Recently we had a power outage and the display on our refrigerator went blank. The refrigerator is working but the screen/display panel is not. Our power went out for a few hours and now we can’t get the display panel working again. The fridge is cooling and so is the freezer. The only issue is that the display is not working and not showing the numbers. I have heard you can press a button on the display and it will reset it. What do I press to get the numbers to come back? I have a Samsung refrigerator.
Refrigerator Display Not Working
Usually after a power outage your refrigerator will reset itself. The fridge and freezer section should be working just fine after the power outage. The only issue is the digital display panel will not be lit. Some refrigerators may not begin cooling again and the reset needs to be done once power is restored. We have seen many people having all the food in the refrigerator and freezer going bad as the power was out for many many hours.
If after a power outage, your refrigerator is cooling or not cooling, you will usually need to reset the front display panel. This is to get the panel working again and also to get the refrigerator to begin cooling again if applicable. All the below methods and conditions for reset will vary depending on the make and model of your refrigerator.
We will show you which buttons to press to reset the display control panel on your refrigerator. Many of the examples below apply to Samsung refrigerators but also can apply to GE, LG, and many other refrigerator makes and models. If your fridge flashes E and 5 after a power outage, or is blinking a blue letter, you can use the methods below to reset your refrigerator.
Refrigerator display panel reset example
To reset your refrigerator display panel: (Different methods for different refrigerators)
Refrigerator Display Reset Method 1 – Hold down the “Energy Saving” and “Lighting” buttons at the same time for 10 seconds (or top left & right buttons). Your display panel should immediately return to normal.
Refrigerator Display Reset Method 2 – Press “Power Freeze” & “Power Cool” at the same time for 10 seconds and the display should reset and come back on.
Refrigerator Display Reset Method 3 – Hold the top left and top right soft touch buttons on the screen “power save” and “lighting” button and hold both buttons for about 8 seconds and it will reset.
Refrigerator Display Reset Method 4 – Press the “Freezer” and “Ref” buttons at the same time for 8 seconds and the reset should work.
Refrigerator Display Reset Method 5 – Press and hold the “power freeze” and “vacation” buttons for 8 to 10 seconds and the display will reset.
Refrigerator Display Reset Method 6 – Press and hold the “energy save” and “lighting” button for 10 seconds and the display will reset.
Refrigerator Display Reset Method 7 – Press and hold the “ice type” and “filter reset” button for 10 seconds and the display will come back on.
Refrigerator Display Reset Method 8 – Press and hold down “quick freeze” and “vacation” for 8 seconds and the display will reset.
These refrigerator display reset methods should reset the display panel on your refrigerator. If it does not, you may have a bad display board, bad main control board, or have a wiring harness issue.
- There are many types and models of refrigerators. The general way to troubleshoot a refrigerator that has a blank display panel, is to first try the reset methods above. If nothing resets the display, you will need to troubleshoot to find out what is causing the display to be blank.
- First try to see if the display panel may have a bad or loose connection with the wire harness. If you find it is connected properly and secure, you may have a bad display board. If you can determine that the display panel and display board are working properly, you need to trace the wire harnesses to find where the issue is coming from.
- If the wire harnesses are not damaged and secure, you may have a bad main control board. The main control board is located behind the refrigerator under a small rectangle shaped panel. Test all components and find which part is causing your no display issue. Below are some parts for all refrigerators including the display panel, display board, wire harnesses, and main control boards for all refrigerators.
Refrigerator display boards and main control boards parts
If your refrigerator is NOT COOLING, check the page here for how to troubleshoot a refrigerator not cooling.
If you have an issue you cannot fix yourself on your refrigerator, please leave your question below and we will be happy to assist you with your refrigerator display problem. Please supply us with the make and model number of your refrigerator when asking a technical question.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ 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.
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Joanne Loncaric,
Maytag Refrigerator = Cooling On/Off
If cooling is off, all dashes (—) will appear on the temperature display for both compartments.
Press either “-” button (for the refrigerator or freezer) to turn cooling on.
The temperature displays will now show the temperature set points for each compartment.
To turn cooling off, press either “+” button repeatedly until all dashes (—) appear on the temperature display.
Your refrigerator and freezer will not cool.
NOTE:Turning cooling off does not disconnect power to the refrigerator. The interior lights will turn off if either compartment door is open for more than 10 minutes. Simply close and open the door to turn on the interior lights.
-RR
I have a Maytag fridge and freezer and the display is showing _ _
Can you please tell me what this could mean as it is defrosting.
We have a Jenn-Air refrigerator model #JFI2589AES purchased 12/08.
The ice maker door cycles continuously.
When the panel is pushed all lights flash but can not change anything.
And now the refrigerator and freezer does not cool anymore?
We have unplugged for 10 minutes and then plugged in again and it does the same thing?
Maytag model number mfi2569yem0, all lights on the display board light up when you push any button then goes back dark, the lights inside work, the ice chute opens when you power the unit back up, i have unplugged for 10 minutes and plugged back in, it is not running, fridge and freezer are hot.
Jack Johnson,
Try unplugging the GE Hotpoint refrigerator for 5 minutes to see if it will bring power back to the display.
Is the refrigerator attempting to run the compressor?
Do you hear any clicking noises?
Do the lights in the refrigerator come ON?
Try pressing the TOP 2 BUTTONS on the fridge display for 15 seconds to see if that gets it out of the DEMO MODE or POWER OUTAGE MODE.
Let us know what you find.
-RR
I have a GE hotpoint refrigerator. After a power outage my temperature control display is blank. Also the compressor and fan are not working the model number is HSM25GFTSA.
Samsung showcase refrigerator.
The display stopped working.
Lights up when door is opened or when using ice or water dispenser but controls not working.
Fridge and freezer working fine.