How To Fix A Ge Dishwasher That Wont Start
GE makes a great range of dishwashers, but that doesnt mean they dont break down from time to time. One of the most common problems people have with their GE dishwashers is when they wont start.
If this is happening with your GE dishwasher, follow the steps in this guide to find the cause of the problem and fix it. Please note that you will need to have a multimeter to carry out the majority of these steps if you dont have one or dont know how to use one, youll need to get a qualified technician to come and inspect your dishwasher.
This guide covers most GE dishwasher models, including:
DDW550B-45
WD26X10016
What Causes The Dishwasher To Need Resetting
There are several reasons why your dishwasher may need a reset. The more common reasons are a power surge, pressing the start button too many times, a failing component, or an aging control board.
If the dishwasher has been working without any issues or error codes showing, it is unlikely a more serious issue, like a failing component or defective control board, is responsible.
Pressing The Start/reset Button Twice To Reset The Dishwasher
If you notice that most of the buttons are lit up and the dishwasher is not running, you probably pressed the Start/Reset button more than once. Depending on your model, the Start/Reset button, when pressed once, will start the dishwasher cycle. However, if pressed twice, the dishwasher will reset. Pressing the Start/Reset button will restart the cycle.
Also Check: How To Use Dishwashing Liquid
Ge Dishwashers Wifi Light Is Blinking
Most modern GE dishwashers utilize Wi-Fi to interface with your smartphone or upgrade its software. Sometimes, the Wi-Fi light in the panel will start to blink when its having connectivity problems.
To resolve this, you can try reconnecting the dishwasher to the Wi-Fi network using the following steps, but make sure to forget the dishwasher device on your smartphone :
Incorrect Dishwasher Cycle Settings
When starting your dishwasher first make sure a cycle is selected. The dishwasher will not start until a cycle is specified. Meanwhile, certain features like the GE dishwasher child lock setting or Delay Start feature can prevent an immediate start. Check your control panel display codes to see if these settings are enabled. Holding down the Start button for 3 seconds should disable any selected cycle.
In some cases, moisture or damage to the control panel could result in the GE dishwasher display not working properly, preventing cycle selection. We recommend that a professional service assess and replace the display if necessary.
Also Check: Frigidaire Dishwasher Door Latch Assembly
Test The Door Latch Switch
Remove the inner door panel to access the door latch assembly at the top of the door. Make sure the catch engages the door latch switch when it is inserted into the latch assembly. If all appears to work properly, use a multimeter to test the switches for continuity. With the multimeter set on Rx1, touch the probes to the switch terminals. The reading should be at or near zero. If your reading is different, replace the door latch assembly.
Power Problems And Water Worries
Failure to start the wash cycle may indicate a power failure, which prevents your dishwasher from operating at all. Check your home’s electrical service panel for a blown fuse or tripped breaker and address these issues as necessary. If your washer doesn’t fill with water, open the valve on the connected water supply. Before moving on to more complicated troubleshooting procedures, ensure that the washer’s door is closed securely and that your unit’s child lock-out feature — common on GE electric dishwashers — is turned off. If the washer’s lights and sounds work but the wash cycle will not start, reset the appliance by pressing the Start button twice in a row. The washer will drain and reset in a period of about 90 seconds.
Also Check: What Sizes Do Dishwashers Come In
Dishwasher Float Switch Stuck
Problem: The float switch detects how much water is in your dishwasher. Its attached to a larger float system that rises and falls with the water level in the tub. Once the water reaches a certain level the float switch is activated and signals the water inlet valve to restrict the flow of water.
Solution: If a GE dishwasher flood float location is stuck too low it wont properly detect water levels and may signal the water inlet valve to close prematurely. This will cause a no water in dishwasher issue. A float switch thats stuck may be malfunctioning and will need to be assessed for replacement.
Whats The Difference Between Shutting Off And Canceling
When the dishwasher is having problems shutting off, this generally means that it continues to run without moving through the cycles on its own. Most commonly, this will mean that a dishwasher gets stuck in one part of the process and wont continue to the next part of the process or stop until you manually stop it.
On the other hand, if youre trying to cancel the cycle, it will stop and reset the cycle entirely. In this situation, when you turn the dishwasher back on, it will resume at the beginning of the cycle rather than just picking up where it left off. There are situations where this function can stop working as well.
