Issue with Samsung Refrigerator

[purbeast0]

I have a french door Samsung fridge with the freezer on the bottom.

I have had a problem multiple times with it where ice builds up behind the condensor or something in the back of the fridge part behind the plastic, and in turn makes it so every time the fan spins it makes a loud humming noise that gets worse and worse. And then with that comes water dripping down into the bottom of the freezer where that builds up under the freezer drawer.

The first time this happened I unplugged my fridge for like 24 hours and let it all thaw out and had a puddle of water at the bottom of the freezer after I had already cracked and taken out all of ice before thawing. After plugging it back in and it cooling, everything seemed back to normal.

Well that was probably in like early 2019.

Then this past winter it happened again.

Then in early July it happened again and I did the same process again.

Well like 2 weeks ago I noticed ice build up below my freezer yet again and I broke it and removed all of it, but the issue is still happening where now the fan is making all this noise so I know there is ice buildup behind it.

Does anyone know what I can do to actually fix the issue? Is there just a part I can replace and this will be fixed? When I first fixed this problem I took the back panel of my fridge off and saw the part with ice stuck to it but since then I haven't done that and just unplug it and let it thaw. But something has to be causing this issue from the root of the problem.

I'm sick of having to thaw it out and every time I have to fill coolers overnight with ice and frozen stuff and it's just a pain the ass. I'd like to not purchase a whole new fridge at this point either.

Anyone have suggestions?

 

[herm0016]

could be a defrost heater coil, or somthing with the control board/sensor that tells it to defrost. how much time in-between when you have the issue?

 

[purbeast0]

could be a defrost heater coil, or somthing with the control board/sensor that tells it to defrost. how much time in-between when you have the issue?

The latest one was like a month or so until I started seeing the issue. I don't remember the exact date but I believe it was like early July when I had to thaw it out this past time.

 

[UsandThem]

I have a Samsung fridge that was doing the same thing. The fan noise, and then I began getting water running out of the freezer and getting on the floor.

To fix it, I ended up having to remove the bottom-back panel inside the freezer side, using a hair dryer to melt the ice, and cleaning out the plug where the water runs down into the collection plate to evaporate. The whole thing took about an hour to complete, but luckily I've only had to do that one time in 6 years.

 

[purbeast0]

I have a Samsung fridge that was doing the same thing. The fan noise, and then I began getting water running out of the freezer and getting on the floor.

To fix it, I ended up having to remove the bottom-back panel inside the freezer side, using a hair dryer to melt the ice, and cleaning out the plug where the water runs down into the collection plate to evaporate. The whole thing took about an hour to complete, but luckily I've only had to do that one time in 6 years.

Yeah see that is what I did the first time when I took the back off and saw all the ice buildup. I took the hair dryer to it to defrost it. But if I just leave it unplugged overnight with the doors open, it just naturally de-thaws everything out of it.

 

[UsandThem]

Yeah see that is what I did the first time when I took the back off and saw all the ice buildup. I took the hair dryer to it to defrost it. But if I just leave it unplugged overnight with the doors open, it just naturally de-thaws everything out of it.

Just make sure to really clean and clear out the plug that runs to the bottom. I almost didn't see the gunk blocking the water from running down, and I haven't had any issues since (although I'm sure with the product design, I will have to do it again at some point).

 

[purbeast0]

Just make sure to really clean and clear out the plug that runs to the bottom. I almost didn't see the gunk blocking the water from running down, and I haven't had any issues since (although I'm sure with the product design, I will have to do it again at some point).

Well I know I don't have buildup down there because of all the ice at the bottom of my freezer, so it's definitely clear.

Like I had a layer of like 1/2" ice down there that I took a hammer to to break up and then remove.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have a Kenmore/LG French door fridge. I started having issues because my ice maker lines were freezing up due to ice freezing behind the freezer.

I removed the freezer drawers and back wall to check the thermostat and after everything, I ended up finding that the fridge had a bad sensor that was keeping the freezer from defrosting
... Those sensors just measure temp and return resistance, so no moving parts, but they're cheap and malfunction. $26 replaced 3 of them. The defrost issue went away after that.

