If you have a GE upright freezer, you may notice a high temp light on the control panel or the front of the door. This light is part of the freezer alarm system that alerts you when the freezer temperature is above 20 degrees F. This can indicate a problem with the freezer’s cooling performance and affect the quality and safety of your frozen foods.
The GE freezer high temp light stays on when the freezer temperature is above 20 degrees F for more than two hours. This can be caused by dirty or frosty coils, a faulty evaporator fan motor, a problem with the control board or settings, or a power outage.
How to Turn Off the High Temp Light on a GE Freezer
To turn off the high temp light on a GE freezer, you can:
- Press the Alarm Reset pad on the control panel: The High Temp will continue to be displayed on the control panel until the set temperature has been restored. The alarm will sound again if the temperature is not restored and remains high after six hours.
- Move the switch to the “OFF” position on models with the alarm located behind the front grille: This will silence the alarm and turn off the light until the temperature is restored.
- Press the button for alarm reset on the unit’s control panel if it has one: This will silence the alarm and turn off the light until the temperature is restored.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix the High Temp Problem on a GE Freezer
If the high temperature light is on, it means the temperature is high. Check the door seal to see if it seals the door tightly. If it is loose, push it back into the frame using a flathead screwdriver. And if it is weak or broken, replace it with a new one.
If the door seal is fine, you may need to check and clean or defrost the coils, test the evaporator fan motor, or check the control board or settings.
- Check and clean or defrost the coils: The coils are located behind or underneath your freezer and they help to dissipate heat from the refrigerant. If they are dirty or dusty, they can reduce the efficiency of your freezer and make it harder to cool down. You can use a vacuum cleaner or a brush to clean them gently. If they are frosty, you may have a defrost problem. Frost can accumulate on the evaporator coils if the defrost system fails, and your freezer will struggle to stay cold. A GE appliance repair professional will need to replace these parts if they fail:
- Defrost heater: This is an electric coil that melts the frost on the coils during the defrost cycle.
- Defrost thermostat: This is a sensor that monitors the temperature of the coils and turns on or off the heater as needed.
- Defrost timer or control board: This is a device that controls how often and how long the defrost cycle runs.
- Test the evaporator fan motor: The evaporator fan motor is responsible for circulating air throughout the freezer compartment. If it is not working properly, the air will not circulate properly and your freezer will not cool down. To test it, you will need to disconnect the power to your freezer and remove the panel inside the back of the freezer compartment. You should see the fan blade and motor behind it. You can try spinning the blade by hand and see if it moves freely. If it does not, you may need to replace the motor. You can also use a multimeter to check for continuity in the motor wires. If there is no continuity, the motor is defective and needs to be replaced.
- Check the control board or settings: The control board is an electronic device that regulates the temperature and functions of your freezer. If it is malfunctioning, it may not send the correct signals to the compressor, fan, or defrost system. To check it, you will need to locate it on your freezer. It may be behind a panel on the back, inside the fresh food compartment, or on the exterior dispenser control panel. You will need to inspect it for any signs of damage, such as burns, cracks, or corrosion. If you see any damage, you will need to replace the control board.
You should also check your temperature settings and make sure they are not too high or too low. The normal settings for most GE models are 0 and 37 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer and fresh food compartments respectively. You can adjust them by pressing the buttons on the control panel or turning the dial inside the compartments.
FAQs About GE Freezer High Temp Light Stays On
Here are some frequently asked questions about GE freezer high temp light stays on and their answers:
- How do I reset my GE freezer? You can try resetting your GE freezer by unplugging it from the power source for about 10 minutes and then plugging it back in. This may clear any errors or glitches in the control board and restore normal operation.
- What should I do if my GE freezer is not freezing at all? If your GE freezer is not freezing at all, both in the freezer and fresh food compartments, you may have a problem with the compressor, condenser fan, start relay, or capacitor. These are complex and dangerous components that require professional diagnosis and repair.
- How do I prevent my GE freezer from freezing up? You can prevent your GE freezer from freezing up by keeping it clean, avoiding overstuffing it, checking for door seal leaks, and setting it at an optimal temperature. You should also perform regular maintenance on your freezer, such as cleaning the coils, replacing the water filter, and checking the defrost system.
Conclusion
Your GE freezer high temp light stays on can be a sign of a problem with your freezer’s cooling performance. By following the tips in this post, you can troubleshoot and fix the most common causes of this issue and enjoy your freezer again.
We hope this post has helped you troubleshoot your GE freezer high temp light stays on problem. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. And don’t forget to share this post with your friends who might find it useful!
