
ENGLISH/FRANÇAIS/
ESPAÑOL
Write the model and serial
numbers here:
Model # _________________
Serial # _________________
Find these numbers on a label
inside the fresh food compartment.
49-1000508 Rev. 0 04-20 GEA
GPE12
OWNER’S MANUAL &
INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
REFRIGERATORS
Top Freezer
GE is a trademark of the General Electric Company. Manufactured under trademark license.
SAFETY INFORMATION .........3
USING THE REFRIGERATOR
Controls ..............................5
Storage Drawers .......................5
Ice Service ............................6
CARE AND CLEANING ...........7
Cleaning the Outside ...................7
Cleaning the Inside ....................7
Replacing the LED Light ................8
Preparing for Vacation .................8
Preparing to Move .....................8
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Preparing to Install the Refrigerator ......9
Features .............................10
Reversing the Door Swing ............. 11
TROUBLESHOOTING
Normal Operating Sounds .............14
Troubleshooting Tips ..................15
LIMITED WARRANTY .............17
ACCESSORIES .....................18
CONSUMER SUPPORT ......... 20

2 49-1000508 Rev. 0
THANK YOU FOR MAKING GE APPLIANCES A PART OF YOUR HOME.
Whether you grew up with GE Appliances, or this is your first, we’re happy to have you in the family.
We take pride in the craftsmanship, innovation and design that goes into every GE Appliances
product, and we think you will too. Among other things, registration of your appliance ensures that we
can deliver important product information and warranty details when you need them.
Register your GE appliance now online. Helpful websites and phone numbers are available in the
Consumer Support section of this Owner’s Manual. You may also mail in the pre-printed registration
card included in the packing material.

49-1000508 Rev. 0 3
CAUTION
To reduce the risk of injury when using your refrigerator, follow these basic safety precautions.
Ŷ 'RQRWFOHDQJODVVVKHOYHVRUFRYHUVZLWKZDUP
water when they are cold. Glass shelves and
covers may break if exposed to sudden temperature
changes or impact, such as bumping or dropping.
Tempered glass is designed to shatter into many
small pieces if it breaks.
Ŷ .HHSILQJHUVRXWRIWKH³SLQFKSRLQW´DUHDV
clearances between the doors and between the
doors and cabinet are necessarily small. Be careful
closing doors when children are in the area.
Ŷ 'RQRWWRXFKWKHFROGVXUIDFHVLQWKHIUHH]HU
compartment when hands are damp or wet, skin
may stick to these extremely cold surfaces.
Ŷ 'RQRWUHIUHH]HIUR]HQIRRGVZKLFKKDYHWKDZHG
completely.
Ŷ ,QUHIULJHUDWRUVZLWKDXWRPDWLFLFHPDNHUVDYRLG
contact with the moving parts of the ejector
mechanism, or with the heating element that
UHOHDVHVWKHFXEHV'RQRWSODFHILQJHUVRUKDQGV
on the automatic ice making mechanism while the
refrigerator is plugged in.
SAFETY INFORMATION
READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire, explosion, electric shock, or injury when using your refrigerator, follow
these basic safety precautions:
Ŷ 7KLVUHIULJHUDWRUPXVWEHSURSHUO\LQVWDOOHG
DQGORFDWHGLQDFFRUGDQFHZLWKWKH,QVWDOODWLRQ
,QVWUXFWLRQVEHIRUHLWLVXVHG
Ŷ 8QSOXJWKHUHIULJHUDWRUEHIRUHPDNLQJUHSDLUV
replacing a light bulb, or cleaning.
NOTE: Power to the refrigerator cannot be
disconnected by any setting on the control panel.
NOTE: Repairs must be performed by a qualified
Service Professional.
Ŷ 5HSODFHDOOSDUWVDQGSDQHOVEHIRUHRSHUDWLQJ
Ŷ 'RQRWVWRUHRUXVHJDVROLQHRURWKHUIODPPDEOH
vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or any other
appliance.
Ŷ 'RQRWVWRUHH[SORVLYHVXEVWDQFHVVXFKDVDHURVRO
cans with a flammable propellant in this appliance.
Ŷ 'RQRWXVHDQH[WHQVLRQFRUG
Ŷ 7RSUHYHQWVXIIRFDWLRQDQGHQWUDSPHQWKD]DUGV
WRFKLOGUHQUHPRYHWKHIUHVKIRRGDQGIUHH]HU
doors from any refrigerator before disposing of it or
discontinuing its use.
Ŷ 7RDYRLGVHULRXVLQMXU\RUGHDWKFKLOGUHQVKRXOGQRW
stand on, or play in or with the appliance.
Ŷ &KLOGUHQDQGSHUVRQVZLWKUHGXFHGSK\VLFDOVHQVRU\
or mental capabilities or lack of experience and
knowledge can use this appliance only if they are
supervised or have been given instructions on safe
XVHDQGXQGHUVWDQGWKHKD]DUGVLQYROYHG
Ŷ 7KLVDSSOLDQFHLVLQWHQGHGWREHXVHGLQKRXVHKROG
and similar applications such as: staff kitchen areas
LQVKRSVRIILFHVDQGRWKHUZRUNLQJHQYLURQPHQWV
IDUPKRXVHVE\FOLHQWVLQKRWHOVPRWHOVEHG
EUHDNIDVWDQGRWKHUUHVLGHQWLDOHQYLURQPHQWV
catering and similar non-retail applications.
Ŷ 'RQRWDSSO\KDUVKFOHDQHUVWRWKHUHIULJHUDWRU
Certain cleaners will damage plastic which may
cause parts such as the door or door handles to
detach unexpectedly. See the Care and Cleaning
section for detailed instructions.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THE APPLIANCE
WARNING
EXPLOSION HAZARD Flammable Refrigerant
This appliance contains isobutane refrigerant, R600a, a natural gas with high environmental compatibility.
However, it is also combustible. Adhere to the warnings below to reduce the risk of injury or property
damage.
1. When handling, installing and operating the
appliance, care should be taken to avoid damage to
the refrigerant tubing.
2. 6HUYLFHVKDOORQO\EHSHUIRUPHGE\DXWKRUL]HG
VHUYLFHSHUVRQQHO8VHRQO\PDQXIDFWXUHUDXWKRUL]HG
service parts.
3. 'LVSRVHRIUHIULJHUDWRULQDFFRUGDQFHZLWK)HGHUDO
DQG/RFDO5HJXODWLRQV)ODPPDEOHUHIULJHUDQWDQG
insulation material used require special disposal
procedures. Contact your local authorities for the
environmentally safe disposal of your refrigerator.
4. .HHSYHQWLODWLRQRSHQLQJVLQWKHDSSOLDQFH
enclosures or in the built-in structure clear of
obstruction.
5. 'RQRWXVHPHFKDQLFDOGHYLFHVRURWKHUPHDQVWR
accelerate the defrosting process.
6. 'RQRWGDPDJHUHIULJHUDQWFLUFXLW
7. 'RQRWXVHHOHFWULFDODSSOLDQFHVLQVLGHWKHIRRG
storage compartment of the appliance.

