Refrigerator display shows FF and fresh food section is warm while freezer may still be cold.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the refrigerator or switch off the circuit breaker before removing any panels.
The FF code on many GE French-door and side-by-side models indicates the fresh food (refrigerator compartment) evaporator fan is not running correctly.
- Check for airflow and noise: Open the fresh food door and listen near the rear wall. If the fan is not running or is very noisy, suspect the fan motor.
- Inspect for ice buildup: Remove shelves and the rear interior panel of the fresh food section (usually held by Phillips screws). If the fan area is encased in ice, the fan blades may be blocked. Carefully melt ice with a hair dryer on low, keeping it moving and not too close to plastic. Do not chip ice with sharp tools.
- Test the fan motor: With the panel removed and power restored briefly, close the door switch with your finger. The fan should start. If it hums or does not spin, the fresh food evaporator fan motor is likely bad and should be replaced.
- Check wiring: With power off again, inspect the fan connector and harness for loose plugs, corrosion, or damaged wires. Reseat the connector firmly.
- If fan and wiring are good: The main control board (often on the back of the refrigerator behind a metal cover) may not be sending power to the fan. This typically requires a technician to diagnose with a multimeter and replace the board if needed.
If you are not comfortable removing interior panels or working around wiring, contact a qualified appliance technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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