If you find that your GE freezer is frosting up, this article will show you what to do.
Table of Contents
GE Freezer Is Frosting Up – How to Fix
If your GE freezer is frosting up, below are possible reasons and how to fix them:
1. Moisture
A damaged gasket will let cold air out from your freezer and allow warm air to seep into it. The warm air will increase the moisture within the compartment, causing frost to build up. Therefore, check the gasket always for cracks and replace it once it is ripped or weak.
Furthermore, storing hot food inside your freezer can introduce humidity. Consequently, it will increase frost build-up. So, do not store hot food inside your freezer; always allow the food to cool first.
Additionally, opening the freezer frequently has the same effect on the appliance as a damaged gasket and hot food will.
It makes the compressor work twice as hard to regulate the temperature of the freezer. Hence, frost starts accumulating. So, keep from opening the freezer door always if your GE freezer is frosting up.
2. Temperature Setting
Setting the freezer’s temperature to anything other than what the manufacturer recommends may cause frost to build up excessively. So, ensure to set the freezer’s temperature according to the recommendation.
Furthermore, use a freezer thermometer to keep track of the temperature of your appliance. It will help you know when to increase or lower the temperature setting according to the weather.
3. Installation
If you do not level the appliance according to the installation guide, water may leak from the ice maker. Then, the water leaking from the ice maker will condense, resulting in frost building up more.
Additionally, the doors will become uneven and not close automatically. That will have the same effect as when you open the door frequently.
So, if your GE freezer is frosting up, ensure the appliance is leveled according to the installation guide. This will allow the door to close automatically. It will also keep the ice maker from leaking. Also, check the door alignment to ensure the doors are even.
4. Clogged Defrost Drain
If the defrost drain is clogged, the ice that melted during the defrost cycle will condense. Then, it will resettle on the evaporator coils and ice up again. Over time, you begin to see the effect as frost build-up inside the freezer.
Moreover, once the defrost drain is clogged, it shows something is not right with a part of the defrost system. So, check those defrost system components to verify.
5. Defrost System
A part of the defrost system might be malfunctioning and causing the ice build-up. Let us see what that likely faulty part might be:
Defrost Timer
If the timer malfunctions, the defrost cycle will not run. That will cause frost to build up inside the freezer.
The defrost timer regulates the defrost cycle; the cooling and defrost modes of the freezer. It also runs this cycle several times within 24 hours to keep the evaporator coils from frosting up.
So, when the timer is malfunctioning, the defrost cycle will not run, causing the frosting you see inside your appliance.
Determine whether or not the defrost timer is defective and replace it.
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Defrost Heater
Similar to the defrost timer, if the heater is faulty, it cannot melt the ice around the evaporator coils. Consequently, ice accumulates.
Defrost Thermostat
A faulty defrost thermostat cannot track the temperature of the evaporator coils to turn on the heater. As a result, excessive ice will build up inside the freezer because the defrost heater is not working.
Therefore, the defrost thermostat is faulty, change it. That could be the reason for the ice piling up in your freezer.
GE Refrigerator Frost On Ice Maker – What to Do
1. Check the Ice Maker Flap
Ensure the ice maker flap closes all the way. If the flap does not lap well, it could cause frost to form around the ice maker.
And if the flap is not closing all the way through, you may have to replace it alongside the flap spring. If the spring is weak, the flap may not close well.
However, take care not to remove the foam around the ice chute. Removing the foam will only worsen the case since the foam covers the hole around the ice chute.
2. Check Leveling
Check the installation guide and ensure the installers leveled the refrigerator accordingly during installation. If it was not, follow the steps on your installation guide to do the needful.
Note that if you do not level the refrigerator properly, water may spill from the ice maker. Consequently, frost will build up around the ice maker.
3. Check Door
Ensure the freezer door seals tightly when it closes. If it does not, check the gasket, it may be damaged, hence, letting warm air into the unit. That will eventually cause frost build-up.
However, not every frost that forms around the ice maker is a cause for worry. That is especially true if you repeatedly dispense crushed ice. Ice will sometimes form on the ice chute, but it will ultimately evaporate.
You can clean the frost on the dispenser chute with a warm damp towel.
Check out these other articles…
GE Refrigerator Evaporator [Issues and Solutions]
Frigidaire Refrigerator Compressor [Issues and Solutions]
How to Adjust a GE Refrigerator Door [Quick Guide]
GE Refrigerator Compressor [Problems and Solutions]
GE Refrigerator Fan [Issues & Solutions]
Whirlpool Refrigerator Compressor [Issues Solved]
Kenmore Refrigerator Compressor [Problems Solved]
Maytag Refrigerator Compressor [Issues and Solutions]
KitchenAid Refrigerator Compressor [Issues Solved]
Why Is My Freezer Frosting Up and Fridge Not Working?
