Where to Find Your Refrigerator's Reset Button and When to Use It

Most refrigerators do not have a dedicated reset button, but yours may have a reset function hidden in the control panel or accessible through the power cord

If your refrigerator is acting up—the compressor won't start, the display is frozen, or the temperature controls are not responding—your first instinct might be to look for a reset button. The truth is simpler than you might expect: most modern refrigerators do not have a single, obvious reset button like a microwave or dishwasher does. Instead, manufacturers build reset capability into the control panel itself, or they expect you to reset the unit by cutting power.

Where you find the reset function depends on your refrigerator's age and brand. Newer models with digital displays often have a reset option buried in the settings menu. Older models and some current ones rely on a hard reset—unplugging the unit for a few minutes. A handful of brands do include a physical reset button, usually located on the control board inside the refrigerator, behind the crisper drawers or on the back wall. Knowing which method applies to your model saves you time and prevents unnecessary service calls.

Key Takeaways

• Most refrigerators reset by unplugging the unit for 5 to 10 minutes, which clears the control board's memory without requiring a physical button.
• Digital control panels often have a reset option in the settings or menu—check your manual for the exact button sequence or look for "Reset" or "Factory Reset" in the display options.
• Some refrigerators have a physical reset button on the control board inside the fridge, usually near the top or behind the crisper drawers.
• Before resetting, write down your current temperature settings so you can restore them after the reset completes.
• A reset clears error codes and restarts the control system but does not fix mechanical problems like a broken compressor or failed fan motor.

How to find the reset button on your specific model

The first step is to check your refrigerator's manual. The manual will tell you whether your model has a physical reset button and exactly where it is located. If you do not have the printed manual, search the manufacturer's website by model number—you can find the model number on a sticker inside the fridge, usually on the side wall or back wall, or on the back exterior. Download the PDF and search for "reset" to jump straight to the relevant section.

If your refrigerator has a digital display panel on the front, look for a small button labeled "Reset," "Power," or sometimes just a recessed button that requires a pen or paperclip to press. Some models hide the reset function inside the settings menu: press and hold the "Menu" or "Settings" button for 3 to 5 seconds, then navigate using the arrow buttons to find "Reset" or "System Reset." The exact path varies by brand—Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, GE, and Frigidaire all use different menu structures.

If your refrigerator has mechanical dials or knobs instead of a digital display, it almost certainly does not have a reset button. These older models reset only by unplugging them.

The hard reset: unplugging your refrigerator

A hard reset is the most reliable method and works on every refrigerator ever made. Unplug the unit from the wall outlet, or switch off the circuit breaker that controls the outlet. Wait 5 to 10 minutes. This time allows the control board's capacitors to fully discharge, clearing any stuck error codes or frozen settings. Then plug the refrigerator back in or switch the breaker back on.

The refrigerator will beep or display a startup sequence as it powers back up. The compressor may not start immediately—this is normal. Give the unit 10 to 15 minutes to stabilize before checking whether the problem has resolved. If you had set custom temperatures before the reset, you will need to adjust them again, as a hard reset returns the unit to factory defaults.

Do not unplug the refrigerator for longer than 30 minutes if it contains food. Extended power loss can allow the interior temperature to rise above safe levels. If you are troubleshooting a problem that requires a longer power-off period, remove perishable food to a cooler first.

What a reset actually fixes and what it does not

A reset clears the control board's memory and restarts the electronic system. This solves problems like frozen displays, unresponsive buttons, error codes that will not clear, and temperature settings that will not change. If your fridge stopped cooling but the compressor is running, or if the ice maker stopped working but the water line is connected, a reset may restore normal operation by restarting the control logic.

A reset does not fix mechanical failures. If the compressor is not running at all, if the fan motor is broken, if the water line is kinked or frozen, or if the door seal is torn, unplugging the refrigerator will not repair those problems. A reset also will not fix a refrigerant leak or a failed thermostat sensor. If the problem persists after a hard reset and a 15-minute stabilization period, the issue is likely mechanical or electrical, and you will need a service technician.

Resetting the control panel without losing your settings

If you want to restart the control system but keep your temperature settings, some refrigerators offer a "soft reset" option that clears error codes without returning to factory defaults. Check your manual for a "Clear Error" button or a menu option like "Reset Error Codes" or "Clear Faults." This is different from a full factory reset and is useful when you have an error code but your temperature settings are correct.

Before any reset, write down your current refrigerator and freezer temperatures. Most refrigerators default to 37°F for the fridge and 0°F for the freezer, but your preferences may differ. After the reset completes, adjust the dials or digital controls back to your preferred settings. If you are unsure what temperature to use, the FDA recommends 40°F or below for the refrigerator and 0°F or below for the freezer.

When to reset versus when to call a technician

Reset your refrigerator if the display is frozen, the buttons are not responding, you see an error code, or the temperature controls are stuck. Also try a reset if the compressor stopped running but you hear no unusual sounds and the door seal looks intact. These are all signs of a control board glitch rather than a mechanical failure.

Call a service technician if the compressor is running but the fridge is not cooling, if you hear grinding or squealing noises, if water is leaking inside or underneath the unit, if the ice maker is not producing ice despite having water pressure, or if the problem returns within a few days of resetting. These symptoms point to a failed component that a reset cannot fix. Attempting to repair mechanical or refrigerant-related problems yourself can damage the unit further and void your warranty.

Resetting after a power outage or electrical surge

If your refrigerator lost power during a storm or electrical surge, a reset is often the first troubleshooting step. Power surges can scramble the control board's settings or trigger false error codes. Unplug the unit for 10 minutes, then plug it back in. If the refrigerator powers up normally and the compressor starts within 15 minutes, the surge did not cause permanent damage.

If the refrigerator does not power up at all after a surge, check whether the outlet itself is working by plugging in a lamp or phone charger. If the outlet is dead, the circuit breaker may have tripped—switch it off and back on. If the outlet works but the refrigerator still will not power on, the surge likely damaged the power cord or internal electrical components, and you will need a technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the reset button on a Samsung refrigerator?

Samsung refrigerators with digital displays usually have a reset option in the menu. Press and hold the "Menu" or "Settings" button for 3 to 5 seconds, then use the arrow buttons to navigate to "Reset" or "Factory Reset." Some older Samsung models have a physical reset button on the control board inside the fridge. Check your manual for your specific model number, as the location and method vary.

Will resetting my refrigerator erase my ice maker settings?

A full factory reset will return the ice maker to its default settings, which is usually "on" or "auto." If your ice maker was set to a custom schedule or had a specific mode enabled, you will need to reconfigure it after the reset. A soft reset that clears only error codes may preserve ice maker settings, depending on your model—check your manual to see if this option is available.

How long should I unplug my refrigerator to reset it?

Unplug for 5 to 10 minutes. This is long enough for the control board's capacitors to fully discharge and clear any stuck data. Unplugging for 30 seconds or a minute is usually not sufficient. Do not unplug for more than 30 minutes if the fridge contains food, as the interior temperature will begin to rise.

Can I reset my refrigerator while it is still plugged in?

If your refrigerator has a physical reset button or a menu-based reset option, you can use it without unplugging the unit. These soft resets restart the control system while keeping power flowing. However, if the display is completely frozen or the buttons are not responding, unplugging is your only option because you cannot access the menu or button controls.

What should I do if the reset button is not working?

If you pressed the reset button or held it for the recommended time and nothing happened, try a hard reset by unplugging the refrigerator for 10 minutes instead. If the hard reset does not work and the control panel is still unresponsive, the reset button itself or the control board may be faulty, and you will need a service technician to diagnose the problem.