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There is no single off button or shutdown procedure for every Samsung refrigerator. For a trip, use Vacation mode if your model supports it; to stop cooling, use Cooling Off/Demo mode only if its model-specific instructions confirm the steps. For repairs or a move, consult the manual for your exact model rather than treating either mode as a power disconnect.
First decide what “turn off” means
Samsung refrigerators offer different controls for different situations. Vacation mode is intended for an extended absence and is not a full shutdown. Cooling Off, also called Demo or Shop mode, stops cooling but is not the same as unplugging the appliance. The display showing “OFF” may indicate Demo mode rather than a loss of electrical power.
| Option | Does the refrigerator cool? | Does the freezer cool? | Intended use and food guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacation mode | Cooling in the refrigerator compartment is reduced or disabled on supported models. | Samsung says the freezer remains active at its previous setting on the models covered by its Vacation guidance. | For an extended absence. Remove food from the refrigerator compartment before enabling it. Availability and behavior vary by model. |
| Cooling Off/Demo mode | No | No | For display or demonstration, not food storage. Remove food; food left inside can spoil. Exact controls vary by model. |
| Disconnecting power | No power-dependent operation | No power-dependent operation | A separate action. For repairs, moving, or decommissioning, follow the exact model’s manual and applicable safety guidance. |
For a trip: use Vacation mode
Vacation mode is the appropriate option to investigate for an extended absence when you want the freezer to keep operating. Samsung’s Gulf and Philippines guidance says the freezer remains at its prior temperature on the models covered. Empty the refrigerator compartment before switching the mode on; do not assume Vacation mode preserves food there.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Samsung documents different controls across models. One supported panel uses a three-second hold of the Vacation button; another example is to wake the display, select the refrigerator, and then select Vacation. These are model-specific examples, not universal steps. Find your refrigerator’s model number and use its manual or the matching regional Samsung support instructions: Samsung Gulf: How to use Vacation Mode and Samsung Philippines: How to use Vacation Mode.
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To stop cooling: check for Cooling Off or Demo mode
Cooling Off/Demo mode disables cooling in both compartments. On the Samsung models covered by its US guidance, fans and lights may still operate even though the compressors do not. A lit panel, fan noise, or interior light therefore does not prove that the refrigerator is cooling. Do not leave food inside while this mode is enabled: Samsung warns that food can spoil if Cooling Off mode remains on for an extended period.
The button combination depends on the refrigerator family. Samsung’s US instructions describe simultaneous button holds followed by confirmation for particular families, but those combinations should not be applied unless they match your model. Check the specific guidance at Samsung US: Cooling Off mode on Samsung refrigerators and Samsung US: Cooling Off mode (Demo mode). If the panel displays “OFF,” check the manual for the mode’s meaning before assuming the appliance is disconnected.
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For repairs, moving, or long-term storage: use the model manual
Vacation mode and Demo mode are operating settings, not general instructions for disconnecting, cleaning, or storing every Samsung refrigerator. The cited Samsung guidance does not establish a universal procedure for those jobs. Identify the full model number and follow its manual’s instructions for the work you are doing; do not use a troubleshooting reset as a substitute for shutdown or decommissioning guidance.
Do not confuse Sabbath mode with turning the refrigerator off
Samsung’s model-specific Sabbath-mode pages say the refrigerator and freezer continue cooling in that mode. It is therefore not a substitute for Vacation mode, Cooling Off mode, or a power disconnect.
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- COLOR CUSTOMIZATION: Customize the design of your french door french door refrigerator with changeable door panels. Choose from a variety of colors and two finishes to create a space that fits your style.
- DUAL ICE MAKER WITH ICE BITES: Enjoy your favorite beverage with your choice of ice. Select from cubed ice or Ice Bites that chill your drink faster.
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When a brief power interruption is appropriate
Samsung mentions a 60-second unplug or breaker interruption in guidance for certain error conditions. That is troubleshooting advice for those faults, not a universal way to turn off a refrigerator for a trip, repair, or move. Use it only when the applicable Samsung troubleshooting instructions call for it; see Samsung US: Refrigerator error codes.
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