I recently noticed that my GE refrigerator freezer door won’t stay shut, and I’m worried it’s using up too much power, and the food in my fridge might not be cold enough. So, I did some research into how to fix it and here’s what I found.
If your GE refrigerator freezer door won’t open, close, or stay shut, the problem might be with the door gasket. A worn or dirty gasket can prevent the door from sealing properly. Clean the gasket with soapy water and inspect it for damage. If it’s damaged or deformed, replacing the gasket should resolve the issue and allow the door to function correctly.
Each of the different reasons why you’re having an issue with your fridge freezer door needs a slightly different solution.
So, I’ll explain exactly how to fix each issue below. And it will give you a good idea of exactly how to fix it yourself, or whether you need to get someone in to repair it.
GE Refrigerator Freezer Door Won’t Open/Close
When your GE refrigerator freezer won’t open or close it’s a bit of pain because you can’t get any food or drink out of it, and you can’t keep your food cold enough so it doesn’t spoil. Here’s how to fix it:
GE refrigerators freezers have a lock feature. If you put it on accidentally you can press the lock button to unlock it. If it won’t close there’s likely something on the shelves that is sticking out too far, or getting stuck in the hinge.
The control panel can malfunction because of static electricity and even if you press the button it won’t unlock. Or, it might show it’s unlocked on the control panel but it’s still locked.
In this case you can open your fridge by turning it off your fridge freezer at the wall socket. And then turn it back on again. This is a rare issue, but if it happens all the time, then there’s likely an issue with your control panel, and you should contact GE about it.
GE Refrigerator Freezer Door Pops Open
Sometimes your GE refrigerator door might pop open on it’s own and stay open. Which is an issue with your fridge door so you’ll need to check a few things. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on March 28, 2021.
When this happens you should check that the seal around the refrigerator door is undamaged and clean. If it’s torn or broken the door won’t seal correctly and it will pop open. If it’s dirty, give it a clean using a solution of 1 part baking soda 3 parts water.
There can also be something in the fridge that sticks out a bit, and when you close your fridge it doesn’t seal shut all the way. Then later on it will pop open.
GE Refrigerator Freezer Door Won’t Stay Shut
If your GE refrigerator freezer door won’t stay shut your freezer will defrost and you’ll end up with a puddle of water on the floor, and your food will defrost. Very annoying! Here’s how to fix it.
If your GE freezer door is not closing, it might be due to a misaligned or faulty door seal (gasket). Over time, the seal can become warped or damaged, preventing a tight closure. Inspect the seal for any signs of wear or distortion. If it’s damaged, replacing the seal can effectively fix the issue. You can purchase a new seal and install it by gently removing the old one and pressing the new seal into place.
A less common but possible issue is with the freezer’s hinges. If the hinges are loose or misaligned, the door may not shut fully. Tighten any loose hinge screws and check for hinge damage. If the hinges are bent or broken, they may need to be replaced. Properly aligned and functional hinges are crucial for the door to close securely and maintain the freezer’s efficiency.
GE Refrigerator Freezer Not Sealing
If you get a weak seal and you can feel the cold air coming out the sides, then it’s a sure sign the gaskets (the rubber seals) are damaged or dirty. This will make your freezer work non-stop and can eventually blow the motor. Here’s what you want to do to fix it.
Clean the seals with 1 part baking soda, and 3 parts water, as well as, the part of the freezer that they stick to. Inspect the seals to see if they’re damaged. If cleaning them doesn’t help and nothing is sticking out and blocking the door, you’ll want to have the seals replaced.
The seals have magnets which keep the door closed according to GE, and virtually all refrigerators and freezers have these. The magnets are located in the seals. And they can weaken over time for a range of reasons. In which case you’ll need to replace the seals.
Waiting for Someone to Fix Your Seals
While you’re waiting for a person to replace your seals you can put something heavy against the door to keep it as closed as possible. For example, a chair with something heavy on it on it or a big bottle of water.
But, you don’t want to do this for too long as it will strain the motor. And you should consider turning off your fridge/freezer. Then move everything to another fridge or leave the food and drinks to defrost on your counter.
GE Refrigerator Freezer Door Stuck
Your GE refrigerator freezer can get stuck for a few reasons, either it’s got some sticky food residue on the seal, the door is locked, or ice has frozen it closed. Here’s how to fix it.
If the door is locked, there’ll be a green light on the control panel above the lock button. In which case, just press it to unlock it. However, the control can malfunction and it can be locked permanently. When this happens you want to turn it off at the wall and it will open.
If it’s frozen shut, you can turn it off at the wall and leave it off. After a long time the ice will melt and you can open it again. The freezer door is only held closed by weak magnets or the lock. Therefore, if the lock wasn’t causing the issue then it’s really likely it’s frozen shut.
When this happens you’ll want to turn it off, so that the ice melts and you can open it again. After that it’s a good idea to clean out your freezer so that you don’t have a build up of ice.
As humid air gets into your freezer it will freeze and cause a build of ice. When it’s not closed all the way the air can seep in and freeze the door closed. Also, food residue from a small spill might be along the edge of the freezer seal and be holding it shut.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on March 28, 2021.
You can only really open it when this happens by sliding something thin, in between the seal to break up the residue. However, this can damage the seal, so it’s best to have a professional do it.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on March 28, 2021.