How To Turn Off Turbo Cool On A GE Refrigerator? 

The GE refrigerator has many advanced features. Turbo cool is one of the advanced features of the modern GE refrigerator. You are at the right place if you have turned on the turbo cool and are unsure how to turn it off. 

You can deactivate turbo cool in the GE refrigerator by pressing the fridge pad for 3 seconds. If your GE refrigerator has a separate button for the cool turbo feature, try pressing it. If that doesn’t work in your refrigerator model, consider referring to your refrigerator’s user manual.

Turning on the turbo cool for a long time will cause over-cooling issues in your refrigerator. In this article, you will learn how to turn off turbo cool on a GE refrigerator, and you will also learn how the turbo cool feature works on your refrigerator.

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What is the turbo cool feature in the GE refrigerator? 

Turbo cool feature is available in all modern refrigerators nowadays. 

The purpose of the turbo cool feature is to cool down the food and interior of the refrigerator quickly while you are opening the refrigerator’s door quickly. 

It helps to cool the warm food quickly. 

If you place a bowl of warm food in the refrigerator and want it to be cooled immediately, you can turn on the turbo cool feature. 

You can also use the turbo cool feature in the freezer compartments. 

You can also switch on the turbo cool when the refrigerator is switched off for a long period. 

Usually, I turn off the refrigerator when I go on a long vacation. 

When I return home, I will turn on the turbo cool to quickly cool the interior. 

Switching on the turbo cool feature indicates it by the symbol “TC” on the refrigerator display. 

Initially, when I brought the refrigerator, I mistook the symbol TC as an error code. 

But it is not an error code, and it indicates that the turbo cool feature is switched on to remind you to turn it off when not needed. 

How does the turbo cook feature work? 

When you switch on the turbo cool, the refrigerator’s compressor will be turned on, and the fan will start running at high speed for the next 8 hours. 

Turbo cool feature will keep the compressor running until the refrigerator reaches the desired temperature of 1℃. 

Once the refrigerator reaches the desired temperature, the compressor and the fan will turn on and off to sustain the temperature. 

A turbo feature will not turn off automatically, and you must deactivate it to bring your GE refrigerator to normal operations. 

When the turbo cool feature is turned on, the fan will keep running even if you open the refrigerator’s door. 

And when the turbo cool feature is activated, you cannot change the refrigerator’s temperature settings. 

Turning on the turbo cool feature won’t affect the freezer compartment’s temperature and functioning. 

The number of hours in which the compressor and the fan run at high speed depends on the size and load of the refrigerator. 

Some models of refrigerators come with a separate button for the turbo cool feature, while others are designed to use a refrigerator pad. 

Most GE refrigerator modes won’t have a separate button for the turbo cool feature, and you can use the fridge pad to turn it on and off. 

You can turn off the turbo cool mode when reaching the desired temperature. 

Turning the turbo cool feature for a long time will increase energy consumption. 

How to turn off the turbo cool feature? 

It is not recommended to turn on the turbo cool feature all the time as it will increase the utility bill and put a lot of pressure on the compressor and fan as they run at the highest speed for more than 8 hours. 

And refrigerator will already maintain a low temperature; turning the turbo cool feature will not be normal, and the fruits and vegetables will 

Once you switch on the turbo cool feature, switch it off at the right time. 

Deactivating the turbo cool feature is easy; you have to press and hold the fridge pad for 3 seconds. 

Also, to activate it, you must touch and hold the touchpad for 3 seconds. 

If you can’t deactivate the turbo cool feature after holding the fridge pad for 3 seconds, consider consulting with a professional, as it may indicate some faults. 

If your refrigerator has an LCD, follow the steps below to turn off the turbo cool mode on the refrigerator:

  • Press express mode on display. 
  • Select the temperature option.
  • Click on the symbol “tC” to turn off the turbo cool mode. 

Still, some GE refrigerator models have a separate button for the turbo cool feature. 

To deactivate the feature, you must press the button for 3 seconds.  

When must turbo cool be turned on? 

I know my friend who is a baker, and she gets multiple orders with strict deadlines. 

In such cases, turbo cool was useful for her to cool the cakes quickly. 

Likewise, if you have a large amount of food to be cooled quickly, you can turn on the turbo cool feature. 

And if you have kids who open the refrigerator door frequently, in such a case, turning on the turbo cool will be beneficial to you for maintaining the desired temperature in the refrigerator. 

When guests arrive at my home, I will turn on the turbo cool feature to serve them cooled desserts and cooled drinks quickly when I don’t have ice cubes ready. 

Things to know about turbo cooling

Here are the important facts to highlight about the refrigerator’s turbo cool feature:

  • As I mentioned, you cannot change the temperature setting in the refrigerator once you turn on the turbo cool feature. It is because the feature’s main purpose is to cool the contents in the refrigerator in less time. The refrigerator’s temperature settings will be temporarily deactivated in such a case. It is because the changes in the temperature settings will interfere with the feature and may reduce the efficiency of the turbo cool feature. In some cases, the temperature of the refrigerator will come down automatically. 
  • Turbo cool is not an automatic feature; you must manually turn it on and off. You must not always use the turbo cool feature, as it may increase energy consumption. 
  • Fans at the back of the refrigerator will keep running even if you open the door when the turbo cool is activated. Opening the refrigerator door will let the warm air inside it, possibly disturbing the temperature. That’s why the turbo feature is designed to keep air circulation inside the refrigerator. In this way, a refrigerator fan helps maintain the desired temperature through a turbo cool feature. 
  • Turbo cool feature is designed to be effective only in the fridge compartment. If you have the freeze, you must remember turbo cool will not be reaching the freezer compartment. So, keep the food you want to be chilled immediately in the fridge compartment for effective cooling. 
  • Turbo cool feature is available only in modern refrigerators. These are not found in the older model of refrigerators. 

