How to set temperature on ge side by side refrigerator

Hi @lrbarrios ,

If the fridge section is not getting cold enough but the freezer now seems to be OK, check that the temperature sensor - part #236 in the fridge compartment is OK.

The two compartments, fridge and freezer, have their own individual evaporator units, evaporator fans and temperature sensors.

Can you hear the fridge evaporator fan turning off and on when you open and close the door? You may have to place your ear on the fridge to hear it.

If you are still having problems with the freezer section also being too warm, it may be that the temperature sensor in the freezer compartment may also be faulty, but I think that may be too much of a coincidence, two being faulty at the same time.

The parts diagrams show no damper doors between the two compartments - fridge and freezer.

The only common link between the two compartments is that they share the same sealed system, i.e. one compressor with a valve to distribute the refrigerant between the two evaporator units and also one control board.

If both compartments show that they are too warm, perhaps it may be a problem with the sealed system e.g. lack of refrigerant, the valve or perhaps the control board.

Perhaps @ladytech ;-) may know what the problem may be.

Hi @lrbarrios ,

The evaporator fan stops when a door is opened because you do not want to blow cold air out of the fridge (or the freezer if that door is opened). They probably use the same door switch to operate the lamp and stop the fan (or turn out the lamp and start the fan when the door is closed)

If the evaporator is frozen over but the fan is still running then you would blow air over the evaporator and the air would get colder and go into the fridge driving down the temperature, unless the fan vent was blocked by ice of course..

It may be that you can hear the fan motor but perhaps the fan blades might not be rotating due to whatever reason. You'd have to check it out to know exactly.

If you click on the temp sensor part link above in my answer, on the left side of the webpage that opens there are 9 sections dealing with all the parts of the fridge.

Scroll up and down to find and then select the section that you are most interested in

Hi @lrbarrios ,

You may have to check that the fridge evap fan blades are actually turning. It may be that the motor is turning but the blades aren’t - blades slipping on fan motor shaft perhaps.

This may be the problem.

The evap shouldn’t need to be defrosted as it should never get down to freezing temp for frost (ice) to form and have to be defrosted.

If the fan is not rotating forcing cold air into the compartment then the temp sensor (via the control board) will keep the refrigerant going thru the evap unit making it get colder and colder, trying to get the temp down to the correct level. Hence the ice formation.

I suppose it could also be a faulty sensor. (forgotten now but have you tried a thermometer in the fridge compartment just to verify that the temp sensor is showing the correct temp?)

If you are looking for how to set the temperature on a GE refrigerator, this article will guide you on how to do it.

How to set temperature on ge side by side refrigerator

  • How Do You Set the Temperature on a GE Refrigerator?
    • Older Models with Analog Double-Control
    • Older Models with Analog Single-Control
    • Models with Digital Control
      • Step 1
      • Step 2
      • Step 3
  • Turning the Cooling Function of the Refrigerator Off and On
  • Get Instant Help — Ask An Experienced Verified Appliance Technician

To set the temperature on a GE refrigerator, you have to consider the model first. One of the good features of GE refrigerators is that there are close similarities in their mode of operations, irrespective of the model.

The older models have analog temperature controls. They are built in such a way that there are some with two different controls for the fridge and the freezer while some have one control for both.

However, newer models tend to come with digital temperature controls. So, let us look at the older models with analog controls.

Older Models with Analog Double-Control

The factory setting for the temperature is 5 and C, with the coldest setting being E or 9. The second control has numbers going from 0 to 9. 0 represents ‘Off’ and 1 to 9 represent the varying temperatures, 9 being the coldest.

Older Models with Analog Single-Control

These models come with indications from 0-9, with 9 being the coldest temperature. The refrigerator comes from the store with the temperature set at 5 degrees.

For these models, all it takes to set the temperatures is to adjust the control dial accordingly.

Note: The analog control is usually found on the dispenser panel, behind the fresh food crisper or above it.

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Models with Digital Control

With digitally-controlled models, the setting is a little different. They usually come with a factory setting of 37 degrees for the refrigerator compartment and 0 degrees for the freezer compartment.

To set them to different points, take the following steps:

Step 1

Press either the ‘Warmer’ or ‘Colder’ keys on the control panel. Doing this displays the current temperature setting for each compartment. The ‘Actual Temp’ light will come on to show that you are viewing the actual temperature in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments.

You do this because the factory setting has it that there will be no digital display on the panel during normal refrigerator operation. The number on the left is the temperature setting of the freezer while that on the right is for the refrigerator.

Step 2

Now, press either of the ‘Warmer’ or ‘Colder’ keys again. The ‘Set Temp’ indicator light will come on to show that you are viewing the control setting temperature on the refrigerator display.

Note: The actual temperatures in the 2 compartments may not be the same as those that show on the control setting. The difference can be attributed to operating conditions and usage.

Step 3

If you want to set the temperature to a colder point for any of the compartments, press the ‘Colder’ key for the compartment. That is if you want to decrease it by only 1 degree, press the key once.

In other words, press the key until you get to the desired setting.

However, if you desire to change the setting after doing the above, you will have to wait a period of 24 hours before doing so. This period gives the unit time to adjust to the setting. Adjusting the setting more than once in less than 24 hours damages the unit.

If you want to set the temperature to a warmer point, repeat the same process as detailed above, only pressing the ‘Warmer’ key this time.

Turning the Cooling Function of the Refrigerator Off and On

To turn off the cooling function of the refrigerator, repeatedly press any of the ‘Warmer’ keys that are on the freezer or refrigerator sides of the panel.

When it gets to the highest number on the side you are pressing, that number will start flashing. When this happens, go over and press the other ‘Warmer’ key until O FF appears on the display.

This display means that cooling is off in the unit. But it does not mean that electrical power in the refrigerator is off.

To turn on the cooling function of the refrigerator, press any key of your choice on the panel. ‘OFF’ will appear on the display.

Next, press any of the ‘Colder’ keys. The original factory temperature setting of both compartments will appear on the display. This returns the compartments to the temperature.

This video demonstrates setting and adjusting the temperature on a GE refrigerator…

Check out these other articles…

GE Refrigerator Troubleshooting [Quick Guide]

How to Replace a GE Ice Maker [Quick Guide]

How to Take Apart GE Refrigerator Drawers [Quick Guide]

GE Refrigerator Handle [Issues and Fixes]

How Old Is My GE Refrigerator? [Solved]

How to Change the Light Bulb in GE Freezer [Quick Guide]

GE Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Getting Water [How to Fix]

Important Note

It’s important to avoid repeatedly adjusting the setting of the temperature in any of the compartments. To do this, decide where you want the temperature to be set and set it on the panel. Then, give the unit time to adapt to the new setting.

However, if you find that there are issues with setting the temperature and cooling, contact GE immediately to report the issue and request service.

Otherwise, chat with our technicians who are readily available to expertly assist you with the problem.

Get Instant Help — Ask An Experienced Verified Appliance Technician

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What temperature should a GE side by side freezer be set at?

Recommended control settings are 0°F for the freezer and 37°F for the fresh food compartment. To view or adjust the current temperature settings, press the Freezer or Fridge pads or "Warmer" or "Colder" pads (depending on the model) until the desired temperature setting is displayed.

What setting should my GE refrigerator be set at?

The recommended refrigerator temperature settings are 37 degrees Fahrenheit in the fresh food and 0 degrees Fahrenheit in the freezer sections.

What temperature should I set my side by side refrigerator?

For refrigerators with electronic controls (most Side-by-Side and French-Door refrigerators) – Fresh food compartment should be set for 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer should be set for 0 degrees Fahrenheit.