For the Samsung Refrigerator families covered by the source set, **87C** means **refrigerator compressor start failure (dual-compressor models)**. The first useful step is to preserve the exact characters and model number before power cycling the appliance. The useful diagnostic value of the code is the subsystem it identifies. A good repair process confirms the symptom, checks the accessible external conditions, and then follows the model-specific circuit only if the display returns. The recorded display form is **87C**. Search normalization stores it as **87C** while preserving the characters a homeowner actually sees.
Model compatibility: Samsung can reuse or reformat codes across series and model years, so 87C may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
For the Samsung Refrigerator families covered by the source set, **87C** means **refrigerator compressor start failure (dual-compressor models)**. The first useful step is to preserve the exact characters and model number before power cycling the appliance. The useful diagnostic value of the code is the subsystem it identifies. A good repair process confirms the symptom, checks the accessible external conditions, and then follows the model-specific circuit only if the display returns. The recorded display form is **87C**. Search normalization stores it as **87C** while preserving the characters a homeowner actually sees.
Signs
Symptoms you may notice
The 87C display becomes more meaningful if cooling or heat-pump performance can drop or stop.
When the 87C condition is present, the compressor may attempt to start, stop unexpectedly, or run without the expected result.
87C can be accompanied by this pattern: the code can follow abnormal voltage, current, inverter, or motor feedback.
87C can be accompanied by this pattern: 87C appears and the refrigerator may show behavior related to refrigerator compressor start failure (dual-compressor models).
One clue that supports the 87C diagnosis is that cooling, airflow, ice-making, defrost, or temperature performance may become intermittent depending on the affected subsystem.
These are simple, non-hazardous checks only. If anything is unclear, stop and contact a technician.
The next non-invasive check is to confirm household power is stable and the appliance has not just experienced an outage or surge.
A safe owner-level check is to verify only external airflow and temperature conditions described in the manual.
For 87C, start by doing this: do not open sealed refrigeration circuits or inverter/high-voltage sections.
For 87C, start by doing this: photograph the code before resetting or unplugging the refrigerator.
To rule out an accessible cause, verify doors, visible airflow/ice obstructions, water/ice-bin seating, or demo mode only when relevant.
A safe owner-level check is to use the exact model manual because Samsung refrigerator codes vary by family.
Important safety warning. Protect food if temperatures are no longer safe. Do not open the sealed refrigeration system or energized inverter/compressor circuits. Do not bypass a safety device merely to see whether 87C disappears.
Get help
When to request repair service
Compressor/inverter issues require qualified electrical and refrigeration-system diagnosis, especially when temperatures are unsafe or the code returns after a power reset. A repeatable 87C event is more useful diagnostically than repeated resets, because it shows when the refrigerator compressor start failure (dual-compressor models) check is failing.
Book your repair
Seeing this code on your Samsung appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
One controlled restart is reasonable after correcting an obvious external issue. A recurring **87C** display should be treated as diagnostic evidence, not as a reason to keep rebooting the appliance.
Do not keep operating the appliance through a hazardous symptom just to see whether **87C** clears. If there is heat, water, electrical, gas, or food-safety risk, stop and arrange diagnosis.
The code alone is not enough to justify a part. **87C** should narrow testing to the affected function; the final cause still has to be verified on the exact model.
The same-looking code can be reused on another Samsung appliance family or reformatted by region/model year. Match the appliance type and exact model before applying a meaning. This page therefore keeps **Refrigerator 87C** separate from same-looking codes used by other Samsung appliance families.
References
Sources & references
Samsung Canada internal RF32FMQDBSR/AA service error-code pages (support-cacyber.samsung.com)