Is the turbo cool feature useful? 

Turbo cool feature is useful in many situations to quickly cool a large amount of food. 

If you are a person who craves something cool frequently, the turbo cool feature will serve you the best. 

You can cool the food you want quickly to quench your cravings. 

When I return from vacation, I use the turbo cool feature to cool down the refrigerator quickly. 

Because during those periods, the refrigerator will be switched off, and it will take longer to reach the desired temperature when not turning on the turbo cool. 

What are the consequences of using turbo cool features all the time? 

None can deny the benefits of the turbo cool feature. 

Still, there are some consequences of using the feature all the time. 

Here are the consequences of using the turbo cool feature frequently: 

High utility bills

In turbo mode, the compressor and the fan run at high speed. 

Energy consumption will be high as they work harder than in a regular cooling mode. It will result in high utility bills. 

Loud noise

As the fan runs at high speed, it can get loud. 

If your refrigerator is placed near the bedroom, it may disturb your peace. 

Make sure you don’t turn on the turbo mode at night. 

If your refrigerator is older, it will be louder when using the turbo cool feature.

Also read: How To Fix GE Refrigerator Making Revving Noise?

Over cooling

If you turn on the turbo cool for a long time, there is a risk of overcooling in the refrigerator. 

Frost will be formed at the surface of food, and some vegetables and fruits may wither due to overcooling. 

Overloading will affect the efficiency of turbo cooling

If you are overloading your refrigerator while using a turbo cooling feature, the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator will be reduced. 

Overloading it will cause the compressor to work hard. As a result, it will wear out soon, costing you money for the expensive repair. 

It will also lead to frosting on the surface of the refrigerator. 

Cost of the refrigerator

The cost of the modern refrigerator with turbo cool features is higher than the older refrigerators. 

Mishandling will damage the compressor and fan.

The fan and compressor will wear out soon if you frequently use the turbo cool feature. 

In such a case, you must replace the fan and compressor. 

And using this feature mindlessly will reduce the efficiency of the refrigerator. 

To some extent, you will have to replace the entire unit. 

To avoid these, you must use the turbo cool feature when it is absolutely necessary. 

Why is my GE refrigerator not cooling? 

Suppose your refrigerator is not cooling as it should be. 

In that case, you must not use a turbo cool feature to maintain the desired temperature. 

Your refrigerator not cooling will be due to some fault. 

Here is the common fault why your refrigerator is not cooling: 

Check the temperature settings

If there are children in your house, they might have changed the temperature settings. 

Check and set the desired temperature in the refrigerator. 

However, you can’t expect the refrigerator to be cooled immediately, and it will take 24 hours to stabilize the temperature. 

Check the condenser coils.

Condenser coils are present at the back of the refrigerator. 

If they are dirty and covered with spiderwebs, it will affect the efficiency of the refrigerator cooling. 

Check your refrigerator condenser coils. 

If they are dirty, clean them immediately. 

The door gaskets are dirty.

Door gaskets are present along the perimeter of the refrigerator’s door, and they help to seal the door with the refrigerator. 

They will not close the door tightly if they are dirty and filled with grime. 

Your refrigerator will not cool at the desired level in such a case.

It would be best if you replaced the gasket in such situations. 

Food inside the refrigerator blocking the air vent

If you’re overloading the refrigerator, it can potentially block the airflow inside it. 

As a result, your refrigerator won’t cool enough to keep the food fresh. 

To fix the issue, unload the unnecessary items from the refrigerator to facilitate the airflow. 

Check if your refrigerator is placed on a leveled surface

Placing the refrigerator on an unlevelled surface will cause several issues in its functionality. 

Check if your refrigerator is leveled and placed on the leveled surface. 

Check if your refrigerator is getting enough ventilation

If your refrigerator is placed in a less-ventilated place, it will affect its cooling capacity. 

Check if your refrigerator is ventilated, and change the location if you find the location too hot or too cold. 

Faults in the internal parts

Suppose you have checked all the above concerts and still your refrigerator is not cooling. 

In that case, there will be faults in its internal parts like the compressor, motor, and fan. 

Consider hiring a professional to diagnose and fix the issue.

Final thoughts

Turbo cool is a beneficial feature to cool down food quickly. You can activate the turbo cool feature whenever you need to reach the desired temperature quickly to keep the food inside the refrigerator fresh. 

But keeping the turbo cool switched on for a long time is not good. It will lead to overcooling and high utility bills. You can turn off the turbo cool by pressing the fridge pad for 3 seconds. 

However, there are two other methods mentioned in the article. Follow the steps mentioned in the article to turn off the turbo cool. If the turbo cool is not deactivated, even if you tried turning it off, consider hiring a professional to diagnose the issue.

How do I reset my GE refrigerator control panel?

You can reset your GE refrigerator by turning it off by unplugging it from the electric outlet. Resetting will help to clear glitches in the refrigerator.

What temperature should my GE refrigerator be set at?

The GE company suggests that setting 35°-38° F will be ideal. Maintaining the temperature at this range will prevent issues in the refrigerator.

Reference link: GE appliances WikipediaRefrigerator Wikipedia

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Jeniffer Smith

Hi, I am Jeniffer Smith, a housemaker and blogger, and I grew up in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. I have been researching and fixing appliances and other things around the home and kitchen from a young age to help my single mother. Every time something went wrong, I couldn't rest until I fixed it. And ever since, I have enjoyed fixing things around my home, and I am always ready to help my friends and family with advice and hands-on help. Since we were always looking for affordable ways of fixing things, we rarely hired experts and tried to fix most things ourselves. That interest brought me to write for this blog, as I realized my knowledge could help many people trying to fix things around their homes on their own without spending hundreds of dollars.

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