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why is my ge side by side freezing up

by Nigel Dare Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Why is my GE side by side freezer frosting up? The most common culprits of frost buildup include: A damaged or worn-out door seal: Your freezer’s door seal (also called a gasket) keeps cold air in and warm air out. Faulty defrost timer: A defrost timer controls when your freezer is in cooling mode and defrost mode.

Side-by-side refrigerators
Side-by-side refrigerators
The typical side-by-side refrigerator measures between 30 and 36 inches in width, 67 and 70 inches in height and from 29 to 35 inches in depth. Total volume ranges from 22.5 to 31 cubic feet, with 14.5 to 20 cubic feet in the refrigerator portion.
https://homeguides.sfgate.comdimensions-standard-size-refr...
with a built-in ice maker may accumulate frost if the flap on the ice dispenser doesn't close properly. According to Bob Vila, this allows warm air to enter the freezer side, condense and freeze, causing frost buildup over time. Open the freezer door and examine the flap inside the ice chute.

Full Answer

Why is the freezer on my ge side by side not working?

If your GE side-by-side refrigerator is not working, but the freezer is, it could be due to various issues. However, the most common cause of this problem is a defective evaporator fan motor. Don't want to do it yourself?

Why is my ge ice maker freezing up?

A GE ice maker freezing up is not an issue to take lightly. It means something is wrong with one or more parts of the refrigerator. Therefore, it is important to find the cause quickly and fix it. Therefore, contact the GE support center to report the issue if it persists after following the steps above.

What should I do if my ge freezer gets too hot?

If it gets too warm or cold, you may need to troubleshoot your freezer or call a repair professional. If you suspect a faulty part is causing your GE freezer to frost up and you’re unsure of how to repair or replace it, our factory-trained technicians are here to help.

Why does the freezer close when the refrigerator is cold?

It opens and closes to allow the right amount of cold air to flow into the refrigerator from the freezer. When the refrigerator compartment is cold enough, it closes. This way, the freezer can continue to get colder without affecting the refrigerator.

Why does my GE refrigerator keep freezing?

Refrigerator Is Too Empty Most of the refrigerator's cold air travels up through the bottom freezer to the fresh food compartment above. If there aren't enough refrigerated items to absorb this cold air, the fresh food compartment can become too cold, freezing food.

Why is my fridge freezing everything all of a sudden?

If your food is freezing, then it is possible that your fridge's temperature setting was accidentally set too low. This is a common problem that can lead to your refrigerator freezing food.

How do I stop my freezer from icing up?

How to Prevent Ice Buildup in Your FreezerTip 1 – Use a Freezer Frost Remover Spray. ... Tip 2 – Open Your Freezer Less Often. ... Tip 3 – Make Sure the Freezer Gasket is Airtight. ... Tip 4 – Clean the Gasket. ... Tip 5 – Don't Overload Your Freezer. ... Tip 6 – Cool Your Food Down. ... Tip 7 – Set the Right Temperature.More items...•

Why is the back of my freezer freezing up?

Frost building up solely on the back of the freezer section, where the evaporator coil is located, indicates an issue with the defrost cycle. Depending on the appliance, this could be either a defective heater, bimetal, defrost sensor, defrost timer or control board.

Why is my fridge freezing everything on the lowest setting?

You've Set the Thermostat Too High This means that there is no longer a way to accurately measure the indicating temperature. So, you may have set the thermostat way higher than you intended, not only causing everything to become frozen, but also creating higher energy use and bigger bills.

Why is food freezing in the back of my refrigerator?

Refrigerators need to be well-stocked to absorb all of the cold air being vented into the cavity. If it is relatively empty, all of the cold air will sink to the bottom of the cavity and freeze your food. So just keep it filled!

Why is my freezer building up ice?

Ice buildup occurs when warm or humid air comes in contact with the cold evaporator coils in your freezer (such as when you open the freezer door on a hot day). The coils will instantly freeze the moisture and, if there's enough of it, it will accumulate as ice.

How do you defrost a GE side by side refrigerator?

To Defrost:Remove contents from the freezer compartment. ... Turn the temperature control to OFF. ... Use a plastic scraper to loosen and remove frost from the ceiling and walls of the freezer compartment as the frost begins to thaw. ... Sponge up defrosted water as it collects in the bottom of the freezer compartment.More items...

How do I stop my fridge from freezing on the back?

Stop a refrigerator from freezing food using these methods:Change the temperature gauge.Arrange the food more efficiently.Adjust the freezer's temperature.Ensure the door magnets still work.Clean the refrigerator coils.Replace the thermostat.Inspect the freezer damper.Check the control boards.More items...

Why does my freezer freeze?

Freezer frost occurs when moisture comes into contact with the evaporator coils inside your freezer and then freezes. The most common culprits of frost buildup include: A damaged or worn-out door seal: Your freezer’s door seal (also called a gasket) keeps cold air in and warm air out.

How to keep freezer from freezing?

Fortunately, with a little care and consideration, frost buildup can often be avoided. Here are five simple tips to help keep frost from accumulating in your freezer: 1 Keep the door closed: Make sure the freezer door is completely shut after every use. Check to ensure nothing is blocking the door from closing fully. 2 Organize your freezer: A tidy freezer can help you reach for what you need faster, reducing the need to frequently open and close the freezer door or keep the freezer open for long periods of time. 3 Cool food before storing: Placing hot food in the freezer can introduce humidity. Allow food to cool first and wipe any moisture on the outside of the packaging before storing it in the freezer. 4 Inspect the door seal: Check for seal damage by slowly moving your hand around the outside perimeter of the closed freezer door. If you feel cold air leaking out, it may be time to replace the seal. 5 Check the temperature: Make sure your freezer is set at the manufacturer’s recommended setting (usually 0°F) and use a freezer thermometer to monitor the temperature. If it gets too warm or cold, you may need to troubleshoot your freezer or call a repair professional.

