The General Electric (GE) company’s coolers can reach optimal freezing temperatures after a few hours of being turned on. However, a recent power failure could cause the fridge’s mechanics to malfunction. So, why is your GE refrigerator not working or cooling after a power outage?
A GE refrigerator that’s not working or cooling after a power outage most likely has a bad control board. During power failures, the control board can malfunction, causing the freezer not to cool or have an inoperative display. To correct this, replace the control board at home.
This article will discuss why your GE refrigerator won’t cool after a power shortage. We’ll explain how to troubleshoot these issues at home and describe which repairs may require a GE technician.
GE Refrigerator Not Cooling After Power Outage
The most common effect that refrigerators suffer after a blackout is a broken control board. A damaged board will stop the GE machine from cooling because no signal is being sent to the fan to start spinning.
Additional symptoms of a broken control board include:
- Flashing lights
- Blank display
- Odd whining sounds
- Burning smell
- The indoor refrigerator light not working
To correct a refrigerator that isn’t cooling, replace the control panel. This process requires simple troubleshooting that you can do at home in under an hour.
How To Replace the Control Board of Your GE Refrigerator
Before replacing your refrigerator’s control board, ensure that you found the correct part that matches your fridge’s make and model. Every design is different.
To learn about your refrigerator’s model number:
- Consult the user manual
- Inspect the doors, back panel, and inside compartments of your fridge
- Check your receipt
After you’ve discovered the model number and obtained a matching control board, gather the following tools:
- Needle-nose pliers
- Multimeter (optional)
- Insulated rubber gloves (optional)
Then, use these steps to replace the control board of your refrigerator:
- Unplug the power cord connecting the refrigerator to the wall socket. You can wear gloves before performing this step to prevent electrocution from exposed wires. After this, you can discard the gloves.
- Access the control board covering. Usually, the mainboard is at the back of the refrigerator, often in the lower right corner of your device.
- Remove the screws keeping the covering in place. Slide the cover out of the way and set it aside for now.
- Test the control board with a multimeter for continuity. You can skip this step if you don’t have a multimeter and are sure that your control board is causing the problem.
- Note the location of the green wires. These wires were being held in place by the screws you just removed.
- Disconnect the wires from the control board. Remove every wire except the grey AC power connector.
- Use needle-nose pliers to compress the plastic pins mounting the control board. The pins are in all four corners, and you must release each one.
- Pull out the control board. Start by tugging at a corner.
- Disconnect the remaining grey wire.
- Mount the brand new control on the pins.
- Connect all the wires that were previously connected. Your particular model may leave out some cables, and this is normal.
- Place the green wires in their original spots.
- Cover the control board with the old panel.
- Replace the screws. Ensure that you catch the green wires so that the screws support them.
- Plug your refrigerator into an outlet. Turn it on.
If your installation is successful, it’ll take 24-48 hours for your refrigerator to return to its average cooling temperature.
GE Refrigerator Display Not Working After Power Outage
When your GE refrigerator’s display stops working after a power failure, this is a sure sign of a weak or faulty control board. However, you may still want to inspect and test your control board before deciding to replace it.
Firstly, check to see that the refrigerator has its power turned off. Then, open the lower panel at the back of your refrigerator to inspect its control board. To gain access, you need a small screwdriver or a drill.
For some models, the control board is located in a different area on the device. So refer to your user’s guide to learn more about the board’s position.
Once you’ve gained access to the motherboard, inspect it for any burning or blackening that may have occurred due to the power outage. If you notice a light burn, dispose of the control panel immediately. The power shortage caused the mechanics to burn out, and further usage could become a fire hazard.
If you don’t notice any burns, test the control board with a multimeter. Depending on the instrument’s readings, you’ll know whether or not to replace the control board.
Replacing the board is simple; however, most homeowners prefer to contact a professional to complete the job. Find a local maintenance specialist or get in touch with a specialized GE technician who can perform the service for you.
How To Switch Out Your Board
Follow these steps to switch out your board:
- Unplug the refrigerator from the socket. Ensure that you also flip the switch to the off position if there is one.
- Find the mainboard at the back of the fridge. Its panel is usually on the right side of your device.
- Release the screws keeping the protective covering in place. Take a photo to mark the location of all the cables.
- Remove every wire except the grey power cord.
- Pinch the plastic pins mounting the control board. The pins are in each corner.
