A refrigerator can develop a fault, and the fan is not left out. In this article, we discuss issues with a GE refrigerator fan and their solutions.
Table of Contents
Why Is My GE Freezer Making a Noise?
Here are possible reasons why your GE freezer is making noise:
- When the compressor is working, you can hear a low buzzing or humming sound.
- During the defrost cycle, you can hear the defrost timer click on/off.
After the cooling cycle, you can hear a gurgling noise from the refrigerant flowing through the tube. - Sometimes, the interior walls of the freezer expand and contract. This happens when the temperature fluctuates, and at such times you may hear a cracking or popping noise.
However, some noises may be loud and unusual. Here are some of such noises that require your attention:
- When the freezer constantly vibrates, check and ensure to level the appliance. If the leveling screws and feet are loose, adjust them accordingly.
- If the humming, buzzing, or clicking sound is disturbing, it is a cause for alarm. Check the evaporator fan for any defects.
- Finally, if the noise from the fan blades sounds like something is obstructing their movement, it is abnormal. Check the fan motor and replace it if needed.
While some of these noises are normal, there are times when they become loud and unusual and require attention. So, get a service technician to evaluate and repair your appliance if the noise becomes unbearable.
However, note that for your GE freezer fan repair, you should contact GE Service Center first. That is particular to appliances that still have an active warranty.
How To Stop Freezer Fan From Making Noise
To stop your freezer fan from making noise here is what to do:
Check the fan behind the rear wall of the freezer and thaw any ice that accumulated on it over time. You can use a hand hair dryer to defrost the freezer. Alternatively, defrost it manually by unplugging the unit for some hours.
While using the hand hair dryer may be faster, it is safer to thaw the appliance manually.
However, defrosting the unit is only a temporary solution. For a permanent solution, check the defrost system. The reason is, the ice mound on the fan shows something is wrong with the defrost system.
So, inspect each of the components of the defrost system for faults. The parts of the defrost system are the heater, timer, thermostat, and drain. Then, repair or replace the one with the problem.
Additionally, GE freezer fan surging could be as a result of the fan blades hitting against something. The fan blades may be close to the freezer wall and hitting the plastic. In this case, push the fan blades further down the shaft. That should take care of the noise.
Is A Noisy Freezer Fan Dangerous?
It is okay for the freezer fan to make an inaudible noise when it is working. However, when the noise becomes loud, it is a cause for worry.
The most common cause of freezer evaporator fan noise is ice on the fan. Similarly, a defective fan motor bearing might be the cause of the noise.
Is your GE freezer fan hitting plastic? The blades could be too close to the freezer wall; push them further down on the fan shaft.
Whatever the cause of the noise, do not hesitate to resolve it to keep your appliance safe.
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GE Freezer Evaporator Fan Not Running – Quick Fix
To fix the GE freezer evaporator fan that is not running, try these:
First off, ensure you shut the freezer door properly. The reason is, on most GE refrigerators, when doors are open, the evaporator fan will stop running.
Secondly, after shutting the door and the fan does not run, open the door and activate the door switch. You should hear the fan motor running louder now.
However, if the evaporator fan still does not run after trying these two hacks, replace it. The fan motor is most likely faulty.
You can replace the fan or employ a service technician to do that. Just ensure you do not leave a faulty evaporator fan for too long because it may cause more damages.
GE Bottom Freezer Evaporator Fan Replacement
Follow these steps to replace a GE bottom freezer evaporator fan:
Step One
Unplug your refrigerator from the power source, or turn off the circuit breaker.
Step Two
Remove the freezer drawers, and unthread the door from its mounting rails.
Step Three
Pry off the evaporator fan cover.
Step Four
Unclip the wiring harness and remove it from its retainer.
Step Five
Carefully pull the motor frame off.
Step Six
Carefully peel off the felt insulation sheet from the old fan motor and stick it to the new one.
Step Seven
Now, reverse steps 5 to 1 to mount the new evaporator fan.
Here is a video guide on how to replace the evaporator fan on a GE refrigerator…
It is important to note that the GE Bottom-Freezer evaporator fan location is behind the rear wall of the freezer compartment.
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 Freezer Is Frosting Up [Solved]
Whirlpool Refrigerator Compressor [Issues Solved]
Kenmore Refrigerator Compressor [Problems Solved]
Maytag Refrigerator Compressor [Issues and Solutions]
KitchenAid Refrigerator Compressor [Issues Solved]
GE Fridge Freezer Fan Not Working – How To Fix
The following are ways to fix a GE fridge freezer fan that is not working:
1. Replace the Evaporator Fan
Here is how to replace a fan on a GE refrigerator:
First and foremost, disconnect your appliance from the power source to ensure your safety from electric shock or electrocution.
