11 Reasons Why GE Refrigerator Not Cooling
Discover the top 11 reasons why your GE refrigerator not cooling correctly and how to troubleshoot the issue.
As a GE Profile fridge owner, the last thing you want is to have your refrigerator not stop cooling or freezing. This can lead to a complete breakdown of your unit, which can be emotionally and financially taxing.
Several reasons your GE Profile refrigerator may not cool or freeze properly include airflow obstruction, damaged door seals, dusty or wet cloth, dirty condenser coils, iced evaporator coils, or a malfunctioning thermostat, thermistor, compressor, start relay, or fan motor. It could also be due to being in diagnostic mode or a failing main or control panel.
This blog post will explore at least 11 possible causes and walk you through their solutions. We’ll examine each probable cause in detail and guide how to fix them.
Additionally, we’ll discuss how to put your GE Profile refrigerator in diagnostic mode if you cannot determine what’s causing the problem and how to reset it.
Let’s begin!
Airflow Obstruction
Have you ever opened your GE fridge or freezer to find that it’s not cooling properly or freezing correctly? It’s a frustrating experience, but it might be due to a simple mistake you can quickly fix.
One common reason for poor cooling or freezing is overstocking the compartments or using bulky containers blocking air vents. The fridge won’t cool without proper airflow, and without proper temperature, the freezer won’t freeze. So, it’s essential to check both compartments to ensure they have enough space and clear air vents.
How to Fix
Wait to fill up your fridge or freezer completely to fix the problem. Leave some space, especially around the walls near the air vents. If you’ve overstocked, remove some items to create more space. Also, try to avoid using too much food in bulky containers and block the air vents. By doing this, you can ensure proper airflow and keep your fridge and freezer working efficiently.
Damaged Door Seal
Your fridge relies on its rubber seal or door gasket to keep cold air inside. If this crucial component is damaged, the cold air will leak out, and the fridge temperature will rise. This can lead to spoiled food and a complete breakdown of the unit.
How to Fix
To avoid these problems, it’s essential to inspect the fridge and freezer regularly for any signs of a damaged refrigerator door or seal. If you notice cracks, tears, or other damage, it’s time to replace the seal.
Replacing a fridge door seal is a relatively easy and inexpensive fix that can save you from costly repairs or replacing the entire fridge. Keeping your fridge cool and running smoothly ensures your food stays fresh and your energy bills stay low.
Dusty Condenser Coils
Over time, the condenser coils in your refrigerator cool the freezer compartment. Your refrigerator can become covered in dust and dirt, which can interfere with its proper operation. When this happens, the condenser coils can’t dissipate heat effectively, causing your fridge ge freezer part to feel warmer than it should.
How to Fix
Inspect the condenser coils for any signs of dust, dirt, debris, or other filth to fix this issue. You should use an effective condenser vacuum cleaner or coil cleaning brush to remove any build-up from the dirty condenser coils.
Iced Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coil plays a crucial role in distributing cool air within the GE refrigerators, so ensuring it isn’t obstructed by ice is essential. Otherwise with only one evaporator is, the warm air won’t circulate smoothly through your GE Profile unit, which can disrupt the cooling and freezing compartments.
How to Fix
To address ice clogging in the evaporator coils, remove the panel covering the coils after defrost cycle by unplugging the GE Profile unit and defrost the cycle after removing all food. If the evaporator coils are obstructed by ice, they must be replaced as they are faulty. However, if the unit is only experiencing slow freezing, defrosting the coils may help, as they have yet to fail.
Malfunctioning GE Refrigerator Temperature Control Thermostat
The thermostat that controls the temperature and cooling system is the main control board responsible for regulating the performance of the fans evaporator fan motor and the compressor in the unit. Testing the thermostat for any faults is essential because its effectiveness directly affects the operation of the fans and GE motor. If the thermostat is faulty, the unit won’t cool down.
How to Fix
To test the thermostat, you can rotate it and listen for a clicking sound. Do this from the lowest setting to the highest setting. The thermostat might be defective if you don’t hear a clicking sound.
To confirm whether the thermostat is defective, you can test its continuity with a multimeter. If there is a lack of continuity, this indicates that the thermostat is defective, and you should replace it.
Faulty Thermistor
The primary function of temperature sensor in the GE thermistor is to monitor the temperature of the GE Profile unit and send this information to the control board. The control board then activates the evaporator fan motor, condenser fan motors, and compressor to cool the unit. If the thermistor is defective, it can result in a lack of cooling.
How to Fix
You can use a multimeter to check the thermistor to fix this issue. If the multimeter shows no continuity, the thermistor has broken down and needs to be replaced.
Defective Compressor
“GE refrigerator compressor also requires a properly functioning compressor to operate. This is because the compressor plays a crucial role in distributing the refrigerant across the condenser and evaporator coils, which are essential for cooling.
How to Fix
If the refrigerant passes the compressor is defective, the whole refrigerator compartment cannot cool properly. As the refrigerant also reaches the freezer, it cannot freeze correctly either.
To fix this issue, you can test the compressor using a multimeter. If the multimeter shows no continuity, it is recommended that you take the GE refrigerator to a licensed technician for a compressor replacement. This is because replacing a compressor is a complex task and requires professional expertise.
