Samsung Refrigerator Blinking: 7 Reasons & Fixes (2023)

Is your Samsung refrigerator display blinking all of a sudden?

Not only it’s annoying (especially at night)…

But it also indicates problems with your appliance. Which can get out of hand if not resolved.

That being said, once you’ve noticed your fridge blinking, troubleshoot it immediately.

Want to know how? Then…

Continue reading to discover:

• What a blinking freezer temperature indicates.
• 7 effective troubleshooting methods to resolve it.
• Whether a reset can fix a blinking Samsung fridge.
• 7 reasons why your Samsung refrigerator is blinking.
• And many more…

Why is my Samsung refrigerator blinking?

Your Samsung refrigerator is blinking because its internal temperature is too high. And that can happen if the door seal is damaged, the condenser coils are dusty, or when the fridge door is left open. Frost build-ups and a faulty control board due to power surges or outages can also be the reason.

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Samsung refrigerator blinking: 7 causes & fixes

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#1: Internal temperature is too high

If your Samsung fridge is blinking, then its internal temperature must be too high.

The display panel will start to blink (and sometimes beep) when its temperature gets above 59°F (15°C). Which is too warm to cool and preserve fresh and perishable goods. 

“How can this happen?”

Well, it can easily happen when someone has accidentally changed the fridge’s temperature setting on the display panel. 

But other things like putting hot food in the fridge and placing the unit near the wall can also cause it to get warm. And so, affect its cooling function.

How to fix it

First, avoid putting hot food or beverages in the fridge. As this can affect the fridge’s cooling function.

And also, provide clearances of at least 2 in (50 mm) around your unit to prevent it from overheating.

Once everything is settled, change the temperature setting on the display panel.

Usually, the temperature on the display panel will adjust automatically once the fridge cools down. But just to make sure, perform a manual adjustment.

Samsung recommends setting your fridge temperature at 38°F (3°C). And your freezer at -2°F (-16°C).

Note: If your fridge is connected to SmartThings, you can adjust the temperature using the app.

#2: Fridge door has been left open

Have you closed the fridge door properly after getting your favorite drink?

If not, then that might have caused the issue.

The reason:

When the fridge door has been left open for too long, warm air enters the unit and mixes with its cool air. Which produces moisture that causes the appliance to get warm and partly defrost.

The fridge’s thermostat will soon detect that warm air. And cause the temperature display to blink to alert users.

How to fix it

Once you’ve seen your fridge blinking, check whether the door is closed properly.

Also, make sure that:

• The shelves, bins, and trays are not extending.
• No goods or plastics are blocking the door seal.

As these can also cause the fridge door to not close.

In simple words, ensure that everything in the fridge is well organized.

#3: Damaged door seal

“I’ve checked my fridge door already. Nothing is blocking it.”

If that’s the case, then perhaps its door seal is damaged.

The door seal is the white or black rubber attached to the fridge door. Its function is to contain the cool air in the fridge.

Once it gets damaged, warm air can enter your appliance and affect its cooling function.

To know whether your fridge door is are damaged, look for these signs:

• Uneven surfaces.
• Peeling-off rubber.
• Bent or torn edges.
• Molds around the seal.

How to fix it

If you’ve seen any of the signs above, replace your fridge door seal.

Doing this helps cool and maintain your refrigerator better. Plus, it saves significantly more energy than having a damaged one.

To replace a Samsung fridge door seal:

1. Grab the top-outer corner of the door seal.
2. Carefully pull it out until every part is removed.
3. Place the new door seal starting in one corner.
4. Then, check whether the fridge is properly closing.

Note: When buying a replacement, make sure to get one that matches your Samsung fridge model.

Watch this video to know how to replace a door seal on a Samsung French door refrigerator:

#4: Too dusty condenser coils

Your Samsung refrigerator can also start blinking once it has stopped cooling. 

Several things can cause that to happen. But the most common reason is too dusty condenser coils.