Recommended Reading: Kitchenaid Dishwasher Rinse Aid Cap
Inspect The Door Latch
When the door latch is not engaged, a switch prevents the dishwasher from starting. Listen for the sound of the latch clicking into place when you close the door. With the door closed, pull on the door to see if it is closed securely. Visually inspect both sides of the latch for anything that may be preventing it from engaging properly, and for broken parts. If the latch is broken, the switch may be also.
Arms Floats And Motors
To remedy a washer that doesn’t fill with water during the wash cycle, remove the unit’s lower rack and tap the cylindrical flood float cover — typically located in the front corner of the compartment — with a wooden spoon or similar utensil to depress it slightly. Sometimes, not running your dishwasher for a week or more can cause temporary failure to start, as the motor’s seals dry out and stick. In this case, remove everything from the washer’s interior compartment and dissolve about 3 or 4 ounces of citric acid — available from GE’s online parts store — in a quart of hot water. Pour the solution into the sump and let it stand for 15 to 30 minutes, then start the washer.
You May Like: How To Fix Clogged Dishwasher
Maintenance And Professional Help
Sometimes you may face an issue that will not go away with a simple reset or a hard reboot. This includes most hardware-related issues, and some are very difficult to rectify without the proper tools and know-how.
So whenever you are not feeling confident in your DIY skills, its always best to call on a professional. They will be able to figure out what exactly is wrong with the dishwasher and provide you with instructions on how to repair it.
On top of that, they will also be able to acquire the necessary spare parts and conduct the repair by themselves, saving you time and effort that could be spent elsewhere.
Take Out The Heating Element
The heating element is a metal rod that is located at the bottom of your dishwasher. In order to do this:
Also Check: Members Mark Ultimate Clean Dishwasher Pacs
Dishwasher Door Is Not Closed Securely
A GE dishwasher door will not close properly, if it isnt lined up correctly. If this is the case, adjust the hinge screws until you hear a click when closing to fix that problem.
This can be done by loosening or tightening two screws on each side of the hinges with an Allen wrench. Ensure theyre evenly tight and turned in equal amounts for proper alignmentjust keep checking as needed while turning them.
The GE dishwasher will only start if the door is closed and latched correctly.
Ensure that no dishes are blocking the door and that the racks inside are not out of place.
Malfunctioning Dishwasher Door Switch
Once the dishwasher door is completely closed and latched, the door switch signals the control panel to begin a wash cycle. As a safety precaution, and to prevent leaks, the switch only signals the dishwasher to fill if the door is properly latched. However, if the door switch malfunctions, it may not register that the door is closed and youll find your GE dishwasher not filling with water.
To determine if the door switch has malfunctioned, it must be tested for continuity with a multimeter. Most door switches are found at the top of the dishwasher door, behind the outer door panel, and must be removed for testing. If the switch shows no continuity, it should be replaced by a professional dishwasher repair service.
Whether you find your dishwasher not draining water or not filling like it should, our technicians can help. Contact Appliance Repair Specialists for prompt and reliable service!
Don’t Miss: Dishwasher Detergent For Hard Water
Ge Dishwashers Clean Light Is Blinking
Another situation where the heating element might be defective is when you get the blinking light on the Clean button.
Before the Clean cycle can begin, the dishwasher heats the water. The reason for this is to ensure that the water will be able to clean off the detergent and get the dishes ready for the drying cycle.
So if the water temperature cannot reach the range of 120-160 degrees Fahrenheit before starting the clean cycle, there is an issue with the heating coil.
This heater will need replacing. But, before you do so, its best to diagnose the coil and check the resistance, provided that you are skilled in this type of activity.
Signs Your Ge Dishwasher Isnt Getting Enough Water
A GE dishwasher not filling with water typically presents with two signs:
An adequate water level in your dishwasher should reach the heating coil or middle hub, where the spray arm is anchored. We recommend these steps to determine the correct water level in your dishwasher:
When you have a GE dishwasher not filling with water, there are usually three main causes. Well help you troubleshoot a GE dishwasher low water level issue.
Also Check: Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher Crystaldry
Why Is The Start Button Flashing On My Ge Dishwasher
It means the cycle was interrupted. The light will blink if you press the start button after a cycle starts. This tells you the appliance is draining water and going into standby status.
