It’s undeniable that GE Profile refrigerators are GE’s pride because of their top performance. Sadly, the possibility of different GE Profile refrigerator temperature control problems sometimes disappoints.
We are talking about problems relating to the GE Profile dispenser, ice maker, and temperature display. There are also those relating to the unit’s cooling, freezing, defrosting, and temperature setting.
Those are going to be our focus in this article. We will break down the problems and highlight their causes and potential fixes.
I’ll also mention other non-temperature-related causes which you should be wary of. Such issues have nothing to do with the unit’s temperature.
Let’s get started!
In a rush? Below is a summary of the most familiar GE Profile refrigerator temperature-control problems and what to do in each case.
GE Profile Refrigerator Troubleshooting Temperature Problems
| Problem | Probable Cause | Potential Fix | |
| 1. | Dispenser Not Working | The refrigerator temperature is below 370F | Defrost the water line and set the refrigerator temp at about 37 – 420F |
| 2. | Ice Maker Won’t Make Ice Or Is Too Slow | The freezer temperature is above 100F | Adjust the freezer temperature to under 100F and reset the ice maker |
| 3. | Temperature Display Not Working | Either the wrong temperature setting or the freezer door has been opened for long | Depending on the cause, set the unit’s temperature correctly or shut the freezer door |
| 4. | Refrigerator Not Cooling At All | Faulty temperature, control thermostat, thermistor, temperature sensor, fan or temp control board, or the wrong temperature setting | Replace the defective temperature control component |
| 5. | Refrigerator Cooling But The Freezer Is Fine | Defective thermistor, temperature control thermostat, defrost thermostat, defrost control board, or temperature control board | Replace the defective component |
| 6. | Freezer Not Freezing | Faulty temperature control thermostat | Replace the thermostat if it’s faulty |
| 7. | Refrigerator Is Freezing Food | Faulty temperature control thermostat, thermistor, or temperature control board | Replace the faulty component |
| 8. | Refrigerator Not Defrosting | Defective defrost thermostat | Replace the faulty defrost thermostat |
Troubleshooting Common GE Profile Refrigerator Temperature Control Problems
Here are the eight most typical issues relating to temperature control you are likely to encounter as a GE Profile refrigerator owner.
1. Refrigerator Dispenser Not Working
Generally, your GE water dispenser won’t work if the water line is ice frozen. Usually, ice forms when the temperature is under 100F. However, the right fridge temperature (not freezer temperature) is 37-420F.
Fix
You need to defrost the water line and then readjust the temperature. To defrost it, consider these two options:
- Self-defrosting – You’ll need to disconnect the fridge and allow it to sit for a couple of hours before reconnecting.
- Use a hairdryer – If you’ve access to a hairdryer, use it to melt down the ice mass in the water line.
Remember, you’ll need to reset the fridge temperature after defrosting the water line to avoid a recurrence of the issue. You can set it at around 37 – 420F.
2. Ice Maker Won’t Make Ice or is Just Too Slow
While an extremely low temperature is wrong for your water dispenser, it’s quite the opposite for your ice maker.
What is not suitable for your ice maker is a high freezer temperature. The GE freezer temperature should be under 100F. Once you go past 100F, the ice maker stops working or slows down.
Fix
Consider adjusting the freezer temperature to under 100F if that’s not the case. Preferably, set it at around 0 – 8 0F to avoid future ice maker problems. And if your ice maker doesn’t make ice right away, reset it.
3. GE Profile Refrigerator Temperature Display Not Working
If the digital display on your GE Profile refrigerator is not displaying any temperature value other than zero, there’s nothing to worry about. That’s petty normal! It’s showing zero because that’s how it has been set.
But if the display is blank, it’s a case of opening the freezer door for too long.
Fix
- Wrong setting – If the display is 0, adjust the refrigerator temperature correctly. The recommended GE Profile refrigerator reset temperature is 37-420F, while that of the freezer is 2-80F.
- Opened freezer door – If the display is blank, check the freezer door and shut it correctly. It’s likely to have been open for a long time.
Overall, the temperature control board is likely dead if there’s nothing wrong with the freezer door. Thus, you’ll need to replace it.
4. Refrigerator Not Cooling at All
Your GE Profile refrigerator may fail to cool at all because one of these reasons:
a) Faulty Temperature Control Component
The components in question here include the following:
- Temperature control thermostat – A faulty temperature control thermostat stops the refrigerant system (compressor and fans) from running, which means the fridge can’t cool.
- Thermistor – A defective thermistor fails to relay temperature signals to the unit’s control board. Once that happens, the evaporator fan and compressor won’t run. So, the fridge won’t cool.
- Temperature sensor – A faulty temperature sensor fails to recognize when the heat is too much. In the end, the excess heat prevents cooling.
- Fan motor – If the condenser or evaporator fan motor is not working, there will be excessive heat in the fridge, preventing cooling.
- Temperature control board – A dead temperature control board fails to relay voltage information to the unit’s cooling system. So, the fridge won’t cool.
Fix
Consider replacing the faulty temperature control component after testing it with a multimeter. A multimeter usually shows continuity if the component is working. If it isn’t, then the device won’t show any continuity.
b) GE Profile Refrigerator Temperature Too High
If your refrigerator temperature is above 420F, the unit won’t cool anything. Instead, your food will likely spoil faster because such high temperatures encourage bacterial growth.
