Is your GE refrigerator overheating? Are you wondering why and how to fix it? Let us help you. This article will show you the solutions to a GE refrigerator that is overheating.
Table of Contents
GE Refrigerator Overheating – What to Do
Check the following parts if a Ge refrigerator is overheating:
1. The Condenser Coils
Check the condenser coils and clean them if they are dirty. Use a vacuum hose with a soft brush or a refrigerator coil brush to dust the coils.
Some refrigerators have condenser coils behind them. If this is true for yours, move the unit far off the wall. That will provide enough room for you to work.
For some others, the condenser coils are close to the lower front of the appliance. Take out the grille at the base covering the condenser coils. Then, carefully clean coils with the right brush.
Note that if the condenser coils are dirty, it may be the reason your refrigerator is overheating. The reason is that dirt build-up on the condenser coils will obstruct air flow, stopping the unit from cooling accordingly.
2. The Condenser Fan
Check the condenser fan to determine its working condition. To do that, use your hand to turn the blades. If they are stiff or do not move freely, you will have to replace the fan. The stiffness shows the fan is not good.
You can find the fan behind the access panel at the back of your fridge next to the compressor. Unthread the screws holding this panel to access it.
If the fan is defective, it cannot circulate air over the coils to cool the hot refrigerant from the refrigerator’s compressor. Hence, the refrigerant will continue to rise in temperature, causing the exterior wall of the refrigerator to overheat.
Additionally, a defective fan will cause the compressor to run non-stop and in short cycles, causing the refrigerator to overheat.
3. The Door Seal/Gasket
Check the door seal or gasket to determine if it is leaking. If you can feel cold air seeping through from the closed door, the gasket is either weak or torn. So, replace it.
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It is important to note that a leaking door seal will also cause the compressor to run more. As a result, the refrigerator will overheat.
Follow the steps in this video to change a leaking seal:
GE Refrigerator Compressor Overheating – Solved
Here are the reasons that may cause your GE refrigerator compressor to overheat:
The refrigerator is running low on refrigerant or is out of it completely. This is what is causing overheating.
When you do not adjust the temperature control thermostat to the appropriate degree, the compressor will work non-stop. The reason is to maintain the temperature within the appliance. But as a result of operating constantly, it overheats.
Dirty condenser and evaporator coils will cause the compressor to overheat. That is because the dirt on them will restrict airflow across them. And, as part of the cooling system, the coils will be unable to dissipate the heat from the appliance.
If the condenser fan (also part of the cooling system) malfunctions, it will cause the compressor to overheat.
Finally, if your refrigerator is old, the compressor might be weak and trying to work harder to do its job. Consequently, the compressor starts to overheat.
What causes a refrigerator compressor to overheat may be easy to troubleshoot. However, you will need a professional for some of the repairs.
However, if you doubt any of these, contact GE Service Center for more assistance. You can also chat with any of our service technicians using the chatbox to your right.
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