Why Is My Samsung Fridge Not Cooling But Freezer Works?

If you own a Samsung refrigerator, you already know that they’re reliable, hardwearing appliances. Unfortunately, even the most reliable appliance can experience faults, such as a refrigerator that is not cooling properly when the freezer unit is still working normally. If this is happening to your fridge, don’t panic! It is a good sign that the freezer is still working, and there are often some simple DIY solutions you can try to get the cooling system back up and running. Read on to find out what to do!

This guide applies to all common models of Samsung fridges, including:

RB217ABPN 

RF217ACPN 

RF266ABPN 

RF266AEPN 

RF267ABRS 

RF267AERS 

RF268ABRS 

RF4287HARSXAA 

RFG297AARS 

RFG298HDRS 

RS2530BBP 

RS265TDRS 

RS277ACPNXAA 

RS277ACRSXAA 

RS277ACWPXAA 

RSG257AABPXAA 

RSG257AAPNXAA 

RSG257AARS 

RSG257AARSXAA 

RSG257AAWPXAA 

SKR2D13PWXAA 

Dirty Coils

Cleaning the coils is a great place to start if your Samsung fridge isn’t cooling. Refrigerator coils are filled with refrigerant, which flows into the coils to release heat into the surrounding area. If the coils are dirty, they won’t be able to release heat properly, which will impede your refrigerator’s cooling abilities. 

Because the coils frequently go through cooling and heating cycles, they are prone to attracting small particles like dust and pet hair. This buildup can also cause your refrigerator to work harder to cool your food, so if this is your issue, you may have noticed noisy operation or more frequent cycling on and off. 

To clean your coils:

• First, locate where the coils are on your Samsung refrigerator model. On the majority of modern refrigerators, the coils are located at the bottom and can be accessed by removing a grille or kickplate. In some older models, the coils are located at the back. 
• Unplug your refrigerator and remove the grille if necessary – it will be held in place by screws. 
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to vacuum all visible dust from the coils. 
• If the coils still look dirty, use a coil cleaning brush to get between the coils and remove all remaining dust. Coil cleaning brushes are specially designed flexible brushes and can be purchased either online or from your local hardware store. 
• If there is any stubborn dust remaining and you want to get the coils perfectly clean, you can purchase a can of pressurized air and use this to blast away the dust that the coil cleaning brush can’t reach. 
• Use your vacuum cleaner to thoroughly clean the area around the refrigerator; otherwise, all the dust will just stick to the coils again. 
• Once clean, put the grille back on if needed, restore power to your refrigerator, and wait a day to see if your refrigerator’s cooling issues have been fixed. 

Blocked Vents

Ventilation problems can also be to blame for a fridge that doesn’t cool when your freezer does. Fridges need good airflow so that cold air can circulate your food, keeping it cool. If your fridge is overfilled or if it is stocked in a way that blocks the vents, then you may notice cooling problems. 

To ensure correct airflow:

• Identify where the vents are in both your fridge and freezer, and make sure they are not obstructed. The vents in the freezer must be clear, as this can impact the transfer of cool air to the fridge. You can check your Samsung manual to help you find the location of the vents in your model. 
• Make sure that your fridge and freezer are not overfilled. Ideally, you should keep your refrigerator between halfway and two-thirds stocked to ensure the perfect cooling environment. 
• Once you’ve ensured your vents are not blocked in any way, wait about 24 hours to see if the ventilation issues have been resolved. If not, move on to the next step in this guide. 

Thermostat Issues

Another possible cause of a fridge temperature issue is a problem with the refrigerator thermostat. Fridge-freezer combos have separate thermostats for the fridge and freezer compartments, meaning a fault can exist with one and not the other. According to the USDA, your fridge should be set to 40 °F at a minimum – we recommend aiming for a temperature between 35 and 38°F. 

To check your thermostat:

• First, check your thermostat settings. If your thermostat is set to a higher temperature than the USDA minimum of 40 °F, try adjusting it to the correct temperature range and then wait a few hours to see if the cooling issues go away. 
• If the fridge is still too warm but the thermostat reflects the correct temperature, the thermostat is probably faulty. 
• To fix a faulty thermostat, you can either purchase a replacement and install it yourself according to manufacturer instructions, or you can hire a professional technician to replace the thermostat for you. 

Evaporator Fan Malfunction

The evaporator fan moves cold air from the freezer compartment around your refrigerator. If the evaporator fan is faulty, cold air won’t be able to circulate, leading to your fridge compartment overheating. You may also notice that your freezer compartment is colder than usual, as cold air is no longer being removed. 

To fix this:

• Unplug your refrigerator from the power source. 
• Consult your manual to help you locate the evaporator fan. This is located in the back of most models’ freezer compartments. You may have to remove an interior panel. 
• Gain access to the evaporator fan and check for damage or obstructions. Sometimes, the fan can become frozen in ice, preventing the blades from turning. If this is the case, use a hairdryer on a low setting to melt the ice, then test to see if this fixes the issue. 
• If there is no ice but the fan appears to be damaged or won’t spin, it will need replacing. You can source a replacement part from an appliance parts manufacturer – make sure it is compatible with your model Samsung refrigerator. 
• Following manufacturer instructions, remove the faulty fan and replace it with a new one. Then, restore power to your Samsung refrigerator and wait for 24 hours to see if the cooling issue has gone.