Skip to Content

Samsung Refrigerator Not Defrosting? (All You Need to Know)

Samsung refrigerators that don’t defrost themselves are annoying. Several things you can do to fix a Samsung refrigerator that’s not defrosting. Here are some of the most common reasons Samsung refrigerators don’t defrost, and how to fix them.

Samsung refrigerator not defrosting

Samsung refrigerators not defrosting due to a malfunctioning motor, a faulty defrost circuit, a faulty defrost filter, a faulty defrost sensor, and a frozen door gasket. Invalid defrost heater, blocked drain line, and defective defrost thermostat cause Samsung refrigerators not to defrost.

It may be necessary to replace the control board or motor as well if they appear to be malfunctioning. If you experience any of these problems, Samsung refrigerator repair is likely the best course of action. 

The following are some of the most common reasons why Samsung refrigerators do not defrost.

Samsung inverter refrigerator

When your Samsung inverter refrigerator does not defrost, there are a few possible causes. Most commonly, a malfunctioning fan motor causes the fridge to overheat and shut down. Let’s look at the reasons behind this.

Malfunctioning Motor:

There could be a problem with the defrost control board or motor. To defrost your refrigerator properly again, it may be necessary to replace the entire control board.

Defrost Circuit:

There are some cases in which the defrost circuit malfunctions. You won’t be able to defrost your Samsung inverter refrigerator if this is the case. It may be necessary to replace the entire defrost controller board to resolve this issue.

Defroster Filter:

Another reason why Samsung inverter refrigerators stop working during a defrost cycle is a clogged or expired defroster filter. 

Over time, debris can accumulate in the freezer, causing a malfunction in the fan motor that controls airflow into and out of the freezer. 

Samsung French door refrigerator

Defrosting may not be working on your Samsung French door refrigerator for several reasons. During a defrost cycle, a malfunctioning defrost control board can cause the fridge to overheat and shut down. Here are some other reasons:

Faulty The defrost sensor:

Sometimes, the defrost sensor may malfunction and prevent your refrigerator from defrosting. The sensor will need to be replaced if this is the case. 

It may be necessary to replace the entire defrost control board if the sensor is not causing the problem.

Frozen Door Gasket:

A frozen door gasket is another common reason why French door refrigerators don’t defrost. 

It can prevent your freezer from functioning correctly and stop your food items from freezing solid if this seal is not properly maintaining cold air and moisture inside your fridge.

Ice build-up that restricts air circulation:

If ice build-up obstructs airflow through your fridge’s defrost duct, it can prevent the fan from working, causing the entire defrost cycle to malfunction. 

Any obstruction that is preventing proper airflow may need to be removed and/or cleaned out to fix this issue.

Samsung side by side refrigerator

There are a few reasons why you might not be able to defrost your Samsung side-by-side refrigerator for any number of reasons. Let’s take a look at some of the other reasons as well:

Faulty defrost heater:

Sometimes, the defrost heater inside your fridge can malfunction and prevent the refrigerator from defrosting as a result. In this situation, the defrost heater will have to be replaced as a whole and this will cost you a lot of money.

Clogged drain line:

The drain line in a side-by-side refrigerator might be clogged, which is another common reason why it may not defrost. 

It can prevent your freezer from working properly and prevent your food items from freezing solid if this seal fails to maintain cold air and moisture inside your fridge.

Failed to defrost thermostat:

Your fridge may not defrost properly if the defrost thermostat is malfunctioning. It is going to be necessary for you to replace the entire defrost thermostat to resolve this problem.

How do I test my Samsung defrost sensor?

You can test and troubleshoot the Samsung defrost sensor if it isn’t working as it should. First of all, you might want to try resetting the appliance by pressing and holding down both buttons for 3 seconds until you see a green light on the front of the unit

Next, check to see if power is being sent to the freezer from the outlet in question by turning off all other appliances in your home and then testing again with your Samsung defrost sensor.

