Flickering lights are never a good sign—even on your GE dishwasher. Although it’s often a minor issue that you can resolve in a second or two, it can also indicate a larger problem that might take time to resolve.
If it’s the latter, you’re back to handwashing your dishes until you’ve identified and solved the root cause of the problem. We know how frustrating that can be, especially if you have a very busy schedule.
So you can resolve this problem as soon as possible, read our guide below. We delve into the most common causes behind your GE dishwasher’s blinking orange light and show you how to troubleshoot them.
Why is my GE dishwasher blinking an orange light?
If a blinking orange light appears on a GE dishwasher, it means the cycle was interrupted. It happens when the door is opened too soon and not closed right away.
The orange light might also appear after pressing start. If the dishwasher doesn’t run, you probably have a faulty UI board or door latch.
Before making any repairs, here are a few simple solutions that might clear the error and the blinking.
- Press the Reset button. Tap the Start/Reset pad twice to reset the dishwasher, then wait for at least 2 minutes to check if the problem recurs.
- Powercycle the dishwasher. Unplug the power cord or turn off the power at the circuit breaker, then restore power after 30 seconds to reset the dishwasher.
Keep reading to discover why your GE dishwasher has a blinking orange light and learn how to troubleshoot it. We provide easy-to-follow instructions to help you resolve your issue and get your dishwasher back in optimal condition.
Causes and Solutions
To troubleshoot a GE dishwasher with a blinking orange light, enter diagnostic mode. Push the Start and Cycle Select buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds.
If a door error appears, inspect the door latch for signs of damage. Replace the broken door latch to fix your problem.
Let’s take a look at the different issues that can trigger a blinking orange light on your GE dishwasher.
| Causes | Solutions |
| Improper 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. • Tilt the dishwasher forward to access the rear leveling legs. • Use a wrench or your hands to rotate the leg clockwise to raise its height or counterclockwise to lower it. • Open the door and set the carpenter’s level on top to check if it’s level from side to side. • Rotate the leg clockwise to raise its height or 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. |
| Faulty Door Latch | • Unthread the screws securing the dishwasher to the countertop. • Extend the upper rack and pry the tabs to release the end caps on the slide rails Then, pull the rack off the rails. • Unfasten the screws on the access panel at the base of the dishwasher. • Remove the panel and set it aside. • Carefully move the dishwasher out of the cabinet. • Open the door and unthread the screws securing the latch. • Disconnect the wire on the old latch to release it. Then, reconnect the wire to the new door latch. • Mount the latch in place using its screws.Gently slide the dishwasher into the cabinet. • Reinstall the access panel along with its screws. Reattach the top rack. • Rethread the mounting screws to secure the dishwasher to the cabinet. • Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply. |
| Faulty UI Board | • Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply. Disconnect the water supply line and drain hose. • Open the door and unthread the screws mounting the dishwasher to the countertop. • Pull the dishwasher out of the cabinet far enough to access the door cables. Then, unmount the access panel. • Disconnect the wiring harness and gently pull off the clips that secure it to the tub. • Close the dishwasher door and unhook the cables on both sides. • Remove the door and set it down on a solid and stable surface. Then, take off the vent cover. • Unthread the screws that hold the inner and outer door panels. Pull the hinges down and set them aside. • Push the inner panel down to release and place it on a stable work surface. • Disconnect the wiring harness on the user interface board. Then, unthread the screws mounting the assembly. • Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the tabs on the cover. Insert a putty knife to prevent them from snapping shut. • Remove the old UI board. • Adjust the jumper settings on the new board based on your dishwasher’s model number. • Use the supplied instruction sheet as your reference. • Align the new UI board and button assembly on the cover. Gently push down on the tabs until they lock. • Mount the UI board on the dishwasher, and reconnect the wiring harness to the board. • Align the tabs on the inner door panel with the outer panel. Then, push down to lock them together. • Reinstall the vent cover, door hinges, and screws that secure both panels. • Reattach the door and connect the cables on both sides. Then, plug the wiring harness at the bottom of the dishwasher. • Mount the access panel. Push the dishwasher back into the cabinet and reinstall the screws to secure it. • Reconnect the drain hose and water supply line. • Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply. Test if the appliance turns on. |
Improper Leveling
From leaks to poor draining(GE dishwasher not draining), improper leveling can cause various issues for your GE dishwasher. It can also prevent the door from latching properly, which might trigger a blinking orange light.
