Samsung's manual lists two causes for odors in the RF29BB8600: spoiled food and food with strong odors. The fix is to clean the refrigerator and remove any spoiled food, and to wrap strong-smelling food airtight. The maintenance section adds cleaning rules: unplug before cleaning, wipe with a soft damp cloth, and avoid chemical cleaners, benzene or thinner. The water side can also carry an odor: replace the water filter about every six months and run water through the dispenser for about 7 minutes after a change. Condensation and high-moisture food keep smells in, so wrap food airtight.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung refrigerator smells bad inside”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Spoiled food
What separates it A sour or rotten smell strongest near one shelf or drawer
How to confirm Find and remove the spoiled food, and clean the shelf
- 2
Strong-smelling food not wrapped
What separates it Odors spread through the compartment because strong smelling food is not wrapped
How to confirm Wrap strong smelling food airtight, and remove any spoiled food
- 3
A stale water filter or unused dispenser
What separates it Water or ice tastes or smells stale because of a stale water filter or an unused dispenser
How to confirm Replace the filter and run water for about 7 minutes
- 4
Moisture and condensation
What separates it There are damp walls and a musty smell because of moisture and condensation
How to confirm Wrap moist foods and do not leave doors open
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where the smell is strongest, at the shelves, drawers or dispenser
- Whether the water or ice smells too
- When the filter and the interior were last cleaned
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedRemove spoiled food
ReversibleRemove spoiled food, by checking all shelves, drawers and doors, removing any spoiled food and wiping the surfaces.
Wrap strong-smelling foods
ReversibleMake sure food with strong odors is wrapped airtight so it does not flavour the compartment.
Clean safely
ReversibleUnplug the refrigerator, wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry. Do not use chemical substances such as benzene or thinner.
Refresh the water
ReversibleReplace the water filter and run water through the dispenser for about 7 minutes; empty the ice bucket if you will be away.
Keep moisture down
ReversibleKeep moisture down, by not leaving the door open, and wrapping moist food to stop condensation.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Cleaning cautions
- Samsung's cleaning cautions say to unplug the appliance before cleaning, not to spray water directly on it, and to avoid chemical substances. Keeping food wrapped airtight, removing spoiled items and cleaning spills prevents most odors.
- Power Cool and Power Freeze
- Samsung's guide sets the fridge between 34 F and 44 F and the freezer between 5 F and -8 F. Power Cool runs the cooling at maximum for several hours and then returns to the previous setting; use it for quick-spoiling food or after the door has been open, and switch it off manually when done because it raises power use. Power Freeze does the same for the freezer, and for large amounts of food it should run at least 20 hours before loading. Holding Freezer for 3 seconds switches between Fahrenheit and Celsius.
- Filter reminder and reset
- After about 6 months, typically about 300 gallons (1,200 L), the Filter indicator blinks red for several seconds when you open the door. Replace the filter, then press and hold Filter Reset for 3 seconds so the lifecycle restarts and the indicator goes out. Regions with a lot of lime in the water shorten the filter's life. Samsung says that if water is not dispensing properly, the filter is most likely clogged and should be replaced.
- Parts for this problem on the RF29BB8600 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- evaporator drain cap & hose, part number DA97-04049E, at $34.67; fitting-tube, part number DA60-00258B, at $26.89.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models RF30BB6600, RF32FMQDBSR, RF28R7551, RF27T5501, RF28T5001, RF23M8070, RS27T5200, RT18M6215.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the smell persists after cleaning and removing food, replace the filter and contact a Samsung service center
- !If the smell is burning or electrical, unplug and call service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Samsung's own support page for the Bespoke 4-Door French Door refrigerator, listing the manual and revision.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my refrigerator smell?+
Spoiled food or food with strong odors, per Samsung.
How do I get rid of the smell?+
Clean the refrigerator, remove spoiled food and wrap smelly food airtight.
Can I use cleaners?+
Avoid benzene and thinner; use a soft damp cloth.
Does the filter affect smell?+
A stale filter can affect water and ice; replace it about every six months.
Can condensation cause smell?+
Yes. Wrap food airtight and do not leave the door open.
Is a new-fridge smell normal?+
A mild new-plastic smell in the first days is common on new appliances generally; wipe the interior down and let it air with the door cracked, and it should fade.
Should I leave the door open when away?+
If you will not use it for a long time, empty the ice bucket and turn off the ice maker.
Do I unplug to clean?+
Yes, unplug the refrigerator for interior cleaning.