Why does my GE Freezer keep shutting down and keep giving codes L or a rotated F

The following is the GE moving instructions. If you have started before the 24 hour rest period and the unit had been rotated from vertical have the compressor inspected.

FREEZER MOVING INSTRUCTIONS Please use the following steps when relocating an upright or chest freezer:

1. Disconnect the power cord from the wall receptacle.
2. Remove the food, defrost, and clean the freezer.
3. Use blankets to protect the freezer finish from scratches.
4. Place the freezer on its side for moving only if you have no other choice.
5. When transporting a freezer, keep it in an upright position. If transporting it in an upright position is not possible, lay it down on the compressor side of the unit. Be careful to secure the door to prevent it from opening.
6. If it has been transported on its side, set it right side up in its final location and allow the freezer to sit for the same amount of time that it was on its side (24 hrs max.). Do not plug the unit into the electrical receptacle without allowing this settling time. The unit can be damaged if it is plugged in prematurely.

If the unit was transported in an upright position there is no waiting time required.


Hope this helps?

Hello Mary;

My name is Peter. I am a retired field service refrigeration technician.

You are locked in the defrost mode. About every 8-10 hours your freezer will go into a defrost mode for 20-30 minutes. This is where all of the components will shut down except for the light.

You have water on the floor because your condenser fan and compressor is shut down.

You did not provide a model number. Your model number is on the inside wall of your freezer near the top. So, I can only guess.

Lets take your freezer out of the defrost mode. In the lower back on the left hand side is your defrost timer (This may also be in the lower front depending on the model). Following is a picture of what a defrost timer looks like.



The time is mounted on the back of a plate and held on with two screws. The plate has a hole through it to give you access to the round knob on the left. The knob has a slot in it. With a flat head screw driver turn the knob clockwise. You will hear a click. Turn one click at a time until the freezer turns on.

The timer cost about $20.00. You can replace it yourself. Unplug the freezer. Unscrew the timer. Remove the connector on the right.

You need to replace the timer or you will have icing problems.

Send me your model number and I will tell you what the part number is.

Try removing fluff and debris with a vaccum cleaner after unplugging power. Now power up. good luck

Ach, digital controls! It sounds like the logic board/panel is on the fritz. No cure unless you can identify the malfunctioning component and replace it.

I hv the same problem, what gives ?

alarm should go off when freezer reaches minus 18c or lower.

Your condenser fan motor at the compressor is either filthy or needing to be replaced. Air flow is pulled over compressor to keep it at a good operating temp. If the fan cannot pull air across compressor it will over heat and shut down on overload. Imagine working in yard on hot summer day and wearing a dust mask over your mouth and nose. Your body shuts down more needing more rest. Same thing with refrigerators, they have to be able to breathe properly also.

Go to Home Depot find you a timer they start at $10.00, you know turn lights off/on when your not home. . They have an digital one for about $16.00 Set it up, ck your times, run it then shut it off for a while keep adjusting till you can keep the temp you want.

You can try 2 things. Unplug it for about 2-3 minutes and then replug it. It should reset itself. You can silence the alarm or muffle it. Silencing it should be hard. Disconnect it from its source. You may want to find out why it is alarming constantly. Have you called Sears and asked them?

Use a freezer thermometer and tell me the actual temperature. Or at least store some ice cream and see if it stays brick hard. Unless I have some idea of the actual temp I can't tell if defective freezer or alarm