Samsung refrigerator repair: the specifics of repair work at home

Evgenia Kravchenko
Checked by a specialist: Evgenia Kravchenko
Author: Mikhail Yashin
Last update: June 2019

Samsung refrigeration equipment is of high-quality assembly and rarely causes problems to owners. But if, nevertheless, a malfunction occurs, it is necessary to restore operability by the forces of refrigerators from a service center or with your own hands. Many faults can be identified and fixed by yourself.

We will talk about how a simple repair of Samsung refrigerators is made, which a home craftsman can easily handle. In our article, we describe methods for diagnosing characteristic breakdowns and ways to eliminate their causes. Based on our tips, you can get rid of the problem yourself.

Features of Samsung Refrigerators

Samsung is positioning its refrigerators as representatives of medium and high price household appliances. For successful sales, in addition to a variety of functions, many settings and exclusive design solutions, such a technique should have increased reliability.

Components for refrigerators, such as compressors, sensors and relays, are produced by well-known companies purposefully by order of Samsung.

Electronically controlled refrigerator
Most of the new modifications from Samsung are equipped with an electronic type of control with a LCD display, which displays errors in the operation of the unit. Focusing on his tips, you can eliminate minor flaws on your own

They are expensive and of good quality. Electronics, such as the control board and inverter, are produced in the factories owned by the company, and it also rarely fails.

The warranty repair contract for Samsung refrigerators sold in Russia is small - 1 year. Some sellers provide a paid service to increase it, or provide for some time shareware service repair.

ten year warranty on linear compressors
On the most expensive unit - a modern linear compressor, Samsung has a 10-year warranty. They really, very rarely break.

All equipment has a long warranty period of 7 years. During this time, the manufacturer must provide support and provide product maintenance. This means including the availability of original spare parts.

Therefore, in the event of a breakdown, first of all, you need to carefully study the warranty service agreement.

If, however, the Samsung refrigerator repair is carried out at the expense of the consumer, then there are three options:

  • Contact an authorized service center. This is usually the most expensive option, however, repairs will be performed according to the manufacturer's standards.
  • Call a master who works independently or as part of a standard workshop for repairing household appliances. There is an opportunity to save on the cost of work and installed parts.
  • Diagnose the problem yourself and try to fix it.

Using the error notification system, you can narrow the circle of nodes that need to be checked for operability.

Error displayed on the refrigerator display
The list of error-indicating symbols that appear on the screen, as well as fault codes are given in the instruction manual

Typical faults

The failure of one of the nodes leads to a specific external manifestation that the user of the equipment sees. Any part of the refrigerator may break, but each manufacturer has different prevailing faults.

1. The refrigerator does not turn on

If one or all of the refrigerator’s chambers are warm, but the compressor does not turn on, then there are four main reasons for this failure:

  1. When there is no manifestation of the operation of the motor-compressor and the sensors do not burn, this means a problem with the electrician. First of all, you need to check the power of the outlet and the integrity of the cable. Then you need to call an electrician or ring the wiring yourself.
  2. The same symptoms can be observed with a failure of the refrigerator electronics. Although Samsung equipment has very high quality motherboards and there is high-quality protection against voltage drops, with poor power supply, they can still break.
  3. If the indication, control and interior lighting work, but the unit does not turn on, then the most likely cause is compressor malfunction.
  4. Similarly, a breakdown of the temperature sensor manifests itself. In this case, the control unit does not receive a signal about exceeding the permissible temperature and it does not give a command to start the compressor.

For Samsung refrigerators, there is a way to determine the operability of the temperature sensor, if cooling does not turn on for a long time, you need to activate the forced cooling mode or accelerated freezing. If the compressor starts up, then the problem is in the sensor.

refrigerator temperature sensor
Connecting a temperature sensor to the system using a two-pin terminal block is no more difficult than connecting the charging to a mobile phone. The main thing is to remember the position of the sensor itself

2. High temperature in the offices

If the temperature in the chambers is high, but the compressor is operating normally, then the most likely problem is as follows:

  • Depressurization of capillary tubes and leakage of freon. The decrease in pressure in the system and the ingress of air change the conditions of the phase transition of the refrigerant. In this case, the cooling capacity of the evaporator decreases or it ceases to function.
  • Loss of tightness of the door, resulting in an uncontrolled intake of warm air from the kitchen.