- Remove the control board.
- Disconnect the remaining wire.
- Add the replacement control board.
- Arrange and connect the wires as they were on the old panel. Cover the control board.
- Replace the screws.
GE Refrigerator Freezer Not Working After Power Outage
Power failures can affect your refrigerator’s mechanics — like the condenser coil and start relay — and stop the freezer side from working altogether.
Sometimes, resetting your refrigerator can solve this, but in most cases, you’ll have to:
- Replace the condenser coil.
- Clean the condenser.
- Service the start relay.
These are the best ways to restore power to your freezer after a blackout.
How To Clean/Replace Condenser Coils
A dirty condenser is usually not the result of a power outage. However, your refrigerator’s systems may not recognize that the condenser is blocked until a power outage resets your GE machine. In which case, cleaning the condenser coil is an excellent option.
Before assuming that the coil experienced a short circuit and is no longer working, give the metal condenser a thorough cleaning to test if the freezer will function normally afterward.
The tools required to clean your condenser are:
- Screwdriver
- A toothbrush or dryer brush
- A vacuum cleaner with a small nozzle
- Condenser coil cleaner
GE recommends taking the following steps to clean your coil after power returns to your home:
- Unplug the refrigerator.
- Locate the condenser. Some models have it located at the back of the fridge. Others have it seated at the front and near the bottom of the GE cooling system.
- Vacuum the piece using a small hose.
- Brush away excess dirt. Soak the brush in a coil cleaner before doing this. Alternatively, you can mist the condenser with a cleaning solution.
- Replace the covering and power on your refrigerator.
After a few hours, the freezer should start working again. If this doesn’t restore the machine’s functionalities, then you must replace the condenser coil.
To replace the condenser coil in your refrigerator safely, schedule a repair with a GE maintenance specialist. Usually, a repairer can solve this in one session if the right replacement part is already in your possession.
How To Fix a Broken Start Relay
Power failures can break the start relay on your machine, which would stop the freezer from becoming active. Before replacing the piece, test the start relay located near the condenser coil in your device. You can do this by using a multimeter.
If there’s no continuity on your multimeter, then the relay needs maintenance. But even if there is continuity, the start relay may still be damaged if you smell burning from the metal piece. In either case, purchase a replacement and switch out the start relay.
To repair the compressor relay, you’ll need a screwdriver; a ¼ in (0.0064 m) screwdriver is best for this type of job.
After obtaining the tool, take the following steps to repair the start relay at home:
- Remove all screws that secure the cover located at the back of the refrigerator.
- Pry off the square covering that’s protecting the relay. It’s usually a black box at the far left of the condenser.
- Use the screwdriver to remove the start relay carefully. The overload and the relay will detach together. Take note of where the wires are connected.
- Disconnect the wires from the old start relay.
- Connect the wires to the replacement.
- Replace the overload that you detached in step 3.
- Position the replacement piece on the two terminals below the overload. Ensure that it’s secure by jiggling the new relay back and forth.
- Reinstall the box covering.
- Replace the panel. Secure the screws.
After restoring power to your refrigerator, the freezer will be functional again.
GE Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working After Power Outage
Often, when your ice maker doesn’t work after a power outage, it’s because the freezer needs time to cool and start producing ice.
During blackouts, the temperature in your freezer rises. When the inside of your freezer is too warm, the ice cubes won’t form at all.
Sometimes, it can take up to 48 hours for ice production to begin after an extended power outage. Try being patient with your ice maker until two days have passed, and then you can look for fixes.
When your electricity comes back, adjust your refrigerator’s temperature so that ice starts to form as soon as possible. The freezer’s temperature should be between 0 and 5° F (-17.78 to -15° C) for the maker to produce ice.
If you wait the full 48 hours, and your ice dispenser still hasn’t made any ice, the first thing you’ll want to do is check if the dispenser is producing water. If so, remove the ice bucket and confirm that your ice maker is on.
The switch is usually located inside the freezer and near the top. For most models, a light will shine green when it is on.
How to Run Diagnostics
Is your dispenser receiving power but still not making ice? If that’s the case, it’s time to run diagnostics on your GE appliance.
To do that, follow these steps:
- Turn the ice maker off.
- Wait 14 seconds for the device’s mechanics to reset.
- Press the paddle near the dispenser four times.