This situation can also happen if you dont interrupt the cycle by pressing a button. A blinking start light could mean that the door was opened during a cycle or power was disrupted.
Read:Why Dishwasher Hums And Not Getting Water?
Start Light Flashing Vs Other Lights Flashing
There are several situations where the lights will be flashing/blinking in the GE dishwasher. Most of the time, all the lights in the dishwasher controls will start blinking when theres an error.
There is also another situation where the start light will be the only one blinking. When this happens, it indicates two issues: the door is not closed correctly, or the GE dishwasher is performing a reset.
Another situation is when any one of the other lights is blinking. When this happens, its because of an error in that particular command/feature.
Don’t Miss: Dishwasher Safe Pots And Pan Set
Door Latch Or Door Latch Switch
The door latch assembly is a must-have for any dishwasher, and its not just about preventing water from leaking. This essential component also has two functions: the first being to hold the door closed during cycles, which prevents leaks secondly, this part includes switches that supply power to your dishwasher controls!
If the door cant close properly to activate the switches or if theyre defective, then youll have trouble with your dishwasher. Inspect everything from latch assembly to switches for problems and fix them.
If the door switch is defective, their dishwasher will not work even after you close it. To see if this may be the problem for your appliance, use a multimeter and test to make sure that theres continuity coming from the door button. If there isnt any, then replace it.
How To Replace Control Board On Ge Dishwasher
Quick Tip:This YouTube video demonstrates the replacement procedure step by step .
Read Also: How To Reset Frigidaire Dishwasher
Running An Operation Check
You can run a door status check to see if the latch is the issue. Hold down the select cycle and start buttons at the same time for five seconds. The dishwasher will go through a door status check for 10 seconds after that. A closed-door will show solid LED lights. An open door, or a problem with the latch, will show up as flashing LED lights.
The LED lights will cut off after the door status check, except for the lock LED. This is when you want to run an operations check that runs through the workings of the drain pump, the water valve, the circulation pump, the heater, and the detergent solenoid.
You will start this test while the lock LED is lit. Hold down the select cycle for five seconds. Then, press it again to the selects/increments test. Press start to start the test. You can also press
start to stop it if you need to do so.
Damaged Dishwasher Thermal Fuse
Theres a thermal fuse in your dishwasher that protects it from overheating. When this fuse blows, you wont get any lights on the control panel. Your dishwasher will actually work just fine, but there may be some parts that need maintenance or replacing. Have a specialist check out the situation and make sure your appliance is operating at peak performance.
If your dishwasher is experiencing an issue that doesnt involve the controls, check for a blown thermal fuse near the control panel first. Its usually a small white or silver cylinder with two wires connected to it. Test this fuse for continuity. This can be done by using any multimeter with a continuity setting.
Locate the thermal fuse. Its usually next to the control board if the circuit board has been mounted vertically. If the control board has been mounted horizontally, the thermal fuse will be on the right side.
Its usually located under a translucent cover. Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the cover off the fuse. Insert the probes on your multimeter into the two holes on the fuse.
If the thermal fuse fails the continuity then replace it.
Don’t Miss: Reviews Bosch 500 Series Dishwasher
Check The Touchpad Or Buttons
A fault with your dishwasher controls is most commonly found when some buttons work but others dont. Make sure the dishwasher is disconnected from the power before proceeding.
- The touch pad is usually part of the control panel. Check the connection between the touchpad and the control board.
- Look for any signs of corrosion and clean with a soft pencil eraser.
- Dishwashers with mechanical selector switches can be tested for continuity with a multimeter. Referring to the wiring diagram will help with this test.
What Causes A Dishwasher Not Turning On
- There was debris blocking the drain outlet.
- The water shut-off valve is off, or the air pressure needed to activate it is too low.
- The dishwasher was overheated and has reverted to its safety mode .
- Air pressure to start isnt available .
- Water supply valve malfunctions so that only a tiny amount of water flows out of a faucet. Shut off all other taps in a house before investigating this possibility.
Read Also: Ge Dishwasher Gdf510 640 Series
Replace The Touchpad And Control Panel
If you still havent found the cause of the problem, the next step is to test and possibly replace the touchpad and control panel. To do that: