Samsung refrigerator error codes identify specific problems from sensor failures to communication issues. The most common codes—88 88 (communication fault), OF OF (demo mode), and PC ER (panel error)—are usually resolved with a power reset. Critical distinction: 88 88 is NOT demo mode; OF OF is demo mode and will cause food to spoil if not exited.
Samsung refrigerators display error codes when the control system detects a problem. This guide covers all error codes across Samsung’s refrigerator lineup, including French Door, Side-by-Side, Top Freezer, Bespoke, and Family Hub models manufactured from 2015-2025.
How to Identify Your Display Type
Samsung refrigerators communicate errors in three ways:
Family Hub (Touchscreen) models show pop-up notifications on the LCD screen. These can be minimized while still displaying the error. Reset using the red power switch inside the top of the right door.
Standard Digital Display models show alphanumeric codes on an LED segment display (1E, 22E, OF OF, 88 88). Reset using button combinations on the control panel.
Basic LED Indicator models use blinking patterns or specific lit segments. Reset by unplugging for 60 seconds.
Model Number Prefixes Explained
| Prefix | Refrigerator Type |
|---|---|
| RF | French Door (3-door and 4-door) |
| RS | Side-by-Side |
| RT | Top Freezer (Top Mount) |
| RB | Bottom Freezer |
| RZ | Upright Freezer |
| BRF | Built-In Panel Ready |
Model year codes appear in serial numbers: J=2015, K=2016, M=2017, N=2018, T=2019-2020, DB/CG=2023-2024, BB=Bespoke series.
Error Code Reference Table
| Code | Meaning | Severity | Quick Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 88 88 | Communication fault | Medium | Power cycle 60 sec - 5 min |
| OF OF | Demo/Cooling Off mode | Critical | Exit immediately—food will spoil |
| PC ER | Panel communication error | Medium | Check wire harness, power cycle |
| 1E/1C | Freezer sensor error | Medium | Check sensor connection |
| 5E/5C | Fridge defrost sensor error | Medium | Check for ice buildup |
| 6E/6C | Ambient sensor error | Medium | Power cycle |
| 21E/21C | Freezer fan error | Medium | Check for ice blocking fan |
| 22E/22C | Fridge fan error | Medium | Check for ice blocking fan |
| 23E/23C | Condenser fan error | Medium | Clean condenser coils/fan |
| 24E/24C | Freezer defrost error | Medium | Run forced defrost |
| 25E/25C | Fridge defrost error | Medium | Run forced defrost |
| 8E/8C | Ice maker sensor error (freezer) | Medium | Reset ice maker |
| 14E/14C | Ice maker sensor error (in-door) | Medium | Reset ice maker |
| 39E/39C | Ice maker function error | Medium | Check for ice jam |
| 41E/41C | Ice maker/communication error | Medium | Varies by model—see guide |
| 83E/83C | Compressor abnormal current | Medium | Power cycle—likely power surge |
| 85E/85C | Compressor under voltage | Medium | Power cycle—brownout |
| 86E/86C | Compressor over voltage | Medium | Power cycle—power surge |
| 84C | Compressor lock error | High | Call technician |
| ER FF | Freezer fan error | Medium | Run forced defrost |
| PF | Power failure notification | Info | Power cycle to clear |
| AP | Access Point mode | Info | Wi-Fi setup—turn off/on to exit |
Most Common Codes
88 88 — Communication Fault
What it means: Communication error between internal components, typically after a power outage or surge.
Critical distinction: 88 88 is NOT demo mode. Demo mode displays OF OF. These are completely different errors.
Quick diagnostic: If your refrigerator shows 88 88 but IS still cooling, it’s likely just a display glitch that needs a reset.
Full 88 88 troubleshooting guide →
OF OF — Cooling Off / Demo Mode
What it means: Cooling is completely disabled. This mode is used for retail display.
Critical warning: Food WILL spoil if left in this mode. Cooling, ice making, and water dispensing are all disabled.
Why it activates:
- Left on from retail display
- Accidental button press while cleaning
- Children playing with buttons
- Installer didn’t disable after delivery
PC ER — Communication Error
What it means: The main control board cannot communicate with the display panel, inverter board, or other components.
