GE Refrigerator is Not Cooling?

GE Refrigerator Control Board

GE Refrigerator Main Controller Board

If your GE refrigerator is not cooling consistently but everything else seems to work, such as the the lights inside are on then it may very well be an issue with the main controller board problem. The controller board is essentially the brains of the refrigerator so it can cause a number of issues if it is defective.  Unfortunately, this is a common issue with GE refrigerators.

 

Here are some common complaints from users that could definitely be caused my the motherboard.

  • it’ll cool sporadically or doesn’t cool at all
  • The refrigerator cools but their freezer is no longer cold
  • Ice melts and then refreezes
  • Hear a constant clicking sound from the motherboard in the back of the fridge
  • Hear a “howling” sound from the rear.
  • The refrigerator lights dim when your water or ice dispenser is dispensing.
  • The LCD panel then you might see the letters “HRS” flashing on it.
  • It’ll freeze ice then melt and refreeze again

Unfortunately, it is fairly common for main controller boards on GE refrigerators to fail. If you check out the motherboard you might find burnt marks or bad soldering joints from overheating. Calling a repairman to diagnose and fix the problem will likely cost $400-$500. Fortunately, you can purchase the controller board from amazon for about $140 and swap it yourself in 20 minutes, even if you are not very handy. GE makes it easy to find the right part as most of the older refrigerator mainboards, including WR55X10552, WR55X10656, WR55X10335 have all been replaced by the new and improve controller board, WR55X10942.

You’ll want to grab your model number from the inside of your GE refrigerator then enter it in to the “Make sure this fits” entry field at the top of the control board page on amazon to ensure it works for your refrigerator. If not then it’ll give you some options for other control board replacements.

Here are a few examples of GE Refrigerator issues that were fixed with a new controller board:

“The light inside the freezer and fridge were working, but nothing else was. The refrigerator was not cooling, the water/ice dispenser and the digital displays were not functional. It was like someone turned everything off except the inside lights. Bought this motherboard and was able to install it in a matter of minutes. It literally takes no understanding of electronics to do so.”

“My main control board was clicking so purchased this replacement board. Remove the old one and replaced with this one. Very easy to install. Fridge work well since!”

“A few years ago things started going south on me; ice and water dispenser, freezer temperature, funky howling/whining noises… etc, all of which would come and go. Got to a point where the cycling of the compressor “

“My 13 yr old GE stopped cooling. No Ice maker lights nor temperature displays but the lights in both the freezer and fridge side worked. A little research and I came to the conclusion the main control board (motherboard) was likely dead… I grabbed this motherboard and WOW! It worked like a charm!!!”

“we started noticing temperature fluctuations in the freezer. At first it was minimal then gradually we started noticing large fluctuations. It would be 0 then a few hours later it would be 18. At the end I noticed it as high as 30’s. All this time the fridge part was staying pretty stable. I couldn’t afford to hire a technician to come out so I let it limp along. Eventually we started hearing clicking every few seconds/minutes. Last week it stopped cooling all together.”

Here is a great video on the replacement of the GE refrigerator control board.

While this fixes the GE refrigerator cooling issue for most people, let us know if this worked for you (or not) in the comments below so we can help each other fix these annoying problems!

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Joel

Thank you so much. changing the controller board fixed the problem right away.

Jen

Worked for us! Thanks!

Ed Toth

Thank you for helping me solve the problem with my GE Profile refrigerator with the bottom freezer. I bought the mother board, watched your video, , and installed it with no problems. You saved me a lot of money on a rather simple task!

Ed Toth

Floyd Kirkland

My Refrigerator Model PSC23NGPA BB Side by Side doors,The Frige part and the Freezer part was not Keeping the Food Cold and would start making Humming Sounds. i Brought the Mother Board and installed it. Now my Refrigerator works Fine. Also when i pull the Refrigerator out from the wall, it was very dusty in the Back of it.. So now i will pull it out every year, just to make sure its Clean and air Flowing in back of it.

Janet

I have a GE side by side. Model number GSF251GXB WW . last year the frig part was getting too cold everything was freezing. I unplugged it and it seemed to do ok. Well a few weeks ago it happen again. I unplugged no change. The temp just fluctuated . Then it jumped 77 degrees and the freezer warmed up too no matter what temp I set it on. The freezer is freezing again and the frig after about a week and me ordering a new 1 is 56 degrees. I still have it plugged up wishing for a miracle… Read more »

Sean

Replaced my board two months ago. Fridge worked, but was finicky, and needed WAY more than the 1″ clearance the manual specifies. 6-8″. Now, two months later, it’s doing the same thing it did the first time. No cool, Temps for freezer and fridge just climb. Was 73 yesterday, when I unplugged this hunk of junk, and wheeled it outside for a dump run. Last GE I ever purchase.

