“Reset” on a Dometic refrigerator can mean three different things depending on what you own:
An RV/caravan 3-way absorption fridge (120V AC + 12V DC + propane) usually resets by cycling the Main Power ON/OFF button on the front control panel to clear a CHECK light and restart the ignition sequence.
A Dometic double-door RV absorption fridge (often RM1350-family) uses the same “main power off/on” logic, and may need several resets to purge air from the propane line after a refill or power interruption.
A Dometic portable compressor cooler (CFX series) resets by a normal restart, and some models also have a factory reset for settings.
This guide gives you the correct reset method by Dometic product type, shows where the “reset button” really is, and includes model-specific notes for the Dometic 2652 and RM1350.
Quick “reset decision” table (match your Dometic first)
Use this to avoid doing the wrong reset on the wrong platform.
| What you have | Common signs | Correct reset action | Where the reset control is |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-way RV/caravan absorption fridge (RM/RMS/DM series) | CHECK lamp on, beeping, won’t ignite on gas | Turn Main Power OFF, then ON to clear CHECK and restart ignition attempt | Front control panel (Main Power ON/OFF) |
| RM1350 double-door absorption fridge | “LP” flashing, won’t light on gas, after refill/outage | Main Power OFF → ON; may repeat 3–4 times to purge air | Front control panel (Main Power ON/OFF) |
| Portable CFX cooler (truck/camping) | Error/warning, behaving oddly, app/Wi-Fi issues | Normal restart; some CFX3 models support Factory Reset for settings | CFX control panel (buttons/menu) |
| “No power / no lights” on many RV absorption fridges | Completely dead even with power available | Check fuses/breakers first; some units have a rear thermal safety device with a push-to-reset button (recall kit/high-limit) | Rear exterior access compartment (outside service door) |
Dometic Fridge Reset Button Location
Most Dometic RV fridges do not have a separate “reset button”
On the majority of RV absorption models, the “reset” is simply cycling the Main Power ON/OFF button on the control panel. Dometic service guidance for RM2652-family fridges is explicit: to restart an ignition attempt or clear the CHECK lamp, press the main power ON/OFF to OFF and then back to ON.
RM1350 diagnostic guidance uses the same logic for restarting gas operation when LP is flashing: press main power OFF and then ON to trigger a new ignition sequence.
The “hidden reset” people talk about is often a rear thermal safety device
If your Dometic is totally dead (no panel lights at all), you may be dealing with a safety cutoff or recall-kit component rather than a normal user reset. Some RV owner resources describe a thermal switch/fuse with a push-to-reset button located behind the outside access panel on the back of the refrigerator.
Treat this as an advanced diagnostic step: if the reset trips repeatedly, you likely have an underlying problem (ventilation, heat, wiring, component failure) that needs proper troubleshooting rather than repeated resetting.
How to Reset a Dometic RV Refrigerator (3-Way and Caravan Models)
The correct “CHECK light” reset for 3-way Dometic fridges
If the CHECK light is on, the fridge attempted to run on gas and failed to ignite. The standard reset is:
- Set the refrigerator to OFF using the Main Power ON/OFF button.
- Wait a few seconds.
- Turn it back ON.
- The control will attempt a new ignition sequence (the RM2652 service manual describes a new 45-second attempt).
If the RV has been unused for a while or propane was recently refilled, air may be trapped in the gas line. Dometic’s RM2652-family service documentation says purging the air may require resetting the main power ON/OFF button three or four times.
RM1350 diagnostic documentation gives the same guidance: purging may require resetting the main power ON/OFF three or four times, and if repeated attempts fail, verify propane supply and shutoff valves.
Important limit: RM2652-family documentation also warns not to keep resetting endlessly if the CHECK lamp stays illuminated after 3–4 tries. At that point you should stop and diagnose the actual ignition/fuel issue.
How to Reset Dometic Refrigerator After a Power Outage
A power outage affects Dometic RV fridges differently depending on whether you were on shore power (AC) or running on propane.
For 3-way absorption fridges (RM/DM/RMS)
In AUTO mode, many Dometic controls prioritize AC power and switch to gas automatically when AC isn’t available. The RM2652-family service manual explains that if 120V AC becomes unavailable the system will switch to gas, and if gas ignition is unsuccessful the CHECK lamp illuminates; clearing it requires the OFF→ON main power reset.
A reliable post-outage restart sequence is:
Confirm AC power is truly back (breaker, pedestal, inverter/transfer switch as applicable)
Turn the refrigerator OFF, wait a few seconds, then turn it ON (clears CHECK and restarts control logic)
If you are on propane and it will not light, repeat OFF→ON up to 3–4 times to purge air, then stop and troubleshoot propane supply/valves/ignition if it still fails
For RM1350 double-door units
RM1350 diagnostic guidance specifically notes that when LP is flashing (unsuccessful ignition), you restart an ignition attempt by turning the unit off, waiting a few seconds, and turning it back on.
