A faulty fridge light might not seem like a big deal, but it can affect the unit’s overall efficiency in the long run.
Not to worry, this article will show you all the possible reasons why your fridge light isn’t working, along with their respective fixes.
As long as you follow our instructions carefully, troubleshooting the problem should be a breeze. Most of these fixes only require a few minutes of your time.
So, let’s get right into it.
Why is my Samsung fridge’s light not working?
Samsung fridge lights typically stop working because of a defective power supply. Either the unit isn’t plugged into a power source, or power isn’t reaching it.
The fridge lights could also be off because Sabbath mode has been activated. Or, you simply left the doors ajar for over 8 minutes.
In most cases, addressing these common issues is all you need to turn the fridge lights back on. However, on rare occasions where faulty parts are the underlying cause of the problem, you would have to install new ones.
The good thing is that you can troubleshoot most of these issues without professional help. In a few simple steps, you can turn the fridge lights back on.
How to Fix Samsung Refrigerator Light That Won’t Come On
In most cases, fixing a Samsung fridge light requires an easy solution like plugging in the electrical cord, closing a door, or turning off Sabbath mode.
It may also entail replacing a faulty fridge component, such as a light bulb, a power cord, or a door switch.
To find the right solution, determine the root of the problem. Inspect everything from the power cord to the fridge controls, doors, lights, and door switches.
Start with the issues requiring minimal fixes, then go over the ones that need more complicated repairs.
Before we give you step-by-step instructions for fixing the fridge light, we’ve made a list of all the materials and tools you’ll need. We’ve also included the level of difficulty and time it takes to perform each fix.
| Fix | Materials | Tools | Difficulty | Time |
| Closing Fridge Doors | None | None | Easy | Instant to at least 30 minutes |
| Deactivating Sabbath Mode | User manual | Mobile phone with a SmartThings app | Easy | Less than 5 minutes |
| Replacing Electrical Cord | Difficult | |||
| Replacing Fridge Lights | User manual and a light bulb replacement | A Phillips screwdriver and a small flat-head screwdriver | Medium | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Fixing Jammed Door Switches | Damp soapy cloth | None | Easy | Less than 5 minutes |
| Replacing Faulty Door Switch | New door switch | A Phillips screwdriver and a small flat-head screwdriver | Medium | Less than 10 minutes |
Here are all the possible issues that could cause a Samsung fridge light to stop working. We’ve also included solutions for each one.
| Causes | Solution |
| The fridge doors aren’t properly closed. | Check for any obstructions preventing the fridge doors from closing properly. Close the doors, and wait for 20 to 30 minutes for the sensors to restart. Open the doors, and check if the interior lights are working. If they aren’t, give it another half hour, and check the light again. |
| Sabbath mode is activated. | Sabbath mode automatically deactivates after 85 hours. Hence, you can wait it out. Or, you can manually deactivate Sabbath mode from the fridge’s control panel by pressing the buttons O and > simultaneously and holding them for six seconds. When the indicator lights start blinking, click the > button again. If your unit is compatible with SmartThings, you can also turn it off from your phone. Open the SmartThings app on your phone, and select the Samsung fridge you want to control. Go to Menu, click on the refrigerator settings, and select Sabbath mode. |
| The fridge has no power. | Assess the power plug for any damage. If it looks frayed or damaged, do not attempt to plug it back in. Instead, call an electrician who can replace it immediately. If the plug doesn’t appear to be damaged, make sure the fridge is plugged in properly. |
| A light bulb has burned out. | Get the right LED light replacement for your Samsung fridge unit. Unplug the unit, and open the LED light cover inside the fridge using a small flat-head screwdriver. Unscrew the panel mounting the light to the fridge using a Phillips-head screwdriver. Detach the wire connecting the panel to the unit. Take out the LED assembly bar from the panel, and replace it with a new one. Reattach the wire and screws to mount the panel back in place. Reattach the LED light cover. |
| The door switch is jammed. | Open the fridge or freezer door, and locate the door switch on the right side of the unit’s internal frame. Gently tap on the door switch a few times to get it unstuck. If it isn’t working, unplug the fridge, and clean the door switch with a damp soapy cloth. Make sure the switch is dry before plugging the fridge back in. Then, try tapping on the switch again to get it unstuck. |
| There’s a faulty door switch. | Unplug the fridge and open the left door. Unscrew the switch cover on top of the left door, and remove it. Disconnect the switch wires, and remove the switch. Install a new switch, and reconnect the wire. Reattach the cover and secure it with the screws. Plug the cord back in. |
The fridge doors aren’t properly closed.