Then, here is how to access the GE freezer fan:
Open the freezer door and unthread the screws holding it in place. Then, carefully detach the door from its rails and place it in a safe place.
Next, empty the freezer and remove all the drawers. Then, use a flathead screwdriver to remove the fan cover. It is behind the back wall of the freezer.
Now assess the fan to determine why it has refused to work. If there are mounds of ice on the fan blades, it explains why the fan motor is not working. Use a hand hairdryer to melt the ice and cover up your freezer. With this, your evaporator fan will start to work again.
Alternatively, you can choose to thaw the evaporator manually. Just leave the appliance unplugged for a couple of hours. But, remember to place dry towels around the bottom of the unit to trap any water that will drip.
Check the Motor
However, if there is no mound of ice obstructing the fan, spin the blades with your hands. That will help you determine the working condition of the fan motor. If the blades spin freely, the fan motor is good. Otherwise, it is defective so replace it.
After assessing the condition of the evaporator fan and it requires you to change it, carefully remove the wiring harness. Then, pull out the frame of the fan, and remove the insulation sticker on it.
Finally, it is time to install a new evaporator fan. Place the insulation sticker on the frame of the new evaporator fan, and mount the fan frame back to its holding.
Reconnect the wiring harness, return the fan cover, freezer drawers, and the door to their positions. Then, plug the appliance back to the power source.
You may not need to replace the fan blades except there is physical damage to them.
2. Change the Condenser Fan
To fix a condenser fan that is not working, unplug your fridge freezer, and move it away from the wall.
Then, unscrew the lower rear panel to access the condenser fan. It is next to the compressor.
Next, check for any physical obstructions on the blades like pet fur, hair, etc. Use your hand to remove whatever is obstructing the blades. Now, spin the fan blades to see if they move freely.
If the blades do not spin freely, it shows the fan motor is faulty, and you need to replace it.
So, follow the steps in this video to do this…
These steps apply to fixing any type of GE refrigerator fan.
How Do I Fix the Fan Noise On My GE Refrigerator?
If the fan in your GE refrigerator is noisy, the following are parts to check and fix:
1. Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan is behind the back wall of the freezer compartment. Empty the freezer, and remove the shelves.
Then, unthread the screws holding the back wall in place. You will see the evaporator fan and coils.
Sometimes, mounds of ice on the fan may be the reason for the loud noise. So, in such a case, defrost the unit.
While some people use an unsafe hand dryer, it is safer to thaw the appliance manually. All you have to do is unplug the refrigerator and leave it open for some hours. However, take care to place towels around the bottom of the unit to dry any water that may drip.
Other times, the cause of the noise may be that the fan motor bearing is damaged. If this is the case, change the fan motor.
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If the noise is not from the evaporator fan, it would be from the condenser fan.
2. Condenser Fan
To fix the noise coming from the condenser fan, move your refrigerator away from the wall to create a workspace. Unscrew the rear access panel at the bottom of the unit. You will see the condenser fan next to the compressor.
Check to see if anything is obstructing the fan from moving freely and remove it. Pet fur, candy wraps, and the likes are usually the culprits here.
Conversely, the obstructing object may be a rubber strip. The rubber strip is the air divider that helps circulate air beneath the refrigerator.
While fixing the fan noise may seem simple, you should only attempt it when you trust your DIY skills. Otherwise, let a service technician bear the burden.
Why Is My GE Refrigerator Making Noise?
Here are possible reasons why your refrigerator is making noise:
- After each defrost cycle, the refrigerant sometimes causes a tapping sound. Nevertheless, if the sound is new, it is abnormal. So, schedule with GE to service the appliance.
- If the running of the evaporator fan sounds like the blades are hitting something, check it. It could be mounds of ice obstructing the blades. Thaw the evaporator fan. That should fix the noise.
- A buzz that lasts up to five to ten seconds every ten to fifteen minutes shows the house water supply connecting to the ice maker is off. Turn the house water supply back on. Otherwise, use the feeler arm or the ON and OFF switch to shut off the ice maker.
- Still on the ice maker, for side-by-side and bottom-freezer refrigerators with an XWF filter, you may hear a brief hum or rattle. Sometimes, it may be a buzz or vibration. These sounds can occur hourly for five seconds when the ice maker is ON without connecting to a water supply.
