Common GE Refrigerator Light Problems (how to fix them quickly)

If your GE refrigerator is working fine but the interior light doesn’t come on when you open the door, don’t panic. There could be any number of reasons for this but most are easy to fix without going to the trouble or expense of calling out an engineer. In this post we’ll explain the most common reasons for GE refrigerators developing light problems.

Is it just the fridge light that’s not working? Or has the touch display, ice maker and dispenser stopped working too? If this is the case it could be that your GE refrigerator is in Sabbath mode.

Sabbath Mode

Sabbath mode allows people of the Jewish faith to observe their religious practices whilst still using their refrigerator. Under Jewish religious laws, the Sabbath is a holy day of rest, and during the Sabbath no electrical appliances can be operated. Sabbath mode allows the religious rules to be observed without having to physically turn the fridge off.

To cancel the Sabbath mode setting on your GE refrigerator press and hold the “lock” and “light” buttons simultaneously for around 10 seconds. Check that the lights and other parts are all working correctly again.

Hard Reset

Sometimes performing a hard reset will clear any glitches in the system and allow your GE refrigerators light to function again. To perform a hard reset;

• Disconnect the power supply
• Allow 10 to 15 minutes to pass
• Reconnect the power supply

Hard reset should now be complete.

For more information on how to reset any GE refrigerator follow this link.

Bulb Blown

Like all light bulbs, fridge interior light bulbs blow after constant use for long periods. If you habitually leave the fridge door open for long periods, the bulb will blow faster than on a fridge that is kept closed for longer periods. If on inspection, the bulb has a black, sooty mark on it or the filament is loose, it needs replacing.

Just remove the bulb and replace it with a suitable replacement, this should result in the light working again. 

Faulty Light Socket

If the bulb is fine, it could be the light socket that’s faulty, you’ll need to test it using a multimeter. If you don’t feel confident using a multimeter you’ll need to call in an engineer. If you decide to have a go yourself, check the socket to see if it is being supplied with power. If not, it’ll need replacing.

Faulty Door Switch

If you’re sure the bulb wasn’t faulty, and the socket has power flowing to it, it could be the door switch that’s causing the problem. Activate the door switch a few times and see if this gets the light working again. If this doesn’t work, and you feel competent, test the switch using a multimeter. If this shows there is no continuity in the switch you’ll need to replace it. 

Faulty Light Switch

If the door switch is fine, and the bulb isn’t blown, it could be the actual light switch. This can be tested using the multimeter once again. If there is no continuity then it’s the light switch that’s faulty and will need to be replaced.

Faulty Light Board

It is possible that the light board has developed a fault, it’s easy to replace the light board just remove the old light board by removing the cover (some models have two screws that need removing, others just pull off) and remove the wire connector. The light board will now easily come away from the light housing. Install the replacement in the reverse order and check it is all working correctly.

Ice Maker power Light Not Working

If the ice maker power light isn’t working and you’re certain that it’s turned on, there are a number of ways to solve this issue depending on the model of GE refrigerator you own. Try;

Adjusting The Feeler Arm

The arm consists of a metal rod by adjusting its position downwards it turns the ice maker on.

Activating The Control Panel

If your GE refrigerator has a control panel on the front that activates the ice maker, press and hold the ice maker button for around 3 seconds. This turns the ice maker on (repeating the process turns it off again). If this doesn’t fix it, it could be the control panel isn’t receiving any power. 

To check this you’ll need the multimeter again and if there is no power it could be you need to replace the control panel. If it’s not the control panel, it could be that the ice maker needs to be  replaced.

Adjusting The Slide Switch

On some models there is a switch that slides from left to right, and moving the switch in one direction will turn the ice maker on and moving it in the other direction turns it off. It should be labelled to direct you on which direction to slide the switch.

Adjusting The Toggle

This works in a similar way to the slide switch just up and down instead of side to side. Moving the switch to the top should turn the ice maker on which in turn, should turn the light on.

Ice Maker Green Light Flashing

If the green light is flashing on the ice maker it indicates there is a fault somewhere in the ice maker circuitry. Common faults include;

• There is a blockage causing the ice rake to stick
• The motor isn’t working
• The ice maker’s heater is malfunctioning
• Faulty ice maker test function

When the ice maker is in operation it runs a series of steps starting with the ice rake running over the ice mould to remove any ice or other likely blockages. The mould then fills with water and the ice should start to form. If it takes longer than 7 minutes for the water to fill the mould, the ice maker goes into a self-fix mode. 

This self-fix mode should only last around 30 minutes, if it goes on for any longer the ice maker goes into a fault mode causing the green light to flash. To correct this, turn the ice maker off and allow around 15 to 20 seconds to elapse. Then push the plastic paddle in 3 times immediately after turning the ice maker back on. Before a further 3 minutes has passed you should hear the ice maker start working.

Refrigerator LIghts Flashing

If the light on your GE refrigerator is flashing or blinking, do a hard reset and see if that solves the issue. If it doesn’t, you’ll probably need to replace the control board which is usually located at the bottom of the refrigerator to the rear.

Chest Freezer Green Light Not On 

If the power is on and the freezer green light is off, it can often be fixed simply by performing a hard reset. If a hard reset doesn’t fix it, you’ll need to call in an expert to service the appliance.

Freezer High Temperature Light On Constantly

If this light is on it indicates the temperature inside the freezer is too high. There are a number of reasons for this including; 

• Freezer door slightly open
• Temperature Control Dial Set Wrong
• Door seals broken
• Ice buildup around the evaporator fan or coils

Fixes include shutting the freezer door properly, resetting the temperature control level, replacing damaged seals and defrosting the freezer. Once the freezer is completely defrosted it might be worth running a full diagnostic check on all of the working parts. This would include checking the following;

• Compressor
• Evaporator
• Condenser
• Refrigerant Levels

Freezer Light Not Working

If the freezer is working but the freezer light isn’t, it is most likely the bulb has blown. If this is the case, replace the bulb. It could also be the door switch needs replacing or the light fitting could be faulty. If the freezer has LED lighting, it could be the light board needs replacing. Consult your user manual for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions