How do I fix error code COMP-START-FAILURE on a Samsung refrigerators?

1. undefined: Wait 5 minutes — unit automatically stands by after fault detection before retrying 2. undefined: Check for short between compressor terminals at CN04 (U, V, W phases) 3. undefined: Check DC 15V supply to inverter — measure at ZD501 (must be above 13.5V) 4. undefined: Check DC 5V supply at C1009 5. undefined: Verify AC 115V is present at CN81 on inverter board 6. undefined: Inspect inverter PCB for solder bridges or shorted components 7. undefined: Use forced operation mode to attempt compressor start

Samsung Refrigerators2020–present

Error Code COMP-START-FAILURE

Q: What does error code COMP-START-FAILURE mean on a Samsung refrigerators?

Compressor failed to start up Short circuit between compressor terminals U, V, or W phases (CN04); Short circuit among IPM module pins 1–26; IPM operating voltage dropped below 13.5V DC; Failed compressor motor winding; Refrigerant system restriction causing locked rotor; Bad solder joint on inverter PCB

Compressor failed to start up

Moderate

Address soon - your appliance may not work properly

Also displayed as: F and R blink in sequence — LED blinks 1 second on / 2 seconds off, pattern indicates starting failure

What This Means

Short circuit between compressor terminals U, V, or W phases (CN04); Short circuit among IPM module pins 1–26; IPM operating voltage dropped below 13.5V DC; Failed compressor motor winding; Refrigerant system restriction causing locked rotor; Bad solder joint on inverter PCB

What actually causes this:

The compressor — the heart of the cooling system — could not start. This is typically an electrical fault in the compressor itself, its driver board, or a power supply issue.

First Thing to Check

Wait 10 minutes after the error appears — the unit has a built-in protection delay. If it still will not start after 10 minutes, do not attempt to investigate internally.

Parts Involved

Compressor (NF54M7151ANTT3, BLDC F5)Inverter PCBMain PCBCN04 compressor connectorCN81CN102

How to Fix

1
Wait 5 minutes — unit automatically stands by after fault detection before retrying
2
Check for short between compressor terminals at CN04 (U, V, W phases)
3
Check DC 15V supply to inverter — measure at ZD501 (must be above 13.5V)
4
Check DC 5V supply at C1009
5
Verify AC 115V is present at CN81 on inverter board
6
Inspect inverter PCB for solder bridges or shorted components
7
Use forced operation mode to attempt compressor start

This Error Applies To

Samsung RF28T5 Series Refrigerators (2020) (2020–present)

Service manual exact match: RF28T5101SR/AAService manual exact match: RF28T5A01S9/APService manual exact match: RF28T5021S9/EMService manual exact match: RF28T5001S9/MLService manual exact match: RF28T5021B1/COService manual exact match: RF28T5A01SR/AAService manual exact match: RF28T5021SR/AAService manual exact match: RF28T5001SR/AA