Common causes:
- Power surge or outage
- Loose wire harness above door hinge
- Wire harness damaged or oxidized
- Faulty display or touchpad
- Damaged control board
Full PC ER troubleshooting guide →
Temperature and Sensor Errors
1E/1C — Freezer Room Sensor Error
What it means: The temperature sensor monitoring the freezer has failed, disconnected, or is reading extreme values (above 149°F or below -58°F).
Symptoms: Freezer not maintaining temperature, inconsistent freezing, food thawing or over-freezing.
Fix: Unplug refrigerator, locate sensor in back upper right of freezer, check wire harness for corrosion or looseness, reconnect loose wires.
5E/5C — Fridge Defrost Sensor Error
What it means: The defrost temperature sensor in the fridge section has failed, preventing proper defrost cycle monitoring.
Symptoms: Frost or ice buildup on back wall, inadequate cooling, water pooling, fan hitting ice.
Fix: Check sensor near evaporator behind “Twin Cool” cover, inspect wire harness connections.
6E/6C — Ambient Sensor Error
What it means: The sensor monitoring room temperature around the refrigerator has failed.
Common causes: Wire cut or disconnection, short circuit, contact failure, temperature reading above 122°F or below -58°F.
83E/83C — Compressor Abnormal Current
What it means: The inverter board detected abnormal electrical current, usually from a power surge or outage.
Fix: Unplug for 60 seconds to 5 minutes, plug back in, monitor for 24 hours.
Full temperature display troubleshooting →
85E/85C — Compressor Under Voltage
What it means: Voltage dropped below normal operating range (brownout condition).
Fix: For Family Hub, press OK for 3 seconds. For others, unplug 60 seconds and restore power. Verify refrigerator is on a dedicated circuit.
86E/86C — Compressor Over Voltage
What it means: Higher than normal voltage detected, typically from a power surge or lightning.
Fix: Unplug 60 seconds to 5 minutes, restore power. Consider installing a surge protector.
Ice Maker Errors
8E/8C — Ice Maker Sensor Error (Freezer)
What it means: The sensor monitoring temperature or ice presence in the freezer ice maker is malfunctioning.
Symptoms: No ice production, ice maker cycles but doesn’t produce, error displayed.
Fix: Unplug 5 minutes, hold upper left + upper right buttons for 5-10 seconds, check wiring for moisture.
14E/14C — Ice Maker Sensor Error (In-Door)
What it means: The sensor detecting ice bucket status in the refrigerator compartment ice maker is malfunctioning.
Symptoms: In-door ice maker not producing, incorrect level detection, overflow issues.
33E — Ice Pipe Heater Error
What it means: The heater preventing water line freeze has failed or disconnected.
Symptoms: No ice production, water line to ice maker freezes.
39E/39C — Ice Maker Function Error
What it means: The ice maker failed multiple times to complete a cycle—tray not returning to level, motor or sensor fault.
Symptoms: Ice jamming tray, motor malfunction, water inlet valve issue.
41E/41C — Ice Maker OR Communication Error
Critical distinction: This code has TWO different meanings depending on your model:
| Model Type | 41E/41C Meaning |
|---|---|
| Standard models | Ice maker function error—mechanical failure, sensor malfunction, frozen water line |
| Family Hub models | Communication error between main PCB and control panel, or software update required |
Symptoms: No ice (standard); blue lights flashing inside (Family Hub).
Full 41E troubleshooting guide →
“Ice Off” Blinking Indicator
What it means: The ice bucket is not inserted properly.
Fix: Remove bucket completely, check for ice or debris, reinsert firmly with proper alignment, unplug 30 seconds to 5 minutes.
Full ice maker troubleshooting guide →
Fan and Motor Errors
21E/21C — Freezer Fan Error
What it means: The evaporator fan in the freezer is not operating—often frozen in place or motor has failed.
Common causes: Fan blades frozen (most common), failed fan motor, door seal issues, defrost system failure, door left open.
