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AP

Samsung Refrigerator

Severity: Minor

Source: OnlyErrorCodes.com — Every error code. One place.

Samsung Refrigerator AP Display — Wi-Fi Access Point Mode Fix

What it means

Samsung refrigerator AP isn't a fault — it's a setup status.
Samsung's exact wording: 'The refrigerator will display AP when it is acting as an access point.'
The fridge is broadcasting its own temporary Wi-Fi network so a phone can join it during SmartThings setup.
AP disappears the moment setup completes successfully — or after a timeout if setup never finishes.

Affected Models

  • Samsung Family Hub refrigerators (RF22N, RF23M, RF28N, RF28R series with the touchscreen)
  • Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex with Wi-Fi (RF23BB, RF29BB series)
  • Samsung Bespoke French Door with SmartThings (RF24BB, RF27BB series)
  • Other SmartThings-enabled Samsung refrigerators
  • AP does not appear on non-Wi-Fi Samsung fridges (older models without SmartThings)

Common Causes

  • SmartThings setup started but not yet completed on the phone side
  • AP mode triggered by holding the setup button and then setup abandoned
  • Phone failed to join the fridge's temporary Wi-Fi network before timeout
  • Stale AP state left over from a previous failed setup attempt
  • Router incompatibility preventing the fridge from joining the home Wi-Fi after setup

How to Fix It

  1. Open SmartThings and finish setup.

    On your phone, open the SmartThings app and tap Add Device.
    Pick Samsung > Refrigerator and follow the on-screen steps.
    SmartThings will guide your phone to temporarily join the fridge's AP network, exchange Wi-Fi credentials, then return your phone to your home Wi-Fi.
    AP disappears from the fridge display the moment this completes.

  2. Wait through the timeout if you don't need Wi-Fi.

    If you don't actually want SmartThings on the fridge, just leave it alone.
    AP mode times out on its own after about 5 minutes of no setup activity and disappears from the display.

  3. Soft-reset if AP is stuck.

    If AP has been on the display for more than 10 minutes with no setup happening, unplug the fridge for 30 seconds and plug back in.
    The AP state clears on power-on.
    You can then either ignore Wi-Fi or restart setup cleanly.

  4. Check router compatibility if setup keeps failing.

    Samsung fridges need 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (not 5GHz) and won't connect to mesh networks with band-steering enabled.
    If setup repeatedly fails and the fridge keeps falling back to AP, log into your router and temporarily separate the 2.4GHz band into its own SSID for setup, then re-enable band steering after.

When to Call a Professional

AP never needs service.
If finishing setup through SmartThings doesn't clear AP and waiting through the timeout doesn't either, do a fridge soft-reset by unplugging for 30 seconds — the AP state clears with power-cycle and you can start setup fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

I don't have SmartThings — can I disable AP mode permanently?

There's no menu option to disable AP on Samsung fridges — but if you never trigger setup, AP never appears.
The only way it shows up is if someone presses and holds the SmartThings setup button on the fridge.
If AP appears unexpectedly, a child or pet may have triggered it.
Unplug for 30 seconds and don't touch the setup button — it won't come back.