Door Open

• If the self-defrost feature is not working in your GE side-by-side freezer, some basic troubleshooting steps may be useful. One of the first things to check is whether the unit doors are open as the defrost cycle cannot run if the doors are open. Check to make sure that no food items or packages are blocking the door(s) and push all bins and drawers shut completely. Once the doors have remained fully shut for two hours, the auto-defrost cycle will initiate.
  
  

Temperature Control

• Take a look at the freezer temperature control and make sure it is turned on and set to a proper cold temperature. If the temperature control is turned off or set to a warm temperature point, the self-defrost feature will not initiate. Set the temperature control to a colder setting and wait several hours for the temperature to change, keeping the door shut during this time.
  
  

Condenser Coils

• It is possible that the condenser coils are dirty or dusty, which can interfere with the proper performance of the self-defrost function. Turn off and unplug the refrigerator and remove the front kick panel on the front of the refrigerator. Use a vacuum cleaner brush attachment to clean the condenser coils, which look like a black, thin device inside the unit. Replace the kick panel and plug in the unit.
  
  

Self-Testing

• There is a way to check the self-defrost feature of the freezer, but it can be somewhat inconvenient. Remove all perishable items from the refrigerator and freezer and turn the unit off. Prop the freezer door open for up to 48 hours and set towels in the bottom of the freezer and on the floor in front of the unit. This procedure will force the unit into a manual defrost and will melt any ice or frost inside. Use a clean cloth to wipe up any melted water inside the freezer, return the food items, restore power and set the temperature control to a normal temperature point. If the freezer returns to normal cooling, contact a service technician for assistance because either the defrost timer or thermostat may be damaged or broken. Alternatively, if the above troubleshooting steps do not resolve the problem, you can skip the self-test and simply contact GE or a repair service center for assistance.