Ge Refrigerator: not defrosting

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your GE refrigerator not defrosting? This common issue results in frost or ice buildup on evaporator coils, leading to blocked airflow and diminished cooling performance. The automatic defrost cycle may be malfunctioning, preventing proper temperature regulation in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments.

Urgency: Medium

Possible Causes

Defrost heater failure

How to Identify: Evaporator coils remain covered in frost or ice; multimeter continuity test shows open circuit on the defrost heater; fridge runs but coils stay frozen.

Part: Defrost heater assembly

Defrost thermostat (termination thermostat) fault

How to Identify: Thermostat does not close at low temperatures when tested; frost remains because heater doesn't receive power; located near evaporator coil.

Part: Defrost thermostat

Defrost timer or defrost control board failure

How to Identify: Refrigerator never enters defrost cycle; manually advancing timer does not engage heater; control board may show signs of failure or no signal to defrost components.

Part: Defrost timer / defrost control board

Clogged defrost drain

How to Identify: Ice or water pooling at bottom of freezer; water doesn’t drain during defrost; frost buildup recurs quickly after manual defrost.

Part: Defrost drain tube

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean and check door gaskets: Warm air ingress that increases frost buildup
    Frequency: monthly
  • Ensure defrost drain is clear: Ice blockages that hinder defrost water drainage
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my GE Refrigerator not defrosting?
Common causes include defrost heater failure, thermostat faults, and timer issues.
How do I fix GE Refrigerator not defrosting myself?
No DIY solutions are recommended for this issue.
How much does it cost to fix not defrosting?
Repair costs vary based on the cause but can be significant without DIY options.
When should I call a technician for not defrosting?
Call a technician if the issue persists, as it can affect cooling efficiency.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

67%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Defrost thermostat failure (2 mentions)
  • Bimetal thermostat issue (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace the defrost thermostat and thermistor

    Success rate: 25.0%

  2. Replace the bimetal thermostat

    Success rate: 25.0%
Analysis based on 3 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Refrigerator just keeps freezing over...
  2. GE side-byside refrigerator GE GSS25WGMAWW - does it have a ...
  3. GE Profile side by side Refrigerator - Not defrosting

Community Discussions

Refrigerator just keeps freezing over

Replace the defrost thermostat and thermistor.

DIY View on Reddit →

Not defrosting

Replacing the bimetal thermostat may resolve the defrosting issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

Freezer isn't defrosting

Replace the Defrost Heater Assembly and possibly the thermostat/thermistor.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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