4 49-1000508 Rev. 0
WARNING
SUFFOCATION AND ENTRAPMENT HAZARD
)DLOXUHWRIROORZWKHVHGLVSRVDOLQVWUXFWLRQVFDQUHVXOWLQGHDWKRUVHULRXVLQMXU\
IMPORTANT: Child entrapment and suffocation
are not problems of the past. Junked or abandoned
UHIULJHUDWRUVRUIUHH]HUVDUHVWLOOGDQJHURXVHYHQLIWKH\
ZLOOVLWIRU³MXVWDIHZGD\V´,I\RXDUHJHWWLQJULGRI\RXU
ROGUHIULJHUDWRURUIUHH]HUSOHDVHIROORZWKHLQVWUXFWLRQV
below to help prevent accidents.
Before You Throw Away Your Old Appliance
Ŷ7DNHRIIWKHIUHVKIRRGDQGIUHH]HUGRRUV
Ŷ Leave the shelves in place so that children may not
easily climb inside.
Refrigerant and Foam Disposal:
'LVSRVHRIDSSOLDQFHLQDFFRUGDQFHZLWK)HGHUDODQG/RFDO5HJXODWLRQV)ODPPDEOHUHIULJHUDQWDQGLQVXODWLRQ
material used requires special disposal procedures. Contact your local authorities for the environmentally safe
disposal of your appliance.
PROPER DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD REFRIGERATOR
Do not, under any circumstances, cut or remove the third (ground) prong from the power cord. For
personal safety, this appliance must be properly grounded.
The power cord of this appliance is equipped with a
3-prong (grounding) plug which mates with a standard
SURQJJURXQGLQJZDOORXWOHWWRPLQLPL]HWKH
SRVVLELOLW\RIHOHFWULFVKRFNKD]DUGIURPWKLVDSSOLDQFH
Have the wall outlet and circuit checked by a qualified
electrician to make sure the outlet is properly
grounded.
Where a standard 2-prong wall outlet is encountered, it
is your personal responsibility and obligation to have it
replaced with a properly grounded 3-prong wall outlet.
'RQRWXVHDQDGDSWHU
The refrigerator should always be plugged into its own
individual electrical outlet which has a voltage rating
that matches the rating plate.
$9ROW$&+]RUDPSIXVHGJURXQGHG
electrical supply is required. This provides the best
performance and also prevents overloading house
ZLULQJFLUFXLWVZKLFKFRXOGFDXVHDILUHKD]DUGIURP
overheated wires.
Never unplug your refrigerator by pulling on the power
cord. Always grip plug firmly and pull straight out from
the outlet.
,PPHGLDWHO\GLVFRQWLQXHXVHRIDGDPDJHGVXSSO\
FRUG,IWKHVXSSO\FRUGLVGDPDJHGLWPXVWEH
replaced by a qualified service professional with an
DXWKRUL]HGVHUYLFHSDUWIURPWKHPDQXIDFWXUHU
When moving the refrigerator away from the wall, be
careful not to roll over or damage the power cord.
CONNECTING ELECTRICITY
WARNING
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD
Plug into a grounded 3-prong outlet
'RQRWUHPRYHWKHJURXQGSURQJ
'RQRWXVHDQDGDSWHU
'RQRWXVHDQH[WHQVLRQFRUG
)DLOXUHWRIROORZWKHVHLQVWUXFWLRQVFDQUHVXOWLQGHDWKILUHRUHOHFWULFDOVKRFN
SAFETY INFORMATION
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THE APPLIANCE
READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALLATION
WARNING
EXPLOSION HAZARD
.HHSIODPPDEOHPDWHULDOVDQGYDSRUVVXFKDVJDVROLQHDZD\IURPUHIULJHUDWRU)DLOXUHWRGRVRFDQUHVXOWLQILUH
explosion, or death.

