On the covered GE refrigerator, FF means GE states: check frozen food for thawing because the temperature is rising too high. First, check whether frozen food has begun to thaw before doing anything else. Then: move food to another freezer if it is thawing; a rising freezer temperature is a food-safety issue first and a repair second.
Differential
Likely causes of “GE refrigerator code FF”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A temperature that rose too high
What separates it FF flashes green with a beeping sound, which points to a temperature that rose too high
How to confirm GE says to check frozen food for thawing because the temperature is rising too high
- 2
A freezer door not fully closed
What separates it Ice or a large item sits behind the door
How to confirm Check for large items such as trays, platters and pizza boxes, and ice behind the ice bin, that may keep the door from closing
- 3
A bad door seal
What separates it The gasket looks torn or dirty, which points to a bad door seal
How to confirm Make sure the door gaskets are sealing properly all the way around
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact characters shown on the display: FF
- Note whether frozen food has softened before you start troubleshooting
- Whether the door closes on its own from halfway open
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleCheck whether frozen food has begun to thaw before doing anything else.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleMove food to another freezer if it is thawing; a rising freezer temperature is a food-safety issue first and a repair second.
Check the food
ReversibleCheck frozen food for thawing; if it is still solid, the freezer may have warmed only briefly.
Check the door
ReversibleLook for items or ice behind the ice bin blocking the door, and if the doors do not close on their own from about 45 degrees, adjust the leveling legs so the front is higher than the back.
Reset
ReversibleDisconnect power for a minute or two and reconnect; GE says this sometimes clears the code.
Wait and watch
ReversibleAllow time for the temperature to come back down and note whether FF returns.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- FF, flashing green with a beep.
- Parts named
- Door gasket; leveling legs.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Move food to a working freezer if it has thawed
- !Do not refreeze food that has thawed, with the full model number and exact code ready
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The leveling and door checks are from GE's not-cooling article.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does FF mean on a GE refrigerator?+
GE states: check frozen food for thawing because the temperature is rising too high.
Is it the same as tF?+
No; tF is the TurboFreeze indicator.
When is service needed?+
If FF returns after the door and seal checks.