GE Dishwasher Troubleshooting: 10 Common Issues And Fixes

Is your GE dishwasher giving you a lot of trouble with a ton of issues? 

No big deal – I’ve got your back with this troubleshooting guide for GE dishwashers.

Keep reading to learn about common GE dishwasher problems and how to deal with them.

GE Dishwasher Troubleshooting Common Problems

Now, let’s get right to fixing that clunky dishwasher.

Troubleshooting GE Dishwasher Not Draining Issue

To fix a non-draining dishwasher:

• Check for clogs in the air gap and filters.
• Ensure proper installation of the drain hose. 
• Clean the air gap, dishwasher filters, and drain hose. 
• Remove the disposal knockout plug and use detergents correctly. 
• Initiate a drain-only cycle by holding the start button for 3 seconds. (Especially if the dishwasher hums but doesn’t drain)

To understand this problem better, you can check out my post for GE Dishwasher Not Draining.

Troubleshooting No Power Issue On GE Dishwashers

If your new GE dishwasher is acting up, try these fixes:

• Check for leaks to turn off leak protection.
• Tighten any loose connections. 
• Replace the power control board if needed.
• Confirm the outlet is working
• Reset tripped breakers. 
• Swap out the UI board if it’s faulty.
• Secure the power cord.
• Reset the GFI/GFCI outlet. 
• Double-check the installation of new dishwashers. 

To understand better why your washer is even like that in the first place, you can check out these 7 Reasons For GE Dishwasher Not Having Power. 

GE Dishwasher Troubleshooting No Water / Dishwasher Will Not Fill

Your dishwasher’s as good as dead if it can’t draw water, since it can’t actually wash the dishes. The fixes are fairly simple, though:

• Check and replace the flood float on 2015 and newer models.
• Clean ultra-fine and fine filters for draining issues.
• In new installations, pour 1 quart of water to lubricate pump seals.
• On mechanical turn-to-start models, wait 3 minutes for the water valve; if no water comes after 5 minutes, adjust the timer knob slightly.

You can check out this post on GE Dishwasher Not Filling with Water for more detailed info.

GE Dishwasher Troubleshooting Control Panel

The control panel is a harder part to troubleshoot, you’re going to have to try a lot of fixes:

• Reset the dishwasher by toggling the circuit breaker.*
• Ensure a secure connection of the power cord and test different power outlets.*
• Confirm the dishwasher door is latched correctly.
• Clean the ribbon cables for reliable connections.*
• Address button issues by cleaning or replacing the touchpad.*
• Press the reset button for a quick dishwasher reset.
• Unplug and replug the main feed to troubleshoot.
• Deactivate the child lock by holding “Heated Dry” for 3 seconds.*
• Check for a blown thermal fuse near the control panel.

Note: The GE Profile lineup of dishwashers only works with some of these fixes, which are marked with an asterisk (*).

GE Dishwasher Troubleshooting Blinking Lights

1. Push the door up a little bit, though this one is a temporary workaround.
2. Give the top sensor a gentle press or adjust if it seems misaligned during installation.
3. Wait 90 seconds; the washer was probably reset due to multiple accidental presses on the start button.
4. Unplug for 10 mins to reset lights if troubleshooting fails.
5. A power surge may cause blinking; press start, wait 2 mins, or power off for 30 seconds.
6. Hold the start/reset button for 3 seconds.

GE Dishwasher Troubleshooting Not Cleaning

If your dishwasher seems to run fine but doesn’t actually do its job, you might need to do the following:

• Connect the dishwasher to hot water, not cold.
• Level the dishwashers properly.
• Install drain hose below 36″.
• Set the heater to 120°F for detergent activation.
• Verify water pressure is around 20-120 PSI.
• Ensure that you select the correct wash cycle.
• Use quality detergents like Cascade Platinum.
• Adjust detergent based on water hardness.
• Clean up the filters thoroughly.
• Scrape excess food before loading and make sure to load properly.

You can have a look at my full article about ge dishwasher not cleaning dishes to find out everything you need to know related to this issue.

GE Dishwasher Troubleshooting 3 Beeps

Before I get to the fixes, keep in mind that some beeping during new wash cycles or cycle completion is normal for GE dishwashers.

Now, onto the fixes:

• Replace the faulty control panel.
• Reset the dishwasher by toggling the power or circuit breaker.
• Optimize water supply, clear any related blockages, inspect and tighten connections.
• Check drain pipes for tears and leaks.

