Samsung Refrigerator Error Code 42

Error code 42 on a Samsung refrigerator means the fresh food compartment has reached an abnormally high temperature. The control board monitors the interior temperature continuously, and this code is triggered when the reading exceeds the acceptable threshold. It is designed to alert you to a potential food safety concern. In most cases it clears on its own once the temperature returns to normal.

Food safety depends on how high the temperature climbed and for how long. If the error appeared briefly due to a door being left open and the temperature has since recovered, most foods should still be safe. Perishable items like meat, dairy, and cooked foods that have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours should be discarded as a precaution. When in doubt, check the actual compartment temperature with a thermometer before consuming perishables.

If the error is caused by user behavior such as an open door or warm food storage, there is no repair cost involved. If the issue is a faulty door gasket, replacement parts and labor typically fall in the range of $75 to $200 depending on the model and service rates in your area. If a more significant cooling system component is at fault, repair costs can range from $150 to $500 or more, making it worth getting a diagnostic estimate before committing to a repair.

Start by checking whether the refrigerator door was left open or partially open, and make sure it closes and seals completely. If you recently stored a large amount of warm or hot food, give the refrigerator time to recover with the door fully shut. If neither of those conditions applies, inspect the door gasket for damage and check that interior vents are not blocked by food items. If the error continues after ruling out these causes, a technician should evaluate the cooling system.

Error code 42 is designed to clear automatically once the fridge compartment temperature returns to a normal range, so a manual reset is not necessary. If you power cycle the refrigerator before the temperature recovers, the error may simply return. Focus on correcting the cause of the elevated temperature first, and the code will clear on its own.