Symptoms: Grinding or clicking noise, freezer not cooling, visible frost on fan area.
22E/22C — Fridge/Refrigerator Fan Error
What it means: The refrigerator evaporator fan is not receiving proper rotational feedback—typically ice blockage or motor failure.
Symptoms: Fridge warmer than normal, frost on back panel, grinding noise or silence.
23E/23C — Condenser Fan Error
What it means: The condenser fan at the back or bottom near the compressor is not operating, preventing heat dissipation.
Symptoms: Runs constantly, compressor overheating, poor cooling, no hot air from back.
Fix: Unplug, pull from wall, clean condenser coils with vacuum or brush, clear dust from fan, check fan spins freely.
ER FF — Freezer Fan Error
What it means: The evaporator fan in the freezer stopped—frozen stuck (90% of cases) or motor failed.
Symptoms: Warm fridge, clicking from compressor, uneven freezer temps, water leaking, silent freezer.
Full fan error troubleshooting guide →
84C — Compressor Lock Error
What it means: The compressor is experiencing a restriction issue and cannot start or run—motor is mechanically locked.
Critical: Compressor repair requires an EPA-certified technician for refrigerant handling. Do NOT attempt sealed system repairs.
Samsung provides 7-10 year warranty on compressors—contact Samsung at 1-800-SAMSUNG.
Full 84C troubleshooting guide →
Defrost Errors
24E/24C — Freezer Defrost Error
What it means: The freezer defrost system failed—cycle ran more than 90 minutes without completing.
Common causes: Failed defrost heater, faulty defrost sensor, defective bi-metal thermostat, control board malfunction.
Symptoms: Excessive frost or ice on coils, grinding noise from fan hitting ice, uneven freezing.
25E/25C — Fridge Defrost Error
What it means: The refrigerator compartment defrost system failed—triggered when the cycle doesn’t complete after 80 minutes.
Symptoms: Ice on back wall, fan hitting ice (clicking or grinding), reduced cooling, water leaking.
Full defrost error troubleshooting guide →
26E/26C — Ice Maker Function / Defrost Sensor Error
Note: This code meaning varies by model. On most models, it indicates the ice maker has experienced multiple failures (after 3 failed harvest attempts) OR an ice mold heater issue.
Reset Procedures
Standard Power Reset
Official Samsung procedure:
- Unplug refrigerator OR turn off circuit breaker
- Wait 5 minutes for electrical charge to clear
- Plug back in or restore breaker
- Refrigerator reboots automatically
What to expect: Up to 4 hours for panel to show set temperature; up to 28 hours to reach target temperature.
Samsung Warning: Error code history and diagnostic information will be lost during a reset. Take a picture of error codes before resetting.
Control Panel Reset
Most Models: Press and hold Power Freeze + Power Cool simultaneously for 10 seconds. Wait for chime, display goes blank then returns.
Alternative Method: Press and hold Energy Saver + Lighting for 10 seconds (older models).
Family Hub Screen Reset: Locate red switch inside top of right door. Flip off, wait 30 seconds, flip on. Samsung logo appears during reboot.
Demo Mode Exit (Cooling Off Mode)
Standard display models:
- Locate top two buttons on LEFT side of control panel
- Press and hold simultaneously for 8 seconds
- Wait for chime
- “OF OF” disappears, temperature displays
Common button combinations:
- Energy Saver + Power Freeze (3-5 seconds)
- Energy Saver + Freezer (10 seconds)
- Energy Saver + Lighting (3-5 seconds)
- Freezer + Ice + Fridge (5 seconds) — some Side-by-Side models
Family Hub models:
- Navigate to Apps
- Open Fridge Manager
- Tap Fridge Settings
- Tap Cooling Off → Deactivate → Proceed
BESPOKE models:
- Hold < (left arrow) + > (right arrow) for 6 seconds
- Display blinks
- While blinking, press O button to disable
Convertible models: Hold Temp. + Power Freeze + Lock for 5 seconds until chime.
