If you have a GE freezer that is not freezing consistently, you might be frustrated and worried about your food’s safety and quality. A freezer that is not freezing properly can cause your food to spoil, thaw, or get freezer burn. It can also increase your energy bills and shorten your freezer’s lifespan. But what causes a GE freezer to freeze intermittently, and how can you fix it? In this post, we’ll explain some of the common reasons why your GE freezer might be freezing intermittently, and how to troubleshoot and resolve them.
A GE freezer might be freezing intermittently due to problems with the evaporator coils, the compressor, the defrost system, the temperature control, or the door seal. To troubleshoot and fix these problems, you need to check these parts for any signs of damage, frost, dirt, or malfunction. You can use a multimeter, a thermometer, or a visual inspection to test these parts. You can also use a hair dryer, a vacuum cleaner, or a replacement part to fix these parts.
How to check the evaporator coils for intermittent freezing?
The evaporator coils are the metal tubes that run through the back wall of your freezer. They carry the refrigerant that absorbs the heat from the freezer and cools it down. If the evaporator coils are covered with frost or dust, they can reduce the airflow and cooling capacity of your freezer. This can cause your freezer to freeze intermittently or not at all.
To check the evaporator coils for intermittent freezing, you need to follow these steps:
- Unplug your freezer from the power outlet and remove any food items from it.
- Locate the access panel that covers the evaporator coils on the back wall of your freezer. It might be held by screws or clips that you need to remove.
- Remove the access panel and look at the evaporator coils. If they are covered with frost, you need to defrost them. If they are covered with dust, you need to clean them.
- To defrost the evaporator coils, use a hair dryer on low heat to melt the frost. Be careful not to damage the coils or any other parts with the heat. Alternatively, you can leave your freezer unplugged and open for several hours until the frost melts naturally.
- To clean the evaporator coils, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove the dust. Be careful not to bend or damage the coils or any other parts with the vacuum.
- Replace the access panel and secure it with screws or clips.
- Plug in your freezer and restore any food items to it.
How to check the compressor for intermittent freezing?
The compressor is the motor that pumps the refrigerant through the evaporator coils and condenser coils. It is located at the bottom or back of your freezer. If the compressor is faulty or overheating, it can cause your freezer to freeze intermittently or not at all.
To check the compressor for intermittent freezing, you need to follow these steps:
- Unplug your freezer from the power outlet and remove any food items from it.
- Locate the compressor at the bottom or back of your freezer. It might be covered by a metal case that you need to remove.
- Touch the compressor with your hand and feel its temperature. If it is too hot to touch, it means it is overheating and needs to cool down. If it is cold or lukewarm, it means it is not working properly and needs to be replaced.
- Plug in your freezer and listen to its sound. If it is making loud noises or clicking sounds, it means it is faulty and needs to be replaced.
- To replace the compressor, you need to call a professional technician or contact GE Appliances for service.
How to check the defrost system for intermittent freezing?
The defrost system is a mechanism that prevents frost buildup on the evaporator coils by melting it periodically. It consists of three main parts: the defrost timer, the defrost heater, and the defrost thermostat. If any of these parts are defective or malfunctioning, they can cause your freezer to freeze intermittently or not at all.
To check the defrost system for intermittent freezing, you need to follow these steps:
- Unplug your freezer from the power outlet and remove any food items from it.
- Locate the defrost timer at the bottom or back of your freezer. It might be hidden behind a metal plate that you need to remove.
- Use a flathead screwdriver to turn the defrost timer until it clicks into defrost mode. You should hear a hissing sound from the defrost heater as it melts the frost on the evaporator coils.
- Wait for about 30 minutes and then turn the defrost timer again until it clicks out of defrost mode. You should hear a clicking sound from the defrost thermostat as it turns off the defrost heater.
- Use a multimeter to test the continuity of the defrost timer, the defrost heater, and the defrost thermostat. If any of them have no continuity, it means they are faulty and need to be replaced.
- To replace any of these parts, you need to follow the instructions in your user manual or contact GE Appliances for service.
How to check the temperature control for intermittent freezing?
The temperature control is a knob or a digital display that allows you to adjust the temperature of your freezer. If the temperature control is set too high or too low, it can cause your freezer to freeze intermittently or not at all.
To check the temperature control for intermittent freezing, you need to follow these steps:
- Plug in your freezer and restore any food items to it.
- Locate the temperature control on the front or inside of your freezer. It might be marked with numbers, letters, or symbols that indicate the level of coldness.
- Use a thermometer to measure the actual temperature inside your freezer. It should be between 0°F and 10°F for optimal freezing.
- Compare the actual temperature with the temperature setting on your freezer. If they are different, adjust the temperature control accordingly. If they are the same, but your freezer is still freezing intermittently, it means your temperature control is faulty and needs to be replaced.
- To replace the temperature control, you need to follow the instructions in your user manual or contact GE Appliances for service.
How to check the door seal for intermittent freezing?
The door seal is a rubber strip that goes around the edge of your freezer door. It creates an airtight seal between the door and the freezer cabinet. If the door seal is worn out, loose, or dirty, it can create an air leak that allows warm air to enter your freezer and cold air to escape. This can cause your freezer to freeze intermittently or not at all.
To check the door seal for intermittent freezing, you need to follow these steps:
- Plug in your freezer and restore any food items to it.
- Locate the door seal on the edge of your freezer door. It might be black, white, or gray in color.
- Use a flashlight and look along the edge of your door seal. If you see any gaps, cracks, or dirt in the seal, you need to clean it or replace it.
- To clean the door seal, use a damp cloth and mild soap to wipe away any dirt or debris that might interfere with its sealing. Rinse and dry thoroughly before closing the door.
- To replace the door seal, you need to follow the instructions in your user manual or contact GE Appliances for service.
Conclusion
A GE freezer that is freezing intermittently can be a hassle and a hazard. To fix it, you need to check the evaporator coils, the compressor, the defrost system, the temperature control, and the door seal for any signs of damage, frost, dirt, or malfunction. You can use a multimeter, a thermometer, or a visual inspection to test these parts. You can also use a hair dryer, a vacuum cleaner, or a replacement part to fix these parts. By doing so, you can enjoy your freezer without any interruptions.