Anonymous

I agree, junk

r. gunderson

Model GSL25JFPA BS
Freezer freezes ok but refrigerator doesn’t get cold. Any ideas how to fix?

r. gunderson

REwriting this as i input incorrect email.
GE refrigerator model GSL25JFPA BS

freezer works fine but refrigerator doesn’t cool at all?

Any thoughts?

A.Qudsi

My refrigerator has the same problem. Did you find out what was the wrong?

Greg

Was the fan in the refrigerator working Uncle G

Erik

Same issue here. Does you ever find a solution?

D Duncan

Had a customer with the clicking but no cooling problem.
I watched this video. Replaced two capacitors on the board. ( Same two were bad as the ones on the video. Total cost for two capacitors $1 . Solved the cooling issue and also an issue he was having with the water dispenser. Not everyone can do solder but for those who can this will save a lot of money from buying a whole new board when all it needs is a dollar part.
Good luck !

Serge

hiya Duncan, were the capacitors showing any signs of failure? and where did you purchase the replacements, online? Thank you for your insight.. much appreciated..

mark mirkovich

both my freezer and fridge were running about 10-15 degrees to high (15 for the freezer and 45 for the fridge). I called out a repair guy who told me that the control board and thermostat needed to be replaced. I ordered the parts and did the repair myself, but still the temp has stayed the same. any ideas on how to fix?

Jim DeLisle

LIghts work, but no cooling or freezing. Front panel not working, but the solenoid for the ice maker will open if turned on.

Put in a motherboard, nothing changed. Still the same. Model 25 side by side

What is the next step?

Jim DeLisle

I purchased a brand new motherboard, this is the second one I am trying. No change. Lights inside, but nothing else functions. No temp setting lights, no lights by dispensers, nada. Very faint clicks from the new board.

What is the next possible cause?

Mike

Jim, I having the exact same problem today with my side-by-side. Did you find a solution?

Cash

Replaced motherboard today attempting to fix problem of temperature controls going blank, and the fridge not cooling (Freezer kept going though). The water dispenser did not work either. Replacing motherboard fixed the water dispenser, but after a few hours the temperature controls went blank again and the fridge stopped cooling.

Any recommendations on additional parts to try and replace?

Bob

Did you find a solution to this? I have the same problem after replacing all 3 thermistors, the defrost sensor, and the motherboard. The display panel goes blank and the fridge side gets warm. The freezer stays cold and the fans and compressor run. If I press any of the 4 buttons, the display will come back on.

Bob

In case this helps anyone else. If the display go blank and the fridge side gets warm, it might just be the door needs adjusting. If the door drops more than about 3/16 inch, the light switch will intermittently stay on and the mother board will assume the door has been left open and will close the air damper door that lets cold air into the fridge at the top left. The freezer may get extra cold when this happens, and the water dispenser line will freeze. The door closing cam could be broken or missing or the door might… Read more »

Jeremy

gfe29hmees keeps shuting off after three or 4 minutes of plugging it in. I’m trying to figure out what you fix

Walsh

model no gss20gewnbb, water comes out from the bottom. freezer at times doesn’t freeze. Bottom of freezer freezes up, and we have to manually clean by breaking ice. can’t afford a new fridge, what can I do?

Balfour

The ice build up is because of a clogged freezer defroster drain hose. Costs $0 to fix and you just pull the fridge away from the wall, remove the back panel and find the hose going from the freezer to a drain pan beneath the fridge. Squeeze the hose clamps while twisting to release the hose. After taking the hose out, clean and unclog it. Then just put it back in and put the cover panel back. Remove any remaining ice at the bottom of the freezer, and no more should accumulate.

ACQC

There’s a drain hole, bottom of condensate pan. (Pea,or carrot) clogged that hole. Deforest ice sheet covering hole. Clean out drain hole. That should help to drain condensation.

douglas J paige

model # pss26mswc ss
replaced the control board – but no change.
freezer 24-26 deg . fridge 52-55 deg

Chaz

I have a GE GSH25JSTA SS side by side. Stopped working after a power surge. It had done this a few times before but after awhile it would come on and start working. After awhile it would have a noisy howl sound from the back and then it stopped working after the last power surge. Got a OEM Mobo part # WR55X10942 and swapped it for the old one. Everything worked beautifully like new for about 2 weeks. Now my fridge side just isn’t chilling as it should and I’ve adjusted temp to 9 max setting but no luck. I… Read more »

Stephanie Lingle

I’m leaving a cell number or I’ll never find the response I’m having the same exact issue were you able to figure out your problem my phone number is ###-###-#### I know typically I’m able to fix any of these fridges because there is a reset where you can stick a screwdriver in a what looks like a hole at it will tic like the sound on a setting time on a manuel kitchen timer reset’s it and typically kicks right on

Loggy

Wow. You are brave leaving your cell number on the internet. Unwise.