- Wait for the rake to turn and the ice maker mold to fill with water. It’ll take about 3 minutes before this happens.
- Turn on your ice maker.
If you don’t see water fill the mold, your ice dispenser will need to be replaced by a professional.
Other Ways to Restore Functionality After a Power Failure
There are other things you can do to attempt to restore functionality after a power failure, like:
- Ensure that the water running to the refrigerator is active.
- Check that the door wiring harness is secure.
- Test the inlet valve. Replace it if you suspect that it’s damaged.
- Inspect the water pipes for blockages.
- Boost the water pressure. After power failures, the water pressure can decrease.
- Replace the dispenser switch.
GE Refrigerator Not Turning On After Power Outage
Your GE refrigerator won’t turn on after a power outage if:
- The wall socket has malfunctioned.
- The compressor has experienced a shortage.
- Your GE machine went into demo mode.
In some cases, after a power shortage, the wall socket may fail and not sufficiently supply the refrigerator with power. Before trying other methods, plug your refrigerator into a new socket.
If this is not successful, take the following steps to restore power to your GE refrigerator. However, if these don’t work, contact a repairer for help.
The Compressor Has Experienced a Shortage
When the power fails, electrical appliances like your GE device will experience breakdowns. For refrigerators, when a shortage occurs, it usually affects the compressor.
The compressor will overload and cycle on and off. The system will normally do this until it equalizes. Afterward, power will return to the refrigerator.
In this case, the lack of power is nothing to be concerned about. Power should return to your refrigerator within a few hours. However, if it takes any longer than that, the compressor may be damaged.
A technician can diagnose and fix this problem. It isn’t suggested to troubleshoot this at home.
Your GE Machine Went Into Demo Mode
Sometimes your refrigerator will go into demo mode after a power outage. When the power turns on, you’ll have to reset the fridge for it to turn on.
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Follow these steps to reset your refrigerator successfully:
- Turn off the refrigerator.
- Unplug the machine.
- Turn off the circuit breaker that powers the refrigerator for 30 seconds.
- Switch the circuit control back on.
- Plug in the refrigerator. Restart the GE device.
GE Refrigerator Power Light Flashing
The power lights will flash on your GE refrigerator when the circuit board has broken. The control board is at the back of the fridge, and you can access it with a small screwdriver. Inspect the board for damages.
Did you notice damages? If so, you can replace the motherboard at home once you have the proper tools and the right experience. To simplify the replacement, take note of the wires connected to the faulty motherboard. Use this information to guide you during your install to ensure that all cables are connected correctly.
Like other problems with your GE refrigerator, you can fix this quickly by calling a GE technician.
GE Refrigerator Control Panel Not Working After Power Outage
The control panel won’t work after a blackout for the following reasons:
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 25, 2021.
- You need to replace the water filter.
- Your refrigerator needs a new motherboard.
First, try to replace your water filter and check to see if that impacts the power. Some owners have successfully installed a bypass on their water filters to restore functionality to the panel without buying a new filter.
However, if you don’t think that the water filter is the problem, get in touch with a local parts dealer for a new motherboard. Often, when the panel buttons are inactive, the motherboard has broken and needs to be serviced; this repair should solve the problem.
Always ensure you’re purchasing genuine GE products to prevent the motherboard from shorting out again soon.
Other Ways to Restore Panel Function
Other methods you can try to restore the functions of your panel include:
- Make sure that the child lock is off. You can locate this switch by looking at your fridge’s user manual.
- Turn off the circuit breaker that powers your refrigerator. Flip the control after 30 seconds.
- Replace the touchscreen display, if applicable.
- Wipe the panel down with isopropyl alcohol. Sometimes, cleaners can leave a film over the control panel that blocks the screen, preventing use.
How To Reset GE Refrigerator After Power Outage
If you need to reset your GE fridge after a power outage, follow these steps:
- Unplug the fridge from the power source or turn off the circuit breaker that powers it.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds to a minute.
- Plug the fridge back in or turn on the circuit breaker.
- Wait for the fridge to start up and begin cooling.
- Check the temperature settings and adjust them if necessary.
- Check the water and ice dispenser to make sure they are working properly.
- Allow the fridge to run for a few hours to ensure that it is properly cooling.
By following these steps, you can reset your GE fridge after a power outage and ensure that it is working properly.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 25, 2021.