One way to confirm that the dishwasher is improperly leveled is by opening the door. If the racks slide out of the tub, then the appliance is tilting forward.
The most effective way to confirm if the dishwasher is level from front to back and from side to side is using a carpenter’s level. All you have to do is set it on the side rail or the door.
What you’ll need:
- Carpenter’s level
- Phillips screwdriver
- Wrench
- ¼” nut driver
- Protective gloves
Solution: To adjust the leveling legs of 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. Remove the toe-kick panel, if your model has it.
- Step 4: Unfasten the screws mounting the dishwasher to the cabinet, countertop, or floor using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Step 5: Open the dishwasher door and remove the lower rack.
- Step 6: Set a carpenter’s level on the rack rail to check if the dishwasher is balanced from front to back.
- Step 7: Tilt the unit forward to adjust the height of the rear leveling legs. Use your hand or a wrench to rotate the leg clockwise to raise the height or counterclockwise to lower it.
- Step 8: Open the door and place a carpenter’s level on top of it to check if it’s level from left to right.
- Step 9: Adjust the front leveling legs, if needed. Rotate the leg clockwise to raise its height and counterclockwise to lower it.
- Step 10: Use the carpenter’s level to check if the dishwasher is balanced from front to back and from side to side. Make the necessary adjustments until the dishwasher is leveled properly.
- Step 11: Reinstall the access panel and mount the dishwasher onto the cabinet.
- Step 12: Restore power.
Faulty Door Latch
The door latch ensures a watertight seal, preventing water from seeping out of the dishwasher. It is mounted on the tub frame and connects to the door strike to keep the door closed during cycles.
Once the door latches, voltage is sent to the water inlet valve solenoid. The valve opens, allowing the right amount of water to flow into the tub to start a wash cycle.
If the latch is damaged, your GE dishwasher will think that the door is open and won’t run a cycle.
What You’ll Need:
- Phillips screwdriver
- 1/4” drill driver or nut driver
- New door latch
Solution: Open the GE dishwasher door and inspect the latch for signs of damage. To replace a broken door latch, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply valve.
- Step 2: Unthread the screws securing the dishwasher to the countertop.
- Step 3: Extend the upper rack and pry the tabs to release the end caps on the slide rails.
- Step 4: Pull the rack off the rails.
- Step 5: Unfasten the screws on the access panel at the base of the dishwasher.
- Step 6: Remove the panel and set it aside.
- Step 7: Carefully move the dishwasher out of the cabinet.
- Step 8: Open the door and unthread the screws securing the latch.
- Step 9: Disconnect the wire on the old latch to release it.
- Step 10: Connect the wire to the new door latch.
- Step 11: Mount the latch in place using its screws.
- Step 12: Gently slide the dishwasher into the cabinet.
- Step 13: Reinstall the access panel along with its screws.
- Step 14: Reattach the top rack.
- Step 15: Rethread the mounting screws to secure the dishwasher to the cabinet.
- Step 16: Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply.
- Step 17: Test if the dishwasher runs a cycle.
Faulty UI Board
The User Interface (UI) board comes with buttons or dials that let you select the settings and cycles for your GE dishwasher.
If the UI board is faulty, your dishwasher might not respond to your inputs, and it won’t run a cycle. You have to replace the defective component to continue using your dishwasher.
What You’ll Need:
- Needlenose pliers
- Putty knife
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- 5/8” wrench
- 1/4” socket or nut driver
- 5/16” socket or nut driver
- New UI board
Solution: First, access the main control board at the bottom of the GE dishwasher and inspect the status LED. If it is blinking, the control board is fine but the UI board requires replacement.
- Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher. Wear protective gloves.
- Step 2: Unthread the screws on the toe-kick panel. Then, remove and set the panel aside.
- Step 3: Use a 5/16” nut driver to unfasten the screws on the junction box cover.
- Step 4: Unfasten the ¼” hex-head screws on the control box.
- Step 5: Carefully pull the cover down and forward. Make sure not to damage the board or the wiring.
- Step 6: Restore power to your dishwasher.
- Step 7: Check the Status LED on the control panel. If it is blinking, the main control board is good, but the UI board needs a replacement.
To replace a UI board on a GE dishwasher, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.
- Step 2: Use the wrench to unscrew the fill line on the water supply valve.
- Step 3: Loosen the clamp on the drain hose using a 5/16” nut driver.
- Step 4: Open the door and unthread the screws mounting the dishwasher to the countertop.
- Step 5: Carefully pull the dishwasher out of the cabinet far enough to access the door cables.
- Step 6: Use a 5/16” nut driver to unmount the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, remove the panel and set it aside.
- Step 7: Disconnect the wiring harness and gently pull off the clips that secure it to the tub.
- Step 8: Close the dishwasher door and unhook the cables on both sides.
- Step 9: Open the door and lift it up to remove it.
- Step 10: Set the door on a solid and stable surface. Place a towel underneath to prevent scratches.
- Step 11: Use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the vent cover. Then, pull it out of the dishwasher.
- Step 12: Use a 1/4” socket or nut driver to unthread the screws that hold the inner and outer door panels. Pull the hinges down and set them aside.
- Step 13: Push the inner panel down to release it and place it on a stable surface.
- Step 14: Disconnect the wiring harness on the user interface board.
- Step 15: Unthread the screws mounting the UI board assembly.
- Step 16: Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the tabs on the cover. Insert a putty knife to prevent them from snapping shut.
- Step 17: Remove the old UI board from the cover.
- Step 18: Adjust the jumper settings on the new board based on your dishwasher’s model number. Use the supplied instruction sheet as your reference as it will vary per model.
- Step 19: Align the new UI board and button assembly on the cover. Then, gently push it down until the tabs lock into place.
- Step 20: Mount the UI board on the dishwasher and secure it with the screws.
- Step 21: Reconnect the wiring harness to the board.
- Step 22: Align the tabs on the inner door panel with the outer panel. Push down to lock them together.
- Step 23: Reinstall the vent cover, door hinges, and the screws that secure both panels.
- Step 24: Reattach the door to the dishwasher. Then, reconnect both door cables.
- Step 25: Reconnect the wiring harness at the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Step 26: Mount the access panel and secure it using its screws.
- Step 27: Push the dishwasher back in and reinstall the screws that mount it to the countertop.
- Step 28: Reconnect the drain hose and water supply line.
- Step 29: Turn on the water supply and restore power to the dishwasher.
Frequently Asked Questions
The GE dishwasher has multiple indicator lights to let you know which functions are running. These lights will also alert you about possible faults and errors that the dishwasher has detected.
These indicator lights will vary per model. Thus, we recommend referring to your user manual for more detailed guides for your specific dishwasher model.
A GE dishwasher’s blinking lights often indicate minor issues that you can resolve with a few tools and limited repair know-how. As mentioned, the fix can be as simple as closing the door.
If component failure is the root cause of the problem, a replacement will be necessary. Although you can perform it yourself, you can opt to make a service call if the fix is too overwhelming for you.
To power cycle a GE dishwasher, disconnect it from its power source by either unplugging its power cord or turning off the power at the circuit breaker. After a minute or more, restore power to the appliance and turn it on to reset it.
If the orange light is blinking mid-cycle, you can reset it by closing the door on your GE dishwasher. However, if the light doesn’t turn green, you have to look for the underlying cause of the problem and troubleshoot it.
Inspect the door latch and UI board. If any of these components are malfunctioning, a replacement is necessary.
