9 Ways To Stop Your Samsung Refrigerator From Freezing Up

If you have a Samsung refrigerator, you must be tired of defrosting it over and over again.

Its freezing problem might seem like an unending cycle.

But breathe a sigh of relief.

As it can be managed and stopped by doing the suitable fixes.

What are they?

Continue reading to find out:

• 9 ways to stop your Samsung refrigerator from freezing up.
• The main causes of this recurring problem in Samsung fridges.
• Easy steps on how to clean and change your fridge door gasket.
• The purpose of a ‘clip drain evaporator’ and how it can help you solve this issue.
• And so much more…

Why does my Samsung refrigerator keep freezing up?

Your Samsung refrigerator keeps freezing up because of warm air. This can go inside your unit if its door or ice dispenser flap has gaps. The vents inside your fridge may be blocked too. But, you might also have a leak in your ice maker. As well as a faulty defrost rail, thermostat, or clip drain.

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Samsung refrigerator freezing up: 9 ways to stop it

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#1: Clean your fridge door seal

If your Samsung refrigerator often freezes up, it’s usually caused by one thing.

What is it?

Warm air.

If your fridge door isn’t shut tightly, it’ll go inside your unit.

And compared to cold air, warm air holds more moisture.

So if it interacts with your evaporator coils, it’ll freeze up. Which will then result in frost build-up on your interior walls.

This is why fridge doors shouldn’t be left open for so long. And also the reason why they have a door ‘gasket’ or ‘seal.’

It’s the soft rubber along the inner edge of your fridge door.

It prevents humid air from entering the unit. Plus, it also keeps the cold air inside.

Now, over time, mold and dirt can accumulate on the gasket. And it may cause your fridge door/s not to close properly.

What to do?

Inspect your Samsung fridge door gasket first.

Make sure they’re:

• Clean.
• Latching well.
• Free from foreign objects.

If it doesn’t attach properly, it might be dirty.

To clean it, follow these steps:

1. Samsung recommends soaking a microfiber cloth in a mild detergent.

Note: You can also create your own cleaning solution. Simply add 1 to 2 tbsp (14.3 to 28.3 g) of baking soda for every quart of warm water.

2. Wipe your door seal using the damp cloth. Make sure to remove all the stains and any foreign objects.
3. Use a cotton swab or wooden skewer wrapped in fabric to clean the grooves.
4. Dry your door seal with another dry cloth.

After this, check your fridge door again.

Look if it closes completely. And if the problem is still there, read the next tip.

Don’t forget to check out: 15 Best Ways To Maintain Your Refrigerator (Checklist)

#2: Change your worn out fridge door gasket

While cleaning your door seal, did you see any cracks or warpings?

If so, cleaning it alone will not solve the issue.

Your door seal needs to be replaced. And the good thing is, it’s quite easy so you can do this by yourself.

But before doing it, conduct a test first.

How to verify if your door seal attaches well or not:

Option #1: Place your hand along the area between your fridge’s door and body.

Check if you can feel some cold air escaping from the inside.

Option #2: Do the dollar bill test.

1. Get a dollar bill.
2. Put it halfway into your fridge’s opening.
3. Close the door.
4. See if the gasket can hold the dollar bill or not.

If the bill doesn’t slide down, the door gasket still latches well. So you may have a different problem.

But if it doesn’t stay up there, your faulty door seal needs to go.

How to replace a refrigerator door gasket:

1. Buy a new door seal for your Samsung refrigerator.

Note: Visit the Samsung Parts page. Type your fridge’s model number in the search engine. Enter ‘gasket’ on the keyword box below. Then click “Add to Cart” to purchase it. You can also take note of its ‘part number’ then search for it online.

2. Put the new gasket in a tub of warm water while you’re taking out the old one. (Do this for easier installation.)
3. Unplug your fridge and open its door/s.
4. Grab one part of the door seal. 
5. Push it towards one side.
6. Pull it out of the fridge door.
7. Once it loosens, pull the other areas as well until you remove the whole seal.
8. Get the new gasket.
9. Start installing it on one of the upper corners of your fridge door.
10. Push the seal to the door to secure it.
11. Do this along the perimeter of your door.

