Do Refrigerators Have a Reset Button? (A How-To Guide With EVERY Model!)

If your refrigerator is making a whole lot of noise, not cooling properly, or getting really hot, it’s possible that it needs to be reset.

It’s easy to do: all you need to do is open the door and let the fridge sit unplugged for 15 minutes. After that, plug it back in and see if things start working better!

But what if you don’t know how to unplug your refrigerator? Or what if that doesn’t work? Is there a reset button?

This article will show you where to find it on most models.

Do refrigerators have a reset button?

Yes, some refrigerators have a reset button that can help solve hardware and software issues by bringing it back to factory settings.

In fact, many modern refrigerators have this feature built into them. By doing so, you’ll be able to get it back up and running properly in no time!

If you’re having trouble with your refrigerator not cooling properly, receiving an error code on the control panel, or if it seems like your device is making a lot of noise, it may be time to reset it.

Where is the reset button on the refrigerator?

You’ll usually find it on the back of the control panel at the bottom of your fridge—and if you don’t have one there, look for a trip switch under there as well.

Some refrigerators require you to reset by using their power button.

If you notice that nothing is happening when you try and turn on your fridge, check behind its back door for a red button with an arrow pointing down. That’s your reset button!

Press it until everything starts working again.

How do you reset a refrigerator?

A fridge is an important appliance in any home and when things start to go bad, it can be difficult to get them going right again. There are some ways you can reset your fridge, however, and if you start by looking at the particular model it can truly help.

Whirlpool

This fridge does not have an actual reset button but a series of steps to be able to reset your fridge.

Unplug your fridge
Wait five minutes
Plug the fridge back in
Press and hold down the lock and filter buttons at the same time
See if the control panel is working
Locate and press your door switch and the + temperature button at the same time
Press the + temp button again

Samsung

This process is a bit easier and only has a couple of steps.

First, you want to press and hold down the power cool and the power freeze buttons at the same time.

Hold for five seconds. This should tell the fridge to reset and go back to factory settings.

LG

This is an even easier fix.

You need to simply unplug the fridge or trip your circuit breaker for about 30 seconds. This will force the fridge to reset.

Frigidaire

To reset a Frigidaire, you need to only unplug the fridge and leave it unplugged for at least five minutes.

This will force the fridge to reset when it is plugged back in again and will wipe out any settings that you have made that are not factory default.

Maytag

For a Maytag with a control panel and a screen, you should follow these steps:

Turn off the circuit breakers or unplug the fridge from the wall.
Leave off for at least 10 minutes.
Power the fridge on by turning the circuit breakers back on or plugging it back in.
Check the control panel and make sure the cooling function is turned on.

GE

This is another unplug-it situation.

You want to unplug the fridge and leave it unplugged for at least 30 seconds, longer if possible.

You then need to plug it back in and the fridge will reset itself.

Amana

This model fridge luckily does have a reset function.

Locate the reset feature on the fridge and go through the steps listed there. This should reset the fridge so that you can then get the settings back to the factory.
If that does not work, you can unplug the fridge or turn off power for at least 30 seconds.
Removing power is again, going to force the fridge to reset and is going to force the fridge to go back to its original factory settings.

Kenmore

A Kenmore fridge has an on/off button which is useful when it comes to resetting.

You need to open the fridge menu if you have a screen or a control panel and then press the off button.
If that does not work, you can also press the Ultra Ice button and the Home button at the same time, holding it for five seconds. This is going to help the fridge to reset.
If that does not work, you can also use the unplug method. By unplugging the machine for a few minutes, you are going to force the fridge to reset and start over.

Kitchenaid

There are a few steps that you do need to follow to get your fridge reset:

First, you need to unplug the fridge or trip the circuit breaker so that all power is cut to the fridge.
Next, you need to wait about five to ten minutes before you restore power.
You then need to check the cooling function and ensure that it is ready to go.
You can then check the control board and panel and you should have a fridge that has been reset.

Magic Chef

This fridge does not have a reset button.

Instead, you do need to unplug the fridge and remove it from power to get it going again and to get it to reset automatically.

Norcold RV

This does not have a reset button but does have a reset function.

Hold the TEMP SET button down on the control panel. An Er code should show.
Release the button and when CL shows on the screen wait for five seconds.
Hold down the TEMP SET button again and hold it down until the Er code shows again.
When this happens, you need to release the button and press the on/off button until the screen shows no co. This is going to fully reset the fridge and erase any settings that you may have put forth and can help you get your fridge back to factory settings.

Why would a refrigerator need to be reset?

If your refrigerator is running slow and you need to reset it, there are a few good reasons why.

First, it keeps the temperature within a safe range. If the temperature gets too low, food can freeze and become unsafe. If it gets too high, bacteria can grow and spoil your food.