Fix
You need to set the refrigerator temperature at about 37-420F. That’s the GE Profile refrigerator recommended temperature settings. Thus, avoid any temperature above 420F.
c) Other Reasons (Not Related to Temperature Control)
While temperature control is the leading cause of cooling issues, your GE unit may also fail to cool at all because of the following reasons:
- A dirty condenser coils which need cleaning
- Defective evaporator/condenser fan motor, which you should replace
- Faulty Start Relay, which needs replacing
- A malfunctioning compressor that needs replacing
- Overstuffing
5. My GE Profile Refrigerator Not Cooling But Freezer Is Fine
While you expect the refrigerator’s cooling and freezing units to fail concurrently, sometimes it’s only the former. If that happens, it’s usually a case of any of the following parts being defective:
- Thermistor
- Temperature control thermostat
- Defrost thermostat
- Defrost control board
- Temperature control board
Fix
Consider testing all these temperature control components with a multimeter and then replace the defective one.
6. Freezer Not Freezing
Your GE Profile refrigerator freezer may fail to freeze food because of a faulty temperature control thermostat.
A faulty temperature control thermostat fails to direct voltage information to the fans and compressor, hindering the freezer from freezing.
Fix
This GE Profile refrigerator troubleshooting freezer temperature problem involves testing the temperature control thermostat with a multimeter. If it’s faulty, replace it.
Other Reasons (Temperature Unrelated)
Your GE refrigerator freezer may fail to freeze because of any of these reasons (unrelated to temperature control):
- Dirty condenser coils, which you should clean
- Faulty evaporator fan motor, start relay, condenser fan motor, compressor, or control board (replace the defective part).
7. GE Profile Refrigerator Troubleshooting Temperature Too Cold (Refrigerator Freezing Your Food)
The refrigerator compartment shouldn’t freeze your food. Only the freezer should do it. That, however, may be the case if the temperature is too cold (0-80F).
If the refrigerator is freezing your food, any of these temperature control components could be malfunctioning:
- Temperature control thermostat
- Thermistor
- Temperature control board
Fix
Consider testing the thermostat and thermistor with a multimeter. If none is faulty, change the temperature control board as it’s likely to be defective.
Other Reasons (Temperature Unrelated)
Also, consider the possibility of any of these reasons causing your refrigerator to freeze food:
- Faulty main control
- Broken damper or damper control assembly
Overall, replace any of the components above if they prove to be defective.
8. GE Refrigerator Not Defrosting
If your GE Profile refrigerator is not defrosting, the defrost thermostat is likely faulty. A faulty thermostat interferes with power transmission to the heater. As a result, the heater fails to melt the accumulated ice
Fix
Use a thermostat to test the defrost thermostat for continuity. If the thermostat doesn’t show continuity, replace it.
Other Reasons (Temperature Control Unrelated)
Here are other reasons not related to the GE Profile refrigerator temperature control that can cause your unit not to defrost:
- Faulty defrost timer
- Malfunctioning defrost control board
- Faulty defrost heat
- Failing main control
- Defective defrost sensor
Fix
Replace the faulty component
People Also Ask
1. Why Is My GE Profile Refrigerator Not Getting Cold?
If your GE Profile refrigerator is not getting cold, its temperature is likely set too high (above 420F). So, you’ll need to lower it. If that’s not it, the temperature control thermostat, thermistor, temperature sensor, fan, or temperature control board could be faulty.
2. But How Do You Reset the Temperature On A GE Profile Refrigerator?
You can reset the temperature on a GE Profile refrigerator by turning it off and unplugging it for at least 30 seconds. If that doesn’t work, contact GE or a local expert fridge technician.
3. How Do You Set Temperature On GE Profile Refrigerator?
If your GE Profile refrigerator has a digital display, set its fridge temperature at 37-420F and freezer temperature at 0-80F for the best performance.
Setting the fridge temperature above 420F may cause food spoilage as the fridge will become warmer. Meanwhile, setting the freezer temperature below 00F may freeze the water tube and interfere with the ice-making.
4. Why Is My GE Profile Refrigerator Temperature Control Not Working?
Your GE Profile refrigerator temperature control is not working because of a faulty thermistor, thermostat, temperature sensor, or temperature control board. You may have to test each, preferably with a multimeter, and replace the defective temperature controller.
5. Can a refrigerator being too full affect its cooling performance?
Yes, the amount of items stored in a refrigerator can indeed affect its cooling performance. When a refrigerator is overly filled with groceries, leftovers, and beverages, it can hinder the appliance’s ability to cool down properly. This is primarily because the airflow within the refrigerator becomes disrupted, often due to the blockage of air vents. As a result, the cold air is unable to circulate freely throughout the fridge, leading to inadequate cooling.
To determine if an overly filled refrigerator is the cause of reduced cooling, it is important to carefully assess the amount of items inside the fridge, paying particular attention to the back where air vents are typically located. If necessary, it may be required to remove or rearrange items and containers to ensure proper airflow. By doing so, you can then determine if the cooling performance of the refrigerator improves.
Closing Thought!
Generally, understanding the most everyday GE Profile refrigerator temperature control problems is instrumental in keeping your GE unit operational. The above guide equips you with the basics to realize that, and as seen, the fixes are all DIY.
Nevertheless, don’t hesitate to approach a fridge expert if the issue is outside your comfort zone!
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