 

[mindless1]

The drain on modern frost free freezers needs cleaned every now and then, ideally BEFORE it completely clogs up.

Well I know I don't have buildup down there because of all the ice at the bottom of my freezer, so it's definitely clear.

Either I am misunderstanding or you are. Ice usually builds up in the bottom of the freezer because that is where there is a drain hole that water, from the defrost cycle, is supposed to exit to a pan under the freezer where the fan evaporates it. That drain hole or a hose attached to it, can eventually get clogged with fungus.

 

[purbeast0]

I have a Kenmore/LG French door fridge. I started having issues because my ice maker lines were freezing up due to ice freezing behind the freezer.

I removed the freezer drawers and back wall to check the thermostat and after everything, I ended up finding that the fridge had a bad sensor that was keeping the freezer from defrosting
... Those sensors just measure temp and return resistance, so no moving parts, but they're cheap and malfunction. $26 replaced 3 of them. The defrost issue went away after that.

My ice maker is also starting to have issues. Yesterday it wasn't making as much ice and it didn't even make ice overnight. This happened before too the very first time everything went wrong, however the ice it did make when it did make it was like very wet and not fully developed. That is not the case right now, when the ice is made it's normal looking. The temperature in the fridge also seems to be fine.

Also if the defroster is not working, could that explain why I have buildup where the fan is? I also lowered the temp in the fridge like 4 days ago from 42 to 38 because I noticed stuff wasn't as cold. I had no idea the fridge was set at 42. Since then I feel like I haven't heard the loud noise of the fan rubbing the ice like I had before. I still hear it somewhat and sometimes but it's not as loud as before, almost like some of the buildup is now gone.

The drain on modern frost free freezers needs cleaned every now and then, ideally BEFORE it completely clogs up.



Either I am misunderstanding or you are. Ice usually builds up in the bottom of the freezer because that is where there is a drain hole that water, from the defrost cycle, is supposed to exit to a pan under the freezer where the fan evaporates it. That drain hole or a hose attached to it, can eventually get clogged with fungus.

Any idea where the hose or hole is located on these fridges? That could also be part of the issue.

 

[Scarpozzi]

The $7 sensor that was acting up on my fridge that caused the problem was in the ceiling of the fridge part....it looked like a small plastic pill with a wire coming off it.

Just saying, you may want to try replacing yours if it has a similar design. If the door has a bad seal, you could also get condensation buildup quick. Something to think about if the freezer is overstuffed and the door may have trouble shutting (my wife bulk buys too much stuff).

 

[Scarpozzi]

On a similar note as the washer thread. I need to complain about newer appliances. Defrost issues are common with refrigeration units that have freezers. They are really just freezers with a fan to cool a second zone/side with a duct. My Whirlpool-made beer fridge froze up and needed it's $30 fan module replaced. The defroster is a COIL heater that works like an electric oven.

My LG has 2 hot packs that are probably ceramic resistors. In both cases, neither address the drain tube/icing issue that ALL malfunctioning defrost systems face. They need a metal drain tube with a heating source through the middle to keep it from icing while inside the freezer unit. I actually read a repair thread where a guy would hang a unwound paperclip off the coil to go down the tube to keep it clear....was genius.

Just thought I'd share. My take is that without a proper coil, we may have taken a step backwards, but perhaps the hot contacts do enough on thin aluminum when the system is smart enough to pause the compressor.

 

[mindless1]

Any idea where the hose or hole is located on these fridges? That could also be part of the issue.

I'd pull the back cover off and do some cleaning while I'm looking for the pan, usually roughly in the path of the fan, and follow that to the drain that feeds it.

There might be some youtube video showing how to clean or de-clog the same or similar model.

 

[purbeast0]

I'd pull the back cover off and do some cleaning while I'm looking for the pan, usually roughly in the path of the fan, and follow that to the drain that feeds it.