- Furthermore, the isolation valve that helps prevent any extensive leak from the water filter is the cause of these noises. However, the simple solution is to turn off the ice maker until the refrigerator is connected back to a water supply.
If the sound is from the bottom of the refrigerator, like a card hitting bicycle spokes, check the condenser fan. Something is probably hitting the fan blade.
However, this can only happen if your appliance does not have the NeverClean condenser feature. The NeverClean condenser is a feature on newer model refrigerators where you cannot clean the condenser coils. That is because the condenser coils are usually in a place you cannot easily access.
Conversely, if your refrigerator is not one of the models that have the NeverClean condenser feature, check the condenser fan. Disconnect the refrigerator from the power source, move it out off the wall, and remove the lower rear access panel. Carefully examine the condenser fan, and remove anything entangling it.
But, if whatever entangles the fan is a rubber strip, reinstall it correctly, or let a service technician do it. The rubber strip is the air divider helping to provide good airflow under the refrigerator.
Other sounds that are normal and may not require your attention are:
- Chirp, bark, wolf, or howl sound. It may come from the damper control assembly when its door opens and closes.
- When you open the refrigerator door, the fan speed will change due to a temperature change.
- Tick-tock or clicking sound. This may come from the defrost timer when it switches ON/OFF.
- Clicking sound. If the temperature control thermostat turns the refrigerator ON/OFF, it usually clicks.
- The same applies when the compressor tries to restart itself after a power outage. The clicking sound can last between three to five minutes.
- Knocking, boiling, or gurgling sound as the refrigerant is circulating.
- Dripping. As the melted water drips into the defrost pan under the refrigerator, you will hear this sound.
- Gurgling sound. Just after closing the door due to the water inside the drain tube trap area, you will hear this sound. This sound may last a few seconds.
- Clicking or humming sound. When water fills the ice maker, you may hear this sound. It could be once or several times.
- Popping or cracking sound. Happen during the cooling process of the evaporator coils after each defrost cycle. However, this can only happen if the refrigerator is a Top-Freezer No-Frost model.
- Loud noise from the ice maker. When ice cubes drop into the ice bucket, you will hear a loud noise from the ice maker area.
- Buzzing sound. If you are dispensing water from the dispenser, you will hear a buzzing sound. The sound can last up to seven seconds after dispensing water.
- Additionally, if the ice maker tries to draw water, you will hear this sound. However, if the buzzing happens every fifteen minutes, ensure you turn on the ice maker’s water supply.
- Snapping sound. When the dispenser chute closes, it snaps. The sound comes four seconds after removing your cup.
- Buzzing, sizzling, hissing, or arching- When melted water drips on the defrost heater; for refrigerators that are self-defrost models.
- Loud bang or knock, also known as Water Hammer- When the water inlet valve on the refrigerator opens and shuts, you may hear a banging or knocking sound. That is due to high water pressure from the water supply to the unit.
Here are familiar sounds from refrigerators that have Keurig K-Cup Brewing System:
- Buzzing sound. When the dispenser nozzles lower before the unit dispenses hot water.
- Snapping or popping sound. When you put a K-Cup pod in the brewer, then the piercing pins pierce the pod, you will hear these sounds.
However, if you hear a popping noise during brewing, you should check it out. The seal on the K-Cup may have separated from the plastic pod, hence, causing the pop. So, always check the K-Cup before brewing and ensure it is not non-approved or defective.
Furthermore, check the lower piercing pin for clogs; ground coffee/liquid in the recessed area shows clogging. If there is a clog on the lower piercing pin, the K-Cup pod may burst. The reason is due to overpressure from the piercing pin.
While the running of your refrigerator will cause some noises, some of the noises are a danger alert. So, if you are unsure what the cause of the noise is, do not neglect it. Troubleshoot, and schedule maintenance with GE Service Center.
What causes a refrigerator fan to stop working could be a minor issue or something serious. However, do not neglect any unusual noise from your refrigerator.
Important Notes…
Do not forget to unplug your appliance from the electric outlet when you want to work on it. Furthermore, be careful when handling the wiring harness. And take note of where each wire is connected. That will help you reconnect the wire without confusion.
In addition, if you are in doubt about fixing a GE refrigerator fan, do not troubleshoot any further. Instead, contact GE Cares for further assistance. You can also chat with our service technicians.
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