11 Reasons GE Profile Refrigerator Not Cooling or Freezing (Solved!)
If you own a GE Profile refrigerator and it’s not cooling or freezing, it can be a cause for concern.
This issue can arise due to a variety of reasons, including airflow obstruction, a damaged door seal, dusty condenser coils, iced evaporator coils, or a malfunctioning thermostat, thermistor, compressor, start relay, or fan motor.
It could also be due to the refrigerator being in diagnostic mode or a failing main control board.
Quick Troubleshooting
| Probable Cause | Fix |
| 1. Airflow obstruction | – Reduce food load and avoid bulky containers that obstruct air vents |
| – Ensure proper airflow in the fridge and freezer | |
| 2. Damaged door seal | – Replace the damaged door seal or gasket |
| 3. Dusty condenser coils | – Clean the condenser coils to remove dust, debris, and filth |
| 4. Iced evaporator coils | – Check for ice clogging on the evaporator coils and replace if necessary |
| 5. Malfunctioning thermostat | – Test the thermostat with a digital multimeter and replace if faulty |
| 6. Faulty thermistor | – Test the thermistor with a digital multimeter and replace if faulty |
| 7. Defective compressor | – Check for continuity and replace the compressor with the help of an expert |
| 8. Damaged Start Relay | – Replace the Start Relay if it fails the continuity test |
| 9. Failing fan motor | – Remove any obstructions on the motor blades and test with a multimeter |
| – Replace the fan motor if it is found to be faulty | |
| 10. Unit in diagnostic mode | – Unplug the refrigerator for 30 seconds to deactivate the diagnostic mode |
| 11. Dying main control | – Have an expert examine the main control board and replace if it is faulty |
Here are the 11 potential causes and their solutions:
Airflow Obstruction
Overstocking the refrigerator or blocking the air vents with bulky containers can obstruct airflow, leading to improper cooling and freezing.
Fix: Ensure there is enough space around the air vents and avoid overstocking or using bulky containers that block the vents.
Damaged Door Seal
A damaged door seal can allow cold air to escape, resulting in inadequate cooling. This can affect both the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
Fix: Inspect the door seal and replace it if it is damaged.
Dusty Condenser Coils
Accumulated dust on the condenser coils can interfere with heat dissipation, causing the refrigerator to feel warmer and affecting its cooling performance.
Fix: Inspect and clean the condenser coils using a condenser coil cleaning brush.
Iced Evaporator Coils
Ice formation on the evaporator coils can disrupt airflow, leading to inadequate cooling and freezing.
Fix: Remove the unit’s panel cover, unplug the refrigerator, and remove all food items. If the evaporator coils are ice-clogged, replace them. If the coils are only partially frozen, defrost them.
Malfunctioning Temperature Control Thermostat
A faulty temperature control thermostat can prevent the fans and compressor from working properly, resulting in inadequate cooling.
Fix: Rotate the thermostat and listen for a click. Test its continuity with a multimeter and replace it if necessary.
Faulty Thermistor
A defective thermistor can disrupt temperature monitoring and affect the operation of the control board, resulting in inadequate cooling.
Fix: Test the thermistor with a multimeter and replace it if it shows no continuity.
Defective Compressor
A faulty compressor will prevent the refrigerant from circulating properly, leading to inadequate cooling and freezing.
Fix: Test the compressor with a multimeter. If it shows no continuity, seek assistance from a licensed technician for compressor replacement.
Damaged Start Relay
A faulty start relay can prevent the compressor from powering up, affecting the cooling and freezing capabilities of the refrigerator.
Fix: Test the start relay with a digital multimeter and replace it if it is faulty.
Dying Control Board
If all other components are functioning properly, a failing control board could be the culprit. Testing and diagnosing control boards can be challenging and may require professional assistance.
Fix: Consult a refrigerator expert to evaluate and replace the control board if necessary.
Failing Fan Motor
Malfunctioning condenser or evaporator fan motors can lead to inadequate cooling and freezing.
Fix: Inspect the fan blades for obstruction and remove any blockages. Test the fan motor for proper rotation and continuity. Replace the fan motor if it shows no continuity.
Diagnostic Mode
If the refrigerator was recently serviced, it may be in diagnostic mode, preventing proper cooling and freezing.
Fix: Unplug the refrigerator from the power source for 30 seconds and plug it back in to deactivate the diagnostic mode.
How to Enter Diagnostic Mode in Your GE Profile Refrigerator
Follow these steps to enter diagnostic mode on your GE Profile refrigerator:
- Press the temperature pads for both the freezer and refrigerator simultaneously.
- Wait for the digital displays in the refrigerator and freezer sections to indicate zero, confirming that you are in diagnostic mode.
- While in diagnostic mode, wait to see if you receive an alert on the SmartHQ app.
How to Reset a GE Profile Refrigerator Not Cooling or Freezing
If your GE Profile refrigerator is not cooling or freezing adequately, try the following reset procedure:
Step 1: Cut Off Power Supply: There are two options for cutting off the power supply. You can unplug the refrigerator from the electrical outlet, or you can switch off the circuit breaker. Unplugging the unit is recommended for easier reset.
Step 2: Wait for 30-60 Seconds: After turning off the power supply, wait for 30-60 seconds before turning the unit back on. If the refrigerator starts to cool and freeze properly after this step, you don’t need to take any further action. However, if the issue persists, proceed to the next steps.
Step 3: Switch Off and On the Freezer: Temporarily switch off the freezer by using the shut-off feature for about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. Check if the freezer is now working correctly. If it is, move on to step 4 to troubleshoot the refrigerator.
Step 4: Energy Saving + Lighting: Press and hold the Lighting and Energy-Saving switches on your refrigerator for approximately 10-15 seconds.
After completing step 4, your refrigerator should start cooling and freezing properly. If the problem persists, contact GE customer support for further assistance.
Commonly Asked Questions:
How do I reset my GE refrigerator that won’t cool?
The simplest way to reset a GE refrigerator that isn’t cooling is to unplug it from the power source for 30-60 seconds and then plug it back in. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, press the Lighting and Energy Saving buttons to perform a reset. If the problem persists, contact GE for support.
Why does the freezer work, but the GE Profile fridge won’t cool?
There are several possible reasons why the freezer may be working while the refrigerator isn’t cooling adequately. These include dusty condenser coils, iced evaporator coils, a faulty fan motor, or overstocking of food items.
It could also be a temperature control problem, such as a malfunctioning thermistor, thermostat, or temperature control board.
Why won’t my GE refrigerator get cold?
If your GE refrigerator is not getting cold, possible causes could be overstocking with food items, dirty condenser coils, or issues with temperature control components such as the thermistor, thermostat, or temperature control board.
Consult your refrigerator’s manual for additional troubleshooting suggestions if none of these causes seem to apply.
Conclusion
If your GE Profile refrigerator is not cooling or freezing properly, use this troubleshooting guide to identify and resolve the issue.
By examining and addressing potential problems with components such as air vents, door seals, coils, thermostats, control boards, and fan motors, you can restore the proper cooling and freezing capabilities of your refrigerator.
