This is a guide on GE Cafe refrigerator WiFi setup. If you have a Cafe smart refrigerator and you haven’t set the WiFi up, follow this guide.
Table of Contents
GE Cafe Refrigerator WiFi Setup – Steps
For a GE Cafe refrigerator WiFi setup, download the SmartHQ™ app from Google Playstore or Apple App store to your phone. It is free.
After the download, open the smart app and create your account or sign in if you already have one. Once you are able to sign in successfully, the app’s welcome screen will appear.
If it is a new account, there is a form you have to complete in order to register fully. Put in a functional email address. Once you complete the form, you will get a verification email for the account you are creating.
As soon as you are verified, you can go ahead and sign in to your account.
There are 2 control panel types that come with the cafe smart refrigerator. One is capacitive or push-button touch control. And the other is an LCD touchscreen.
If you can’t tell the difference, go to the home screen of the app on your phone. Now, tap the (+) sign on the screen. It will take you to the Add Appliance page.
When you get there tap the (!) symbol. You will see it close to ‘Fridge LCD Display’. On some screens, it will show as ‘Fridge Cap Touch’. The names will show you which control panel type you have. What’s more, you will see an image of the panel it has.
Once you are sure of the control panel type your refrigerator has, it is time to connect to WiFi.
Push Button or Capacitive Control
The following are the steps to follow for a GE Cafe refrigerator WiFi setup if the refrigerator has a push-button control:
Step 1
Tap the option marked cap touch. Next, tap Light and Water and hold both at the same until you see the icon marked WiFi start blinking on the unit’s display.
Step 2
Network ID and Password will appear on the display. Type the password you see on the display into the field marked Password in the HQ app on your phone. Tap ‘Next’.
You will get an instruction to go over to the WiFi settings on your phone in order to join the network on the Information label. But if you are not about how to do this, tap ‘Show Me How’ on your phone.
If you are using an Android phone, ‘Disable Smart Network Switch’ may appear. Tap ‘Show Me How’ to see how to do this.
Depending on the type of phone you see, the instruction for disabling may differ. Just look out for others such as ‘Check for Internet Service’, ‘Auto Network Switch’ and ‘Avoid Poor Networks’.
Step 3
When you join the network successfully, go back to the app and tap ‘Next’. This will create communication going between the refrigerator and the app.
Step 4
‘Choose Home Network’ page will appear. Look for the name of the WiFi network of your home in the provided list, type the password and connect it back to the home network.
However, if the name of the home network does not show in the list, tap ‘Other’. Then, type the network name and the password manually.
If you do this successfully, you will see ‘Congratulations! Enjoy your Connected Appliance!’ displayed on the app on your phone. This way, you know you have set the WiFi for the Cafe refrigerator up.
LCD Touchscreen Control
The following are the steps to follow for a GE Cafe refrigerator WiFi setup if the refrigerator comes with an LCD touchscreen:
Step 1
Tap the option marked LCD display. Go to the display of the refrigerator and choose WiFi. next, choose ‘Turn On’. When you do this, check to ensure the icon marked WiFi is blinking on the unit’s display.
Step 2
On the display, you should see Network ID and Password. Now, go to the app on your phone and type the password you see on the refrigerator’s display in the field marked Password on the phone. Tap ‘Next’ after typing the password.
Step 3
You will get an instruction to go over to the WiFi settings on the phone in order to join the network on the label. But if you are not sure about how to get there, tap ‘Show Me How’ on your phone’s app.
If you are using an Android phone, ‘Disable Smart Network Switch’ may appear. Tap ‘Show Me How’ to see how to do this.
Depending on the type of phone you see, the instruction for disabling may differ. Just look out for others such as ‘Check for Internet Service’, ‘Auto Network Switch’ and ‘Avoid Poor Networks’.
Step 4
When you join the network successfully, go back to the HQ app and tap ‘Next’. This will create communication between the refrigerator and the app.
Step 5
‘Choose Home Network’ page will appear. Look for the name of the WiFi network of your home in the provided list, type the password and connect it back to the home network.
However, if the name of the home network does not show in the list, tap ‘Other’. Then, type the network name and password manually.
If you connect successfully, you will see ‘Congratulations! Enjoy your Connected Appliance!’ displayed on the app on your phone. This way, you know you have set the WiFi for the Cafe refrigerator up.
Watch this video for a visual demonstration of a GE Cafe refrigerator WiFi setup if the unit has an LCD display…
GE Monogram Refrigerator WiFi Connect – Steps
Download the SmartHQ™ app from Google Playstore or Apple App store to your phone. It is free.
After the download, open the app and create an account or sign in if you already have one. Once you sign in successfully, the welcome screen will appear.
If it is a new account, there is a form you have to fill in order to register fully. Put in a functional email address. Once you complete the form, you will get a verification email for the account you are creating.
As soon as you are verified, you can go ahead and sign in to your account.
There are 2 control panel types that come with the cafe smart refrigerator. One is capacitive or push-button touch control. And the other is an LCD touchscreen.
If you can’t tell the difference, go to the home screen of the app on your phone. Now, tap the plus sign or (+) on the screen. It will take you to the Add Appliance page.
When you get there tap the (!) symbol. You will see it close to ‘Fridge LCD Display’. On some screens, it will show as ‘Fridge Cap Touch’. The names will show you which control panel type you have. What’s more, you will see a picture of the control panel.
Once you are sure of the control panel type your refrigerator has, it is time to connect to WiFi.
Refrigerator’s WiFi Capability
Before deciding to connect your GE Monogram to WiFi, be sure it is WiFi-enabled.