Note: If you’re done, close the door. Check if there are gaps and uneven areas. Adjust the new seal until your door shuts tightly.

#3: Ensure that your ice flap is closed

Aside from the fridge door, where else can warm air pass through?

Yup, through the ice dispenser flap.

This should be flush to your fridge’s housing. So look if it’s shut completely.

If not, check if there’s a chunk of ice or a foreign object that prevents it from closing. Then remove it from the chute.

#4: Rearrange the contents of your fridge

Is there a thick ice build-up on your fridge’s walls but it’s not cooling properly?

Or…

Does only a portion of your fridge freeze?

If any of these is similar to your case, you may only need to move some items in your fridge.

“How does this help?”

Refrigerators have vents inside them.

Their job is to disperse cold air inside your unit. So if they’re blocked by some of your goods…

The cold air won’t circulate well. And this might be the reason why your fridge isn’t as cool as before.

Also, the items that block the vents will eventually freeze. 

So you can see that only some parts of your fridge are freezing.

What to do?

Step 1: Look for your fridge’s vents first.

These are often located at the back wall. And also, near the freezer.

Next…

Step 2: Move the items that block your vents.

Step 3: Space your fridge’s contents evenly.

This is to avoid clogging the vents. And also, to provide better circulation for the cold air.

Note: Observe your Samsung fridge for several days. Check if the freezing problem is still there.

Learn more: 15 Refrigerator Do’s And Don’ts (Avoid #7 At All Times)

#5: Seal copper tube gaps

If your fridge seal and vents are fine, check its copper tubing next.

What to do?

1. To have access to it, move your Samsung refrigerator away from the wall.
2. Look at its rear side and search for its copper tubing.
3. Once found, inspect it. (Do you see any ice formation around it?)

Note: If so, and this always happens every time your fridge freezes, there might be a leak in that part. So…

4. Fill the gap with a silicone sealant.
5. Let it dry.
6. Then, monitor your Samsung fridge if it still freezes or not.

#6: Repair leaks in your ice maker

It could also be that you have an internal problem.

“What do you mean?”

The cause of the frost build-up might not be due to warm air from the outside. But because of a leaking ice maker.

This is also a commonly reported problem by Samsung fridge users. So it’s possible that you might have this problem too.

There could be a crack on your ice maker’s water tube. And this causes water to overflow, then go to your fridge compartment.

How to fix it:

You can dab your hand on your Samsung ice maker.

If you feel cold air coming from the inside, there might be a small opening that needs to be sealed.

Or…

You may also use a flashlight.

Light the outside of your ice maker. Then take a look inside it.

If you can see the light penetrating its walls, there’s certainly a gap inside.

For this, use a food-safe silicone sealant made for low temperatures.

Allow it to dry for at least 24 hours. Then inspect your ice maker and fridge afterward.

#7: Replace your defrost heater

Samsung and other new fridges are ‘frost-free.’

This means they have a heater inside that turns on at least once a day to thaw the ice.

It’s an important process to avoid too much frost on a fridge’s walls.

So if your defrost heater isn’t working, your fridge will keep on freezing.

How to fix it:

If you have a faulty defrost heater, the only way to confirm it is by looking at the evaporator cover.

But don’t worry. If you have the tools listed below at home, you can do this on your own.

• Side cutter.
• A pair of gloves.
• Needle-nose pliers.
• Phillips screwdriver.

Then once ready, follow these steps:

Step 1: Unplug your fridge’s cord from the power source.

Also, take out all the contents of your refrigerator.

Transfer them to a clean counter or container.

Next…

Step 2: Detach all the shelves inside your refrigerator.

Do this so that you can access the evaporator cover on the back wall.

Step 3: Take out the vegetable drawers and their cover

To detach the vegetable drawer cover, press its locking clips.

Lift and pull it out to remove the whole thing.

Step 4: Unfasten the center shelf support.

First, take out the cap located on its topmost part.

Then using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 screws that hold the support.

Step 5: Remove the evaporator cover.

Take out the screws that secure it. 

Place both of your hands on the sides of the cover. Then find the tabs that lock it in place and pull it.

Turn the cover to the left to open it. (It’s still linked to some wirings inside so be careful while opening it.)

