Samsung Refrigerator Error 85C: Low Voltage Error — Low Voltage Detected on Power Supply

1. SAFETY: No immediate electrical hazard — 85C is a protective error, not a dangerous fault.
2. Press and hold the OK button on the display for 3 seconds — this is Samsung's documented procedure to clear 85C after a power event.
3. If the display does not have an OK button, unplug the refrigerator for 60 seconds, then restore power.
4. Confirm the refrigerator is plugged directly into a wall outlet — not an extension cord or power strip.
5. Check that the outlet is on a circuit shared with as few other appliances as possible.
6. Monitor for recurrence over the next 24 hours — a single occurrence after a power event is normal.
7. If 85C recurs without a known power outage, call an electrician to verify the outlet voltage.

Error 85C on your Samsung refrigerator means: The refrigerator has detected that the supply voltage from the wall outlet is below its safe operating threshold. This is most commonly triggered by a brief power outage or brownout. The error can typically be cleared without a service call. The refrigerator's self-diagnostic system has flagged this condition and may have paused affected functions.

The most frequent cause is brief power outage or brownout — the most common cause by far. Work through the causes and steps below before calling a technician.

Error 85C is DIY-safe. Follow all steps in sequence — no tools required in most cases.

Power-related errors on Samsung refrigerators are best prevented by plugging the unit directly into a dedicated wall outlet — not a power strip or extension cord. A whole-home surge protector installed at the electrical panel costs $200–$500 installed and protects every appliance in the home from the surges and brownouts that cause compressor inverter failures.

• Brief power outage or brownout — the most common cause by far
• Refrigerator on a circuit shared with high-draw appliances causing voltage sag
• Extension cord or power strip with insufficient capacity causing voltage drop
• Loose outlet connection creating intermittent voltage drop
• Power company voltage irregularity during peak demand periods

• Do not use an extension cord or power strip with a refrigerator — undersized cords cause chronic voltage drop

85C recurs frequently and no power outage has occurred

• 85C does not clear after an OK-button hold and a power reset

• Plug the refrigerator directly into a dedicated wall outlet — sharing a circuit with a dishwasher, microwave, or other high-draw appliance causes voltage sags