What happens if a defrost heater is not working?

Faulty defrost heater: Similarly, if the defrost heater is malfunctioning, it will not do its job of melting the frost on the evaporator coils, leading to buildup. Faulty defrost thermostat: The defrost thermostat keeps track of the temperature of your freezer’s evaporator coils and signals when to turn the defrost heater on and off.

Why does my defrost heater run on a regular cycle?

Normally, the timer runs on regular cycles throughout the day to prevent frost from building up on the evaporator coils. If the timer becomes defective, however, the defrost cycle may not turn on and frost will begin to build up. Faulty defrost heater: Similarly, if the defrost heater is malfunctioning, it will not do its job ...

What is an open freezer door?

An open freezer door: A freezer door that’s left even slightly ajar for a period of time can allow cold air to escape and warm air to creep in. Faulty defrost timer: A defrost timer controls when your freezer is in cooling mode and defrost mode.

What temperature should I use to check freezer air leak?

Check the temperature: Make sure your freezer is set at the manufacturer’s recommended setting (usually 0°F) and use a freezer thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Does frost build up in freezer?

Frost buildup not only eats up precious storage space in your freezer, but it can also lead to unpleasant odors and freezer-burned food. But what causes freezer frost in the first place? Let’s explore the key culprits—and what you can do to prevent it from building up.

What happens if a thermistor fails?

However, if the thermistor malfunctions or fails, the reading would either be wrong or not available at all. As a result, the system may run more than needed, causing the refrigerator to cool to the point of icing up. Note: A malfunctioning thermistor can lead to the damper staying open.

Why does the refrigerator close?

It opens and closes to allow the right amount of cold air to flow into the refrigerator from the freezer. When the refrigerator compartment is cold enough, it closes. This way, the freezer can continue to get colder without affecting the refrigerator.

Why is my GE refrigerator icing up?

A GE refrigerator icing up could be a result of low temperature. Take a look at the temperature setting. The setting should be 5 and 5 or C and 5 for models with control knobs.

How does a thermostat prevent a heater from working?

The thermostat can keep the heater from working. It does this by not closing its contacts and allowing voltage to flow to the heater. As a result, ice or frost will accumulate on the cooling coils, causing a buildup.

Why does my GE ice maker icing up?

The following are possible reasons why a GE ice maker is icing up and how to fix them: 1. Temperature Is Too Low. Make sure that the setting of the freezer temperature is correct, according to the user manual. If the temperature is too low, it would cause several problems, including the ice maker icing up. 2.

What does icing up mean on a GE refrigerator?

A GE refrigerator icing up is an indication that one or more parts have failed. If you have this problem, read this article to learn how to fix it easily.

How to clean a refrigerator coil?

Check the Condenser Coils. Check the condenser coils of the refrigerator to see if they are dirty. If they are dirty, clean them using a cloth or a condenser brush. And if they feel greasy or sticky, wipe them using a damp cloth or towel. Be sure to repeat the cleaning process once or twice every year.

Why is my GE side by side refrigerator not working?

However, the most common cause of this problem is a defective evaporator fan motor.

Why is my freezer so warm?

If you pile your GE refrigerator or freezer to the brim, this could be the reason that the fridge is warm. Too many items in the freezer can block the cold air that needs to flow to the refrigerator.

What happens if the defrost control board fails?

The defrost control board determines when to run the defrost cycle. If it fails, the refrigerator will not run the defrost cycle and can lead to frosted coils. Frosted coils can cause the fridge to work harder to remove the heat resulting in a warm refrigerator.

Why does my refrigerator not turn on when the defrost timer is broken?

If the defrost timer is broken, it will not turn on the defrost heater to start the defrost cycle. When frost accumulates on the coils, the refrigerator must work harder to remove the heat, making the refrigerator warm.

What happens if the defrost system isn't working?

The refrigerator’s defrost system should melt this frost. If the defrost system isn’t working correctly, frost can accumulate, blocking airflow within the coils. This blockage prohibits the refrigerant from cooling, leaving the freezer cold but the refrigerator warm.

What is a broken thermistor on a GE refrigerator?

Broken Thermistor. If your GE freezer is cold, but the refrigerator is warm, the thermistor could be the issue. A thermistor monitors the refrigerator’s internal temperature and communicates this to the control board. The control board then signals the compressor and evaporator to create more cold air as needed.

Why won't my refrigerator cool?

If the evaporator fan is defective, it won’t cool the refrigerator. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is broken, first try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn, you should replace the fan motor. Another reason to replace the fan motor is if it is noisy. If the fan motor does not run at all, ...

Why won't my refrigerator cool down?

If the evaporator coils are frosted over, the airflow through the coils will be restricted, causing the refrigerator not to cool. Check the evaporator coils to determine if they are frosted over. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, test each component of the defrost system. Cause 2. Evaporator Fan Motor.

How does a defrost heater work?

The defrost heater assembly turns on a few times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils, and the coils will become plugged with frost. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, the airflow through the coils will be restricted, causing the refrigerator not to cool. Check the evaporator coils to determine if they are frosted over. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, test each component of the defrost system.

How to tell if evaporator fan is working?

To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand.

What to do if fan blade does not turn freely?

If the fan blade does not turn freely, replace the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy, replace it. Finally, if the motor does not run at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor.. Cause 3.

What does the damper do on a refrigerator?

Damper Control Assembly. The air damper control opens and closes to let the proper amount of cold air into the refrigerator compartment. If the damper does not open properly, it won’t let enough cold air into the refrigerator. Check the damper control to determine if it is broken or stuck closed.

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