Fridge lights on but not cooling? How to turn off demo mode step by step
If your fridge has light and power but does not cool, it may be in demo mode or have cooling switched off. You can fix it in a few minutes.
- Most common cause
- demo (store) mode or cooling switched off
- Time
- 5–15 minutes, then 4–6 hours of cooling
- Service, if nothing helps
- 200–680 zł
If the fridge was warm for several hours, check the food before eating it and do not refreeze thawed products. Warning: on models with Wi-Fi, do not do a factory reset unless you need to. It removes the pairing with the app and the saved settings. Before you do anything, make sure the socket has power (plug a lamp into it to test).
Step by step
Check the display
The words “Demo”, “Off”, “OF OF” or “Cooling Off” mean store mode or cooling switched off. The panel and the light work, but the compressor is idle.
Look up “demo mode” in the manual
Manufacturers use different combinations. Usually you need to hold two panel buttons for a few seconds. You can find the manual online using the model number from the rating plate inside the fridge.
Samsung: button combination
If the display shows “OF OF” or “O FF”, hold down the two panel buttons given in the manual (on many models Button 1 and Button 2) at the same time until you hear a beep. If nothing changes, hold three buttons together (1, 2 and 4) until the beep. On the Bespoke model, hold < and > together for 6 seconds, then press O. On Family Hub, go to Apps → Fridge Manager → Settings → Cooling Off and choose to turn it off.
Try unplugging it
Pull the plug for 5 minutes and plug it back in. Sometimes this alone is enough to turn the mode off.
Wait for it to cool down
After turning off demo mode, give the fridge 4–6 hours before you judge the result. The freezer needs longer.
Check the other settings
Make sure a low temperature is set (fridge 4–5°C, freezer −18°C) and that “Vacation” mode is not on.
- There is no demo message and the fridge still does not cool after 6 hours.
- The compressor does not start at all, or you hear loud clicks and shutoffs.
- The back of the fridge or the freezer is covered in ice.
- An error code appears on the display.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Diagnostics at a service center | 110–270 zł |
| Replacing the control module | 410–1100 zł |
| Replacing the compressor start relay | 160–410 zł |
| Replacing the compressor | 950–2050 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
Turning off demo mode is free. If that is not the cause, small electronics repairs are usually worth it. Replacing the compressor in an old fridge (over 8–10 years) rarely makes sense, so work it out in the calculator.
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Open the calculator →FAQ
What does “OF OF” mean on a Samsung fridge?
Usually that cooling is switched off or the fridge is in store mode. You turn it off with the button combination described in the model’s manual.
Does a fridge in demo mode work?
The display and the light do, but the compressor is off, so it does not cool.
How long should I wait after turning off demo mode?
Usually 4–6 hours for the fridge to reach its temperature. The freezer needs more time.