Troubleshooting Guide for GE Dishwasher (Step-by-Step Repairs)

Many of us love starting to-do lists for important deadlines, but we often leave out the mundane yet very essential tasks like cleaning your GE dishwasher. Unfortunately, this is how problems start.

Some of the most common cleaning, drying, draining, and filling issues occur when you skip cleaning day. Depending on the severity of the problem, a good clean-up session could fix it—and if it can’t, a repair might be necessary.

Not to worry, we’ll show you how to troubleshoot a GE dishwasher. Solve the most common problems with your appliance with this repair guide.

What are the most common GE dishwasher problems?

Here are the most common problems you’ll experience with a GE dishwasher.

1. The dishwasher isn’t draining.
2. The dishwasher isn’t filling with water.
3. The dishwasher isn’t cleaning or drying.
4. The dishwasher isn’t starting.
5. The dishwasher has bad odors.
6. The dishwasher is leaking.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the most common GE dishwasher problems, why they happen, and how to solve them.

Troubleshooting the Most Common GE Dishwasher Problems

Most common GE dishwasher problems can be resolved with a deep clean, correct installation, proper use, or a reset. You must identify the root cause of the issue to find an appropriate and lasting fix.

Below, we will dive a little deeper into the issues and provide step-by-step instructions to help you troubleshoot your dishwasher by yourself.

The dishwasher isn’t draining.

A dishwasher that is slow to drain or not draining at all probably has an obstruction. If you don’t clean your unit as often as you should, food residue and dirt can accumulate and prevent your dishwasher from draining properly.

Here are a few quick fixes that will help your GE dishwasher drain properly.

Repairs	Instructions
Dirty Filter	• Unplug the dishwasher and turn off its water supply. • Open the door and remove the lower rack. Use a sponge to clean up standing water at the bottom of the drum. • Rotate the ultra-fine filter counterclockwise and lift it up to remove it. Then, remove the fine filter. • Rinse the filters in warm, soapy water. Use a sponge to remove stubborn particles. • Reinstall the fine filter. • Insert the ultra-fine filter into the housing. Rotate it clockwise until the guide arrows align together. • Reinstall the bottom rack.  • Restore power to the dishwasher. Run a hot cycle on an empty load to clean the drum.
Unremoved Knockout Plug	• Unplug the garbage disposal and disconnect the drain hose. • Remove the garbage disposal and set it on its side. Use a hammer and screwdriver to knock out the plug. • Remove the plug. • Reinstall the garbage disposal and reconnect the hose. • Run a cycle to confirm that the drain error is resolved.
Clogged Air Gap	• Locate the air gap and remove its stainless steel cover. Pull out the inner cover to access the air gap. • Use a toothpick or bamboo skewers to pull out visible food particles and dirt from the air gap. • Get a shallow bowl and put it over the air gap so that water will flow into the sink instead of the counter. Add towels around the air gap to absorb spills. • Run a brief rinse cycle to clear any remaining dirt and food residue. • Wait for the water to flow out of the air gap. Hold down the bowl to prevent water from spilling all over your counter. • Inspect the air gap again for any obstructions. Remove them if you find any. • Reinstall the inner cover and the stainless steel outer cover.

Dirty Filter

Your GE dishwasher has two filters at the bottom of the drum: an ultra-fine and a fine filter (mesh plate). They trap small food particles and dirt to prevent the pump from getting damaged.

If you don’t clean the filters regularly, dirt and gunk will build up and restrict the flow of water out of the drum. Thus, you’ll often see water pooling at the bottom whenever the filters are clogged.

What you’ll need:

• Sponge/soft brush
• Container for standing water
• Towels

Tip: Avoid using abrasive cleaning tools like scouring pads and brushes as they can damage the filters.

Solution: To clean a GE dishwasher filter, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off its water supply.
• Step 2: Open the door and remove the lower rack.
• Step 3: Place towels at the bottom of the dishwasher to absorb spills. Use a sponge to soak up the standing water in the drum.
• Step 4: Rotate the ultra-fine filter counterclockwise and lift it up to remove it.
• Step 5: Remove the fine filter.
• Step 6: Rinse the filters in warm, soapy water. Use a sponge to remove stubborn particles or mineral build-up.
• Step 7: Reinstall the fine filter.
• Step 8: Insert the ultra-fine filter into the housing. Rotate it clockwise until the guide arrows align together.
• Step 9: Reinstall the bottom rack.
• Step 10: Restore power to the dishwasher.
• Step 11: Run a hot cycle on an empty load to clean the drum.

