If food is freezing in the fresh food section of the GE Profile PVD28BYNFS, GE's article for bottom-freezer refrigerators points at the controls first. The manual's recommended factory settings are 37 F for the refrigerator and 0 F for the freezer, and it says temperatures can be changed with the Settings button and the Up and Down arrows. The Convertible Drawer has its own temperatures selected by the food type pressed (Meat, Beverages, Snacks or Wine), and the setting is locked by default until the button is held for 3 seconds, so a drawer set to a colder food type freezes items. Also check that food is not against the rear wall or vents.
Differential
Likely causes of “GE refrigerator freezes food in the refrigerator section”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The fresh food temperature is set too cold
What separates it Lettuce and drinks freeze and the display shows a low setpoint
How to confirm Raise the refrigerator setting toward 37 F, and wait a day
- 2
The Convertible Drawer is set to Meat or Wine
What separates it Items in the drawer freeze while the main compartment is fine
How to confirm Press the food type you keep in the drawer; hold the button 3 seconds to unlock the setting
- 3
Food is against the rear wall or an air vent
What separates it Only items touching the back are frozen because food is against the rear wall or an air vent
How to confirm Move items away from the vents and the rear wall
- 4
Too much cold air from a loaded freezer or a door left ajar
What separates it There is sudden freezing after a change in use because of too much cold air from a loaded freezer or a door left open
How to confirm Check the doors close and the freezer setting is 0 F
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The refrigerator and freezer setpoints and the drawer food type
- Where in the compartment food freezes
- Whether the setting was recently changed
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedCheck the setting
ReversiblePress the Settings button until Fridge is highlighted and use the arrows; the factory recommendation is 37 F. Raise it a degree at a time.
Check the Convertible Drawer
ReversibleTemperature in the Convertible Drawer is chosen by pressing the food item kept there: Meat, Beverages, Snacks or Wine. The setting is locked by default; hold the button for 3 seconds to unlock.
Move food from the vents
ReversibleKeep foods off the rear wall and away from air vents so cold air can circulate.
Check the freezer setting
ReversibleSet the freezer to 0 F. Colder settings can push cold air into the fresh food compartment.
Wait 24 hours
ReversibleWait 24 hours, since after changing settings you should allow 24 hours for temperatures to stabilize.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Convertible Drawer settings
- The drawer's temperature is selected by pressing the food item to be kept in it, Meat, Beverages, Snacks or Wine, each with its own temperature, and the setting is locked by default; a button must be pressed for 3 seconds to unlock. The drawer basket comes out by pulling the drawer to its stop, lifting and rotating, and it will be loose if it is reinstalled backward: look for the FRONT emboss.
- Parts for this problem on the PVD28BYNFS (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- ice funnel bracket w/ autofill sensors, part number WR17X31928, at $100.44; convertible drawer damper, part number WR02X31945, at $60.67; refrigerator main control board, part number WR55X48305, at $241.00.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models PGE29BYTFS, GFE28GYNFS, CYE22TSHSS, GSS25GYPFS, GDE21EYKFS, GTS22KYNRFS.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If food freezes with settings at 37 F and 0 F and items away from the vents, contact GE service
- !If both compartments are very cold, check for a damper or sensor fault with service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
GE Appliances' own support articles for refrigerators; the article for this page is named in the page's notes.
GE's own troubleshooting page for the SmartHQ pairing steps and the Connected Home Support line.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my lettuce freezing?+
The refrigerator setting is too cold or the food is against a vent.
What is the recommended temperature?+
37 F for the fresh food and 0 F for the freezer.
What is the Convertible Drawer?+
A drawer whose temperature is selected by food type: Meat, Beverages, Snacks or Wine.
Why will the drawer setting not change?+
It is locked by default; hold the button for 3 seconds to unlock.
How long after a change?+
Allow 24 hours for temperatures to stabilize.
Can the water tank freeze?+
Yes, if controls are set too cold the reservoir may freeze; set it warmer and wait 24 hours.
Do I move shelves?+
Keep foods away from the vents and rear wall.