Samsung Freezer Not Working or Not Freezing

When a Samsung freezer stops freezing, the cause is often a setting or airflow problem rather than a failed part: the unit may be in Cooling Off mode, the temperature may be set too warm, vents may be blocked by food or frost, or a door seal may be leaking. Samsung's default freezer setting is -2°F, and food should stay at 0°F or below. If an error code appears or the freezer still will not get cold after the checks below, a technician needs to find the failed part.

This site is an independent directory of repair companies and is not affiliated with Samsung. The steps here follow Samsung's U.S. support pages. You can compare local technicians on our Samsung ice maker and freezer repair page or browse the full freezer repair directory.

Protect your food first

Put an appliance thermometer at the front of the freezer; the FDA calls it the most reliable way to know the real temperature, and the freezer should read 0°F. Keep the door shut while you troubleshoot. USDA guidance says a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours and a half-full one for about 24 hours if the door stays closed. FoodSafety.gov says thawed food can be refrozen if it still has ice crystals or is at 40°F or below, and USDA advises throwing out perishable food that has been above 40°F for more than 2 hours.

Checks you can do yourself

1. Look for an error code. A code on the display may mean the unit needs service. If there is none, Samsung suggests a power cycle: unplug the refrigerator or switch off its breaker for 2 minutes, then restore power so it runs a self-test.
2. Rule out Cooling Off mode. If the display shows OF OF, O FF, OFF OFF or scrolling temperature bars, the unit is in Cooling Off mode, sometimes called demo or shop mode. The panel works but nothing cools. The steps to turn it off depend on your panel. On top-freezer models, also confirm the freezer compartment is not set to Off.
3. Set it colder. Lower the freezer setting and use Power Freeze if you need extra cooling. Samsung says the display can take up to 4 hours to show the new setting and the freezer can take up to 28 hours to reach it with the doors closed.
4. Give it room to breathe. Leave about 2 inches of clearance at the back, top and sides, and keep food about 2 inches away from interior vents. Samsung suggests keeping the freezer at least two-thirds full and letting hot food cool before it goes in.
5. Clear frosted vents. Ice or frost covering the vents on the back wall blocks airflow and needs to be cleared. Keep high-moisture food away from the vents.
6. Check the room. Samsung says the unit works harder below 55°F and will not cool properly below 50°F or above 110°F. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat sources.
7. Test the door seals. Close a dollar bill halfway in the door and pull it out. Slight resistance means the seal is working; if it slides out easily, clean the seal and test again. Samsung recommends cleaning gaskets monthly with a damp cloth and dish soap, and an unlevel cabinet can also cause a failed test. A seal that has popped out of its channel can be pressed back in, but a torn or warped seal needs service.

If you own a Samsung convertible upright unit, which can run as either a freezer or a refrigerator, confirm it is set to run as a freezer before you look for anything else.

Frost buildup and soft ice cream

Heavy frost is a sign that warm, moist air is getting in. Samsung points to doors that do not close fully, overstuffed shelves, hot food and blocked vents. On models with a door ice maker, the gasket between the ice compartment and the ice bucket also has to sit flush. If only the ice cream is soft, Samsung notes that ice cream typically softens at 3°F or higher, so keep the freezer below that and store ice cream away from the door.

Samsung error codes that affect freezing

A 21E code often traces back to ice on the fan, which in turn points to a defrost problem. Connected models can send these codes through SmartThings Home Care, which pushes an alert with suggested steps.

What a technician tests

Once settings, airflow and seals check out, a pro looks at the parts that move cold air and keep the coil clear:

• Evaporator fan. If it is frozen or the motor has failed, cold air never reaches the freezer.
• Defrost system. A failed heater or sensor lets frost choke the evaporator coil, which leads to warm temperatures and often a frozen fan.
• Door gaskets. Torn or warped seals let warm air in.
• Control board and sensors. Faulty readings can stop the compressor or fans from running when they should.
• Compressor and sealed system. Compressor codes or a freezer that runs constantly without cooling can point here.

Never open, puncture or recharge the sealed system yourself. EPA rules require Section 608 certification for anyone who services equipment that can release refrigerant, and never chip at frost with a knife or sharp tool.

When to stop DIY and call a pro

• An error code returns after the 2-minute power cycle.
• The display is still blinking 28 hours after a temperature change.
• Food spoils faster than it should even with correct settings and airflow.
• Seals are torn or warped, or the freezer fan is silent or frozen.
• The ice maker has stopped too; see our guide to a Samsung ice maker not working.

Samsung freezer repair costs

Fixr puts a typical freezer repair at $100 to $400, though compressor and control board work can run higher. These figures from published cost guides are national ranges:

HomeGuide says a service call or diagnostic minimum usually runs $70 to $130 and is often credited toward the repair. Fixr suggests repairing a freezer under ten years old when the repair costs less than half the price of a new one. Our freezer repair cost and repair or replace guides go deeper.

Find Samsung freezer repair near you

Browse freezer technicians by state, such as Texas, or in cities like Seattle, Miami and Boston. Have your model number, the freezer reading from your thermometer and any display code ready when you call.