Complete reset procedures guide →
Ice Maker Reset
- Remove ice bucket (place rags underneath)
- Locate blue TEST button on side of ice maker head
- Press and hold until chime (~10 seconds)
- Reinstall bucket
What happens: Chime signals cycle running → arms/tray move through test → second chime indicates complete. Allow up to 24 hours for ice production to resume.
Forced Defrost Mode
Button combination:
- Press Power Freeze + Lighting simultaneously (or Energy Saver + Lighting on some models)
- Hold until display changes (may hear beep)
- Press Lighting button repeatedly until “Fd” displays
- Defrost cycle runs 30-60 minutes automatically
Clears: Many frost-related error codes including 21E, 22E, ER FF.
Temperature Display Troubleshooting
Blinking Temperature Display
Official Samsung statement: “A blinking temperature display is trying to get your attention, typically because the temperature is too high and things need to cool down.”
Triggers: Internal temperature rose above 59°F (15°C), door left open, power recently restored.
Resolution:
- Ensure all doors fully closed
- Check door seals for obstructions
- Lower temperature setting if needed
- Wait—blinking stops once temperature drops below 59°F
- If persistent: Press Power Cool + Power Freeze for 5 seconds
All Icons Flashing After Power Outage
Official Samsung statement: “When all of the icons on the display are flashing after being plugged in, or after a power outage, this is normal. The fridge is running a self diagnostic.”
Action: Wait 1-5 minutes for self-diagnostic to complete. No action required unless persists beyond 10 minutes.
Temperature Not Reaching Set Point
Normal stabilization times:
- Up to 4 hours for control panel to display set temperature
- Up to 28 hours to reach target temperature (if doors not opened frequently)
When to be concerned:
- Temperature hasn’t dropped after 24 hours with doors closed
- Temperature reads 10°F+ above set point after 24 hours
- Error code displaying alongside temperature issue
Food Safety Guidelines
Safe Temperature Thresholds
| Location | Safe Temperature |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 40°F (4°C) or below |
| Freezer | 0°F (-18°C) or below |
| Danger Zone | 40°F - 140°F |
Bacteria can double in number in as little as 20 minutes in the danger zone.
Power Outage Food Safety (Door Remains Closed)
| Situation | Time Food Stays Safe |
|---|---|
| Full freezer | ~48 hours |
| Half-full freezer | ~24 hours |
| Refrigerator | ~4 hours |
When to Discard Food
- Perishable food above 40°F for 2+ hours: DISCARD
- Refrigerated perishables above 40°F for 4+ hours: DISCARD
Perishables to discard if thresholds exceeded: Raw/cooked meat, poultry, fish/seafood, milk/dairy, eggs, soft cheeses, leftovers, opened baby food/formula.
Foods often safe after outage: Hard cheeses, butter, fresh whole fruits/vegetables, condiments (mustard, ketchup, pickles), fruit juices, peanut butter, bread/cakes.
When in doubt, throw it out. The risk of foodborne illness isn’t worth saving questionable food.
When to Call a Professional
Contact Samsung support (1-800-SAMSUNG) or a qualified appliance repair technician if:
- Error codes persist after troubleshooting steps
- 84C compressor lock error displays—requires certified technician
- You hear grinding sounds from compressor or fan area
- Refrigerator is not cooling at all despite reset attempts
- You smell burning or see visible damage
- 81E compressor starting failure displays—always requires technician
- Your refrigerator is under warranty (DIY repairs may void coverage)
Samsung Compressor Warranty
Samsung provides 7-10 year warranty on compressors for most models. Before paying for compressor repairs, verify your warranty status at samsung.com or by calling 1-800-SAMSUNG.
What to Tell the Technician
When calling for service, have ready:
- Model number (inside door frame, on door, or behind crisper drawer)
- Serial number
- Exact error code displayed
- When the error first appeared
- What troubleshooting you’ve already tried
Sources
For official Samsung support and error code verification:
- Samsung Refrigerator Error Codes
- Samsung Temperature Display Blinking
- Samsung Cooling Off Mode
- Samsung Refrigerator Reset
- Samsung Ice Maker Troubleshooting
- FDA Food Safety During Power Outages
- USDA Danger Zone Guidelines