GE Refrigerator is Clicking? You can fix it!

GE Refrigerator Clicking

GE Refrigerator Main Controller Board

If your GE refrigerator has clicking or ticking noise coming from the rear then it is likely a sign of a more serious issue.  Generally, the clicking comes from the main controller board, the brains of the refrigerator.  Chances are good that you’ll soon notice a drastic temperature variation in the cooling or the GE refrigerator will soon stop cooling altogether.  In some cases, you may also experience issues with the internal fridge or freezer lights, the LCD panel or the water/ice dispenser.  

Fortunately, there is a simple and fairly inexpensive fix. You don’t even need to call a refrigerator repairman as I’ll guide you through how to fix it yourself.  GE has improved the main control board to resolve these issues and is available for purchase on Amazon for about $140.  It is super easy to replace as I was able to replace it on our GE refrigerator controller board in just about 20 minutes.  This stopped the clicking and now our fridge is as good as new! I’ve even included a video below to help with the replacement.  

Make sure you find your GE refrigerator model number inside your refrigerator and enter it into the “Make sure this fits” entry field at the top of the Amazon product page to ensure this is the correct controller board for your GE model. Amazon 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find the right part as most of the older refrigerator mainboards, including WR55X10552, WR55X10656, WR55X10335 have all been replaced by the new and improved controller board, WR55X10942.

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

“My 2006 GE refrigerator started making clicking sounds, temperature display went out and eventually stopped cooling.   Love Amazon. I ordered this on a Monday at noon and next day Tuesday it was at my door at 9am. It has been almost 2 weeks and my fridge is running as good as new.”

“No more clicking and all temperatures back in service.  Just heard ice drop ? Time for an A&W with crushed ice.”

“No joke, we got home on a Sunday evening from a weekend trip, and the refrigerator was clicking. A Google search said it might be something on the circuit board. I consulted the GE parts website to figure out which board we needed, and it indicated it was the WR55X10942. I searched for it on Amazon and found this item. It arrived today, and my husband installed it. The refrigerator is back up and running, and it only cost us about $150. Much cheaper than buying a new refrigerator!”

“My GE fridge was making a clicking noise about once a second. I researched the problem online and many websites said to replace the controller board. I ordered the board, swapped it, plugged in the fridge and it worked perfectly!”

“My parents fridge was making a clicking noise and the compressor would not always start. FIrst I changed capacitors on the board and that fixed the compressor but still would not keep the fridge at a constant temp so I changed out the full board and its now good as new”

“My refrigerator board was clicking so ordered this replacement board and replaced it. Very easy to install with instructions provided. Fridge works well since!

Here is a great video on the replacement of the GE refrigerator control board. If you’d like to verify that the clicking noise is actually coming from the control board then you can follow these instructions to take things apart, plug it back in before removing the board then you can hear the clicking from the main controller board.

While this fixes the GE refrigerator clicking issues 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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Ken

It is just that simple. Clicking started Thursday. Found this site. Ordered the part after making sure it worked on my GE fridge. Received part a day earlier than expected. Watched video. Followed instructions. Had one variation – the ground wire – but figured how to make that happen. And presto!! Thank you.

Coralie Abel

How old was your fridge? mine just started clicking tonight. Its a 2012 model. So not sure whether to buy a new fridge or replace this part.

Roberto

The freezer is cold but not freezing and the refrigerator is warm

Brandi

I had a power outage and there is a clicking coming from the DISPENSER area. The lights in the fridge and freezer come on but not cooling on either side and no power to the dispenser. I looked at the motherboard and see no signs of burned areas. Is it still the motherboard or is it dispenser board?

Eric

Hi Brandi, that’s exactly what happened to my fridge! Did you get any confirmation on what you need to fix it?

Robin MacLeod

My water/ice dispenser arm is NOT clicking when pushed, and I am not able to get ice or water from the dispenser. The electricity works, meaning the lights on the controls light up when pressed, it’s just when I press the dispenser arm, there is no sound of connection with power. Can I fix this?

Bryan

just replace the main control board? not the dispenser control board? i hear the clicking sound (tik tok) from the dispenser control board. please help

Swtbabyjesus

Did you ever find which one was the cause. Having the same issue but thinking its the dispenser control board not the main. Cant find any tell tale signs of burnouts on either board and think theres power when voltage checking the appropriate spots on each panel. But nervous to spend $200 and be wrong.

jamie mcdonald

what board did you replace i am having the same issue after a power surge and a power outage

Paul

Thanks for posts here. I have a 2007 GE GSS25QSTASS. Abt two weeks ago my dispenser and display started acting funky; would stop working for a few hours at a time, then 24+ hours, now out altogether with a clicking noise coming from the dispenser that happens about every second. The compressor has continued to work and everything staying cold, but im concerned that will stop as well. Reading this and other posts I replaced the main control board (bought locally spent $200). Was an easy swap and made sure to be careful with it, but when i powered it… Read more »

C L

Great to hear!

Glenn

My GE GSL251GRB is doing the same thing. Id you ever find root cause?

Loc

I have a GE Profile model PDS22MHRBCC and it starts clicking, temp display is wild. What is the Main controller board (part id or code) should I buy.
Thanks for helping me.
Your video is great. Thanks

Loc

Hello Cassidy, Thank you for your advice.
I bought the control board , installed it but the fan and compressor would NOT work.
When power is on I hear a noise indicating an attempt to start but it stops and the fan would not work.
Thank you for your advice. Can you help?

Wade

Everything works with my new control board except it does not cool at all, any advice?

keith

Hello we just replaced the main board and the relay on the new board is clicking as well every few seconds. Suggestions?

Mary Strang

Mary

Thanks so much for the helpful video. I bought the new motherboard at a local appliance shop and installed it myself. But, without your video, the included instructions would have been useless. My 15 year old refrigerator is running great now. Saved me a bundle.

Kendra Crook

I was starting to panic, but your video was so helpful….I’m off to repairclinic.com to buy the new board! Thank you!

Brian

I just replaced an obviously fried main board in my GE side by side. model # ESS25LSQA. Before, lights on, nothing else. Replaced… same. Lights on, but nothing else working. Watched video, did it right. Still not cooling/freezing, displays off. What next?

AppGuy

Hello, currently experiencing similar issue ***GE GEGSF251GXBBB*** side by side refrigerator – fridge side not cooling. A few weeks again, an intermittent clicking began. Did not pinpoint where it was coming from and thought perhaps it was the ice maker, and passed over as not important. Continued for about a month however, all functions were performing as should (Freezer / Fridge temp control, display etc.). Just a day ago, the display showed -9 for Freezer & 50 for Fridge. I unplugged and plugged power back and the Fridge temp increased to 51 degrees. Thought perhaps the heating / defrost heater assembly (WR51X10055)… Read more »

Brian G.

Super simple and fixed my fridge. Replacement part was like, $150. Took probably 2 days to arrive and took about 30 mins to install. Thanks for the article and video!

Stephanie

Heard clicking noise on my fridge/freezer combo and inside the door the temp settings were flashing. Intermittent door open beeping noise.Found this page. Ordered GE part replacement mother board and in two days fridge is as good as new! Saved me a mint! Thank you!