Samsung’s Twin Cooling Fridge Freezers are at the forefront of modern refrigeration technology. Unmatched in their energy efficiency, they even can cool individual compartments so you can store items at varying temperatures.
As you might expect, with this level of technological complexity, these fridges can run into a few problems from time to time.
If you’re looking to purchase this machine or perhaps already own one, you’re undoubtedly interested in what kind of problems you might need to contend with.
So in this article, we will cover all the main problems that crop up with these fridge freezers and explain exactly how to fix them.
Most Common Samsung Twin Cooling Fridge Freezer Problems
By and large, these fridges are incredibly reliable. Having received near unanimous praise from users thanks to their sleek design and robust construction.
But unfortunately, these are complicated machines with many inner working components that all have to function together to provide such a feature-rich experience.
This can make troubleshooting the problems they run into very challenging as there are so many potential failure points.
But the good news is these problems are often easily rectified with some work and the knowledge we’ll provide in this article.
So you can save time, money, and stress not having to deal with a problematic freezer or have to fork out money for a technician.
1. The Fridge isn’t Cooling
As we mentioned, the Samsung Twin Cooling Fridge doesn’t work like a regular fridge; it gives you complete control over the temperatures between the different fridge/freezer sections and even manages the humidity.
Of course, this is great for optimal food storage so it can stay fresh and taste its best for the longest possible time.
But sometimes these fridges can fail to cool down properly. Samsung recommends that the fridge portion remains below 40 degrees F and the freezer be at least 0 degrees F for optimal cooling.
This can commonly be caused by the condenser coils becoming clogged up.
As the refrigerant is pumped through the condenser coils, it condenses and expels heat from the Samsung fridge. This heat is then blown away by an evaporator fan which is the fundamental process in how a fridge cools.
However, these colts build up dust and debris, which acts as an insulator and reduces how well the Samsung fridge can dissipate the heat.
So you’ll need to clean the condenser coils using a soft brush. All you need to do is dislodge all the built-up dust, so there is air in between the condenser coil. It’s a good idea to keep a vacuum nearby, so things don’t get too dusty!
This problem may also be caused by the compressor becoming faulty. The compressor pumps the refrigerant through the Samsung fridge freezer, allowing it to cool.
Compressors have to work pretty hard and can sometimes burn out over time. You’ll need to test the compressor for functionality and replace it if necessary.
2. The Ice Maker isn’t Working
A great ice maker that allows you to cool your drinks at a moment’s notice during the hot summer months is a fantastic addition to any Samsung fridge freezer.
However, these devices can be a bit temperamental as they require a consistent temperature.
If your Samsung ice maker is experiencing problems, it may be due to a faulty water inlet valve. This small device opens to allow water to flow into the ice maker to produce new ice cubes.
Sometimes as the valves fail or just wear don’t, they won’t be able to produce the 20 PSI required to keep water out, meaning they let excessive amounts of water flow into the Samsung ice maker.
This water then freezes over and prevents the ice cubes from being ejected from the molds.
So the water inlet valve will need to be tested with a multimeter, and if it’s not working, it will need to be replaced.
Another common problem with ice makers is that the water filter has become clogged.
While these filters do a great job of removing unwanted debris and particulate from the water used to form the ice cubes, they can block up over time.
Samsung recommends replacing the filter every 6 months, but if you live in an area with hard water, those extra mineral deposits may require you to change the filter more frequently.
Here’s how to do it:
- Start by turning off the water supply to the fridge.
- Locate the water filter cover and lift it up; if you are unsure of its location, you can refer to your fridge’s user manual.
- Grab the old filter by the handle and turn it counterclockwise to unlock it.
- Now you can pull the old filter straight out and discard it.
- Take your new filter and remove the protective cap from the top of it.
- Then you can push it straight into the filter housing and turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
- Ensure the lock symbol lines up with the indicator line on the fridge.
3. The Defrost Cycle isn’t Working
Fridges have an in-built defrost cycle which actually warms certain components up at specific intervals to prevent them from freezing over.