There might be some youtube video showing how to clean or de-clog the same or similar model.

And this is a panel in the freezer itself? I have only really messed with the panel off the back of the refrigerator part. I may look at doing it this weekend when my fridge is less full so I don't need as many coolers to fill.

 

[Scarpozzi]

And this is a panel in the freezer itself? I have only really messed with the panel off the back of the refrigerator part. I may look at doing it this weekend when my fridge is less full so I don't need as many coolers to fill.

I had to slide my drawers out and remove them. The easiest way to do it on my model required me removing the actual door of the freezer portion (4 bolts with a nut driver).

Once I got that out of the way, I could lift the drawers off the track and access the nuts on the back panel to lift it out of the way. They always take up near 100% of the back wall, you you have to put a slight bow in them to maneuver them out. Even more difficult around an ice maker, so be aware, it's not easy....but it's been designed to go in and out one way.

If you remove the back panel, you can easily see the drain pan below the evaporator. That also will allow you to put a meter on the defrost elements to see if it tests proper resistance. (best way to see if it's good). Same for all of the sensors...they are supposed to read a particular range. A hair dryer can melt the ice, but a heat gun at a safe distance is faster to get the water flowing again. Don't try to chip any ice out with a screwdriver. The pans can be made out of that thin aluminum and you don't want to poke a hole through it on accident...would cost an arm and a leg to replace or be annoying to repair with silicone.

 

[mindless1]

And this is a panel in the freezer itself? I have only really messed with the panel off the back of the refrigerator part. I may look at doing it this weekend when my fridge is less full so I don't need as many coolers to fill.

You can scoot the fridge out and take the back panel off without having to unload it (yet). I'd unplug it to keep the fan from coming on.

Depending on how much ice there is, you don't necessarily need to unload the fridge any more than needed to get to it. I've used hot water and a turkey baster to get ice out, and sometimes that alone is enough to force water through a gunked up or frozen drain plug... depends on the design, sometimes a coathanger, piece of rope or thin bottle brush helps to clear fungus out, or some allow (more easily) taking a drain tube off to clean.

If it's fungus then you may end up wanting to clean out the drain pan too.

 

[purbeast0]

You can scoot the fridge out and take the back panel off without having to unload it (yet). I'd unplug it to keep the fan from coming on.

Depending on how much ice there is, you don't necessarily need to unload the fridge any more than needed to get to it. I've used hot water and a turkey baster to get ice out, and sometimes that alone is enough to force water through a gunked up or frozen drain plug... depends on the design, sometimes a coathanger, piece of rope or thin bottle brush helps to clear fungus out, or some allow (more easily) taking a drain tube off to clean.

If it's fungus then you may end up wanting to clean out the drain pan too.

Oh so you are saying there is access to this from behind the refrigerator? That would be awesome if I don't have to take anything out and can do this from the rear while it's unplugged for a bit, just to at least get this part of it done.

 

[mindless1]

^ I can't guarantee they didn't do some cowboy design where left is right and up is down, but yes usually taking the back panel off will allow access to the fan, drain pan, and at least that end of the drain hose. Whether that is all easy to access or has something in the way (like the fan), it still probably unbolts so it's just a minor jigsaw puzzle, except the coil and compressor which obviously can't be taken off without losing refrigerant.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Oh so you are saying there is access to this from behind the refrigerator? That would be awesome if I don't have to take anything out and can do this from the rear while it's unplugged for a bit, just to at least get this part of it done.

All of the ones I've ever owned had the pan INSIDE the freezer where the evaporator and defroster actually are...but who knows. Koreans are making nukes these days...maybe they figured out how to punch a hole through insulation from the back without ruining the integrity of the design.

 

[UsandThem]

It's been a few years since I've done mine, but from I remember there is a hole in the bottom of the freezer where the water runs down when the freezer does it defrost cycle, and the pan is under the fridge (accessed from the backside).

 

[purbeast0]

So I just went behind mine and took the only 2 panels off the back. One just had circuit boards and the other one was down behind the freezer.