Joshua Cummings

Hey folks new homeowner here attempting to troubleshoot some issues with a GE PFS22SIS French door refrigerator/freezer. I noticed the temp have started to swing currently 27 freezer set at -6 and refrigerator at 42 set to 32. I have verified the unit is mostly level with a slight pitch to the rear and the seals are good on the unit. Also I have cleaned off the coils and verified there is air moving in the unit. I powered off the unit and made sure there was no longer any ice on the back of the freezer wall but as… Read more »

CL

Hope you got this fixed but it sounds to me like it is the main control board starting to fail. I’d spend the $150 and replace it before the refrigerator stops cooling altogether.

Mark

EXACT same model and issue for me. Did the mother board fix the problem, @Joshua Cummings?

Jeremy S.

I woke up this morning and my GE refrigerator is not cooling anymore. Feels as warm as room temperature and all my food is going bad. Sure hope this fixes the issue as it has for everyone else!

Pissed Customer

Controller board changed out twice. Fan replaced as well. This is the 3rd time fridge stopped cooling. Fridge isn’t 4 years old yet. Fridge has all these bells and whistle but it doesn’t have an alarm/warning that the fridge is above a curtain temperature? Never again

Danny

Have the exact problem. Hundreds of dollars worth of groceries gone to waste and no fix in sight. Naturally, it busted a month after the 5 year warrantee was over. A $1,700 plus warrantee plus tax pile of junk. Never buying another GE fridge or Samsung appliance ever again.

CL

Sorry to hear, Danny. Hopefully, the GE motherboard replacement did the trick and got you up and going again. I’ve found this to be a quick and relatively inexpensive fix. But I agree, they don’t make them like they used to!

Aaron S

sound like changing the motherboard Fixes anyone’s problem.

Ian Wozniak

Have a GE profile model # PGCS1RKZH SS that will not get cold. Cool fan is working but I don’t hear the compressor. Any ideas

Jay

Try the relay on other side of the compressor.

Anonymous

That’s terrible.

Connie Ortiz

I have a GE Profile Model PSH23PSRA SV. It is a built in side by side fridge and 14 yrs old. Suddenly it stopped working but the light is still on. Is it worth calling a GE repair man to diagnose. Not willing to spend 7k on a new built in. I live in houston, tx. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Brian

I had the same issue with my GE side by side refrigerator. Was not cooling, the displays weren’t working, but the lights worked. I bought this mother board from Amazon, replaced it in 10 minutes thanks to the above video. Fixed the issue immediately! Thanks so much! Saved me lots of $$.

Aaron

Inside lights were working along with the ice maker still being on. Nothing else on the fridge seemed to be working no cooling or fan noises. The lights on the water/ice dispenser were not on and neither worked. Purchased the motherboard suggested and unfortunately it did not fix the issue. I did notice a slight “hot wire” smell coming from the mother board when I removed the old one. Had the same smell on the new one after replacing it.

rick

I’m on my 3rd board in a year now, buying them new not refurbished. Do consumers have any recourse, the refrigerator is not under warranty but why do these GE refrigerators keep blowing boards? I won’t be buying a 4th board instead will be buying a new fridge, guarantee it won’t be a GE.

Matt

Sounds like something is shorting the board like Possible freezer fan or
Evaporator Fan Motor Assembly. You can use a multimeter to find the bad part or have a repair man find the part. It could also be caused from a power outage. Definitely need to find the reason why the board shorted and replace the part that shorted the board along with the board or you will most likely end up in the same place in a year.

Mikey Kocijjan

Same problem with GE profile model PSS26G SS. Light out freezer and fridge cooling not working. Fridge is a piece of junk, last GE product I will ever buy. Looks like I need a WR55X10942 Refrigerator Main Control Board according to this web site. Good discussion here on GE Fridges

Richard

The freezer temp on our 2007 Provfle side by side has started dropping to around -9 degrees. We reset the temp from the control panel to 0 degrees and it will stay there for a day or two and then start dropping again. Any ideas of where to start looking for the cause?