Samsung refrigerators with a Door Alarm will beep loudly if you leave the doors open for more than three minutes. And if the doors remain open for over eight minutes, the fridge lights will automatically turn off.
Solution: Check for any possible obstructions like food containers, drawers, and shelves preventing the doors from closing properly.
Make sure these food compartments are all in place and pushed back.
Lucky for you, simply closing the doors should turn the interior lights back on. After closing the fridge doors, it might take 20 to 30 minutes for the sensors to reactivate.
If the interior lights still won’t turn on, wait for another 30 minutes before checking the fridge again.
Sabbath mode is activated.
Sabbath mode is a feature in most modern refrigerators, which enables owners to open and close the unit without activating its many functions — including the internal lights.
If Sabbath mode is activated, your fridge lights won’t work, along with other functions, for a full 85 hours. It automatically deactivates after three days, which means your fridge lights should start working by then.
Solution: To deactivate Sabbath mode on a Samsung fridge, you can wait for it to automatically turn off after 85 hours.
But a quicker way to deactivate it is to press a button combination on the control panel.
- Step 1: Unlock the control panel.
If your fridge’s control panel is located inside or on the top door, it most likely has the Automatic Control Lock feature. It keeps the entire panel locked after a minute of inactivity.
To unlock the control panel, press the Door Alarm button for three seconds until you hear it chime.
- Step 2: Press and hold the O and > buttons simultaneously for six seconds.
- Step 3: Click on the > button once the indicator lights blink.
| Quick Note: Different Samsung fridges have different button combinations for activating and deactivating Sabbath mode. Aside from O and >, other possible button combinations include Door Alarm and Water/Ice, Door Alarm and Freezer, and Power Freeze and Power Cool. Check the user manual to see the right button combination for your fridge. |
You can also open the SmartThings app on your phone to turn off Sabbath mode.
- Step 1: Open SmartThings on your phone.
- Step 2: Select the refrigerator you want to manage.
- Step 3: Go to Menu, and tap Refrigerator.
- Step 4: Select Sabbath mode.
| Quick Note: Not all Samsung refrigerator models have a Sabbath mode. To find out if your fridge does, check the user manual. If there is no mention of a Sabbath mode, the fridge doesn’t support the feature. Rule out Sabbath mode in your list of possible reasons for a broken fridge light. Then, move on to the next. |
The fridge has no power.
If your Samsung fridge lights aren’t working and the unit isn’t cooling, it probably isn’t receiving any electricity. Sometimes, the fix can be as simple as plugging the electrical cord back in.
Chances are, the cord got accidentally knocked out. All you have to do is plug it back in, and the fridge should start operating again—including the lights.
However, if you’ve ruled this out, asses the electrical cord for damages. Improper handling can eventually damage it, and in such cases, it will need a replacement.
Due to wear and tear or improper handling, an electrical cord can get frayed and damaged. Since it can cause all sorts of electrical problems for your refrigerator, you must not plug the unit back in until you’ve installed a replacement.
Solution: A faulty cord poses serious risks of fire and electrical shocks and should be fixed immediately. The best thing you can do is to hire a professional to replace the cord.
A light bulb has burned out.
There are usually two LED lights in a Samsung refrigerator. One is in the freezer, while the other is in the fridge.
If only one of the two LED lights isn’t working, it’s most likely that the bulb has burned out. It has reached the end of its lifespan and needs a replacement.
Solution: Always unplug the fridge before inspecting the lights or doing any maintenance work on your unit.
Replacing a Samsung fridge light is easier than you think.