Second, it minimizes the extra workload for the compressor. The compressor is what keeps your fridge’s temperature constant—and if that’s running constantly, it’ll burn out sooner than later!

Thirdly, resetting the fridge helps keep its cycle running at a consistent frequency so that your food stays fresh longer and doesn’t go bad before you’ve even had a chance to eat it all up. And finally…

Fourthly, resetting your fridge will help kick-start its temperature to lower so that nothing goes bad before it’s time!

What does the reset button do on a refrigerator?

The reset button on your refrigerator is there to help keep your fridge running at its best.

It can do a lot of things, but what it does most often is help unclog the coils inside the condenser and re-readjust bugs and glitches within the control panel’s software.

When you press this button, it will start circulating cool air through the compressor so that it can maintain low internal pressure.

This means that your food will stay fresh longer because all of those nasty odors won’t be able to seep out of your fridge as easily.

The reset button also regulates the thermostat in your refrigerator so that it maintains an ideal coolant temperature.

This results in improved efficiency of your motor and helps it maintain an ideal coolant temperature.

How often should you reset a refrigerator?

It depends.

You should reset your refrigerator every time you move or if the temperature isn’t consistent in the fridge. You can also do it if your ice maker isn’t making ice or if your freezer isn’t freezing properly.

Resetting your refrigerator periodically is not necessary.

If your refrigerator doesn’t need a hard reset, only a showroom reset will suffice. Unplug the appliance for five minutes before reconnecting it.

What are the consequences of not resetting a refrigerator?

Well, there are a few.

One, you might have to buy a new one! It’s true: if your refrigerator isn’t working properly and you don’t fix it, then you could be wasting money on food that spoils because it isn’t being kept cold enough. And that means spending more money on food and less on other things.

Two, as your refrigerator is crying out for help, the more you ignore it, the worse it’s going to get. If you try to solve the problem by resetting your refrigerator early on, then you might end up saving yourself a ton of money on repairs or even worse, a replacement.

Three, it could cause harm! Resetting the refrigerator might cause harm if there’s a malfunctioning cycle that needs fixing—especially if there’s something wrong with the temperature controls inside the unit. The worst-case scenario is that ignoring the problem could lead to some sort of disaster. But it will only take a few minutes to do this resetting process, though!

Four, not resetting your refrigerator when required can also cost you a lot of money on your electric bill. If your refrigerator is having problems regulating its temperature, it’s going to try harder and harder to get it to the right temperature. That also means that it’s going to keep running until it reaches the temperature recommended. Being constantly on means running your electricity continuously without any breaks.

How do you know if your refrigerator needs to be reset?

The fridge is not cooling properly

If your refrigerator is warm inside, it may need to be reset. If the temperature is too high, this can cause food to spoil faster and make the compressor work harder than usual.

You can check this by placing a thermometer inside of your fridge and comparing readings with those listed on the back of the appliance or in its manual.

The fridge is making strange noises

If your refrigerator is making unusual sounds, like clicking or popping, it could be an indication that something needs fixing, such as a loose wire or faulty motor.

It’s recommended to initiate a reset to see if that solves the issue.

If that doesn’t work, it’s best to have a professional check these things out before they get worse!

The fridge is leaking water or ice

If water or ice starts dripping from somewhere on your fridge, it might mean that there’s a leak somewhere inside of it (or even outside).

This could be another sign that your refrigerator isn’t cooling properly.

This could cause damage to your floors and cabinets in addition to ruining any food stored nearby! If you notice this happening, perform the reset!

The fridge has been turned off for a long time

If your fridge has been turned off for a long time, this could cause major dust and clogs within the components of the refrigerator.

Before plugging it in and turning it on, it’s recommended to reset the refrigerator to avoid any potential issues that might arise.

This means that when you turn it back on, everything needs to be working as it should and it will have to cool down again before reaching its normal temperature.

Is there a downside to resetting a refrigerator?

Resetting your fridge can fix a lot of issues with your refrigerator. But is there a downside to resetting a refrigerator?

If you don’t know how to properly reset your fridge, you could end up with food that is not properly cooled or even spoiled.
Resetting your fridge too often can shorten its lifespan.
You may also have problems with your warranty if you reset your fridge too frequently.

You should also only reset your fridge when absolutely necessary—if there’s an issue with it cooling properly, then by all means try this method!

Otherwise, simply leave it alone and enjoy the fact that your food is being kept at its proper temperature without any help from you.

What should I do if my fridge still isn’t working after resetting it?

If your fridge still isn’t working after resetting it, there are a few things you can try:

First, check to make sure that the power cord is plugged into an outlet and that the outlet is working.
Next, check to see if the fridge is set to the correct temperature. If it’s not, adjust it accordingly.
If those two things don’t work, try resetting the circuit breaker or replacing the fuse.

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