Tag - GE refrigerator won't cool

Troubleshooting Cooling Issues with GE Refrigerators

**NOTICE**
Due to the danger and complexity of electronic equipment repair, the following technical tip is intended for professional reference only. Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information. 

If your GE refrigerator is currently failing to cool food properly, it’s vital that you find a quick solution. This tech tip will help diagnose and fix various temperature problems.

While GE Appliances have a solid reputation for making some of the best refrigerators on the market — many of which can last for up to 20 years — cooling issues are among the most common problems. It’s a serious issue that can impact the shelf life of food and become a health hazard. This tip covers the following GE models:

GNE27JYMFS

GNE27JSMSS

GNE27JMMES

GNE27JGMWW

GNE27JGMBB

GNE25JSKSS

GNE25JMKES

GWE19JMLES

GNE25JGKBB

GWE19JSLSS

GNE25JGKWW

GWE19JGLWW

GWE19JGLBB

While the function of the refrigerator is fairly simplistic, it relies on several parts to consistently maintain the correct temperature. Several signs that a GE fridge isn’t working properly include:

  • Excessive condensation
  • Motor runs hot
  • Fridge making loud sounds
  • Food spoils much quicker than it should
  • Food is room temperature to touch

Following are some of refrigerator components to check as they are leading causes of cooling problems.

Power Supply

A lack of power is the easiest fault to identify, but it is surprisingly easy to ignore unless you tend to open the refrigerator at night. The easiest way to tell whether the refrigerator is receiving power is to open the door – if the light turns on, power is good.

If the power is not on, there are several potential solutions. Try plugging the unit into another socket or use a multimeter to check the current. Alternatively, you may need to change the plug fuse or replace the plug altogether.

Thermostat Dials

The refrigerator thermostat was probably initially set to between 35°F and 37°F. However, it’s very easy to knock the dial without realizing it. The dial for all modern GE models is located inside the fridge compartment, while fridge-freezer units use a dual temperature dial.

For dual temperature dials, the left dial is for the freezer, and the right is for the refrigerator. The dial runs from 1 (the warmest) to 9 (the coolest); switching the dial to 0 will turn off the cooling. Keep in mind it takes 24 hours after installation for the cooling unit to fully reach a new setting.

Faulty Temp Sensor

Setting the thermostat to the desired level won’t achieve much if the fridge’s computer fails to receive the right data. The thermistor, otherwise known as the temperature sensor, is responsible for detecting the temperature and sending the necessary info to the control board.

If the temperature does not seem to cool even after changing the temperature dial, you may need to invest in a new thermistor (part WR55X10025) to correct the issue. When fitting this new part, it’s vital to first disconnect the power supply from the unit. 

Fan Faults

The condenser fan is another key component for managing temperature. It sucks air through the front grille before circulating through condenser coils and over the compressor. One of the simplest troubleshooting steps is to defrost the fridge compartment. This will free up blades that were immobilized by ice. If this does not work, it may be necessary to purchase a new fan motor. The fan is located toward the floor at the back of the unit.

Seals & Level

The magnetic door seals, otherwise known as door gaskets, can also cause major problems by allowing cool air from inside the fridge to escape. Aside from affecting temperature inside the refrigerator, it forces the condenser fan to work even harder, which jacks up utility bills and is a more expensive repair.

Seals can become damaged over time, especially if the door is opened and shut constantly. Also, cold air can escape from fridges not sitting level on the floor. Using a spirit level to check the positioning of the fridge is key, and it needs proper ventilation space too.

Additional Faults

Other common problems that can affect cooling include:  clogged coils, cooling unit out of coolant or frost on the evaporator coils. Issues with the start capacity and start relay can also be at fault.

Problems with the main control board, such as signals to it, can cause a loss or reduction of cooling as well. In some cases, problems with freezer parts like the ice maker can actually impact fridge cooling.

When Troubleshooting Fails

Before trying to troubleshoot potential problems, be aware that modern GE appliances come equipped with a QR code and serial tag (located inside the fridge toward the top corner), which can be scanned to direct you to a troubleshooting page on GE’s website  for the exact model. Depending on the age of your product, it may also still be covered by warranty.

 

Visit Fred’s Appliance Academy to learn more about the training provided in appliance repair.

Special thanks to Fred’s Appliance Academy for this helpful tip!