When this function doesn’t work, the ice maker might freeze, or the condenser coil may develop a layer of frost on them which will cause the fridge to struggle to cool itself.
The defrosting cycle is managed by a component called the defrost heater; we’ll need to inspect this device for functionality using a multimeter.
If the defrost heater provides no reading on the multimeter, it means it has failed and will need to be replaced with a new one.
4. The Freezer Door Seal has been Compromised
The doors to both the fridge and freezer sections utilize a plastic/rubber seal, also called a door gasket, to create an air-tight seal between the cooled area of the fridge and the warm air outside.
This is a vital part of the fridge’s functionality; if this seal becomes compromised, warm air will get into the fridge, causing temperature fluctuations.
Maintaining the seal of a fridge is very important. So you should first inspect the freezer door gasket visually to see if anything has become stuck on there that may prevent the plastic from pressing against the fridge surface.
Give the door gasket a good wipe-down with a cloth and an all-purpose cleaner to remove any built-up debris.
However, sometimes you may discover a crack or breach in the door gasket, which can’t be repaired as easily.
In this scenario, you’ll need to order a replacement gasket from Samsung.
The good news is that the gasket is very easy to install; you can just pull the old one out by hand and insert the new one.
5. A Compressor Inverter Board Failure
The compressor inverter board is responsible for sending power to the compressor and is a vital component in its functionality.
So if the inverter board runs into problems, regardless of whether the compressor is working, your fridge might not be able to cool.
You can test the compressor inverter board using a multimeter by checking the input and output; if it’s non-functional, it should be replaced with an entirely new board.
6. The Cooling Fan isn’t Working
The evaporator fan is responsible for circulating the cool air within the fridge freezer to ensure the temperature is consistent and all your food products are cooled evenly with no ‘hot spots’ in any given area.
However, sometimes this fan can run into problems that make it struggle to do its job.
A common cause behind this is that the fan blades have worked themselves loose. Make sure you turn the Samsung refrigerator off before inspecting the cooling fan, and if you find the blades loose, you can easily re-tighten them.
In some rarer cases, the evaporator fan motor may have burnt itself out, which cannot be repaired and will just need to be replaced with a new fan. You should contact Samsung customer support, who will assist you with ordering a replacement fan.
7. The Fridge is Excessively Noisy
A little bit of noise or hum is to be expected as the compressor kicks in and the fans spin away, but if the noise becomes excessive, it may indicate a problem with the machine.
A common cause of this is excessive frost surrounding the fan or evaporator coil, which causes the compressor to work extra hard, in which case you’ll need to dethaw the Samsung refrigerator.
To do this, you simply need to turn on the demo mode which turns the compressor off. Alternatively, just unplug the ridge from the power supply and leave it for a few hours, and it will self-thaw.
If the ice buildup is quite extreme, you can use a hair dryer or a hot towel to help melt the ice. Just be careful and ensure you keep the hair dryer moving so as not to melt any plastic components.
8. There is a Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerators use a completely sealed system to circulate the refrigerant from the compressor through the evaporator coil.
Sometimes this copper or aluminum tubing can develop a small hole that slowly allows the refrigerant to evaporate while it’s in gas form.
Over time this will reduce the ability of the fridge to cool itself to the point where it’s essentially non-functional.
Unfortunately, this problem cannot be user serviced as it requires a trained technician to check and seal up any breaks within the tubing system.
Our recommendation is to contact Samsung Customer Support, who will arrange for a technician to come and patch it up, as well as re-fill the refrigerant that has evaporated from the system.
Samsung Twin Cooling Fridge Freezer Problems: Are they a Deal Breaker?
Of course, as a potential buyer, these problems may seem quite daunting, and you’re no doubt wondering if the high price is worth contending with these issues.
But in fact, these problems aren’t unique to Samsung freezers and are potential issues that can occur regardless of which brand of fridge you own.
Overall these fridge freezers are considered highly reliable and have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users.
For that reason, we have no hesitation in recommending a Samsung Twin Cooling Fridge Freezer for your kitchen and are confident you’ll be happy with your purchase.