Why is my GE freezer not freezing? (5 Causes and Solutions)

It’s a hot summer day and you reach into the GE freezer for your tub of ice cream, only to find it thawed. Now, you have no choice but to dump it out.

Melted ice cream is a nightmare we wouldn’t wish upon our worst enemies. So you can prevent this from happening again, we’ll delve into the most common causes behind a GE freezer that won’t freeze and show you how to troubleshoot them.

Let’s get into it.

Why is my GE freezer not freezing?

A GE freezer won’t freeze if it isn’t installed properly. Keeping it in a high-heat area next to ovens or radiators will raise its internal temperature, preventing it from cooling your food.

If it isn’t receiving sufficient power, it also won’t reach ideal temperatures. It may lead to food spoilage.

Here are a few quick steps to troubleshoot a GE freezer that won’t freeze.

• Confirm that the freezer is plugged in properly. Check for a loose connection and plug the cord properly, if needed.

• Make sure the door is closed. If you leave the door ajar for a long time, your freezer can get too warm. 

If the problem persists, keep reading our guide for more detailed instructions on troubleshooting your GE freezer.

Causes and Solutions

A GE freezer that won’t cool can be frustrating, but it doesn’t necessarily need a repair or a replacement. Some of the most common causes include:

• The new freezer needs several hours to stabilize.
• The door was left ajar for a long time.
• The circuit breaker keeps on tripping.
• The freezer isn’t installed properly.
• The freezer has poor air circulation.

Here’s an overview of the most common causes of a GE freezer that won’t freeze along with their solutions.

Causes	Solutions
New Freezer	• Set your new GE freezer’s temperature control to 4 and give it enough time to cool.  • After a few hours, start loading frozen foods into the freezer. • Unfrozen goods should only be loaded into the new freezer once it has reached at least 4 hours of operation.
Door Left Open	• Try to close the door properly.  • Keep your freezer organized to prevent food packages from extending beyond the shelves, which can obstruct the door.
Tripped Circuit Breaker	• Locate the circuit breaker. Identify the circuit that is causing the problem. • Turn off all the lights, and unplug the appliances in the circuit. • Flip the switch to the OFF position, if needed.  • Wait for at least 30 seconds and flip the switch back to the ON position. • Plug in the GE freezer and verify that it has power.  • After a few minutes, check on the unit if it’s still functioning properly and observe if the circuit still trips. • Turn on the lights and plug in the other appliances one at a time. Confirm that they are working properly.
Improper Installation	• Keep your GE freezer away from heat sources like ovens, radiators, and dishwashers. • To prevent temperature fluctuations, level your freezer properly from front to back and side to side. Use shims, if necessary.
Poor Air Circulation	• Avoid overpacking your freezer. Inspect and organize the contents, starting by removing items that are past their expiration date. • Never line the freezer baskets with aluminum foil, paper towels, and wax paper because they lead to poor airflow.

New Freezer

Did you get a new GE freezer? If it’s been an hour or two since you installed and plugged in your unit, and it still feels warm, it needs a couple more hours to reach optimal cooling temperatures. 

This is completely normal and doesn’t require repairs. At this point, just follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure that your freezer reaches the ideal temperatures in a few more hours.

Solution: Set your GE freezer’s temperature control to 4 and give it enough time to cool. Load frozen goods into the freezer after a few hours, but only load the unfrozen goods once the unit has been operating for at least 4 hours.

Door Left Open

Sometimes, fixing a GE freezer that won’t cool can be as simple as closing a door. If the door has been left ajar for a few hours, your unit will get too warm.

Depending on your freezer model, it might sound off an alert once its internal temperature gets too high. If your unit has an indicator light, it will turn red when the temperature reaches 23°F(-5°C).

The red light will turn off once your freezer’s temperature reaches a safe range. Once it goes down to 18°F(-8°C), the red light will automatically turn off.

Solution: Try to close the door properly. Keep your freezer organized to prevent food packages from extending beyond the shelves, which can obstruct the door and hinder it from closing.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Is power going off in one part of your home and not the entire household? Locate the circuit breaker and inspect the panel for a misaligned switch.

Whenever your breaker trips, the switch will usually move from the ON position to the OFF position. At times, you’ll find the switch right in the middle.

This disruption will cause your freezer to power on and off, preventing it from cooling your food.  

Solution: To fix a tripped circuit breaker in your home, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Locate the circuit breaker.
• Step 2: Identify the circuit that is causing the problem.
• Step 3: Turn off all the lights, and unplug all the appliances in the circuit.
• Step 4: Flip the switch all the way to the OFF position, if needed. 
• Step 5: Wait for at least 30 seconds and flip the switch back to the ON position.
• Step 6: Plug in the GE freezer and verify that it has power. After a few minutes, check on the unit if it’s still functioning properly and observe if the circuit still trips.

Turn on the lights and plug in the other appliances one at a time. Confirm that they are working properly.

If an appliance or a light causes the breaker to trip, it might have faulty wiring. We recommend calling a licensed electrician who can diagnose and resolve the problem.

Quick Note: To prevent a circuit from overloading, avoid plugging multiple high-amperage appliances into a single outlet. Transfer them to other outlets that are linked to different circuits.

Improper Installation

The location of your freezer is one of the most important factors in its installation. It influences your freezer’s ability to regulate its internal temperature.

Since freezers can be larger than refrigerator units, they are often stored in garages, basements, or utility rooms. However, like your fridge, it also needs to be installed properly to function well.

Solution: To improve your GE freezer’s cooling efficiency, follow these tips:

• Keep your freezer away from heat sources.

A GE freezer must be installed in the coolest area in the room, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, including ovens, radiators, and dishwashers. The heat from these appliances can raise the internal temperature of your freezer.

Ideally, you should place the freezer in a dry and well-ventilated space. Avoid installing your unit in an area where the temperature goes below 0°F or above 110°F as it will struggle to maintain ideal cooling temperatures.

• Level your freezer properly.

No matter the brand, leveling is one of the most important steps when installing a freezer. If your unit isn’t level, it will cause fluctuations in temperatures, which can result in food spoilage.

You must use a carpenter’s level to make sure your unit is balanced from side to side and front to back. You can also add shims to level your freezer.

• Give your freezer enough space for ventilation.

Regardless of your GE freezer model, leave about 3 inches of space on the top, back, and all sides of the unit for better air circulation. Without proper ventilation, your freezer will struggle to regulate its temperature.

Poor Air Circulation

Poor air circulation can inhibit your freezer’s ability to regulate its temperature. Aside from food spoilage, it overworks your appliance’s internal components, which may lead to premature failure.

Solution: To promote better air circulation in your GE freezer, follow these tips:

• Never line the freezer baskets.

Lining your GE freezer’s baskets with aluminum foil, paper towels, and wax paper can lead to poor airflow. If cool air can’t circulate well, your freezer will struggle to cool the food and beverages stored inside.

• Don’t overpack your freezer.

A GE freezer that is overpacked can hinder cool air from circulating properly. To prevent overloading, refer to your user manual and find out the maximum amount of food you can store in your appliance.

Take the time to inspect and organize the items inside the freezer. Remove food and beverages that are beyond their expiration date.

Then, store about 3 pounds of food per cubic foot of space. Check your user manual for specific instructions for your freezer model.

• Never cover your freezer with blankets or sheets.

If your freezer is on and running, don’t cover it with blankets, tablecloths, sheets, and other similar materials. This can cause your unit to overheat, forcing its components to work harder.

As a result, your freezer won’t be able to cool your food. It can also lead to premature failure of its internal parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

---