Detach the plugs that are connected to it. Then remove the whole evaporator cover.

Step 6: Check the evaporator coils inside.

These are the ones that cool your system. 

And if you see that they’re frozen, your defrost heater is likely damaged.

Note: Sometimes, the cover may also stick to the coils. And since they’re both frozen, it’ll be hard for you to open the cover.

In this case, avoid removing it by force. 

Instead, leave your fridge doors open. Allow the ice to thaw for about 5 to 20 minutes. (This will depend on the thickness of the ice build-up.)

Now, if your defrost heater needs to be replaced, continue reading

Step 1: Buy the correct defrost heater model for your fridge.

To do this, go to the Samsung Parts page. Enter your refrigerator’s model number.

Cycle down until you find the defrost heater.

Again, you can buy it directly from Samsung. Or you may also list its part number then look for it in other stores.

Once you already have the replacement part, repeat steps #1 to #6 above.

Then…

Step 2: Detach the electrical plug retaining clips

Pull the tabs that lock them. Then remove the electrical plugs.

Step 3: Using the pliers, cut the zip tie that holds the wires.

Step 4: Do steps #2 and #3 on the other side.

Step 5: Disconnect the wire retainer

This can be found at the top right side of the evaporator coils.

Step 6: Detach the left side of the coils from the bimetal defrost thermostat.

Push it to the opposite side. Then pull it upwards to remove it.

Step 7: Wear a pair of gloves before handling the coils.

There are sharp edges that may cut your hands. So to be safe, wear gloves for protection.

And then, you now have to remove the defrost heater.

The steps are more detailed and complicated. So watch this short clip on how to do it:

You might also want to check out: 7 Steps To Defrost Your Samsung Refrigerator (How-To)

#8: Get a new thermostat

It’s the part of the fridge that controls the whole cooling system.

It has a dial that lets users adjust the coolness inside. As well as a digital display that shows the current temperature.

So it might also be that your problem is caused by a faulty thermostat.

“How will I know if my thermostat is working or not?”

Here are some signs that it has gone bad.

First, your fridge isn’t cooling enough. Even if it has an unusual frost build-up inside.

Second, it has a fluctuating temperature.

Third, the thermostat is silent.

To test this, turn the dial of the thermostat from the lowest setting. 

Then put it to the highest setting.

Now, listen closely.

If you hear some clicking sounds, your thermostat doesn’t need to be changed.

But if it’s quiet, get a multimeter.

Check if it has continuity or current flowing to it. And if the tool didn’t detect any, you have a defective thermostat.

The only way to do this is to replace your fridge thermostat.

To do this, you may have to contact an experienced technician to check your unit. Then do the appropriate fix.

#9: Install a clip drain evaporator

Lastly, do you also have water on your crisper drawers?

If you do, it can also freeze if you have a faulty heater.

But here’s some good news.

You can easily put an end to this problem by putting one small clip.

“What is it?”

It’s a T-shape component called the ‘clip drain evaporator.’

When you install this under your defrost heater, the water will go straight into the drain hole. 

As a result, the melted ice or water won’t accumulate in your tray. 

The clip is also a conductor so it prevents the drain line from freezing. Plus, it deters leaks to your crisper drawers which can cause frost build-up.

What to do?

First, purchase a clip drain evaporator for your Samsung fridge.

As of the moment, it’s out of stock on the official website. So here’s an Amazon link that you can try.

Once you already have the part, you need to open the evaporator cover to install it.

So go to tip #7 above. And then do steps #1 to #6.

When the cover is already removed, do the following:

1. If you see an old clip drain on the bottom part, take it out first.
2. Boil some hot water. Pour a little amount to the bottom tray to further thaw the drain line.
3. Leave it alone for at least 5 minutes until the drain is clear from ice.
4. Get your new clip drain evaporator.
5. Insert the end of the T-shape into the drain hole.
6. Hook the top of the T-shape to the defrost heater rail.
7. Use pliers to wrap the clip hooks around the rail. (The tighter, the better.)
8. Reattach all the parts you removed.
9. Plug the fridge back into a power source.
10. Observe your refrigerator for a day or two to see if there’s any difference.

Good luck! 🙂