The tightness problem can also be detected by the formation of a small layer of frost (for the freezer) or condensate (for the refrigerator compartment) in the place where the sealing gum should adhere to the refrigerator case.

Condensation inside the refrigerator
Condensation does not always indicate equipment breakdown. This is often the result of placing in the chamber hot dishes, unclosed vessels with liquid left for a long time open the door

3. The problem of ice formation

As a result of the depressurization of the doors, another problem arises - the slowly entering warm air is cooled near the door and condensation forms.

In the freezer, where the temperature is much lower than zero degrees, there is an increase in dense snow formations with an admixture of ice particles. In the refrigerator compartment, condensate seeps through the seal or exits when the door is opened. In this case, smudges will be visible on the front side of the refrigerator.

Ice in the freezer compartment
Even slight damage to the seal leads to the rapid formation of snow outgrowths in the freezer. Therefore, the gum will have to straighten or change

4. Clogged drainage system

Condensate formed on the back of the refrigerator is discharged out through a special drain hole. Its diameter is small, since otherwise a cold leak will occur. Water flows by gravity, so impurities gradually settle inside the hole.

The resulting narrowing is gradually transformed into a cork, which prevents the drainage of water. A puddle forms at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment, as a result of which there is an increase in humidity, the spread of odors and the creation of a favorable environment for the propagation of microorganisms. Thus, the storage conditions of the products are worsened.

Drainage channel clogging
If the drainage channel becomes clogged, water that does not have a drain is returned to the refrigerator, where it partially evaporates, partially settles, settles on the walls and products

Home Repair

Some malfunctions of the refrigerator can be identified and resolved by yourself. Modern devices have high-quality self-diagnosis, which allows you to identify the problem without involving a specialist. However, not every repair can be done with your own hands.

Repair of electronic control system
If the problems of refrigeration equipment are associated with violations in the electronic system or are caused by the failure of the intelligent control to perform its functions, it is better to contact the workshop to carry out repairs

#1. Challenges for self-repair

Samsung refrigerators have several malfunctions that are difficult to fix without repair experience and the availability of special equipment.

If a refrigerant leak is detected, it is necessary not only to eliminate the defect in the pipes or their connections, but also to compensate for the lost volume by Freon system refills. This is a difficult procedure, which requires a stock of isobutane and special equipment to measure its weight.

It is impossible to determine the amount of refrigerant injected “by eye”, since in the best case, the set with thermostat of the refrigerator cooling and freezing conditions, and at worst there will be problems with a phase transition and a complete lack of cooling.

Electronic refrigerant balance
Refrigerant electronic filling scales are a must-have tool for refrigeration compressor repair technicians. This is a specific and expensive equipment that most people don’t have at home.

If the compressor does not work inverter refrigerator, then you need to connect the working electronics unit and try to start again. In case of a successful start, we can state the fact that the problem is on the side of the control board. If the start does not happen, the reason is the compressor, which needs to be changed.

Replacing a compressor is the same procedure for all brands of refrigerators and freezers. To carry it out, you need a special tool (a burner, an accurate scale for filling freon, a filling valve, etc.), a supply of refrigerant and the experience of such work.

Therefore, it is better to call the craftsmen from the service center, who will perform all the work at home.Electronics repair is possible if there are clear signs of damage to the components of the board, such as capacitors (a sign of malfunction is bloating) or signs of contact oxidation.

The dialing and restoration of electrically conductive circuits, as well as the replacement of a capacitor or microcircuits, requires special equipment (a hot air gun, a desoldering pump, a soldering iron with a wide sting, etc.) and some preparation.

Inverter - Power Board Electronics
An “inverter compressor” consists of a combination of a power electronics board (inverter) and a compressor adapted to it. The cost of such an original board is about 5 thousand rubles

If the cost of acquiring a new board is high or the delivery time is long, then you can contact the organization for the repair of computer equipment.

The electronics manufactured by Samsung are of good quality and the simultaneous failure of a large number of components is unlikely. Therefore, the timing and cost of repairs will most likely be insignificant.