Mickey

I replace the motherboard and the Board ASM Temp Board. The Temp Board is not showing any power. The diodes are not displaying and the refrigerator is not cooling. Mother board Part # is WR55X10942P, the Board ASM Temp Control Part # is WR55X10354

Nunzio Bartalino

I am not a technical being in the slightest. I have been dealing with a GE -French Door Style fridge with the freezer on the bottom for the last 6 years. Found out that there is no defrost cycle or it was not working –so we would empty it and unplug it for a day. The fan would make terribly annoying noises constantly. When you opened the door–it stopped. I thought it was the fan icing up? So now there is no noise–no fan. The shelf was full of freezing water. So time to bring in my Mr. Fix-it Guy.… Read more »

Narelle

My GE Profile fridge/freezer has a model number PCE23NHTDFS. I cant see that model number listed as one that the mother board will fix. I am having exactly same issue of lights on, but fridge/freezer not working.
I am in Australia.
Would this mother board fix my appliance??

Raymond Robinson

I changed my control board after paying $75 for a diagnostic to find out the problem. It’s been 12hrs, but nothing seem to be working. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Randy Grass

Though I changed the control board as was suggested, I am not getting the usual cold air from the refrigerator vents. In fact, the freezer is not achieving the usual freezing temps that were set either.
What might be the real problem?

Jason

Thanks! This saved my butt from having to purchase a new fridge. I replaced the board in about 45 minutes (I’m not very handy) and my ge refrigerator is cooling again! For $145 bucks it was well worth the time and effort.

Matthew De Pas

My GE Profile refrigerator model PFCS1NFWASS stopped cooling – fridge and freezer. Lights and fans worked though. I changed the inverter and both the fridge and freezer are maintaining the set temps. My concern is the exterior of the compressor is extremely hot to the touch. I know compressors get hot, but I’m concerned this may not be normal. Any thoughts?

Boomer

I have a GE Profile Mod# PDs22MBSWW, lights come on when doors open, so getting power to fridge, but nothing works, no fan, compressor, or digital display on upper controls in upper compartment, any ideas ?? Thanks for any help

Josh

Freezer emperature control on front panel reads -9 (I have it set to 0) but the actual freezer temp keeps getting warmer. I have replaced two sensors, the defrost thermostat, and cleaned the coil. The evaporator fan and condenser appear to be running fine. The refrigerator side is working fine. Suggestions?

Michael W Shuler

Just replaced main board in my GE refrigerator, had lights and nothing else. After changing the board it seemed to have work. Everything came back on but still isn’t cooLing. It’s been back on for lil over 24 hrs and still nothing. Not sure what to do next

francis

I replaced tihe control board but compressor will not start. I hear a cliting noise like the compressor is trying to start but doesn’t. Is there something else i can check besides the compressor being bad?

mitchell lairmore

We have a GE Profile side by side Model PSC25SA. It would not cool below 50 degrees. We put in a new control board and there is no change. A repair man said it may be the inverter board. Did the inverter board replacement help anybody else?

Kristopher Thompson

Everything lights up even all temperature displays but not cooling

Tim

how to get forced defrost to come on my GE PSS26MSWASSso i can check the heater

brent

I have a extra fridge in the garage from May/1990, model GE TFX24SLL side by side. First time in 30yrs is broke down, quite amazing. Everything works but its not cooling or freezing at all. You can hear something running but no coldness. I can get used one from Craigs List but if this is an easy fix then I’d rather go that route. Any ideas?

Allyson

After reading the article I changed the main control board on our GE PSI23SCRC side by side fridge because only the lights were working. It fixed the issue but our freezer went get below 18 and our fridge stays around 42. I’m not sure what to check next so I’d love some help if anyone had suggestions. Trying to save money on the technician if I can!

Mark NAJMAN

Hello,
I looking for GE psi23scrf sv electrical diagram.
Can somebody tell me how I can get this diagram.
Thank you.

Christine Mabry

Hello,

Our ge refrigerator with bottom freezer. The freezer is fine. We had to buy a circuit board today, installed it & it still doesn’t cool. Wondering if it could be a thermostat. What stinks, is the circuit board cost us $275.00 non refundable. Model GDS20KCSABB.

Please note, we had to install a circuit board 6 yrs ago.

Don’t recall how old this frig is. What is the life expectancy?

Our we wasting money trying to repair.

Thank you all in advance,
Christine

Kyle Helpstad

GSS25KSW/GSF25KGW, This is my model of GE side by side and every time the power goes out, it causes the fridge to malfunction, the lights on the inside of both the Fridge&Freezer work and the Ice Maker Power Switch located on the freezer side works powering the ice maker on and off, but it doesn’t cool on either side, however nothing displays on the outside display on the Freezer Door, that controls temperature settings and ice/water, door alarm, water filter etc. sometimes it’s 3 days , sometimes it’s a week, honestly we NEVER know when it will miraculously start working… Read more »