Samsung Refrigerator Error Codes: What They Mean and How to Fix Them
What 22E, 21E, 88 88 and OF OF mean on a Samsung refrigerator, and which ones you can handle yourself.
Samsung refrigerators show codes as letters, numbers or blinking symbols on the display. Some are harmless, such as OF OF for Cooling Off mode, and some point to a failed fan, sensor or compressor circuit. Samsung asks owners not to unplug the fridge or press panel buttons just to make a code disappear unless the instructions say to, because that can make it harder for a technician to see what went wrong.
Codes vary by model and year, so find your model number first. In a refrigerator it is usually on a label inside the fresh food compartment, on a side wall or near the top. If your fridge is a Family Hub, you can view current and past codes by running Self Check from Fridge Manager.
Only unplug the refrigerator when the steps for your code say to. Move perishable food to a cooler first if the fridge will be off for hours.
Do not open panels or touch the wiring behind the fridge. A wire harness reconnection is a technician job.
Normal modes and information messages
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| OF OF (O FF, OFF OFF) | Cooling Off (demo or shop) mode | Exit Cooling Off mode with the panel buttons for your model | If it will not exit or the fridge is warm after exiting |
| AP | Fridge is in Wi-Fi setup mode | Finish the SmartThings setup or wait for it to clear | Not a fault |
| 85C | Low voltage detected on a Family Hub | Press OK for 3 seconds to clear it | If it keeps returning |
Samsung fridge OF OF (O FF, OFF OFF) error
OF OF, O FF, OFF OFF or scrolling temperature bars mean the fridge is in Cooling Off mode, also called demo or shop mode. The cooling system, ice maker and water dispenser are all switched off in this mode, so food will warm up until it is turned off. Service is not required, and the exit method is a button combination that depends on your panel type, shown in the reset steps below and in your user manual.
Model note: The button combination to exit depends on the panel type and model. Check your user manual.
Samsung fridge AP error
AP is not a fault. The fridge shows it while it acts as an access point so it can be connected to Wi-Fi features such as SmartThings. It usually appears after you hold a button during setup, and it goes away once setup finishes or after some time.
Samsung fridge 85C error
85C appears on Family Hub models when the fridge detects low voltage from the power source, often after a brief power outage. Samsung describes it as harmless. Pressing OK for 3 seconds clears it. If it keeps coming back without any outage, mention it to a technician.
Model note: Family Hub models only.
Code keeps coming back? Book a fridge & freezer repair and tell us the code and your model number.
Fan codes
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21E | Freezer fan is not turning | Check doors close fully and gaskets seal, and defrost if iced up | If the code stays after defrosting |
| 22E (22C) | Fridge fan error | Follow Samsung's door-open defrost steps if the doors were left open | If the code returns |
Samsung fridge 21E error
21E means the electronics are not getting feedback from the freezer fan when it should be turning. The most common cause is the fan freezing up, which can follow a door being left open or a gap in the door gasket. Check that the freezer is not packed so full that the doors cannot close and that the gasket touches the cabinet all the way round. Defrosting the unit is an option, otherwise book a technician, since a fan motor can also fail.
Samsung fridge 22E (22C) error
22E or 22C is a fridge fan error that can follow running the refrigerator with a door left open too long. Samsung's documented fix is to unplug the fridge and leave the doors open for a few hours, then plug it back in, close the doors and resume normal use. Move perishable food to a cooler first. If the code returns, book a technician.
Power and communication codes
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| 88 88 (83E, 85E, 86E) | Voltage, power or compressor current error | Power the fridge off for 60 seconds, then back on | If the code returns |
| PC ER (PC CH) | Communication error between components | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
Samsung fridge 88 88 (83E, 85E, 86E) error
88 88, 83E, 85E and 86E are voltage or power errors. They can follow a power surge, a brown out or an electrical disturbance that upsets communication inside the fridge, and 83E, 85E and 86E relate to compressor current or voltage. Samsung says to unplug the fridge or turn off its breaker for 60 seconds and turn it back on. If the code returns, book a technician.
Samsung fridge PC ER (PC CH) error
PC ER and PC CH are communication errors between components inside the refrigerator. They can follow a power surge or a door that is not properly connected. Samsung's fix involves disconnecting and reconnecting a wire harness above the door, which is not a homeowner job. Book a technician.
Water, sensor and compressor codes
| Code | What it means | What you can safely check | When to call a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76C | Water detected in the Autofill compartment | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | If the indicator keeps blinking |
| 5E | Fridge defrost sensor error | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
| 8E (14E) | Ice maker sensor error | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
| 84C | Compressor lock | Nothing to try yourself: book a technician | As soon as you see it |
Samsung fridge 76C error
76C, or a blinking Autofill indicator, means water has been detected in the Autofill compartment. Samsung does not list a homeowner fix for this one. Book a technician if the code or the blinking indicator does not clear.
Model note: Applies to models with an Autofill pitcher feature.
Samsung fridge 5E error
5E is the fridge defrost sensor error. This sensor helps the fridge manage its defrost cycle, so a fault can lead to frost build-up and warm spots. There is no homeowner fix, so book a technician.
Model note: Samsung lists this among its commonly received codes and does not give troubleshooting steps for it.
Samsung fridge 8E (14E) error
8E is an ice maker (freezer) sensor error, and 14E is listed as an ice maker sensor error. The ice maker may stop producing ice while the fault remains. There is no homeowner fix, so book a technician.
Model note: Samsung lists these among its commonly received codes and does not give troubleshooting steps for them.
Samsung fridge 84C error
84C means the compressor is locked, which is the part that drives the cooling system. A locked compressor means the fridge cannot cool properly. This needs a technician, so book a service call and keep the doors closed to protect your food.
Model note: Samsung lists this among its commonly received codes and does not give troubleshooting steps for it.
How to reset your Samsung fridge
This reset is only for Cooling Off (demo) mode, shown as OF OF, O FF, OFF OFF or scrolling bars. It does not clear other fault codes, and Samsung asks you not to press panel buttons to hide those. The most common method is holding two buttons on the panel until the fridge chimes, but the exact buttons depend on your panel, so check your user manual.
- Confirm the display shows OF OF, O FF, OFF OFF or scrolling temperature bars.
- Find your panel type in the user manual or on Samsung's Cooling Off page.
- On the common outside panel, hold the top two buttons on the left side for 8 seconds, or until the fridge chimes. Some panels also need the top right button.
- Wait a few moments to confirm the display does not return to Cooling Off. If it does, repeat the steps.
Frequently asked questions
What does OF OF mean on my Samsung refrigerator?
OF OF means the fridge is in Cooling Off mode, also called demo or shop mode. Cooling, ice making and the dispenser are switched off, but nothing is broken. You can exit the mode with a button combination for your panel, which your user manual shows.
What does 22E mean on my Samsung refrigerator?
22E is a fridge fan error that can follow a door being left open for too long. Samsung's fix is to unplug the fridge, leave the doors open for a few hours, then plug it back in. If the code returns, book a technician.
What does 21E mean on my Samsung refrigerator?
21E means the freezer fan is not turning as it should, usually because it has frozen up. Check that the doors close fully and the gaskets seal. If it stays on or returns, book a technician.
What does 88 88 mean on my Samsung refrigerator?
88 88 is a communication fault that can happen when power is disrupted while the fridge starts up. Turn the power off for 60 seconds and back on. If it returns, book a technician.
Related
Codes and their meanings vary by model and model year, so keep your model number handy. If a code keeps returning after the safe checks above, book a repair and a technician will test your refrigerator in your home.
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