Samsung RF18A5101SR refrigerator
- Category
- Refrigerators
- Model number
- RF18A5101SR
- Region
- United States
- Verified
- Temperature display blinks
- Door open indicator blinks
- Fridge or freezer temperature is warm, or the refrigerator does not operate
- Fridge or freezer is over-cooling
- Refrigerator has odors
- Frost in the refrigerator
- Condensation forms on the interior walls
- Ice maker makes a buzzing sound
- Ice maker does not make ice
- How to set the fridge or freezer temperature
- How to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius
- How to turn the ice maker on or off
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Indicator lights
| Indicator | Meaning | Checks |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature display blinks | The temperature in the refrigerator has risen above the set temperature, for example after frequent door openings or a large amount of food. The display stops blinking when the refrigerator returns to the setting. | Checks |
| Door open indicator blinks | A door has been left open for more than 2 minutes. | Checks |
Temperature display blinks
Temperature display blinks. The temperature in the refrigerator has risen above the set temperature, for example after frequent door openings or a large amount of food. The display stops blinking when the refrigerator returns to the setting.
The door was opened often or a large amount of food was added. Source: Operations: Main panel, p. 35
- Wait for the refrigerator to return to the set temperature.
The blinking continues for an extended time. Source: Operations: Main panel, p. 35
Door open indicator blinks
Door open indicator blinks with an alarm. A door has been left open for more than 2 minutes.
- Close the door.
Problems
- Fridge or freezer temperature is warm, or the refrigerator does not operate5 causes in the manual. First: the power cord is not plugged in properly.
- Fridge or freezer is over-coolingThe temperature control is not set correctly.
- Refrigerator has odors2 causes in the manual. First: food has spoiled.
- Frost in the refrigerator2 causes in the manual. First: food is blocking the vents, causing frost around the vents.
- Condensation forms on the interior walls2 causes in the manual. First: A door was left open and moisture entered the refrigerator.
- Ice maker makes a buzzing soundThe ice maker function is activated, but the water supply to the refrigerator has not been connected.
- Ice maker does not make ice3 causes in the manual. First: the ice maker has just been installed.
Fridge or freezer is over-cooling
The temperature control is not set correctly. Source: Troubleshooting: General, Temperature, p. 50
- Set the temperature higher.
Ice maker makes a buzzing sound
The ice maker function is activated, but the water supply to the refrigerator has not been connected. Source: Troubleshooting: General, Water/ice, p. 51
- Press Ice Maker.
Interior wall is hot
The refrigerator has heat-proof piping in the front corners of the interior wall to prevent condensation. If the ambient temperature rises, this piping may not work effectively. This is not a system failure. Source: Troubleshooting: General, Temperature, p. 50
Sounds from the refrigerator
Clicking, buzzing or chirping when an operation starts or ends is similar to a car engine ignition, and decreases as the operation stabilizes. Source: Troubleshooting: Abnormal sounds, p. 54
A whirring sound while the fan operates stops when the refrigerator reaches the set temperature. Source: Troubleshooting: Abnormal sounds, p. 54
Water dripping on the defrost heater during a defrost cycle causes sizzling sounds. Source: Troubleshooting: Abnormal sounds, p. 55
Refrigerant gas moving through sealed pipes while the refrigerator cools or freezes causes bubbling sounds. Source: Troubleshooting: Abnormal sounds, p. 55
Plastic parts contracting and expanding as the temperature changes cause knocking noises during the defrost cycle or when electronic parts work. Source: Troubleshooting: Abnormal sounds, p. 55
The water valve opening to fill the ice maker causes a buzzing sound on ice maker models. Source: Troubleshooting: Abnormal sounds, p. 55
Pressure equalizing when you open and close the door causes a whooshing sound. Source: Troubleshooting: Abnormal sounds, p. 55
How-to
- How to set the fridge or freezer temperatureTo change the temperature of the fridge or freezer, or to use Power Cool or Power Freeze.
- How to switch between Fahrenheit and CelsiusTo change the temperature scale shown on the main panel.
- How to turn the ice maker on or offTo stop or start ice making in the freezer.
Maintenance
| Task | Source |
|---|---|
| Replace the LED lamps through a local Samsung service center. The lamps are not user-serviceable. (professional service) | Source: Maintenance: Replacement, LED Lamps, p. 49 |
Settings
| Setting | Options | Default | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge temperature | 34 °F (1 °C) to 44 °F (7 °C), or Power Cool | Recommended: 37 °F (3 °C) | Power Cool runs the fridge at full speed for two and a half hours and then returns to the previous temperature. | Source: Operations: Setting the desired temperature or function, p. 34 |
| Freezer temperature | 5 °F (-15 °C) to -8 °F (-23 °C), or Power Freeze | Recommended: 0 °F (-18 °C) | Power Freeze runs the freezer at full speed for 50 hours and then returns to the previous temperature. | Source: Operations: Setting the desired temperature or function, p. 34 |
| Door open alarm | Automatic | The Door open indicator blinks with an alarm if a door is open for more than 2 minutes. After 5 minutes the internal light blinks for 5 minutes and turns off, to alert deaf and hard of hearing users. | Source: Operations: Main panel, p. 32 | |
| Cooling Off mode (Shop mode) | Tap and hold the left and right arrow buttons together for 6 seconds, then press the center button when the display blinks | The fan motor and lights work but the compressors do not run, so the refrigerator and freezer do not get cold. The fridge indicator shows 0 and the freezer indicator shows FF. | Source: Operations: Activating or deactivating the Cooling Off mode, p. 36 |
Specifications
Samsung refrigerator with a built-in ice maker in the freezer. The fridge sets between 34 °F and 44 °F and the freezer between 5 °F and -8 °F, with Power Cool and Power Freeze. The manual covers RF18A5101** and RF20A5101**. Source: Cover; Operations: Setting the desired temperature or function, pp. 1, 34
A temperature display that keeps blinking after the door was opened often needs Samsung service. Source: Operations: Main panel, p. 35
Samsung recommends 37 °F (3 °C) for the fridge and 0 °F (-18 °C) for the freezer. Source: Operations: Main panel, p. 35
| Ice production | 8 cubes per cycle, approximately 100 to 130 cubes in 24 hours, depending on freezer temperature, room temperature and door openings | Source: Special features: Ice maker, p. 43 |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance | At least 2.5 inches (5 cm) between the back and sides of the refrigerator and nearby walls or cabinets | Source: Troubleshooting: General, Temperature, p. 50 |
Recalls
No exact-model match for RF18A5101SR in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database, checked . Recalls can name model families, so also check current recalls for Samsung.
Service contact
Samsung Customer Care: 1-800-SAMSUNG (726-7864), samsung.com/us/support/. United States. Source: Limited warranty (U.S.A.): contact details, p. 60
Sources
- User manual, Refrigerator RF18A5101 / RF20A5101 DA68-04756D (English, Spanish and French). Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Document DA68-04756D-01, revision 01, 200 pages, en. downloadcenter.samsung.com (PDF). Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.
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