Finding your GE freezer warm can be unnerving, especially if you have food in it. Therefore, this article discusses how to fix this problem.
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GE Refrigerator and Freezer Warm – Quick Fix
If you find that your GE refrigerator and freezer are warm, the following are possible causes and fixes:
1. Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor
A failed fan motor can cause the freezer and refrigerator to grow warm. Since the job of the fan is to circulate the cold air in the unit, it won’t have the capacity to do so if the motor fails.
As a result, the freezer will become warm and the refrigerator will be even warmer.
To determine this, open the inside rear wall of the freezer section. There, you will see the fan with the cooling coils. Detach it and turn the blades. Typically, they should turn freely. But if you encounter any friction or resistance, it is likely the motor has failed.
To be sure, test the motor to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the motor as soon as possible.
2. Bad Temperature Control Thermostat
The cooling system, comprising the compressor and fans, gets power from the thermostat. It senses the change in temperature and sends power to the above components as needed. In turn, the components cool the refrigerator and freezer compartments according to need.
If it is bad, the supply of power or electricity would be inaccurate. As a result, the system may not run at all. And even if it runs, it may not run enough to cool the unit.
To test the thermostat, disconnect the refrigerator from power. Locate the thermostat; it would be inside the unit, in the section for fresh food. It will appear as a knob with the word ‘off’ at the starting point.
Turn the knob to the highest point. It should make an audible clicking sound when you get there. If it does not, it is likely bad.
Take it a step further by checking for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the thermostat.
In addition, check the wire of the sensor to be sure it is in the right place and has no damage. Also, check its wire terminals for corrosion or looseness.
3. Failed Thermistor or Temperature Sensor
This component monitors the temperature in the unit. This is in order to know what results to send to the control board, which will deliver voltage to the compressor and evaporator fan.
If it fails, the result would be wrong. Consequently, it may tell the board to power down the compressor and fan when they should be running to cool the unit.
Using a multimeter, run a test on the thermistor to check for continuity. Its resistance should change as long as the refrigerator’s temperature keeps changing.
If the resistance remains unchanged and there is no continuity, replace the sensor.
4. Malfunctioning Defrost System
If any of the components of the defrost system fails, the refrigerator and freezer might not cool. This is because it could be stuck in the defrost mode, making it impossible for the circulation of cold air.
Start your troubleshooting with the defrost timer. Turn it counterclockwise using a flat-head screwdriver to advance it out of the defrost cycle if it is stuck there.
If the unit begins to cool, it means the timer has malfunctioned and should be replaced. It is no longer automatically advancing the unit in and out of the defrost cycle.
Next, check the defrost heater if the timer checks out fine. Run a continuity check on it with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace it because you cannot repair it. It means it does not turn off anymore, making the unit too warm.
However, if the two components work well, check the defrost thermostat. Like the heater, check it for continuity. You need to test it when the temperature drops to the preset point for the heater to turn on.
If you don’t find any continuity at that temperature setting, replace the thermostat. It no longer closes its circuit to allow the heater to work.
5. Defective Condenser Fan Motor
The motor of the condenser fan makes sure that the fan runs to cool the coils and evaporate the water inside the drain pan.
It runs concurrently with the freezer fan and compressor. So if it fails, you may find the unit running too frequently and growing warm due to the heat.
Begin by cleaning the blades and removing any obstruction. After this, turn them to ascertain how well they turn. If there is any stiffness, it is probably because the motor’s bearings are worn. So, replace the motor.
But if you are not sure, test the motor to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the motor.
6. Damaged Electronic Control Board
This works for newer models of this refrigerator. You may not be able to troubleshoot this part successfully. Therefore, contact GE to request service if you suspect the board has failed.
However, do this only after verifying that all the other parts are in good working condition.
Note: These steps also apply if you find that only the refrigerator is warm or only the freezer is warm.
GE Refrigerator Is Warm But Freezer Is Cold – Quick Fix
Is your GE refrigerator warm while the freezer is cold? Check how full either of the compartments is.
Too many items in the unit can actually obstruct the vents through which air flows from the freezer to the refrigerator.
So, while the freezer keeps cooling, the refrigerator has no cold air. Therefore, reduce the content and rearrange what’s left. Make sure you leave the vents free so the cold air can circulate freely.
The condenser coils could also be too dirty if there is a cooling problem. Open the bottom back panel and inspect them. Take a condenser cleaning brush or vacuum cleaner to them if they are.
Ensure you get every bit of dust off them and sweep the floor around the unit.
The coils cannot release heat from the refrigerant that flows through them if they are dirty. So, the heat goes into the refrigerator and warms it. Therefore, you may find the freezer still cool, due to its very low temperature setting, while the refrigerator is warm.
Other problems that can cause this cooling issue in a GE refrigerator are:
- Evaporator coils that are frozen
- Evaporator fan motor that is defective
- Thermistor that has failed
- Damper control that is broken or stuck
You will find out how to fix them by reading this article here.
Here is a video demonstrating how to fix this problem…
Recap
If your GE freezer is warm, run a check on the:
- Temeprature control thermostat
- Thermistor
- Fan motors
- Defrost system
- Electronic control board, where it applies
However, if fixing any of these components does not solve the problem, contact GE Cares to request service. Do this especially if your refrigerator still has an active warranty.
Otherwise, chat with any of our appliance technicians using the chatbox to your right. You will get attended to immediately, with no appointments and no in-house calls unless upon request.
Always unplug the refrigerator before carrying out any extensive repairs. Do this to prevent accidental electric shock.
Check out these other articles…
GE Refrigerator and Freezer Not Getting Cold [How to Fix]
GE Refrigerator Problems [How to Fix]
GE Refrigerator Quit Working [How to Fix]
How to Clean a GE Water Cooler [Quick Guide]
How Do You Clean a GE Freezer Drain? [Quick Guide]
GE Refrigerator Cooling Issues [Fixed]
GE Refrigerator Does Not Make Ice [Quick Fix]
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