49-1000508 Rev. 0 5
Control Settings
The control in the fresh food compartment should be
adjusted one increment at a time. Allow 12 hours after
each adjustment for the compartment to reach the
WHPSHUDWXUH\RXKDYHVHW7KHIUHH]HUFRPSDUWPHQWZLOO
be colder when the fresh food compartment temperature
is lower.
Controls
USING THE REFRIGERATOR: Controls
7KHWHPSHUDWXUHFRQWUROLVORFDWHGLQWKHIUHVKIRRGFRPSDUWPHQW,QLWLDOO\VHWWKHFRQWURO
WRWKHUHFRPPHQGHGVHWWLQJ$OORZKRXUVIRUWHPSHUDWXUHWRVWDELOL]H
)UHVK)RRG7HPS&RQWURO
Temperature Control
Select
Coldest Colder
Recommended
Cold
Thermistor
Control settings will vary based on personal preferences,
usage and operating conditions and may require more
WKDQRQHDGMXVWPHQW)DFWRUVWKDWDIIHFWWHPSHUDWXUH
include the amount of food in the fresh food and
IUHH]HUFRPSDUWPHQWVIUHTXHQF\RIGRRURSHQLQJDQG
temperature of food when placed in either compartment.
Thermistor
The thermistor located at the bottom of the fresh
food control housing is one of the key elements for
WHPSHUDWXUHFRQWURO.HHSDOOLWHPVDZD\IURPEORFNLQJ
the thermistor as this will reduce the sensitivity of
WKHWKHUPLVWRUDQGFDXVHWHPSHUDWXUHLVVXHV)RRG
PD\IUHH]HRUEHFRPHWRRZDUPGHSHQGLQJRQWKH
compressor cycle if the air flow is blocked.
Storage Drawers
Fruit and Vegetable Drawers
These storage drawers provide space to store fruits,
vegetables and meats.
To remove and replace the drawers and the cover
DERYHWKHPWKHGRRUPXVWEHIXOO\RSHQHG,QVRPH
installations, the refrigerator may have to be moved
away from the wall for the door to be fully opened.

6 49-1000508 Rev. 0
Ice Service
USING THE REFRIGERATOR: ,FH6HUYLFH
Ice Trays
To make ice, fill the ice tray with water and set it on a
OHYHOVXUIDFHLQWKHIUHH]HUFRPSDUWPHQW,FHFXEHVZLOO
form in a few hours.
To release ice cubes, turn the tray upside down, hold it
over a container and twist both ends.
)RURQO\RQHRUWZRLFHFXEHVOHDYHWKHWUD\ULJKWVLGH
up, twist both ends slightly and remove as many cubes
as you want.
Wash ice trays in lukewarm water only—
do not put them in an automatic dishwasher.

