Consumer S
up
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Troubleshooting T
ips
Operating Instructions
Safety Instructions
Installation
Instructions
Normal operating sounds.
GEAppliances.com
Before you call for service…
Troubleshooting Tips
Save time and money! Review the charts on
the following pages first and you may not need to call
for service.
Newer refrigerators sound different from older refrigerators.
Modern refrigerators have more features and use newer technology.
HUMMM...
WHOOSH...
The new high efficiency compressor may run faster
and longer than your old refrigerator and you may
hear a high-pitched hum or pulsating sound while
it is operating.
You may hear a whooshing sound when the
doors close. This is due to pressure equalizing within
the refrigerator.
You may hear the fans spinning at high speeds.
This happens when the refrigerator is first plugged in,
when the doors are opened frequently or when a large
amount of food is added to the refrigerator or freezer
compartments. The fans are helping to maintain the
correct temperatures.
The fans change speeds in order to provide optimal
cooling and energy savings.
CLICKS, POPS,
CRACKS and SNAPS
You may hear cracking or popping sounds when
the refrigerator is first plugged in. This happens as
the refrigerator cools to the correct temperature.
The freezer control will click when starting or stopping
the compressor.
Defrost timer snapping in and out of the defrost cycle.
Expansion and contraction of cooling coils during and
after defrost can cause a cracking or popping sound.
On models with an icemaker, after an icemaking cycle,
you may hear the ice cubes dropping into the ice
bucket.
On models with a dispenser, during water dispense,
you may hear the water lines move at initial dispense
and after dispenser button is released.
WATER SOUNDS
The flow of refrigerant through the freezer cooling coils
may make a gurgling noise like boiling water.
Water dropping on the defrost heater can cause a
sizzling, popping or buzzing sound during the defrost
cycle.
A water dripping noise may occur during the defrost
cycle as ice melts from the evaporator and flows into
the drain pan.
Closing the door may cause a gurgling sound due to
pressure equalization.
Do you hear what I hear? These sounds are normal.
Problem
Possible Causes
What To Do
Refrigerator does not
Refrigerator in defrost cycle.
• Wait about 30 minutes for defrost cycle to end.
operate
Control in
0ff
position.
• Move the control to a temperature setting.
Refrigerator is unplugged.
• Push the plug completely into the outlet.
The fuse is blown/circuit
• Replace fuse or reset the breaker.
breaker is tripped.
Vibration or rattling
Leveling legs need adjusting.
• See
Level the Refrigerator.
(slight vibration
is normal)
For additional information on normal
icemaker operating sounds, see the
About the automatic icemaker
section.
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