Likewise, there is a simple method you can use if you are having trouble with your Samsung defrost sensor and do not know how to test it. You only need some water and an empty glass to make this drink. 

As soon as you have poured the water into the glass, place the defrosted freezer item in the middle of the glass. 

It should take about 20 minutes for the sensor to begin detecting and recording the temperature of both sides of the liquid. If you cannot get this to work, then it is likely that the Sensor has become defective and needs to be replaced.

How long does forced defrost take on a Samsung refrigerator?

Forced defrosting can take up to 20 minutes depending on the model and size of your Samsung refrigerator

When there is a lot of food inside a Samsung refrigerator, forced defrosting may take longer than usual. Forced defrosting usually starts automatically in about 20 minutes if the freezer compartment is not full.

In addition, if you’ve added more food or drinks to the freezer than usual, forced defrosting may take longer. The forced defrosting process begins when the timer beeps, signaling that it is ready. Place a tray containing frozen food items inside the freezer after you open the door.

Be sure to have all the utensils you need nearby, as well as water in case anything goes wrong (defrosted food may release steam). Close the door of the freezer after you have placed everything inside and let the forcible frosting process take its course.

How do I force defrost my Samsung refrigerator?

The majority of Samsung refrigerators come equipped with an automatic defrost feature, but if for some reason you experience problems with it, there is a way you can force it to defrost. Here are the steps you need to follow to force defrost your Samsung refrigerator:

Identify “tabletop” control models:

First of all, you will need to find the “tabletop” models. It comes with a plastic control panel on the front of the refrigerator, which has buttons and LED lights on it. There may also be a “Defrost” or “Refrigerator Temperature” button on the door.

Press both Power Freeze and Fridge buttons at once:

The next step is to press the “Power Freeze” and “Fridge” buttons at the same time. As long as the freezer compartment is frozen, if your Samsung refrigerator has an LED display, the display will show “Defrosting…” while it is freezing.

Press any other button:

Press any other button until “Fd” appears. Once you’ve pressed all the buttons, wait until the refrigerator beeps three times to indicate that you can start forcing defrosting.

Place the frozen food tray in:

When “Fd” appears on the LED display, place your frozen food items in the freezer compartment and close it. Furthermore, be sure the refrigerator’s door can stay closed while it defrosts by leaving plenty of space in front of it.

Wait for approximately 30 minutes:

Check to see if the frozen food has thawed after approximately 30 minutes. Try again after 15-30 minutes if it doesn’t work. Once the frozen food items are thawed, remove them from the freezer compartment and close the door by pressing down on both sides until it shuts.

How do you fix a Samsung refrigerator that is not defrosting?

If your Samsung refrigerator does not defrost or freeze, you can do a few things. There may be a need to clean the coils in the freezer, adjust the temperature settings, or reset the machine. For more information on fixing a Samsung refrigerator, see our guide:

Check the coils in the freezer:

The first thing you should check is the coils in the freezer. It may be difficult for your refrigerator to defrost or freeze if they are clogged with ice. With a vacuum cleaner and duster attachment, or with an electric fan, you can clean these coils.

Adjust the temperature settings:

There are some situations where adjusting the temperature setting on your Samsung refrigerator’s controls is not going to solve the problem. 

It may be necessary for you to seek help from a professional to take it apart and adjust its internal components if the problem persists.

Reset the machine:

It may be necessary to reset your Samsung refrigerator if you haven’t been able to adjust the temperature settings or clean the coils. Unplug it for five minutes after turning it off and unplugging it. 

Then, plug it back in and turn it on by pressing the power button (on top of the fridge). Your machine may need to be taken apart and its internal components replaced if this does not fix your problem.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the Samsung refrigerator does not defrost due to a malfunctioning motor, a defrost circuit, a defrost filter, a faulty defrost sensor, and ice build-up preventing air circulation. To force defrost your refrigerator, adjust the temperature by turning the knob to warmer or cooler.