How to Reset a Refrigerator (After a Power Outage or Glitch)
A refrigerator that's acting up — not cooling right, showing an error, stuck after a power outage, or unresponsive controls — often just needs a reset. Here are the safe ways to do it.
The Basic Power-Cycle Reset
Unplug the refrigerator (or switch off its breaker) for 5 minutes, then plug it back in. This clears most control-board glitches and is the first thing to try after a power surge or odd behavior. Give it a few hours to return to temperature afterward.
Reset the Control Panel
Many fridges have a control-panel reset — often holding two buttons together (such as "Energy Saver" + "Lighting", or "Power Cool" + "Power Freeze") for a few seconds until it beeps or the display resets. Check your model's manual for the exact combination. This clears a frozen display or a stuck setting.
Exit Demo / Showroom Mode
If the fridge has power and lights but isn't cooling, it may be in Demo/Cooling-Off mode (often shows "OF OF" or a demo icon). Exit it with the model-specific button combo — this is a common "not cooling" cause that a reset fixes.
Reset the Water Filter Light
After changing the water filter, reset the filter indicator by holding the "Filter" or "Reset" button for about 3 seconds until the light returns to normal.
Related Error Codes
FAQ
Unplug it (or cut the breaker) for 5 minutes, then restore power — this clears most glitches. For the control panel, hold the model-specific button combo to reset the display.
It may have a control glitch (power-cycle it for 5 minutes) or it entered demo/cooling-off mode during the outage — exit that mode using your model's button combination.
Always unplug an appliance and shut off its water supply before servicing. This guide is informational and not a substitute for a qualified technician.