While a refrigerator keeps food perfectly chilled, it should never be cold enough to freeze its contents. Why is my GE refrigerator freezing food? The internal temperature controls may be set too low and require an adjustment. Here’s how to determine why your GE refrigerator freezes food and how to restore optimal temperatures.
5 Reasons For a GE Refrigerator Freezing Food
As alarming as it is to find frozen food in your refrigerator, most instances are resolved with a DIY fix or adjustment. Here’s how to troubleshoot a GE refrigerator freezing food with the most common reasons and solutions.
Internal Temperature Issue
When assessing temperature issues, first make sure the refrigerator’s temperature controls are set correctly. If the internal temperature is too low, foods can quickly freeze. A GE refrigerator temperature setting of “5” is considered normal for both the refrigerator and freezer. For refrigerator temperature settings that use degrees, the ideal range is 37-42°F for the refrigerator and 0-8℉ for the freezer. When you find your refrigerator freezing food on lowest setting, increase the temperature by one or two degrees within this range.
If you find vegetables freezing in refrigerator drawer but items on shelves are properly chilled, the drawer temperature may need adjusting. Some model refrigerators have produce drawers with individual temperature settings as opposed to just humidity controls. If the drawer is labeled “Temp Select Zone,” its temperature can be adjusted. Try raising the drawer temperature by one or two degrees to prevent freezing.
Food Location
When items are placed too close to the refrigerator’s freezer vents, or dampers, they can freeze from the proximity to cold air.
Follow these refrigerator food storage tips to keep food from freezing:
- Adjust door shelves: If you find your GE refrigerator freezing food on door shelves, reposition the shelves up or down to distance items from the vent.
- Allow for a perimeter around the upper vent: In many refrigerators, a vent is also on the upper left wall of the refrigerator. Avoid placing items that freeze easily on the top shelf near this wall.
- Avoid overcrowding: Most refrigerator organization tips warn against overloading that can push items up against vents and freeze them. Always leave adequate space between stored items and keep them at least one inch away from refrigerator walls.
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. To prevent a GE refrigerator freezing up from lack of food, aim to keep it ¾ of the way full at all times.
Dirty Condenser Coils
The condenser coils help cool refrigerant to produce cool air for the refrigerator. However, without regular cleanings, they can become covered in dust and debris. When this happens, the compressor works harder to keep the refrigerator cool. This can result in refrigerator cooling issues where the interior becomes too cold and freezes food.
Here’s how to clean the condenser coils when you find your GE refrigerator too cold, freezing food:
- Disconnect the refrigerator’s power.
- Locate the coils on your model refrigerator: Most are found behind an upper or lower grille.
- Brush the coils with an appliance brush to remove dust, dirt and debris.
- Use a broom and dustpan or vacuum to remove any debris that falls on the floor.
- Restore the refrigerator’s power.
Defective GE Refrigerator Parts
If all else fails and you still find your GE refrigerator freezing food, a defective part may be responsible.
The following part failures can result in freezing issues, requiring a professional refrigerator repair service:
- Damper control assembly: If the air damper control fails or is stuck, the damper will remain open, allowing cold air to constantly flow into the refrigerator.
- Thermistor: This component monitors the temperature of the air that enters the refrigerator, signaling the temperature control board for more or less, as needed. A malfunctioning thermistor won’t signal properly, causing an excess of cold air in the refrigerator.
- Thermostat control: When the thermostat control fails it won’t measure the refrigerator’s internal temperature accurately. This can cause the compressor to run excessively, producing too much cold air.
The professionals at Ortega’s Appliance Service can help with any GE refrigerator concerns. Schedule your service with us today!