49-1000508 Rev. 0 7
CARE AND CLEANING
Care And Cleaning
Cleaning the Inside
To help prevent odors, leave an open box of baking
VRGDLQWKHIUHVKIRRGDQGIUHH]HUFRPSDUWPHQWV
Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning.
,IWKLVLVQRWSUDFWLFDOZULQJH[FHVVPRLVWXUHRXWRI
sponge or cloth when cleaning around switches, lights or
controls.
Use warm water and baking soda solution—about a
tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda to a quart (1 liter) of
ZDWHU7KLVERWKFOHDQVDQGQHXWUDOL]HVRGRUV5LQVHDQG
wipe dry.
Other parts of the refrigerator—including door
gaskets, fruit and vegetable drawers, and all plastic
parts—can be cleaned the same way.
After cleaning the door gaskets, apply a thin layer of
petroleum jelly to the door gaskets at the hinge side.
This helps keep the gaskets from sticking and bending
RXWRIVKDSH'RQRWXVHFOHDQVLQJSRZGHUVRURWKHU
abrasive cleaners.
CAUTION
'RQRWFOHDQJODVVVKHOYHVRUFRYHUV
with warm water when they are cold. Glass shelves and
covers may break if exposed to sudden temperature
changes or impact such as bumping or dropping.
Tempered glass is designed to shatter into many small
pieces if it breaks.
'RQRWZDVKDQ\SODVWLFUHIULJHUDWRUSDUWVLQWKH
dishwasher.
Directions for Cleaning Outside Surfaces, Door Handles, and Trim
DO USE DO NOT USE
Soft, clean cloth or sponge Abrasive cloths, scrubbing sponges, scouring or steel
wool pads
Mild detergent mixed with warm water
$SSURYHGVWDLQOHVVVWHHOFOHDQHUV9LVLWWKH&DIp
Appliances parts store for approved stainless steel
cleaners: geapplianceparts.com or call 877.959.8688
&OHDQHUVZLWKR[DOLFDFLGVXFKDV%DU.HHSHUV)ULHQG6RIW
Cleanser™ can be used to remove surface rust, tarnish
and small blemishes on stainless steel surfaces only.
Abrasive powders or sprays
Window Sprays or Ammonia
Citrus or plant oil-based cleaners
Acidic or vinegar-based cleaners
Oven cleaners
Cleaners containing acetone (propanone)
$Q\FOHDQHUZLWK:$51,1*DERXWSODVWLFFRQWDFW
NOTE: DO NOT allow stainless steel cleaner to come in contact with any plastic parts such as trim pieces, handle
KDUGZDUHDQGOLQHUV,IXQLQWHQWLRQDOFRQWDFWRIFOHDQHUVZLWKSODVWLFSDUWVGRHVRFFXUFOHDQSODVWLFSDUWZLWKD
sponge and mild detergent mixed with warm water.
Cleaning the Outside

8 49-1000508 Rev. 0
Care and Cleaning
Replacing the LED Light
7KH/('OLJKWLVORFDWHGEHKLQGDOLJKWOHQVLQWKHFHOOLQJ
of the refrigerator section.
1. Remove the top shelf (if necessary).
'URSGRZQWKHFRQWUROKRXVLQJDVVHPEO\
3. Remove the light lens by using a flat head screwdriver
to push one of tabs down. The lens snaps in and out.
6OLGHWKH/('DVVHPEO\IURPWKHPRXQWLQJVORW
5. Gently pull the leads out and disconnect from the
control housing assembly.
5HSODFHZLWKQHZ/('DVVHPEO\DQGVOLGHDVVHPEO\
back into the mounting slot.
7. Replace the light lens by snapping it into place.
8.
7RRUGHUWKH/('DVVHPEO\SOHDVHFDOO*(
Appliances at 800.GE.CARES (800.492.2737) during
normal business hours.
CARE AND CLEANING
Preparing for Vacation
)RUORQJYDFDWLRQVRUDEVHQFHVUHPRYHIRRGDQG
unplug the refrigerator. Clean the interior with a baking
soda solution of one tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda
to one quart (1 liter) of water. Leave the doors open.
Preparing to Move
Remove food and unplug the refrigerator. Secure all
loose items such as shelves and drawers by taping them
securely in place to prevent damage.
Be sure the refrigerator stays in an upright position
during moving.
Light
Lens
/('$VV\
Tabs
snap here

