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7 Steps To Reset Your GE Refrigerator In 25 Sec (2023)

How To Reset GE Refrigerator

Imagine this:

You invited a couple of your friends for a small dinner party at home.

But then, a day before the party, there was a power outage. And that caused your GE refrigerator to malfunction.

What about now the foods in the fridge you’ve bought for the event?

Geez! I know it can be stressful…

But don’t worry, you can quickly resolve the problem by resetting your fridge. So…

Read on to discover:

  • When it is safe to do a reset.
  • 7 simple steps to reset a GE refrigerator.
  • Whether GE refrigerators have reset buttons.
  • How to reset the display after a power outage.
  • And much much more…

How to reset a GE refrigerator?

To reset a GE refrigerator, unplug it for about 30 seconds. Then, turn OFF the freezer’s shut-off switch for 30 seconds, and push the ice maker’s shut-off arm up and down three times. If the display still doesn’t work, press and hold the “Energy Saving” and “Lighting” buttons for 10 seconds.


7 steps to reset a GE refrigerator


#1: Cut off the refrigerator’s power supply

To reset your GE refrigerator, reboot its motor and system.

And to do that, you have cut off its power supply.

How?

There are 2 ways to do that, either by:

  • Switching OFF its circuit breaker.
  • Unplugging its cord from the power socket.

“Which one should I do?”

Unplugging its power cord from the socket is technically the best way to cut off its power supply. Since you’re physically removing the fridge’s plug from the power source.

So, if you can access its power cord, unplug it from the wall socket.

But then…

Doing this is barely possible in some home kitchen setups.

For once, it wouldn’t be easy to unplug a refrigerator that’s in a built-in cabinet. As its wiring runs through a wall. Or would at least require you to pull out the fridge from the cabinet to unplug it.

In that case, your easiest solution would be to switch off its circuit breaker.

Warning: Turning the circuit breaker OFF and ON many times can cause an electrical hazard. So, only do this if a reset is necessary, and you can’t access the fridge’s power cord at all.

Look for the breaker box in your house. Then, locate and turn OFF the circuit breaker for your refrigerator.

Some houses have a separate single circuit breaker for their fridge. So, you may also want to look for it around your kitchen.

Reading tip: 15 Refrigerator Do’s And Don’ts (Avoid #7 At All Times)

#2: Turn it ON after 30 seconds

Once you’ve cut off its power supply, let it sit for at least 30 seconds. 

The reason:

A certain amount of power supply remains in the appliance even after you’ve unplugged it or turned OFF its circuit breaker.

Think of electricity as water in a pipe…

When you cut a pipe filled with running water, a certain amount of water remains from the cut pipe. And it would take a few seconds for the water to spill out.

For a reset to be successful, you have to ensure that no electric current flows through the appliance.

So, it’s necessary that you replug or turn its circuit breaker back ON only after 30 seconds.

After this, check if your GE refrigerator is back to running.

If not, continue to step #3.

#3: Turn OFF the freezer’s shut-off switch

Is your GE refrigerator cooling function isn’t working yet?

Then, try to turn OFF its freezer’s shut-off switch.

The freezer’s shut-off switch controls the cooling function on that specific section. Turning it OFF helps the freezer’s system to restart and work accordingly.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Open the freezer.
  2. Locate the shut-off switch. Typically, on the top-back area.
  3. Toggle the switch OFF.

Note: Depending on your GE fridge model, the location of the freezer’s shut-off switch may vary slightly.

#4: Turn it back ON after 30 seconds

Turn back on the toggle switch after 30 seconds

For a better result, wait for 30 seconds before switching it back ON.

Doing this allows the freezer’s system and cooling function to reboot entirely.

Just toggle the shut-off switch back to the “ON” position to turn it ON. Then, close the freezer door.

Tip: One best way to maintain a refrigerator is to ensure that the fridge door is securely closed. So, check whether its door seal is in good condition.

#5: Push the ice maker’s shut-off arm up and down 3x

Next, open your GE refrigerator to access the ice maker’s shut-off arm.

“What is it?”

Think of it as an automatic lever.

The ice maker’s shut-off arm turns OFF and ON the ice maker and controls how much ice it makes.

It’s typically white and shaped like a half-hexagon.

Going back…

Your next step is to push the ice maker’s shut-off arm up and down 3 times.

To do that:

  1. Open the fridge door.
  2. Pull out the tray above the ice maker.
  3. Locate the ice maker’s shut-off arm.
  4. Gently push it up and down 3 times.

Note: The ice maker’s shut-off arm is installed horizontally on some GE fridge models. So, you have to push and pull it to perform the process.

Watch this video to know what it looks like:

This step should get your refrigerator cooling function back to running.

#6: Press the “Energy Saving” and “Lighting” buttons

“I have one more problem. The fridge’s display is flashing ‘E’ and ‘5.’”

If that’s the case, you have to reset the display.

Here’s how you can do that:

  1. Press the “Energy Saving” and “Lighting” buttons simultaneously.
  2. Hold the buttons for about 10 seconds.
  3. Then, release.

After this, your GE refrigerator should work just fine.

Editor’s pick: What Is a Smart Inverter on a Fridge? 5 Things To Know

#7: Contact GE support for service

If the problem persists, contact GE support for service.

They would gladly help troubleshoot your fridge issue. And even send a professional technician to your home to diagnose your appliance.

Just make sure to prepare the following before contacting them:

  • Warranty information.
  • GE refrigerator model.
  • GE refrigerator serial number.

Pro tip: If your fridge has a QR code inside, scan it with your smart device. Doing this will lead you to the support page exclusively for your appliance.

“Do I have to pay for their service?”

If your unit is under warranty, then their service should be free-of-charge. 

Tip: Register to GE’s Service Protection Advantage program. So you can schedule a service even after your warranty has expired.


Frequently asked questions:


Is there a reset button on a GE refrigerator?

There is no reset button on a GE refrigerator. You have to unplug the unit for at least 30 seconds to reset it. If the problem persists, turn OFF the freezer’s shut-off switch for 30 seconds, and push the ice maker’s shut-off arm up and down three times.

Unlike other smart devices, you can only reset a GE refrigerator by cutting off its power supply. Either by unplugging it or switching OFF its circuit breaker.

Regardless of which, doing so will reboot the fridge’s system. And help your appliance get back to running.

When should you reset a GE refrigerator?

You should reset a GE refrigerator when it malfunctions after a power outage. Or when you’re moving it to another location. Doing this will help restart its system and its cooling function.

Note: Although resetting is a great way to resolve errors, you should still consult GE support or review your product user’s manual.

The reason: 

A reset can sometimes cause further damage. 

And I’m not talking about just a minor glitch. But compressor or condenser coils failure. Which are responsible for keeping your fridge cool and running.

So, only reset your GE refrigerator if the:

  • Control display is unresponsive.
  • Control display is blinking a blue letter.
  • Control display is displaying “E” and “5.”
  • Fridge isn’t cooling after a power outage.
  • Fridge has stopped running after a power outage.