up the cooling function of your fridge. Which can lead to the other components getting damaged.

Here’s how you would know if the defrost timer is worn-out:

  • The fridge isn’t cooling.
  • The evaporator coils are frozen.
  • The freezer has thick ice build-ups.

When that happens, call a technician to replace your fridge’s defrost timer.

Continue reading: 9 Ways To Stop Your Samsung Refrigerator From Freezing Up

#7: Frozen evaporator coils

Speaking of frozen evaporator coils…

This can mess up the temperature sensor of your fridge. And cause your appliance to malfunction.

It’s located inside the freezer. And you have to pull out the panel inside to access the evaporator coils.

To resolve it, force defrost your Samsung refrigerator

But also don’t forget to replace the faulty defrost timer. As this is what caused it to happen in the first place.


Frequently asked questions: 


How to turn off a Samsung French door refrigerator?

To turn off a Samsung French door refrigerator, unplug its power cord from the power source. Or toggle off its circuit breaker. 

If you just want to save energy, turn your fridge into “Demo Mode.”

To do that, activate the front control panel. And press and hold the first 2 buttons on the left side of the screen until you hear a chime.

To process is successful if the fridge displays “OF OF” or “OFF” on its control panel.

How to turn off a Samsung inverter refrigerator?

Unplug the power cord of the Samsung inverter refrigerator from the wall socket to turn it off. If you can’t access the power cord, just switch off the circuit breaker from the breaker box.

In some households, refrigerators have a separate single circuit breaker. And it’s usually located around the kitchen or near the fridge. So, you might want to search for that as well.

How to turn off a Samsung fridge without unplugging?

To turn off a Samsung fridge without unplugging, search for its circuit breaker and toggle it OFF. Doing this cuts off the power supply of the appliance.

Alternatively, you can also turn your fridge into “Demo Mode” if you won’t use it for a while. 

Doing this will save energy by shutting off the fridge’s cooling function.

Here are 2 ways to do it:

  1. Press the first 2 buttons on the left side of the control panel.
  2. Press the first 2 buttons on the left side + the top-right button on the control panel.

Note: Hold these buttons until you hear a chime.

Check out: 15 Best Ways To Maintain Your Refrigerator (Checklist)