To get step-by-step instructions to do all that, you can check out this dedicated article on the GE Dishwasher 3 Beeps issue.

Troubleshooting FTD Code On GE Dishwasher

The FTD code is GE’s official guide for solving drainage issues. It stands for failure to drain. 

It’s a bit more specific, while the earlier troubleshooting tips were mostly fixes suggested by users and had broader reasons.

• Clean the dishwasher filters.
• Inspect and straighten the drain hose.
• Use recommended detergents to avoid excess suds.
• Verify proper installation for dishwasher and air gap.
• Power off, clean the pressure sensor and reconnect. Replace if needed.
• Ensure all components are secure.

If you want to learn more about the reasons behind this particular error code, see my post about the GE Dishwasher FTD Code.

GE Dishwasher Troubleshooting Not Starting

• Turn off Control Lock, Delay Start, or Demo Mode.
• Align, adjust, test, and replace the door gasket if necessary.
• Give the pump impeller a manual turn, apply lubricant, and restart for pump issues.
• Replace a damaged float if you find one.
• Disable leak detection by drying, resetting, and checking for leaks.
• Check power elements: voltage, cord, junction box, and grounding.
• Replace the fuse if it lacks continuity.
• Ensure smooth water flow and clear obstructions.
• Reset the control panel for wash glitches.
• Check for touchpad/control panel issues.
• Swap out the timer by turning off the breaker and making the switch.
• Examine the main control board.
• Turn off Sabbath Mode by holding down Cycle Select and Wash Temp pads for 5 seconds.

Find out more on this issue in my post about GE Dishwasher Not Starting.

Solution For Dishwasher Detergent Cup Not Working 

In my experience, I haven’t seen a lot of users complain about this issue, but it has come up every once in a while in the forums I’m in, as well as some of my own clients and friends.

To deal with this issue, try the following things:

• Check for items blocking detergent and the dispenser door on the bottom rack.
• Wipe around the dispenser to clear any gunk.
• Replace the dispenser if it looks cracked or melted.
• Look for damage on the dispenser top and replace it if needed.
• Get professional help if the wax motor or timer seems faulty.
• Press Start/Reset twice for electronic models, or turn the timer knob for mechanical ones.
• Make sure detergent pods aren’t in the way of the cover closing.
• Clear any debris in the latch.

What Are The Troubleshooting Codes And Symbols in GE Dishwasher?

Here’s a quick rundown of the most common GE Dishwasher Error Codes so you know what you’re dealing with if you run into trouble, as a heads up:

• Number + H (Ex. 1H): The dishwasher is waiting to start, and H signifies a set time.
• C1: Draining is taking too long, surpassing 2 minutes.
• C2: Draining cycle is extended beyond 7 minutes.
• C3: The dishwasher is having trouble with draining.
• C4: After a power failure, the machine filled twice, indicating a potential issue with the float switch, clogged drain, or sump.
• C5: Insufficient time for pumping out water.
• C6: Water temperature is below the required level.
• C7: The dishwasher’s temperature sensor circuit is malfunctioning.
• C8: Detergent cup is hindered from fully opening.
• PF code: Signifies a power outage affecting the dishwasher.
• Cup Open: A reminder to add detergent and securely close the detergent cup.
• LEAK DETECTED: Possible water leakage identified.
• 999: Possible leak on models with “Floor Protect with Alert”; for others, reset the control unit.
• H2O: Indicates a shortage of water.
• PrS: Pressure sensor is sending an invalid signal to the control, preventing cycle initiation or causing cancellation.
• FTD or F56: Denotes a failure in the drainage process.

FAQs

Is there a troubleshooting manual or PDF for GE dishwashers? 

Yes, there are user guides (which include troubleshooting instructions specific to each model) for all GE appliances. You can find them here. You’ll need to put in your model number – if you don’t know where that is, GE has instructions on how to find that number.

How much can repairs cost me for my GE dishwasher?

Smaller parts like door handles or switches usually cost $10 to $50, while major components such as motors, timers or control boards can range from $80 to $300. The prices for parts on higher-end models (like Nautilus dishwasher parts) are also a bit more expensive than their standard counterparts.

Final Thoughts

GE dishwashers may not enjoy the same widespread popularity as Whirlpool or Bosch, but they stand out for their reliability. 

Even if there’s trouble, you’ll find a lot of documentation about the fixes – most of which I already mentioned in this post.

Follow along with my advice and you can have your dishwasher up and running again in no time! Good luck.