Unremoved Knockout Plug

Have you recently installed a garbage disposal? If you have, inspect the inlet where the dishwasher hose is connected and check if there is a plug inside.

The knockout plug blocks the inlet to prevent leaks, especially for households that don’t have a garbage disposal. Once you install it, you have to knock out the plug and remove it to promote better drainage.

What you’ll need:

• Hammer
• Screwdriver

Solution: To remove a garbage disposal knockout plug, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the garbage disposal, and disconnect the drain hose.
• Step 2: Remove the garbage disposal and set it on its side.
• Step 3: Use a hammer and screwdriver to knock out the plug.
• Step 4: Remove the plug.
• Step 5: Reinstall the garbage disposal.
• Step 6: Reconnect the drain hose.
• Step 7: Run a cycle to confirm that the drain error is resolved.

Clogged Air Gap

Is your dishwasher connected to an air gap? Located near the sink, an air gap is a small cylindrical fitting that prevents dirty water from re-entering your dishwasher.

If your dishwasher is still struggling to drain after cleaning the filter, check the air gap for obstructions. Small food particles and debris can accumulate in this tiny space, which can prevent your dishwasher from draining and leave standing water in the drum.

What you’ll need:

• Toothpick/bamboo skewers
• Shallow bowl
• Towels

Solution: To clean a clogged air gap, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Locate the air gap and remove its stainless steel cover.
• Step 2: Pull out the inner cover to access the air gap.
• Step 3: Use a toothpick or bamboo skewers to pull out visible food particles and dirt from the air gap.
• Step 4: Get a shallow bowl and put it over the air gap so that water will flow into the sink instead of the counter. Add towels around the air gap to absorb spills.
• Step 5: Run a brief rinse cycle to clear any remaining dirt and food residue.
• Step 6: Wait for the water to flow out of the air gap. Hold down the bowl to prevent water from spilling all over your counter.
• Step 7: Inspect the air gap again for any obstructions. Remove them if you find any.
• Step 8: Reattach the inner cover until it locks into place.
• Step 9: Reinstall the stainless steel air gap cover.

Quick Note: Not all dishwashers are connected to an air gap. If yours isn’t, you can rule this one out and look for the clog elsewhere.

The dishwasher isn’t filling with water.

A dishwasher that won’t fill with water is a common occurrence. It doesn’t always require repairs and can be resolved by a press of a button, proper installation, or a reset.

More importantly, your dishwasher won’t fill until it has drained all the water in the drum. If you still see standing water, troubleshoot your draining issue before exploring the possibility of a filling problem.

Here’s a quick overview of the fixes that you can perform to resolve the filling issue.

Causes	Solutions
Interrupted Cycle	• Locate the reset button on your GE dishwasher.  • Press the Start/Reset button. Wait for about 2 minutes. • If the problem persists after it restarts, unplug the power cord or turn off the dishwasher at the circuit breaker. • Restore power after 30 seconds.
Powered-Off Dishwasher	• Locate the power source of your GE dishwasher. Plug in the power cord properly or turn on the wall switch.
Low Water Supply	• Turn on the water supply valve to allow water to fill the dishwasher.  • Inspect the hose for any kinks and bent areas, then straighten them out if necessary.

Interrupted Cycle

Power interruptions can cause software glitches that can make your GE dishwasher malfunction. Not to worry, a reset will usually resolve this problem if your appliance has no other underlying issues.

Solution: To get rid of software glitches and bugs, reset your dishwasher. 

• Step 1: Locate the reset button on your GE dishwasher. 
• Step 2: Press the Start/Reset button. 
• Step 3: Wait for about 2 minutes.

If the problem persists, do a hard reset. Unplug the dishwasher’s power cord, or turn off the circuit breaker for at least 30 seconds.

Quick Note: • Some GE dishwashers may not have a dedicated button for the reset function. Instead, you’ll have to press a button combination to do a reset. • Refer to your user manual if you can’t find the reset button.

Powered-Off Dishwasher

There might be nothing wrong with your dishwasher at all. It might just be turned off or not receiving enough power to start or fill. 

We know it sounds silly, but it does happen often—even to the best of us. 

Solution: Locate the power source of your GE dishwasher. Plug in the power cord properly or turn on the wall switch.

Tips: • Plug in the GE dishwasher into a dedicated 120V, 15 or 20-amp circuit. • Check for a tripped breaker and do a reset if necessary.

Low Water Supply

If the water supply valve isn’t fully opened, your dishwasher might fill up slowly, or it might not fill at all. However, if it is open, you can check for kinks and bent areas in the hose because they can restrict the flow of water into the dishwasher.

Solution: To turn on the water supply valve to allow water to fill the dishwasher. Inspect the hose for any kinks and bent areas, then straighten them out if necessary.

If you see any signs of damage on the hose or clogs that are too far to reach, a replacement might be needed.

The dishwasher isn’t cleaning or drying.

Incorrect dish loading is arguably the most common cause of performance issues in a dishwasher. However, it can happen when you don’t level the appliance properly or when you use the wrong detergent.

Although cleaning and drying issues are usually caused by small errors and rarely require repairs, they can do permanent damage to the internal components if left unchecked.

Causes	Solutions
Pre-Rinsing Dishes	• Scrape the large food scraps off the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.  • Then, load all your tableware in the correct racks.
Poor Leveling	• Unplug the dishwasher, or turn it off at the circuit breaker. Wear protective gloves. • Unmount the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher using a ¼” nut driver. • Use a Phillips screwdriver to unthread the screws mounting the dishwasher to the cabinet. • Open the dishwasher door and remove the lower rack. • Place a carpenter’s level on the rack rail to check if the dishwasher is balanced from front to back. • Slightly pull the dishwasher out of the cabinet.  • Set the carpenter’s level on top of the door to check if it’s level from side to side. • Adjust the leveling legs using your hands or a wrench. Rotate the leg clockwise to raise its height and counterclockwise to lower it. • Use the carpenter’s level to check if the dishwasher is balanced horizontally and vertically. • Mount the dishwasher to the cabinet and reinstall the access panel. • Restore power.
Improper Loading	• Add your tableware to the correct racks and place them in the correct position to optimize air and water flow. • Then, spin the spray arm manually to confirm that there are no obstructions that can prevent it from doing a full rotation.
Wrong Detergent or Rinse Aid	• Only use high-quality detergent or rinse aid to prevent performance issues. • Pour the right amount of detergent into the dispenser.  • Very hard water requires a full main cup and pre-wash cup while very soft water only needs ⅓ cup for a good wash.

Pre-Rinsing Dishes

If you’ve been taught to pre-wash your dishes—well, it’s time to stop. Unfortunately, it does more harm than good to your dishwasher, and it doesn’t even make your dishes cleaner.

According to the manufacturer, rinsing the dishes can potentially damage the sensor that detects the soil level of your load. Once damaged, it might think that the load is cleaner than it actually is, which can lead to a less optimized cycle.

Solution: Scrape the large food scraps off the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. Then, load all your tableware in the correct racks.

Poor Leveling

Whether you have a new dishwasher or you’ve recently moved it for maintenance, you need to level the appliance before using it again. If it isn’t balanced, it can affect the cleaning performance and potentially damage its internal components.

Your GE dishwasher has 4 leveling legs, which need to be leveled from front to back and from side to side.

What you’ll need:

• Protective gloves
• ¼” nut driver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Carpenter’s level
• Wrench

Solution: To level a GE dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher or turn it off at the circuit breaker.
• Step 2: Wear protective gloves.
• Step 3: Unmount the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher using a ¼” nut driver.
• Step 4: Remove the toe-kick panel, if your model has it.
• Step 5: Use a Phillips screwdriver to unthread the screws mounting the dishwasher to the cabinet.
• Step 6: Open the dishwasher door and remove the lower rack.
• Step 7: Place a carpenter’s level on the rack rail to check if the dishwasher is balanced from front to back.
• Step 8: Carefully pull the dishwasher out of the cabinet. 
• Step 9: Set the carpenter’s level on top of the door to check if it’s level from side to side.
• Step 10: Adjust the leveling legs using your hands or a wrench. Rotate the leg clockwise to raise its height and counterclockwise to lower it.
• Step 11: Use the carpenter’s level to check if the dishwasher is balanced vertically and horizontally.
• Step 12: Reinstall the access panel and mount the dishwasher onto the cabinet.
• Step 13: Plug in the dishwasher.

Improper Loading

Improper loading of dishes can lead to poor cleaning and drying performance. For instance, the spray arms can get blocked by large items like cutting boards, pots, or pans, preventing them from doing a full rotation during cycles.

Although GE dishwashers have different rack designs, the loading process should be the same for all models.

Solution: Load your dishes in the correct racks to ensure proper cleaning. Avoid overloading or underloading the dishwasher.

• Upper Rack: Add glasses, bowls, cups, and other small items to the top rack. Place them upside down, facing the spray arm.

• Lower Rack: Load plates, platters, and other similar items vertically on the bottom rack, allowing water jets to pass through the dinnerware for optimal wash performance.

• Silverware Basket: Add utensils to the silverware basket. Mix the knives, forks, and spoon to avoid nesting.

Quick Note: • Some GE dishwasher models have a wash tower that extends during cleaning cycles.  • On the lower rack, you’ll find a guard, which provides ample space for the tower to rise. Don’t block this space with your pots, pans, or tableware to promote better wash performance.

Wrong Detergent or Rinse Aid

Using high-quality detergent and rinse aid is the key to a great cleaning and drying performance. Not only that, you need to add the right amount of product or you’ll end up with excess suds or detergent residue all over your dishes.

Solution: GE recommends high-quality detergents such as Cascade’s Platinum ActionPacs or Finish’s Quantum. Use premium quality rinse aid like the Cascade Platinum PowerDry and the Finish Jet Dry to improve drying performance.

Here are other tips to prevent performance issues.

• Pour the right amount of detergent into the dispenser. Very hard water requires a full main cup and pre-wash cup while very soft water only needs ⅓ cup for a good wash.
• Store your liquid, tablet, and pod detergents in a sealed container away from moisture and humidity to prevent lumps. Powdered detergent gets less effective over time.
• Only use dishwasher detergents. Never use regular dish soap because it can produce excess suds and potentially damage your dishwasher.

The dishwasher isn’t starting.

A dishwasher that won’t start is often caused by a minor power issue, such as a loose connection or a tripped breaker.

In many cases, you only need to do a quick fix to get it back up and running again. More serious issues may require professional service.

Causes	Solutions
Loose Connection	• Locate the wall switch or power cord of your dishwasher. Make sure it’s on or plugged in properly. • Inspect the power cord for signs of damage. Replace it, if necessary.
Tripped Circuit Breaker	• Turn off all the lights and unplug the appliances in the area of your home that has no power.  • Locate the circuit breaker that keeps tripping. Flip the switch on the circuit breaker to the OFF position. • Wait for a few seconds and flip the switch back to the ON position.
Activated Demo Mode	• Unplug the dishwasher for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in to restore power. • Push Start along with the corresponding button for the Demo function on your dishwasher model.
Engaged Control Lock	• Simultaneously push the Dry Boost button or the Steam-Sani/Presoak-Sani/Sanitize button for 3 seconds.  • The buttons may vary depending on your dishwasher model. We recommend checking your user manual for more detailed instructions.

Check the power source.

Whenever your dishwasher has no power(GE dishwasher no power) or when it isn’t starting, always check the power source first. The cord might just be loose or damaged, which is why your appliance isn’t running.

Solution: First, find out if your GE dishwasher has a power cord or if it’s hardwired. If it has a wall switch, make sure it’s on.

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher’s power cord. 
• Step 2: Inspect the cord for signs of damage. If it has tears or exposed wires, the cord must be replaced.
• Step 3: Confirm that your outlet has power by plugging an electronic device into the same outlet. If it doesn’t and other outlets work, we recommend calling a licensed electrician who can look into the issue.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

One of the tell-tale signs of a tripped circuit is power going off in a specific part of the house instead of the entire household. At times, multiple outlets in the same room can also malfunction when this happens.

Solution: To reset a tripped circuit breaker, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off all the lights and unplug the appliances in the area of your home that has no power.
• Step 2: Locate the circuit breaker that keeps tripping. The switch would be out of place when a breaker trips.
• Step 3: Flip the switch on the circuit breaker to the OFF position.
• Step 4: Wait for a few seconds and flip the switch back to the ON position.
• Step 5: Plug in the GE dishwasher and confirm that it has power and is functioning properly. Then, plug in other appliances and lights one at a time to test if they are working correctly. 

Quick Note: Overloading can cause a circuit to trip. Thus, avoid plugging multiple high-amperage appliances into a single outlet.

Activated Demo Mode

Retailers use Demo mode to showcase an appliance’s features and functions without actually running programs in the store. When this mode is activated, you’ll see the control panel light up but it won’t respond to your inputs.

Model Numbers GDT225, GDT226, GPT145, GPT225, PDT145

Solution: Unplug the dishwasher for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in to restore power. Push the Start and Delay Start buttons for 5 seconds.

Model Numbers Starting With ADT/CDT/DDT/GDF/GDT/PDT (Excluding the ones above)

Solution: Unplug the dishwasher for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in to restore power. Push the Start and Heated Dry/Power Dry buttons for 5 seconds.

Engaged Control Lock

Like other modern appliances, your GE dishwasher has a Control Lock function that prevents unintentional changes to its settings. If its indicator light is on, that means the control panel is locked and won’t respond to your commands.

All you have to do is disable the Control Lock to get your dishwasher to run a cycle again.

Older Models

Older GE dishwasher models have a Lock pad on the control panel, which you just need to press to activate or deactivate the function.

Solution: Push the Lock pad twice in 3 seconds to deactivate the Control Lock function in older GE dishwashers.

Modern Models

Instead of pressing the Lock pad, you must press a button combination on most modern GE dishwashers. This will vary per model.

Solution: Press the right button combination to deactivate the function. We recommend checking your user manual for detailed instructions on deactivating the Control Lock function on your specific dishwasher model.

• Method 1: Simultaneously push the Dry Boost button or the Steam-Sani/Presoak-Sani/Sanitize button for 3 seconds. The Control Lock light will turn off to indicate that the function is disabled.

• Method 2: Simultaneously press the Cycle button or the Dry/Dry Boost and Steam buttons for 3 seconds. The Control Lock indicator lock will turn off when the function is disabled.

The dishwasher has bad odors.

Routine cleaning is the best way to prevent unpleasant odors from developing in your dishwasher. If you don’t clean your unit regularly, it will start to smell like rotten eggs or sewage.

An unclean dishwasher makes an ideal breeding ground for mold and bacteria. They can transfer onto your dishes and cause all sorts of health issues, such as allergies and breathing problems. 

Causes	Solutions
Dirty Dishwasher Interior	• Pour a cup of vinegar into the drum of your GE dishwasher. • Select a deep cleaning cycle. • Then, run the hottest and longest cycle possible.
Dirty Door Seal	• Unplug the dishwasher. • Do a quick visual inspection of your GE dishwasher door seal and confirm if it needs to be cleaned.  • Feel around the bottom of the door to check if food scraps are trapped inside. • Wipe the gasket using a damp and soapy cloth. • Leave the door open to let it air dry. • Restore power to your dishwasher.
Clogged Filter	• Unplug the dishwasher and turn off its water supply. • Open the door and remove the lower rack. Use a sponge to clean up standing water at the bottom of the drum. • Rotate the ultra-fine filter counterclockwise and lift it to remove it. Then, remove the fine filter. • Rinse the filters in warm, soapy water. Use a sponge to remove stubborn particles. • Reinstall the fine filter. • Insert the ultra-fine filter into the housing. Rotate it clockwise until the guide arrows align together. • Reinstall the bottom rack.  • Restore power to the dishwasher. Run a hot cycle on an empty load to clean the drum.

Dirty Dishwasher Interior

Food and dirt can accumulate inside the tub, making it an ideal breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Over time, it will make your appliance smell.

You need to clean it thoroughly to remove the unpleasant odors. Lucky for you, no scrubbing is required.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup of vinegar

Solution: To give your GE dishwasher a deep clean, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Pour a cup of vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher.
• Step 2: Select a deep cleaning cycle.
• Step 3: Run the hottest and longest cycle possible.

Dirty Door Seal

Aside from the drum, food scraps can accumulate in the crevices of the door gasket, causing a foul rotten egg smell. 

If your dishwasher has a black door seal, it’s most likely mounted on the drum. Just do a visual inspection to confirm whether or not it needs cleaning.

Other models have the rubber seal wrapped around the door. If you have a light gray gasket, inspect the bottom of the door by touch.

What you’ll need:

• Soft sponge/cloth for cleaning
• Dry towel for wiping

Solution: To clean a GE dishwasher door seal, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher, or turn it off at the circuit breaker 
• Step 2: Do a quick visual inspection of your GE dishwasher door seal to confirm if it needs cleaning. Feel around the bottom of the door to check if food scraps are trapped inside.
• Step 3: Clean the gasket using a damp and soapy cloth.
• Step 4: Wipe the seal dry using a soft cloth and leave the door open to let it air dry overnight.
• Step 5: Restore power to your dishwasher.

Clogged Filter

Your dishwasher’s filter traps food scraps and other dirt. Without regular cleaning, mold will start to grow on it and produce foul smells.

What you’ll need:

• Sponge/soft brush
• Container for standing water
• Towels

Tip: Avoid using abrasive cleaning tools like scouring pads and brushes as they can damage the filters.

Solution: To clean a GE dishwasher filter, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off its water supply.
• Step 2: Open the door and remove the lower rack.
• Step 3: Place towels at the bottom of the dishwasher to absorb spills. Use a sponge to soak up the standing water in the drum.
• Step 4: Rotate the ultra-fine filter counterclockwise and lift it to remove it.
• Step 5: Remove the fine filter.
• Step 6: Rinse the filters in warm, soapy water. Use a sponge to remove stubborn particles or mineral build-up.
• Step 7: Reinstall the fine filter.
• Step 8: Insert the ultra-fine filter into the housing. Rotate it clockwise until the guide arrows align together.
• Step 9: Reinstall the bottom rack.
• Step 10: Restore power to the dishwasher.
• Step 11: Run a hot cycle on an empty load to clean the drum.

The dishwasher is leaking.

Daily use can lead to a lot of wear and tear, which can damage components and result in leaks. Although it is inevitable, proper care and maintenance can extend the life of your appliance and its parts.

Here are the most common causes of leaks and how to troubleshoot them. 

Causes	Solutions
Loose or Damaged Hoses	• Inspect the water supply and drain hoses, including the clamps. Use a wrench to tighten the clamps and secure the connections.
Excessive Use of Detergent	• Stop the cycle and wait for the suds to dissipate. • Pour a gallon of cold water into the drum and close the door.  • Choose and start a cycle. After 10 seconds, press the Start button to pump the water out of the dishwasher.
Damaged Door Gasket	• Unplug the dishwasher or turn it off at the circuit breaker. Then, turn off the water supply. • Carefully peel off the damaged door gasket. • Install the new gasket with the ribbed side facing the tub.  • Press the seal into the grooves and work your way around the door. • Restore power to the dishwasher. Then, turn on the water supply.

Loose or Damaged Hoses

Loose connections can cause water to leak out of the dishwasher and potentially damage your floors. Whenever you’re cleaning the hoses, you must replace the clamp to keep the connection secure.

Fixing the loose connection should be enough to stop the leak. However, if you see signs of damage like holes and tears, you must replace the hose immediately to prevent further flooding.

What you’ll need:

• Towels
• Wrench

Solution: To inspect and fix loose hose connections on a GE dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply valve.
• Step 2: Disconnect the water supply and drain hoses. Use a towel to catch any residual water and prevent accidental spills.
• Step 3: Inspect the hoses and the clamps. Remove any blockages, if necessary.
• Step 4: Make sure the hoses are attached securely. Use a wrench to tighten the clamps and secure the connections.

Excessive Use of Detergent

Another likely cause of leaks is the excessive use of detergent, especially the wrong kind. If you use regular dish soap, homemade varieties, or low-quality variants, you can end up with too many suds.

The water inside the drum needs to be pumped out to get rid of the suds. Although it is an easy fix, it may take a few hours to flush out all the suds and detergent residue in the drum.

What you’ll need:

• 1 gallon of cold water
• Non-dairy coffee creamer

Solution: First, stop the cycle if your dishwasher hasn’t automatically done so yet. Wait for the suds to dissipate and follow the steps below.

• Method 1 (preferred): Add a gallon of cold water to the drum and close the door. Select and start a cycle, then press the Start button after 10 seconds.

Your dishwasher will begin pumping water out of the drum, which should take about 90 seconds. 

• Method 2: Sprinkle non-dairy coffee creamer over the foam to help break down the bubbles. Wait for 5 minutes and let the suds dissipate.

Then, follow the exact steps in Method 1.

Tip: Repeat the steps several times until you no longer see suds or detergent residue inside the drum.

Damaged Door Gasket

The door gasket is a watertight seal that prevents water from spilling out of the dishwasher during cycles. Over time, the rubber gasket will get worn out or damaged, preventing it from sealing properly.

In that case, you’ll need to replace it. 

What you’ll need:

• New GE dishwasher door gasket

Solution: To replace a GE dishwasher door gasket, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher, or turn it off at the circuit breaker.
• Step 2: Turn off the water supply.
• Step 3: Open the door and carefully peel off the damaged gasket.
• Step 4: Install the new gasket with the ribbed side facing the tub. Just press the seal into the grooves and work your way around the door.
• Step 5: Close the door.
• Step 6: Restore power to the dishwasher. Then, turn on the water supply.
• Step 7: Run a cycle to check if it still leaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

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