The quickest way to restart a Samsung refrigerator

The fastest restart is to unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet, wait 10 minutes, then plug it back in. This clears the control board's memory and resets all functions to factory defaults. Most Samsung models will beep once when power returns, and the display will light up within 30 seconds.

If your refrigerator is built into cabinetry or hard-wired to a circuit breaker, you can restart it using the control panel instead. Hold down the power button or the reset button (location varies by model) for 3 to 5 seconds until the display goes dark, then release. Wait 30 seconds and press the power button again to turn it back on.

A restart is different from a reset. A restart clears temporary glitches—frozen touchscreens, error codes that won't clear, or the ice maker stopping—without erasing your saved settings like temperature preferences or filter replacement dates. Use a restart first. If the problem persists after a restart, then consider a full reset, which will erase all custom settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Unplugging for 10 minutes is the safest restart method and works on all Samsung refrigerator models.
  • A restart clears temporary problems like frozen displays or error codes but keeps your temperature settings and filter dates intact.
  • If your refrigerator is hardwired, use the control panel power button instead of unplugging.
  • Wait at least 30 seconds after restarting before the display responds; do not unplug and replug repeatedly.
  • A restart solves most common issues, but a full factory reset erases all saved settings and should only be used as a last step.

When to restart versus when to reset

Restart your refrigerator when the display is frozen, an error code appears and won't go away, the ice maker stops working, or the compressor is running constantly but the fridge isn't cooling. These are usually temporary software glitches that a restart will fix in minutes.

A full reset is needed only when a restart doesn't work and you want to return the refrigerator to factory settings. A reset will erase your saved temperature settings, filter replacement reminders, and any custom modes you have configured. Samsung refrigerators do not store personal data like shopping lists or photos in a way that a reset would erase—that information lives in the SmartThings app on your phone, not in the fridge itself.

If your refrigerator is making unusual noises, leaking water, or not cooling at all after a restart, the problem is likely mechanical, not software. A restart will not fix a broken compressor, a clogged water line, or a faulty thermostat. Contact Samsung support or a repair technician in those cases.

Step-by-step restart using the power outlet

Step 1: Unplug the refrigerator. Locate the power cord at the back of the unit and pull the plug straight out of the wall outlet. Do not use a power strip's off button—you must physically disconnect the cord from the outlet to clear the control board.

Step 2: Wait 10 minutes. Set a timer. This waiting period allows the capacitors on the control board to fully discharge. Waiting only 30 seconds or 1 minute is not enough; the board will not fully reset. During this time, the interior will stay cold because the insulation holds temperature for several hours.

Step 3: Plug the refrigerator back in. Insert the plug firmly into the outlet until it seats completely. You should hear a soft click or feel resistance as it locks in place.

Step 4: Listen for the startup beep. Within 10 to 30 seconds, the refrigerator will beep once and the display will light up. The compressor may not start when ready—this is normal. Give it another 2 to 3 minutes to resume normal operation.

Step 5: Check the display. Once the screen is on, verify that your temperature settings are still there. If they are, the restart was successful and your custom settings were preserved. If the display shows default temperatures (usually 37°F for the fridge and 0°F for the freezer), a full reset occurred and you will need to reconfigure your preferences.

Restarting using the control panel

If your Samsung refrigerator is built into cabinetry or hardwired to a circuit breaker, unplugging is not practical. Use the control panel on the front of the door instead.

Locate the power button or reset button on your model. On most Samsung French-door and side-by-side refrigerators, this is a small button labeled "Power" or "Reset" near the top of the touchscreen. On some models, you may need to hold down the "Fridge" and "Freezer" buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. Check your model number on the back of the refrigerator and look up the exact button location in your user manual or on Samsung's website—button placement varies significantly between model lines.

Press and hold the power or reset button for 3 to 5 seconds until the display goes completely dark. Release the button and wait 30 seconds. The screen will remain off during this time. Then press the power button once to turn the refrigerator back on. The display will light up and the compressor will resume operation within 1 to 2 minutes.

Common problems a restart will and won't fix

A restart will fix a frozen touchscreen that does not respond to touches, an error code like "1E" or "SE" that appears and disappears randomly, the ice maker stopping mid-cycle, or the refrigerator beeping continuously. It will also fix a situation where the compressor runs constantly but the interior temperature is not dropping—this often means the control board lost its temperature reading and needs to recalibrate.

A restart will not fix water pooling at the bottom of the fridge, which usually means the drain line is clogged. It will not fix the fridge staying warm while the freezer works normally, which usually means the damper door between the two compartments is stuck. It will not fix frost buildup on the back wall, which usually means the defrost cycle is not running—this is a mechanical issue, not a software one. If the problem persists after a restart, the issue is likely with a physical component.

What happens to your settings after a restart

A restart preserves all your saved settings. Your temperature preferences, ice maker on/off status, water filter replacement date, and any custom modes or schedules you have set will remain exactly as they were. The only thing that changes is that temporary errors and frozen processes are cleared.

If you have a Samsung refrigerator connected to SmartThings, your app settings and remote control history will not be affected by a restart. The refrigerator will reconnect to your Wi-Fi network automatically within a few minutes of restarting, and you will be able to control it from your phone again.

If after a restart your settings have reverted to factory defaults (temperature at 37°F and 0°F, no filter date saved), a full reset has occurred instead. This sometimes happens if the power was cut off during a software update or if the control board had a serious error. You will need to reconfigure your preferences manually.

Troubleshooting if the restart doesn't work

If the refrigerator still has the same problem after a restart, try the restart one more time, but this time wait 15 minutes instead of 10. Occasionally a longer wait is needed if the control board has a corrupted file.

If the problem persists after two restarts, check whether the refrigerator is actually powered on. Look for a small LED light inside the fridge or freezer—if there is no light, the outlet may be off or the circuit breaker may have tripped. Test the outlet by plugging in a lamp or phone charger to confirm power is reaching it.

If the outlet has power but the refrigerator still will not turn on after unplugging and replugging, the power cord itself may be damaged. Do not attempt to repair the cord. Contact Samsung support or a repair technician.

If the refrigerator turns on but the same error code or problem returns within a few hours, the issue is likely not a temporary glitch. Write down the exact error code (if one appears) and contact Samsung support with your model number and the code. They can walk you through a full factory reset or determine whether a repair is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting my refrigerator cause me to lose my food?

No. The insulation in a refrigerator holds temperature for several hours even when unplugged. A 10-minute restart will not raise the interior temperature enough to spoil food. Your frozen items will stay frozen and your refrigerated items will stay cold.

How often should I restart my Samsung refrigerator?

You should only restart when something is wrong—a frozen screen, an error code, or a function that has stopped working. Restarting a refrigerator that is working normally is not necessary and will not improve performance. Most Samsung refrigerators run for years without needing a restart.

What is the difference between a restart and unplugging the refrigerator to clean it?

There is no difference in the process. Both involve unplugging for 10 minutes. The restart is intentional troubleshooting; unplugging to clean is just a practical step. Either way, the control board resets and the refrigerator restarts fresh.

Can I restart my Samsung refrigerator using the SmartThings app?

No. The SmartThings app allows you to adjust temperature and turn ice makers on and off remotely, but it does not have a restart or reset function. You must use the physical power outlet or the control panel button on the refrigerator itself.

What should I do if the display shows an error code after restarting?

Write down the exact code and check your user manual or Samsung's website for what that code means. Common codes like "1E" (sensor error) or "SE" (communication error) often clear on their own after a restart. If the code returns within a few hours, contact Samsung support with the code and your model number.