Just make sure you have the right replacement parts for your unit. Before buying a new light, double-check the user manual and verify that you’re getting the correct one.
If you’re going to replace the Samsung fridge LED panel by yourself, you will also need a Phillips screwdriver and a small flat-head screwdriver.
Our guide provides step-by-step instructions for replacing the LED light assembly bar on a Samsung fridge model RF27T5501SRAA5.
You can still use this guide for reference if you have a different Samsung fridge model. Just remember that the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your unit.
- Step 1: Unplug the fridge.
- Step 2: Open the fridge doors.
- Step 3: Use the small flat-head screwdriver to release the LED light cover.
- Step 4: Unscrew the bolts mounting the panel to the fridge.
- Step 5: Depress the rear locking tabs, and pull the panel towards you.
- Step 6: Unplug the wire connecting the LED panel to the inner liner.
- Step 7: On the panel, push the assembly bar away from its retainers.
- Step 8: Lift the assembly bar to detach it.
- Step 9: Prepare the replacement LED assembly bar.
- Step 10: Position the assembly bar wires on the right side of the panel.
- Step 11: Secure the assembly bar under the retainers.
- Step 12: Reattach the cover’s wire connector to its socket.
- Step 13: Align the holder with the inner liner.
- Step 14: Reattach the LED light cover.
- Step 15: Reattach the screws to secure the panel.
- Step 16: Snap the LED light cover back into position.
- Step 17: Plug the power cord back in.
After making the replacement, the Samsung fridge light should turn back on.
The door switch is jammed or faulty.
If you’ve ruled out all the issues mentioned above, the door switch might be the reason why your Samsung fridge light isn’t working.
Door switches in refrigerators are also called light switches. That’s because when you open the fridge doors, it frees up the switch that turns the light back on.
Open the fridge or freezer door, and check if the door switch is pushed down. It is usually located on the right side of the fridge and freezer’s internal frame.
If it is, then it might be just stuck.
Aside from turning the lights off, a jammed door switch may cause the ice maker or water dispenser to turn off. It may also cause the fridge to stop cooling.
Solution: A jammed door switch has an easy fix, which should only take a few seconds of your time. You won’t need expensive equipment or tools.
To loosen a switch, try gently pushing it down a few times. It should free up the switch, and turn the light back on.
However, if tapping on the switch isn’t freeing it up, dirt build-up might be causing it to get stuck. Sometimes, a little cleanup is all it needs to get unstuck.
- Step 1: Unplug the fridge.
- Step 2: Clean the area with a damp soapy cloth.
- Step 3: Wipe the switch with a dry cloth.
- Step 4: Plug the fridge back in.
- Step 5: Gently press the switch again to get it unstuck.
The fridge light should turn on once the switch gets unstuck. However, if the lights are still out, you might have a faulty door switch.
In this case, you must install a new one.
To replace a Samsung fridge door switch, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unplug the fridge.
- Step 2: Open the left fridge door.
- Step 3: Remove the screw on top of the door.
Use the Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw securing the sensor and switch access cover. It is located right on top of the left fridge door.
- Step 4: Remove the cover.
- Step 5: Gently push the tab down to remove the switch cover.
- Step 6: Detach the switch wires.
- Step 7: Release the old door switch from the housing.
Use the small flat-head screwdriver to depress the tabs, and remove the door switch from its housing.
- Step 8: Install the new door switch.
Align the new door switch in the housing. When you install it, the terminal must face away from the door hinge.
Then, simply snap the new door switch into place.
- Step 9: Reconnect the wire to the terminal.
- Step 10: Reattach the switch cover.
- Step 11: Realign the access cover tabs.
- Step 12: Close the cover, and reattach the screws.
- Step 13: Plug the cord back in.
- Step 14: Test the new door switch.
After doing this quick door switch replacement, the fridge lights should turn back on.
After following our troubleshooting instructions, you should be able to turn on your Samsung fridge light safely.
If you still can’t find the source of the issue, or if you’re not comfortable carrying out these fixes yourself, don’t hesitate to hire a professional.