It also notes that LP flashing may not clear simply because AC becomes available; the display clears after the main power OFF→ON action.
Dometic Refrigerator 2652 Reset (RM2652 / DM2652-family)
The most accurate “reset” instruction for this family is directly documented:
To restart an ignition attempt with the CHECK lamp illuminated or to clear the CHECK lamp, press the main power ON/OFF button to OFF and then to ON.
If you are trying to reset because the fridge won’t run on gas after a refill. The same manual states that purging air from the gas line may require resetting the main power ON/OFF button three or four times.
What this reset is not: it is not a “factory reset” and it does not erase settings. It simply reboots the ignition attempt and clears the CHECK indicator once conditions are correct.
Dometic RM1350 Reset Button (Double-Door) and Reset Steps
Where is the RM1350 reset button?
On RM1350 units, the reset you use day-to-day is the Main Power ON/OFF button on the front control panel. RM1350 operating instructions identify the ON/OFF button as the main power control.
How to reset an RM1350 after gas ignition problems
RM1350 diagnostic guidance states that if ignition attempts fail, the display will flash LP, and to restart gas operation you press the main power ON/OFF button to OFF and then ON.
It also notes that purging air after a refill may require multiple resets (three or four).
How to Reset a Dometic Double-Door Refrigerator
Most Dometic “double-door” RV fridges are absorption units with the same control logic as RM1350-family. In practice, you reset them with:
Main Power OFF → wait a few seconds → ON
If CHECK/LP continues, verify propane valves and supply, and use the 3–4 reset limit for purging if the tanks were just refilled
If your double-door Dometic is a newer compressor-style RV refrigerator (less common than absorption in older installs), the reset may be an encoder-button reset or a power-cycle reset, and your model’s manual becomes essential.
How Do I Reset My Dometic CFX Refrigerator?
CFX is a portable compressor cooler family, so “reset” usually means either a restart or a settings factory reset.
Normal reset (restart)
Power the unit off and back on, and ensure your voltage supply is stable. CFX manuals emphasize battery monitor behavior (the cooler will shut off at low voltage and restart once voltage recovers), so many “won’t run” situations are actually battery protection doing its job.
Factory reset (CFX3 settings)
CFX3 documentation shows a FACTORY RESET action tied to holding “+ +” for about 3 seconds.
On dual-zone models, this typically refers to holding both zone “plus” controls together (or the specific plus-button combination shown on the CFX3 interface). Use this when the control interface or settings are behaving strangely, not as a first step for cooling problems.
FAQs
Where is the reset button on a Dometic RV refrigerator?
On most models, the “reset” is the Main Power ON/OFF button on the front control panel. Dometic documentation for RM2652-family and RM1350-family references OFF→ON cycling of the main power to reset ignition attempts and clear indicators.
How do I reset my Dometic 3-way fridge?
Turn the refrigerator OFF using the main power button, then turn it back ON to restart the control and ignition attempt. If you are purging air after a refill, Dometic notes you may need 3–4 OFF→ON resets, then stop and diagnose if it still will not ignite.
How do I reset a Dometic refrigerator after a power outage?
After power returns, cycle the main power OFF→ON to clear any CHECK condition and allow the control to reselect AC/gas correctly. If it fails to ignite on gas, follow the 3–4 reset purge guidance and verify propane supply and valves.
How do I reset a Dometic 2652 refrigerator?
If the CHECK lamp is illuminated, press the main power ON/OFF button to OFF and then to ON to clear the CHECK light and restart ignition.
Where is the RM1350 reset button?
RM1350 models use the Main Power ON/OFF button on the control panel. If LP is flashing after failed ignition, Dometic diagnostic guidance says to press main power OFF then ON to restart the ignition sequence.
How do I reset my Dometic CFX refrigerator?
Start with a normal restart (power off, then on) and verify voltage/battery protection behavior. CFX3 documentation also includes a factory reset function for settings (shown as holding “+ +” for about 3 seconds).
Conclusion
To reset a Dometic fridge correctly, you must match the reset method to the product type. For most Dometic RV/caravan 3-way absorption refrigerators (including the RM2652/DM2652 family), resetting is simply turning the Main Power ON/OFF switch OFF and back ON to clear the CHECK light and restart the ignition attempt.
For RM1350 double-door units, the same main-power reset restarts gas ignition, and Dometic notes you may need 3–4 resets to purge air after a propane refill. For Dometic CFX portable coolers, a restart is usually sufficient, and some CFX3 models offer a factory reset for settings.