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HomeRepair HelpGE Refrigerator RepairGE Refrigerator not defrosting Repair
GE Refrigerator not defrosting
If your GE refrigerator is not defrosting, start with the obvious: a door left open or not sealing can let humid air in and build frost on the evaporator, so close the door, check the gasket for kinks and smooth or replace it if needed, and allow a defrost cycle or unplug briefly to melt heavy ice. If the door seal and access aren’t the problem, the next suspects are the defrost control board and the defrost timer; test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat first, then manually advance the timer into a defrost cycle to see whether the compressor shuts off and the heater comes on. If the timer or control board fails to send power to the heater, replace the faulty part. Finally, if the heater or thermostat itself shows no continuity, those components are the likely cause. Whether you call it refrigerator not defrosting, fridge not defrosting, or refrigerator defrost problems, you can enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part for your specific refrigerator and step-by-step repair guidance.
01 - Door left open
If the freezer or refrigerator door was left open for an extended period of time (more than 4 hours), frost or ice may have accumulated on the food, evaporator coil and evaporator fan motor, or around the door opening. Frost should go away after the door is closed and the refrigerator goes through a defrost cycle. More significant ice buildup may require the refrigerator to be unplugged for a day to allow the ice to melt, or a hair dryer may be able to be used to assist in melting the ice.
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02 - GE Refrigerator Defrost Timer
The defrost timer turns on the defrost heater several times throughout the day to melt any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost timer is defective, it may not advance into the defrost cycle, or it may not send power to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. To determine if the defrost timer is defective, slowly advance the dial into the defrost cycle. The compressor should turn off and the heater should turn on. If the timer does not send power to the defrost components or advance out of the defrost cycle within 30 minutes, this indicates that the defrost timer is not advancing. If ...
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03 - GE Refrigerator Defrost Control Board
The defrost control board determines how often to run the defrost cycle. If the board fails, the refrigerator will not go into the defrost cycle. Before replacing the defrost control board, first test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat. If the defrost heater and defrost thermostat are working properly, the defrost control board is likely defective.
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04 - GE Refrigerator Door Gasket
A twisted or worn gasket can keep the door from closing properly. Inspect the door gasket for kinks or twists. You can use a hair dryer to try smoothing out the kinks. If the door gasket is damaged it will need to be replaced.
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05 - GE Refrigerator Defrost Heater Assembly
The defrost heater assembly turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, the defrost system will not work, and frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils. To determine if the defrost heater is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost heater does not have continuity, replace it.
Common
06 - GE Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat
The defrost thermostat monitors the temperature of the evaporator coils. When the coils drop below a set temperature, the thermostat contacts close to allow power to flow to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. In the defrost cycle, the defrost heater melts away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost thermostat is defective, the thermostat contacts will not close. As a result, the thermostat won’t provide power to the defrost heater. To determine if the defrost thermostat is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost thermostat does not have continuity...
Common
07 - GE Refrigerator Thermistor
A thermistor monitors the temperature of the evaporator coils. If the coils are below a set temperature, the thermistor will alert the defrost control to allow power to flow to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. In the defrost cycle, the defrost heater melts away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the thermistor is defective, the defrost control will not be alerted to allow voltage to be sent to the defrost heater.
Common
Frequently Asked Questions
Refrigerator not defrosting: what are the most common causes?
Fridge not cooling but freezer works: could a defrost problem be the cause?
Refrigerator not defrosting: how do I test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat?
Refrigerator door not closing properly: can that lead to defrost issues?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic.com to find the right replacement part?
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