If you have a new GE freezer, you expect it to work flawlessly and keep your food frozen and fresh. But what if your freezer fails to operate or stops freezing properly? How can you troubleshoot it and fix it yourself or with professional help? In this blog post, we’ll cover some of the common causes of a new GE freezer not working and how to troubleshoot them. We’ll also answer some of the frequently asked questions about freezer issues and maintenance.
Some of the common causes of a new GE freezer not working are a blocked or clogged condenser coil, a faulty evaporator fan motor, a defective start relay, a broken defrost heater, a worn-out condenser fan motor, a damaged main control board, a faulty temperature control thermostat, a defective user control and display board, a malfunctioning compressor, or a sealed system leak.
The condenser coil is a part that helps release heat from the refrigerant and cool down your GE freezer. It is usually located on the back or bottom of your freezer and may be covered by a metal or plastic panel. If it is blocked or clogged by dust or dirt, it can restrict airflow and reduce cooling efficiency.
To clean the condenser coil, you’ll need to unplug your freezer and move it away from the wall. You’ll need to remove any panels or screws that cover the coil and use a refrigerator coil brush or a vacuum hose with a soft brush attachment to gently remove any dust or debris from the coil. Be careful not to damage or bend the coil. After cleaning, reattach any panels or screws and plug in your freezer.
The evaporator fan motor is another part that helps circulate cold air inside your GE freezer. It is usually located behind the back panel of your freezer. If it is faulty, it may not spin properly or at all, which will cause your freezer to stop freezing.
To test the evaporator fan motor, you’ll need to unplug your freezer and open the door. You’ll need to remove any food items from your freezer and remove the back panel of your freezer. You’ll need to locate the fan motor and spin it by hand. If it does not spin freely or makes a loud noise, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
The start relay is a small device that helps start the compressor, which is the heart of your GE freezer’s cooling system. It is usually located on the side of the compressor and may be covered by a metal or plastic box that you’ll need to remove. If it is defective, it may not send power to the compressor or may send too much power, which will cause your freezer to stop freezing.
To check the start relay, you’ll need to unplug your freezer and access it from behind or below. You’ll need to disconnect the wires that connect it to the compressor and use a multimeter to check for continuity between its terminals. If there is no continuity or if it shows signs of burning or damage, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
The defrost heater is a part that helps melt any frost that accumulates on the evaporator coils during the defrost cycle. It is usually located below or behind the evaporator coils and may be wrapped around them. If it is broken, it may not heat up properly or at all, which will cause your freezer to frost up and stop freezing.
To replace the defrost heater, you’ll need to unplug your freezer and open the door. You’ll need to remove any food items from your freezer and remove the back panel of your freezer. You’ll need to locate the defrost heater and disconnect its wires. You’ll need to remove any clips or screws that hold it in place and pull it out of its position. You’ll need to install a new defrost heater in its place and reconnect its wires. You’ll need to reattach any clips or screws and replace the back panel of your freezer.
The condenser fan motor is another part that helps cool down your GE freezer by blowing air over the condenser coils. It is usually located behind or below your freezer and may be covered by some panels or screws that you’ll need to remove. If it is worn out or dirty, it may not spin properly or at all, which will cause your freezer to overheat or stop freezing.
To check the condenser fan motor, you’ll need to unplug your freezer and access it from behind or below. You’ll need to remove any panels or screws that cover it and spin the fan blade by hand. If it does not spin freely or makes a loud noise, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
The main control board is a part that controls the functions and settings of your GE freezer. It is usually located behind or below your freezer and may be covered by some panels or screws that you’ll need to remove. If it is damaged, it may not send the correct signals to the other parts of your freezer, which will cause your freezer to stop freezing.
To check the main control board, you’ll need to unplug your freezer and access it from behind or below. You’ll need to remove any panels or screws that cover it and inspect it visually for any signs of damage or burn marks. You’ll also need to check the wiring and connectors for any loose or broken connections. If you find any damage or faulty connections, you’ll need to replace the main control board with a new one.
The temperature control thermostat is a part that regulates the temperature inside your GE freezer. It is usually located inside your freezer on the top or side. It may have a dial or a digital display that allows you to adjust the temperature settings. If it is faulty, it may not sense the correct temperature or send the correct signals to the compressor, which will cause your freezer to stop freezing.
To test the temperature control thermostat, you’ll need to unplug your freezer and open the door. You’ll need to locate the thermostat and disconnect its wires. You’ll need to use a multimeter to check for continuity between its terminals at different temperature settings. If there is no continuity or if it does not change with different settings, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
The user control and display board is a part that displays the settings and functions of your GE freezer. It is usually located on the door or on the front panel of your freezer. It may have buttons or a touchscreen that allow you to adjust the settings and functions. If it is defective, it may not display correctly or respond to your commands, which will cause your freezer to stop freezing.
To reset the user control and display board, you’ll need to unplug your freezer and wait for 30 seconds. Then, plug it back in and see if the display works normally. If not, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
The compressor is a part that compresses the refrigerant and circulates it through the cooling system of your GE freezer. It is usually located on the back or bottom of your freezer and may be covered by a metal or plastic box that you’ll need to remove. If it is malfunctioning, it may not run at all or run too often, which will cause your freezer to stop freezing.
To check the compressor, you’ll need to unplug your freezer and access it from behind or below. You’ll need to remove any panels or screws that cover it and listen for any sounds coming from it. If you hear a humming or clicking sound, it means that the compressor is trying to start but failing. If you hear nothing at all, it means that the compressor is not getting power or is broken. You’ll need to test the start relay, start capacitor, overload protector, and run capacitor for any faults. If they are working properly, you’ll need to replace the compressor with a new one.
A sealed system leak is one of the most serious problems that can affect your GE freezer’s performance. The sealed system consists of pipes and tubes that carry refrigerant throughout your freezer’s cooling system. If there is a leak in any part of this system, your freezer may lose refrigerant and not cool properly.
To repair a sealed system leak, you’ll need professional help from a qualified technician. This is not a DIY job as it involves handling refrigerant, which can be dangerous if not done correctly. A technician will be able to locate and seal the leak using specialized tools and equipment.