This thing keeps your fridge cool by processing the refrigerant of your appliance. Without it, your fridge won’t cool, and it can even trigger damage to other components.

Since it’s positioned at the back of the unit, it fastly accumulates dirt, dust, and debris. Which causes the condenser coils to get too warm.

When that happens, it can fail to do its function properly. And so, cause your fridge to not cool.

How to fix it

If your fridge isn’t cooling, vacuum the condenser coils.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Pull out and access the back of the fridge.
3. Unscrew the back panel cover.
4. Then, use a handheld vacuum to clean the condenser coils.

Tip: Clean the condenser coils twice a year to avoid too much dust.

Learn more: Why is my smart fridge not cooling?

While you’re at it, make sure to check whether the condenser fan is working. Use the edge of the screwdriver to carefully rotate the fan and see if it rotates without problems.

#5: Frost build-ups on the freezer

Is your Samsung freezer temperature blinking?

If yes, then there must be frost build-ups on your freezer.

This happens when moisture gets in contact with the freezer’s evaporator coils. Once the moisture forms within it, the moisture freezes up and turns into frost.

“But how does moisture get into it?”

As previously mentioned, moisture is a product of warm air entering the fridge. If moisture forms in your freezer, your freezer door seal must not be in good condition.

When this happens, your freezer thermostat can get confused. And your freezer can fail to preserve your stored food.

How to fix it

First, confirm whether there are frost build-ups in the evaporator coils.

To do that:

1. Unplug your fridge.
2. Access your freezer compartment.
3. Remove its back panel from the inside.
4. Then, check if there are frost build-ups on the evaporator coils.

If there are frost build-ups on it, force-defrost your refrigerator.

Note: This may take several hours or a whole day. So, transfer your stored food to a cooler to preserve them.

#6: Power surge or outage

Is your Samsung fridge blinking after a power outage?

I mean, it’s pretty common to happen.

Power surges and power outages can mess up your fridge’s cooling system. They can cause your fridge’s components to malfunction or even get totally damaged.

Note: However, most Samsung fridges today are designed to withstand power outages.

During a power outage, your fridge will turn itself into “Safe Mode.” This stabilizes the fridge’s temperature as long as it can.

But sometimes, it can fail to do so.

That’s when your fridge will blink to tell you to troubleshoot the problem.

How to fix it

If your fridge started blinking after a power outage, wait up to 24 hours for its internal temperature to stabilize. Once it cools down, the blinking will automatically stop.

If it didn’t cool after a whole day, reset your Samsung refrigerator.

To do that:

1. Unplug your fridge. Or switch off its circuit breaker.
2. Wait for at least 5 minutes.
3. Then, turn ON your appliance.

Continue reading: 7 Steps To Reset Your Samsung Refrigerator In 29 Sec

#7: Faulty control board

“I’ve reset my fridge already. But it didn’t stop the blinking!”

Well then, your fridge’s control board might be faulty.

A refrigerator’s control board manages and controls all of its components. 

So, once it gets broken, your fridge may stop cooling. And so, the display panel will blink to alert you about the problem.

Several things can cause the control board to get faulty, including:

• Old age.
• Short circuit.
• Power surges.
• Physical damage.

Also, consider the control board faulty once some fridge functions stop working altogether.

How to fix it

There’s only one way to resolve the problem: replace the control board.

Note: This process requires detaching of wires. If you’re not a professional, call a technician for help.

Here’s how to replace a Samsung fridge control board:

1. Unplug your fridge.
2. Pull out and access the back of the fridge.
3. Unscrew the upper back panel cover.
4. Locate the control board at the top-right corner.
5. Detach the white, red, and blue wires.
6. Remove the old control board.
7. Place the new control board.
8. Reattach the white, red, and blue wires.
9. Return the upper back panel cover.
10. Replug your refrigerator.

If the problem persists, contact Samsung support for professional service.

Check out: Solved: How To Turn off A Samsung Refrigerator