Samsung refrigerators are designed to be always on to keep your food cold and frozen. However, there may be times when you need to turn off your Samsung refrigerator, such as when cleaning it, going on vacation, or moving. Turning off a Samsung refrigerator is not difficult, but there are a few steps you need to follow.
Why You May Need to Turn Off Your Samsung Refrigerator
There are several reasons why you may need to power off your Samsung fridge:
- Cleaning the fridge- When deep cleaning your Samsung refrigerator, you’ll want to turn it off to clean the back and underside safely. This will prevent any electrical hazards.
- Saving energy- If you’re going on vacation for a week or more, you can save energy by turning off your fridge. Be sure to empty out all perishable foods first.
- Moving- You must defrost and turn off the refrigerator properly when moving homes. This ensures no damage occurs during transportation.
- Repairs- Your Samsung fridge may need to be switched off for maintenance or repairs. This allows the repair technician to service the appliance safely.
- Power outages- During long power outages, you may want to turn off your fridge to prevent food spoilage when the power comes back.
How to Turn Off a Samsung Refrigerator
Turning off a Samsung refrigerator is a straightforward process. Here are the step-by-step instructions:
1. Remove All Food
Before powering down your Samsung fridge, take everything out of it. Transfer perishable items to coolers with ice packs if the fridge is off for an extended period.
Removing all food prevents spoilage while the fridge is off. It also lets you clean the fridge thoroughly before turning it back on.
2. Unplug the Fridge
Locate the power cord for your Samsung refrigerator. It plugs into a wall outlet, usually behind the fridge. Pull the plug firmly to disconnect it.
Unplugging the fridge is the safest way to ensure the power is off. For some models, you may need to unplug the fridge before accessing the internal power switch.
3. Turn Off the Water
If you have a water dispenser and ice maker connected to your Samsung refrigerator, turn off the water supply as well.
Locate the water shut-off valve behind the fridge and turn it clockwise to the off position. This stops water from continuing to flow into your fridge while powered down.
4. Empty the Ice Bin
Once you turn off the fridge, the existing ice will melt. Remove the ice bin and discard any ice cubes.
You may also want to dump out any existing water in the water dispenser reservoir. This prevents overflowing once the ice melts.
5. Turn Off Internal Power
Newer Samsung refrigerators have an internal power button that you’ll need to switch off. This is usually located behind the control panel or at the top of the fridge compartment.
Hold this button for 3-5 seconds until the display darkens. If your fridge lacks an internal power button, unplugging it in step 2 is sufficient for powering it down.
6. Clean and Dry the Interior
With your Samsung refrigerator powered off, this is the perfect opportunity for deep cleaning. Remove shelves and drawers and wash them with mild soap and warm water.
Clean the interior compartments with an appliance-safe cleaner. Don’t forget to scrub the door gaskets and seals.
Dry everything thoroughly before replacing shelves and drawers. Leave the doors propped open to allow air circulation.
7. Turn Off the Ice Maker (Extended Storage Only)
If you’re turning off a Samsung fridge for an extended time, like during a move, also turn off the automatic ice maker.
Locate the ON/OFF toggle switch and flip it to OFF. This keeps the ice maker from accidentally turning on when powered up in the future.
8. Turn Water Back On (Extended Storage Only)
You’ll want to turn the water supply back on for long-term storage after shutting off the ice maker.
Slowly turn the water valve back counterclockwise. Leave it on so water can flow to the fill tube again when you turn on the fridge.
9. Unprop Doors and Reconnect Power
Once fully cleaned and dried, carefully unprop the fridge doors. Make sure shelves and drawers are securely in place.
Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet or turn the internal power switch ON. The Samsung fridge will reboot and resume cooling.
10. Reset Ice Maker (Extended Storage Only)
If you turn off the ice maker in step 7, remember to turn it on once the fridge is powered up. Flip the ON/OFF toggle back to ON.
It may take up to 24 hours for the ice maker to resume normal operation and start producing ice again.
Following these simple steps will allow you to safely power down your Samsung refrigerator for any necessary cleaning, maintenance, repairs or extended storage. Just take care to remove or properly store all food items, dry the interior compartments, and turn off the water supply whenever your fridge is powered down for more than a day.
FAQ About Turning Off a Samsung Refrigerator
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about properly shutting down a Samsung fridge:
How long can a Samsung refrigerator stay off?
A Samsung refrigerator can safely remain powered down for up to four weeks. This assumes it was properly emptied, cleaned and dried beforehand. Leaving it off longer risks mould growth.
What settings are maintained when the fridge is turned off?
When powered down and back on, your Samsung refrigerator will retain all temperature settings, alarm settings, and other preferences. However, the clock will reset.
Do I need to unplug a Samsung fridge when turning it off?
For newer models with an internal power button, just using that button is sufficient. Unplugging the fridge for older models without the button ensures it powers down fully.
Why must I empty the ice bin when powering off a Samsung refrigerator?
The ice will melt once the fridge is off, overflowing the bin. Removing the ice prevents this overflow and a big mess.
Should Samsung refrigerator doors be left open or closed when turned off?
Leave the doors open. This allows air circulation to prevent mould and mildew growth in the moist interior compartments.
How can I tell if my Samsung refrigerator is completely off?
The display and interior lights will go off. Place your hand inside to confirm it no longer feels cold. No fans or compressor humming should be audible.
What settings should I use when turning a Samsung refrigerator back on after storage?
Set the refrigerator and freezer temperatures to their original settings. The normal default is 37°F for the fridge and 0°F for the freezer.
Final Tips for Turning Off a Samsung Fridge
Turning off your Samsung refrigerator is straightforward, but here are some final tips for doing it properly:
– Double-check that all food is removed and the ice bin is emptied before powering down.
– Allow at least 24 hours after turning off the fridge before transporting it or making repairs to allow components to return to room temperature.
– When turning the fridge back on, allow several hours for the interior to become fully cold before returning food.
– Don’t keep a Samsung refrigerator turned off for longer than 4 weeks, as this risks mould growth inside.
– Clean the doors, gaskets and seals thoroughly before turning the fridge back on to prevent odours.
– Ensure shelves and bins are securely placed before turning the power back on.
Following this complete guide will ensure you safely turn off your Samsung refrigerator when required. Just take care with cleaning and food storage, and your fridge will be ready for service again once powered back on.