Damaged Start Relay
If the start relay circuit breaker is not functioning or not working properly or correctly, it will not supply power to the compressor. As a result, the compressor will not operate, leading to problems with the cooling and freezing of the unit.
How to Fix
You can test the start relay using a digital multimeter to resolve the issue. If the test indicates the relay is faulty, it should be replaced.
Dying Main Control
If all the components mentioned earlier are in good working condition, the issue may be caused by a failing temperature control board. Testing the refrigerator temperature control board can be challenging, so it’s recommended to seek the help of an expert.
How to Fix
If the control board is faulty, the GE refrigerator specialist will recommend replacing it.
Failing Fan Motor
The front condenser fan motor and evaporator fan motors are crucial components for cooling and freezing food in your GE Profile unit. If either of these motors or their fans are not functioning, the unit will not cool, and fresh food may not freeze properly.
How to Fix
These motors can fail for various reasons, including obstructions, damage, or wear.
To fix the issue, check the fan blades for any obstructions and remove them if present. If there are no obstructions, physically test the fan motor by rotating the blades. If the blades do not rotate smoothly, the motor may be faulty. You can confirm this by testing it with a multimeter. If it shows no continuity, replace the fan motor.
Your GE Refrigerator Might Be In Diagnostic Mode
Your GE refrigerator may be in diagnostic mode if it has been recently serviced. The unit will not cool or freeze when in this mode until the diagnostic mode is deactivated.
How to Fix
To resolve this issue, unplug the GE unit from the other power supply and source for 30 seconds and then plug it back in. This will reset the unit and deactivate the diagnostic mode.
Conclusion
There are various reasons why your GE refrigerator may not cool or freeze properly, including airflow obstruction, damaged door seals, dusty or dirty condenser coils, iced evaporator coils, or a malfunctioning thermostat, thermistor, compressor, start relay, or fan motor. To troubleshoot and solve these issues, follow the recommended solutions in this blog post. Regular inspection and maintenance of your GE refrigerator can also help prevent such problems.
Frequently Asking Questions
Why is my GE refrigerator not cooling but the freezer is working?
If your GE refrigerator is not cooling but the freezer is working, it could be due to a few potential issues.
The first thing you should check is if the temperature settings are correct. If they are set too high, your fridge won’t be able to cool off properly. Additionally, ensure that any refrigerator air vents are clear and not blocked by food.
If the temperature settings are correct, then it could be an issue with the condenser coils. These coils can sometimes get dirty or clogged with dust, which prevents them from doing their job properly and cooling your fridge efficiently. You should also check if the evaporator fan is working; if the fan isn’t running, it won’t be able to push cold air into the refrigerator.
If you’ve checked all of these components and they are working correctly, you may need to replace a component such as the condenser fan motor or evaporator motor. Additionally, if your GE refrigerator has an ice maker or water filter, ensure these components function properly.
If none of these solutions solve your problem, you may need to call a professional refrigerator repair technician. Nick’s Appliance Repair can help diagnose and fix the issue quickly and ensure that your GE refrigerator is working properly again in no time.
What is the most common problems with GE refrigerators?
The most common problems with GE refrigerators are temperature settings, condenser coils and evaporator fans. If the temperature settings are too high, the refrigerator won’t be able to cool properly. Additionally, suppose the condenser coils or evaporator fan get dirty or clogged with dust. In that case, they will be unable to do their job efficiently and the refrigerator will not cool properly.
Other common issues with GE refrigerators include problems with the ice maker, water filter or other appliance components. If any of these components are not functioning properly, they can prevent your GE refrigerator from cooling correctly.
If you are having any problems with your GE refrigerator, the most important thing to do is to check all these components and ensure they are clean and working properly. If the issue persists, you may need to call a professional repair technician for help. Nick’s Appliance Repair guarantees a fast and effective resolution to any problem with your GE refrigerator. With our expertise, we can run it flawlessly in no time!
Is it worth repairing a GE refrigerator?
It depends on the issue. If your GE refrigerator is only a few years old and the problem is fixable, it may be worth repairing. If the repair cost is more than half what you would pay for a new fridge, getting a new one may be the better option.
If you are still trying to figure out what to do, a professional refrigerator repair technician can help diagnose the issue and estimate the repair cost. Nick’s Appliance Repair can help determine if it is worth repairing your GE refrigerator or just getting a new one. We can provide advice and guidance and ensure you make the best decision for your needs.
Ultimately, deciding whether to repair or replace your GE refrigerator is up to you.
What would cause a GE refrigerator to not be cold?
There are a few potential causes for a GE refrigerator not being cold. The most common issue is that the temperature settings may be too high, preventing the refrigerator from cooling properly. Additionally, ensure that the fridge’s air vents are not blocked. If they are clogged with food or other items, this can prevent cold air from circulating.
It could also be an issue with the condenser coils or evaporator fan. These components can sometimes get dirty or clogged, preventing them from doing their job correctly and cooling the refrigerator efficiently. Make sure that these are cleaned and working properly. Additionally, check if any other components, such as the ice maker or water filter, function properly.
If none of these solutions solve the issue, you may need to call a professional repair technician. Nick’s Appliance Repair can help diagnose and fix any problem quickly and ensure that your GE refrigerator is working properly again in no time.