Samsung Compressor Compressor Replacement
When calling specialists to replace the compressor or restore the integrity of the evaporator with refrigerant injection, you need to free up enough space, since the refrigerator will have to be deployed or moved away from the wall

# 2 Door and seal problems

The problem of air passage through the doors can occur due to their incorrect position. This can be detected using a plumb line. Before eliminating the skew, it is necessary to level the refrigerator using a level. Changing the position of the doors is done with the help of adjusting bolts.

Replacing the refrigerator seal
The need to replace the seal occurs in case of detection of thinning of the contour sections, the presence of cuts or tears. The cost of the original product depends on the perimeter of the door and is 1200 - 2500 rubles

If the door is installed vertically, but there are signs of air leakage, then the problem is with the seal. If the defect is the presence of folds, then you can eliminate them by softening the rubber by heating with the use of hot water or a hairdryer.

The PVC sealant is attached to the glue, a flat screwdriver is needed to dismantle it. Using a spatula and a soft sponge, remove any remaining rubber and glue from the door groove.

When installing a new seal, its angular parts can be slightly heated with a hairdryer to give them greater elasticity. To fix the door, you can use the glue “moment 88” or silicone sealant. For new models, magnetic tape is integrated into the product, so there is no need to use adhesives to fix it to the door.

Fridge door seal with magnetic tape
Magnetic tape securely fastens the seal to the metal door of the refrigerator. There is no need to use glue and wait until it dries. Gum replacement operation can be quickly performed on a running device

# 3 Temperature sensor malfunction

The operability of temperature sensors can be checked by measuring the resistance on the counterpart of the connector of the main board of the electronic module.

Their location depends on the board, but there is an established color differentiation of wires:

  • freezer sensor - dark blue;
  • refrigerator compartment sensor - blue;
  • defrost sensor - yellow.

If the resistance remains at the same level with temperature, this means that the sensor is not working. To change it, it is necessary to remove the back panel protecting the evaporator and heating elements of the defrost system.

Connecting Samsung refrigerator sensors to the board
The order of connecting sensors to the control board is indicated on the circuit diagram of the electronic device. It may vary by model.

Sometimes the sensors are frozen and covered with hoarfrost. Since snow is a poor conductor of heat, there is no fixation of temperature changes in the refrigerator compartments. In this case, complete defrosting helps. However, it is necessary to check the operation of the “NoFrost” system fan to prevent recurrence of the problem.

#4. Elimination of blockages of the drainage system

A drainage hole is located on the rear wall of the chamber at the lower point of the special trough for collecting water from the evaporator. In order to clean it, you need to use a thin flexible plastic knitting needle or a braided wire with a brush mounted on them.

The second way to clean is to use a syringe with a suitable nozzle in diameter. The pressure of warm water breaks through the cork. Do not use solvents or any cleaning agents - they have a bad effect on plastic.

Drainage cleaning in refrigerators with NoFrost system
For cleaning the drainage holes in the package of refrigeration equipment with NoFrost system there is a device with a tip of the appropriate diameter

The drainage hole can be cleaned in 20-30 seconds, so there is no need to turn off and, especially, defrost the refrigerator. However, most likely, you will have to remove one of the shelves.

With the general rules applicable in the repair of all brands of compression refrigeration units, will introduce next article, which should be read both by independent home masters and customers of the services of masters from service centers to monitor their work.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video # 1. Enabling Samsung refrigerator test mode. Checking the operability of temperature sensors by measuring resistance:

Video # 2. Video on the diagnosis of breakdowns and repair of two Samsung refrigeration units:

Video # 3. Continuation of the previous material:

Samsung refrigerators are of good quality components and assemblies. The frequency of their repair is lower than that of budget models. If a breakdown occurs, you can identify the problem node yourself. In some cases, you can carry out repairs yourself, but sometimes you still have to call specialists.

Please leave comments in the block below, ask questions on obscure and controversial issues, post a photo. Tell us about how you repaired the Korean refrigerator yourself. Share useful technological nuances that may be useful to site visitors.

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Visitors Comments
  1. Dmitry

    I really respect all the craftsmen, of course. Great informative material. But I myself would not dare to undertake repairs of such a level at home. The level of the screwdriver and pliers is mine, no more. As for the Korean technology itself: the TV, also “GoldSar”, served for about 20 years, I sold it in working condition for 500 rubles, the LG washing machine and refrigerator have been working perfectly for about 13 years. The same can be said about Samsung. It’s somehow difficult to gain experience repairing this equipment.

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