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Refrigerator Repair · Troubleshooting

How To Turn Off Samsung Refrigerator In Demo Mode

If your Samsung refrigerator is not cooling, it COULD be because it is in Demo Mode. This mode is also called Exhibition Mode, Cooling Off Mode, or Showroom Mode.

Samsung Refrigerator In Demo ModeSamsung Refrigerator In Demo Mode

What is Demo Mode on a Samsung Refrigerator?

This is a mode built into the Samsung refrigerator to display them in a showroom so the lights work but THE COMPRESSOR DOES NOT therefore the fridge will not cool. You may have purchased a “showroom model” Samsung refrigerator or you may have inadvertently put the fridge into this mode yourself. Either way see below for HOW TO GET THE FRIDGE OUT OF DEMO MODE.

NOTE: There is no information about Demo or Cooling off mode in you owner’s manual since this mode is not for consumers. Some Samsung model refrigerators have a label attached on the display therefore you would have an understanding of what Demo mode is. If demo or cooling off mode is activated and the label is missing, you will not understand why the refrigerator will not cool.

What Happens When in demo mode?

  1. When door is open, internal Lights are on but the refrigerator is not cooling.
  2. The refrigerator showroom store sets the refrigerator to Demo mode to save power consumption.
  3. The consumer will not know about cooling or demo mode and will notice that the fridge will not cool.

If your refrigerator is not cooling, it may be in Demo Mode. Demo mode is a feature used by retailers to display the refrigerator without running the compressor.

To see if your Refrigerator is in Demo Mode

Type A models display “OF FF” if the refrigerator is in demo mode.
Type B models have the icon on the display illuminated if the refrigerator is in demo mode.
Type C models display setting temperature if the refrigerator is in demo mode.

See images below for examples of Type A, Type B and Type C models and also Type A and Type B display panels.

How To Remove Your Refrigerator from Demo Mode

If your refrigerator is in Demo mode, press the two buttons together as shown in the images below in the red boxes for 3 seconds to resume normal operation.

samsung refrigerator display panels - demo modeSamsung refrigerator display panels – demo mode – what to press to deactivate

For the rest of the Samsung refrigerator models, Please find the information tables below…

samsung refrigerator US models 1
samsung refrigerator US models 2Samsung Refrigerator US Main Models – How To Get Out Of DEMO MODE

samsung refrigerator US and INTERNATIONAL modelsSamsung Refrigerator US & Other Countries – How To Get Out Of DEMO MODE

Unplug Refrigerator from Power for a Reset

If none of the above works for removing demo or showroom mode from your Samsung refrigerator, the last thing to try would be to unplug the refrigerator from power for about 10 minutes. This will attempt a reset and make it so your refrigerator should now be reset and showroom mode or demo mode may now have gone back to normal mode.

What Else do I Need to Know?

  1. If you bought a display model, make sure if it is on display mode when it initially powers on.
  2. During Demo or Exhibition mode… If both compartment sensors detect the room temperature higher than 65ºC, it will cancel the exhibition mode automatically and return to freezing operation. There is no buzzer sound by the temperature when cancel the exhibition mode.


How to disable Cooling Off Mode For Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator

Have questions about your Samsung refrigerator and how to get it out of Demo Mode, Exhibition Mode, Show Room Mode, or Cooling Mode? Please leave a comment below and we will be happy to assist.

Keith Schneerer

Written by Keith Schneerer

Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com

Keith has spent 28 years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.

More about Keith →

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32 responses to “How To Turn Off Samsung Refrigerator In Demo Mode”

  1. Stephanie says:

    Rt18m6213 model- how do I get it out of demo mode?

  2. Martin Schwabe says:

    My Samsung refrigerator has independent freezer and fridge cooling, it went through a flood and the inverter and power supply boards got wet. I replaced both, and got 88 or 89 errors. I reset the refrigerator, and now it just flashes the set temperatures, but does not cool. I can set it for OF in both displays, or flashing temperatures, but it does not cool.

  3. Robert says:

    How to shift the temperature of the cool select drawer for Samsung RF23J9011SR refrigerator beyond the preset options in the user guide?
    I think the service manual explains how to do a temperature shift by code and value, but I can’t easily find the service manual to learn how to do that.

  4. CJ says:

    Purchased a 263B display model. Brought it home and set up. Got it out of display mode, but now the internal lights won’t come on.

  5. andy flower says:

    I purchased a Samsung demo freezer but i am told there will be no compressor or wiring in it.
    I just got it and lights and tablet are functional.
    Can anyone suggest what would be rough estimate to install compressor and wiring?

  6. Caryn Z says:

    I have a RS261MDRS model and it seems like the demo mode has come on and I cant get to cool down. I have activated the power cool and power freeze but it is not working. any tips or ideas?

  7. Donna says:

    I just bought a Samsung RT18M6213 Twin Cooling freezer on top.
    I just want to know what the temperature is for the freezer meter range.
    There are only blue lights and I want to make sure that the freezer is at the correct temperature to freeze but not to burn the food.
    I do not have the ice maker option.

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