So I am guessing on the right side of that second pic, the black cube looking thing with vertical coil looking things is the evaporator in the black plastic tray you all have been talking about?

And then you see those two gray tubes running vertical on each side of it with the white connector at the top?

Well I took both of those off and the white connector part at the top has a little opening in it. One of them was almost completely clogged up. The other one had a bunch of red crud in it and no water would flow through at all. I put both of them under the sink and filled with running water and nothing was going through either of them.

Also the black plastic tray below looked like it has been bone dry for a while. There was some like dirt or something on the bottom, like a small layer in spots, but it looked completely dry. Also I touched the black cube looking thing and it was room temperature so I'm not sure if it is supposed to be hot or cold.

So I'm guessing that those gray tubes (both of them) are what is supposed to run the water to the black tray down there, and that is what evaporates? Perhaps that has been blocked for some time now and that explains the water build up at the bottom of the freezer, and it's even backed up back behind the fridge where the build up is happening? Like could the tube being blocked off be the culprit of everything going on?

I plan on taking the back of the fridge sometime this week and letting everything thaw out.

Do you all think it would be possible to keep the fridge on and remove the panel from the rear, and use a heat gun to thaw it all out quickly and just put food back in after it's done thawing? I'd like to keep stuff in the freezer if possible and just not have to deal with putting EVERYTHING in coolers. But if I have to do that then I do.

 

[Scarpozzi]

It's been a few years since I've done mine, but from I remember there is a hole in the bottom of the freezer where the water runs down when the freezer does it defrost cycle, and the pan is under the fridge (accessed from the backside).

That's the outer pan. The inside pan sits below the evaporator (The thing that freezes) and collects water that drips...it then feeds to a drain tube that goes outside to a pan that's under the unit. The issue here is that the drain pan under the evaporator that sits inside the freezer collects water and freezes, blocking the tube. When this happens, it fails to drain to the outside pan efficiently or at all.

In this image, the pan is the metal under the evaporator. That's where the ice dam forms...there and in the drain hole.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Bad design. Samsung is aware of it and likes it that way.

 

[UsandThem]

That's the outer pan. The inside pan sits below the evaporator (The thing that freezes) and collects water that drips...it then feeds to a drain tube that goes outside to a pan that's under the unit. The issue here is that the drain pan under the evaporator that sits inside the freezer collects water and freezes, blocking the tube. When this happens, it fails to drain to the outside pan efficiently or at all.

In this image, the pan is the metal under the evaporator. That's where the ice dam forms...there and in the drain hole.
View attachment 28220

I agree.

I believe the issue with my Samsung was that water was not able to run down to the pan underneath. Like I mentioned it's been a few years since I did it, but the first time I melted the ice that had accumulated near the heat coil. I wiped down the drain plug, and it seemed that water would go down it. I put the inside panel back on, and used the fridge as normal.

Then about 2-3 weeks later, it began doing the same thing. I repeated the process I did the first time, but also removed the bottom back cover and cleaned out the tube. That was where the main issue was, and I believe in had that slimy mildew/mold that was restricting most of the water from running down quickly enough, causing the water to eventually freeze before being able to run down to the bottom.

 

[purbeast0]

I agree.

I believe the issue with my Samsung was that water was not able to run down to the pan underneath. Like I mentioned it's been a few years since I did it, but the first time I melted the ice that had accumulated near the heat coil. I wiped down the drain plug, and it seemed that water would go down it. I put the inside panel back on, and used the fridge as normal.

Then about 2-3 weeks later, it began doing the same thing. I repeated the process I did the first time, but also removed the bottom back cover and cleaned out the tube. That was where the main issue was, and I believe in had that slimy mildew/mold that was restricting most of the water from running down quickly enough, causing the water to eventually freeze before being able to run down to the bottom.

When you say the bottom back cover, is it one similar to what I posted pics of above?

And was it those gray tubes I am talking about or am I talking about the wrong stuff?