Check the following if your freezer is frosting up yet your fridge is not working:
1. Air Vents
When you overstock the freezer, it will block the vents circulating air to the fresh food compartment. Hence, that compartment will not get cold air to keep it cool.
Similarly, if the damper control assembly is stuck closed, air cannot circulate between the freezer and the fridge. That will, again, leave the freezer cold and the refrigerating compartment warm.
Therefore, ensure you do not overstock the unit; a quarter full is ideal. Also, fix the defective damper control.
2. Evaporator Fan
If the evaporator fan stops working, the freezer will ice up while the fridge will remain warm.
Here is how to determine whether the fan is faulty- open the rear wall inside the freezer. You will find the evaporator fan there. Spin it with your hand. If the fan does not spin freely, it means it is most likely faulty. Change it.
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Sometimes, cleaning the fan can work the trick. Other times, you may have to replace it. However, repairing the evaporator fan may require the services of a maintenance technician.
But if you trust your DIY skills, follow the steps in the video below to change the evaporator fan…
3. Defrost System
When any part of the defrost system is faulty, it will hinder the defrost cycle. As a result, the freezer will become colder while the fridge remains warm.
So, check to be sure the problem is not from this part. Check the defrost drain, timer, heater, and thermostat to ensure all are in good working condition. Otherwise, change the defective part.
However, if after troubleshooting you are not sure why your freezer is cooling and the fridge remains warm, contact GE. They will further assist you. Alternatively, use the chatbox to your right to chat with any of our service technicians.
How To Tell If Freezer Is Frost Free
Here is how to tell if your freezer is frost-free:
1. Self-defrosting
A frost-free freezer has a self-defrosting mechanism- defrost system. This system heats the freezer at intervals to prevent frost from building up.
Moreover, the defrost system comprises a timer, thermostat, and heater and works like this: The thermostat tracks the temperature and signals the timer when the temperature becomes too cold. The timer will then trigger the defrost mode for the heater to melt any ice that is forming.
2. Maintenance
Frost-free freezers are usually easy to maintain. Since the appliance has a self-defrosting feature, you do not need to thaw your freezer manually.
So, if you have never had a reason to defrost your freezer manually, it is frost-free.
3. Noise
Frost-free freezers are usually a bit noisy. So, if your freezer makes some (whooshing, popping, crackling, or whining) noise, it is most likely frost-free.
Nevertheless, these noises are normal, but only if they happen during the defrost cycle.
4. Energy Use
If you notice that your freezer consumes more energy, chances are it is a frost-free freezer. The reason is due to the cycling on and off of the defrost system during the defrost cycle.
Consequently, the freezer will work harder to maintain the ideal temperature within the unit, hence consuming more energy.
Apart from these features, the cost of the appliance can also sell it out as frost-free. You can determine this when two models of a freezer cost differently. The more expensive freezer is most likely frost-free.
On the other hand, you can know whether your freezer is frost-free or not from the owner’s manual.
What Causes Frost In A Refrigerator?
Below are what causes frost in a refrigerator:
1. Temperature Too Low
If the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is too low, it will become too cold and eventually frost over. So, ensure to always set the temperature of the fresh food compartment to the right degree. Keep in mind that the ideal temperature for the fresh food compartment is 37⁰F.
2. Defective Gasket
When the gasket becomes weak or torn, warm air will seep into the unit, causing humidity to increase. Consequently, frost will start to form inside the refrigerating section.
The gasket is the seal on the refrigerator door that keeps warm air from permeating the refrigerator.
3. Dirty Coils
Dirty coils will stop the refrigerant fluid from properly circulating. That will cause the refrigerator to work harder to maintain the ideal temperature. Hence, the fresh food compartment becomes colder, causing frost to build up.
So, to stop that, it is ideal if you clean the coils at least twice yearly. Use a refrigerator coil brush or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush to clean the coils.
4. Faulty Thermostat
A thermostat switches the refrigerator on and off, when necessary, to keep the unit at the right temperature. So, when it is faulty, the thermostat may not trigger the refrigerator to turn off when it becomes chilling. As a result, frost will build up.
5. Damper Control Problem
When the damper control is stuck open, more cold air will flow from the freezer to the fresh food compartment. That will cause the fridge compartment to start freezing.
The damper control, a small door, helps circulate air between the freezer and fresh food compartment by opening and closing. So, when it is defective, change it.
Recap
If your GE freezer is frosting up, check for defective parts. That may require a service technician to fix it. Other times, simple troubleshooting and DIY skills might suffice.
So, determine the actual cause of the frost building up in your appliance before carrying out any repair.
However, if you are unsure of the cause, it is best to contact GE Cares. Alternatively, chat with any of our service technicians for further assistance at no cost or appointment.
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