GE Refrigerator Fan is Not Clicking On

Evaporator Fan

• The evaporator fan is located in the freezer compartment, behind the back panel. The purpose of the fan is to circulate air over the evaporator coils and throughout the entire refrigerator. The cold air travels through a vent from the freezer to the refrigerator. This keeps the temperature in both the freezer and in the refrigerator constant, and also prevents ice and frost from building up on the surface of the evaporator coils.

Condenser Fan

• The condenser fan is near the compressor unit, either toward the bottom of the fridge in the back, or underneath the fridge. The fan draws outside air into the compressor, cooling it as it works to pump refrigerant through the coils and into the evaporator. This fan also blows warm air produced by the compressor over the drip pan, which is under the fridge. The drip pan collects water from the refrigerator's self-defrosting cycle. The warm air causes the water to evaporate.

Normal Operation

• Neither fan operates all of the time. Both are controlled by a timer. The evaporator fan and the condenser fan cycle off when a timer triggers the defroster to heat up. This happens about every eight hours. The defroster is within the evaporator coils. As it warms up, any ice collected on the coils melts into the drip pan. When the air gets too warm -- as tested by a thermostat -- the compressor, and both fans, click back on. If the temperature changes quickly, such as when the freezer door is left open, this can also trigger the fans to click on.

Troubleshooting

• It's fairly easy to tell if your fans are not clicking on. First of all, you won't be able to hear them operating. Your refrigerator also feels too warm. Unfortunately, it's not nearly as easy to diagnose the problem. The thermostat, which monitors the temperature of the air and triggers the compressor and fans to turn on when it gets too warm, could be malfunctioning. It could be that the timer needs to be replaced. The issue could also be much more serious -- a problem with one of the fan's motors, or it could be that the compressor itself needs to be replaced. Before calling in a pro, do some troubleshooting. The condenser fan often gets covered with dirt and grime, which can keep it from moving. This problem can be easily remedied with a vacuum and and hose attachment, but the rest need to be diagnosed and repaired by a professional.