On the covered Samsung refrigerator platform, PC ER, PC CH means communication error between components in the refrigerator. Samsung says it can occur after a recent power surge or if the doors are not properly connected. First, check that the doors are seated and connected properly.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung refrigerator code PC ER, PC CH”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A recent power surge
What separates it PC ER or PC CH appeared after an outage
How to confirm Samsung says the communication error can occur if there was a recent power surge
- 2
Doors not properly connected
What separates it A door was removed or the wire harness is loose
How to confirm Samsung says it can occur if the doors are not properly connected
- 3
A harness that was pinched or left loose after moving the doors
What separates it PC ER appears after the doors were removed or the refrigerator was moved
How to confirm Cut power, check the door harness plugs are seated and pushed fully home, then restore power
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: PC ER or PC CH
- Whether a door was removed recently
- Whether there was a power surge
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleCheck that the doors are seated and connected properly.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleSamsung's steps: unplug the refrigerator or turn off power at the circuit breaker, disconnect and reconnect the wire harness above the door, then restore power. If the code returns, request service from Samsung's Support Center. Samsung has a separate guide on removing and installing the doors and connecting the wiring harness.
Cut power
ReversibleUnplug the refrigerator or turn off power at the circuit breaker.
Reconnect the harness
ReversibleDisconnect and reconnect the wire harness above the door.
Restore power
ReversibleRestore power to the fridge; if the code returns, request service.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- PC ER, PC CH.
- Parts named
- Wire harness above the door.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Cut power at the breaker before you touch the wire harness
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The harness step is Samsung's own.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does PC ER, PC CH mean on a Samsung refrigerator?+
Communication error between components in the refrigerator. Samsung says it can occur after a recent power surge or if the doors are not properly connected.
Where is the harness?+
Above the door.
Do I need a technician to check the harness?+
Only if reseating the plugs with the power off does not clear the code.
Can a power surge cause PC ER on a Samsung refrigerator?+
Samsung says the code can appear after a recent power surge or when the doors are not connected properly, so note any storm, tripped breaker or power cut. Unplug the refrigerator for a few minutes with the doors closed, plug it back in and see whether the code returns. A code that comes straight back points at a connection or a board rather than the surge.
Is the food safe while PC ER is showing?+
Check the temperature instead of assuming. If the fresh-food section is not cold, keep the doors shut as much as you can and move perishables to a cooler with ice. Food that has sat above 40 F for more than two hours is not safe to keep.
What should I tell Samsung when I call about PC ER?+
Give the model and serial number from the label inside the refrigerator, the exact code as shown, whether it began after a surge or a move, and whether the doors close fully. Say whether the display, the ice maker or the cooling is affected, since that helps them decide between a harness check and a board visit.