To do this, determine what type of control panel the refrigerator has. If it is an LCD touchscreen type of control, touch the screen to wake it. Next, tap Settings and go to the option marked WiFi under it.
If you cannot select WiFi, it means the refrigerator is not WiFi-enabled. That is, it does not have built-in WiFi. Try connecting using the Connect Module. It is powered by SmartHQ and works for refrigerators with optional WiFi.
However, if you can select WiFi, it means the refrigerator has WiFi capability. Therefore, you can go ahead and connect.
Now, if it is a push-button control panel type, determine if it is WiFi-enabled by opening the right door of the fresh food compartment. Look for a label marked Connected Appliance Information.
If you see this label, the refrigerator has the capability for WiFi. But if you don’t see it, you can opt for the optional WiFi connection using the Connect Module.
LCD Touchscreen Control
To connect WiFi on an LCD touchscreen control panel type of refrigerator, take the following steps:
Step 1
Go to the app and choose the option marked LDC Display. Next, go to the refrigerator’s display and touch ‘WiFi’. Then, touch ‘Turn On’. when you do this, be sure that the icon marked WiFi is blinking.
Step 2
On the display of the refrigerator, you will the Network ID and Password. Type the password on the display into the field on the app on your phone marked Password. Tap ‘Next’.
Step 3
You will get an instruction to go to the WiFi settings on your phone and join the GEA network on the label. If you are not sure about the steps to take to get to the settings, tap ‘Show Me How’ on the app.
If you are using an Android phone, ‘Disable Smart Network Switch’ may appear in the app’s instructions. Tap ‘Show Me How’ to see how to disable this feature.
Depending on the type of phone you see, the instruction for disabling may differ. Just look out for others such as ‘Check for Internet Service’, ‘Auto Network Switch’ and ‘Avoid Poor Networks’.
Step 4
After you join the network, go back to the app on your phone and tap ‘Next’. Communication will begin between the refrigerator and the SmartHQ app.
And if the connection is successful, you will see the screen ‘Choose home network’. Pick the WiFi network for your home and type the password for it. Doing this will connect the device to the home network again.
However, if the name of your home network does not show in the list, tap ‘Other’. Then, type the network name and password manually. This will start the connection process.
Step 5
Once you see ‘Congratulations! Enjoy your Connected Appliance!’, you know the connection is successful.
Push-button Control
To connect WiFi on a push-button control panel type of Monogram refrigerator, take the following steps:
Step 1
Go to the app and select Cap Touch.
Step 2
Press Light and Water and hold both buttons at the same time. Do this until the icon marked WiFi starts to blink.
Step 3
Type the password you see on the label marked Info in the refrigerator. Tap ‘Next’.
You will get an instruction to go to the WiFi settings on your phone and join the GEA network on the label. If you are not sure about the steps to take to get to the settings, tap ‘Show Me How’ on the app.
If you are using an Android phone, ‘Disable Smart Network Switch’ may appear in the app’s instructions. Tap ‘Show Me How’ to see how to disable this feature.
Depending on the type of phone you see, the instruction for disabling may differ. Just look out for others such as ‘Check for Internet Service’, ‘Auto Network Switch’ and ‘Avoid Poor Networks’.
Step 4
After you join the network, go back to the app on your phone and tap ‘Next’. Communication will begin between the refrigerator and the SmartHQ app.
And if the connection is successful, you will see the screen ‘Choose home network’. Pick the WiFi network for your home and type the password for it. Doing this will connect the phone to the home network again.
However, if the name of your home network does not show in the list, tap ‘Other’. Then, type the network name and password manually. This will start the connection process.
Step 5
Once you see ‘Congratulations! Enjoy your Connected Appliance!’, you know the connection is successful.
Note: These steps apply to all GE Smart refrigerators if you are looking to connect or set the WiFi up.
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GE Refrigerator Not Connecting to WiFi – How to Fix
If you find that your GE smart refrigerator is not connecting to WiFi, check the following:
1. Password
It is possible you typed the wrong password. So type the password again, making sure to get it right this time.
If you have the LCD display type and you want the password, tap Settings, go to the option marked WiFi, and tap it. The Network ID and Password will appear again.
But if you have the push-button control panel type, open the right door of the fresh food compartment. You will see a label marked Connected Appliance Information. The password is written on it.
2. Communication
It is possible you chose the wrong home network or even typed the wrong password. This affects the communication between the phone and the refrigerator.
Type the password again or check the home network you chose. Make sure it is correct. You will have to disconnect your phone from the network in the home and reconnect it by typing the password yourself.
3. Network
You may have set the network in your home so that it is not visible to the SmartHQ app. If your home network does not appear on the WiFi network list, choose ‘Other’. Type the home network ID and password manually.
But if the network remains hidden, bring the router a little closer to the refrigerator. You also have the option of using a WiFi extender if you cannot bring the router closer.
However, if the refrigerator still does not connect to WiFi after you try all the above fixes, contact Connected Home Support.
Here is a video showing how to fix network issues in a GE smart refrigerator…
What Is a GE Refrigerator WiFi Module?
A GE refrigerator WiFi module or a Connect Module is a device that is used to make a connection between a home WiFi network and a smart refrigerator.
The SmartHQ app powers it but it does not come with the refrigerator; it is sold as a separate component.
You must have the SmartHQ app on your phone or any other device and the WiFi network must be active before it works.
Recap
For a GE Cafe refrigerator WiFi setup, the process is pretty easy. And if you follow this guide, you will successfully set up the WiFi for any type of GE smart refrigerator.
However, if the connection or setup fails, and you try the troubleshooting steps above yet nothing works, contact GE immediately.
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