GE Dishwasher No Power or Not Starting? (FIXED!)

You just had a big dinner after an exhausting day. After scraping the leftovers off your plates, you load them into the dishwasher and expect to run a cycle—but you can’t because it doesn’t even have power.

We understand how frustrating it is, especially when it happens when you have friends over for dinner. Lucky for you, the problem can sometimes be fixed with a flick of a switch.

Whatever the underlying cause is, we will walk you through all the steps to troubleshoot the issue and restore power to your dishwasher. 

Let’s get right into it.

Why does my GE dishwasher have no power?

A GE dishwasher won’t turn on or start if its power cord is loose or its wall switch is off. If you’ve ruled them out, explore these other issues that can cause the dishwasher to lose power.

1. A tripped circuit breaker
2. Active Demo mode
3. Active Control Lock
4. Broken door latch
5. Faulty internal component

How to Fix a GE Dishwasher That Has No Power

A GE dishwasher that has no power can often be fixed by flicking a switch or plugging in a cord. You can also try resetting it by turning it off at the circuit breaker, then turning it back on.

If the fixes don’t work, you might have to repair or replace a faulty component to restore power.

Below, we listed different solutions that should help restore power to your GE dishwasher. Start with the easiest fixes before looking into issues that require more complicated repairs.

Repairs	Instructions
Check the power source.	• 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.
Check for a 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.
Replace the user interface 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.
Replace a faulty control board.	• Unplug the dishwasher, and turn off the water supply. • Open the door and unthread the screws mounting the dishwasher to the countertop.  • Carefully pull the dishwasher out of the cabinet. Then, put a towel down and gently lay the unit on its back. • Unthread the screws on the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher. Remove the panel along with the insulation. • Unfasten the screws on the junction box cover. Remove the cover and disconnect the jumper wire. • Unplug the wiring harness that connects to the control panel. • Unthread the inner screws mounting the control board support panel. Then, pull down the support panel. • Disconnect the wires to release the control board. • Remove the grounding screws and press the mounting pins using pliers to free the old board from the support panel. • Align the new control board on the support panel. Push it down and secure it using the grounding screw. • Connect the wires to the new control board. • Mount the support panel and reinstall its screws. Then, plug in the wiring harness that connects to the control panel and the jumper wire. • Realign the junction box cover and replace the screws to mount it in place. Reinstall the insulation and the access panel. • Keep the dishwasher upright and mount it on the cabinet.  • Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply. Check if it turns on and runs a cycle.

Check the power source.

The first thing you need to check if your GE dishwasher isn’t turning on is its power supply. Not all models have a power plug, but if yours does, check if it’s plugged in properly.

If the plug is loose, the flow of electricity to your dishwasher will be disrupted, causing power to fluctuate. You might notice your appliance turning on or off.

In such cases, repairs aren’t necessary. If the cord has no signs of damage, all you have to do to restore power is to plug it in.

Other dishwashers are powered by a wall switch. Make sure to flip the switch to the ON position to ensure that your appliance is receiving power.

Solution: Check if the GE dishwasher is plugged in properly. If your GE dishwasher is powered by a wall switch, locate that switch and turn it on.

Check for a tripped circuit breaker.

Does an entire area in your home keep losing power, while other areas remain unaffected? You most likely have a tripped circuit.

A circuit trips and shuts off power when there is an electrical fault that can damage it or cause it to overheat. Resetting the circuit may fix the problem, but if it is overloaded or short, you have to resolve the issue to keep it from tripping.

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. 

If an appliance or light causes the breaker to trip, it may have faulty wiring. We recommend contacting a licensed electrician who can help you resolve the issue.

Quick Note: • Don’t plug multiple high-amperage appliances into a single outlet to prevent the circuit from overloading. Transfer them to other outlets that are linked to different breakers.

Replace the user interface board.

The user interface board helps you control the functions of your GE dishwasher. If this component is malfunctioning, it won’t respond to your inputs.

Simply put, you can’t control the settings on your dishwasher if the UI board is faulty. Your unit might not even turn on.

Not to worry, you can replace the UI board, which should cost far less than buying a new unit. When you’re looking for a replacement, buy a component for your specific dishwasher model.

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 user interface board

Solution: To replace a GE dishwasher user interface board, 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: Take the replacement and adjust its jumper settings based on your dishwasher’s model number. Use the supplied instruction sheet as your reference.
• 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: Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply.
• Step 30: Test if the appliance turns on.

Replace a faulty main control board.

The control board manages a variety of functions on your GE dishwasher, including washing, drying, and draining. If this component is malfunctioning, you’ll notice a wide range of symptoms in your unit.

Since a faulty control board doesn’t happen as often as other issues on our list, explore this possibility once you’ve ruled out everything else.

What You’ll Need:

• Towel
• Needlenose pliers
• 5/16” socket or nut driver
• 1/4” socket or nut driver
• New main control board

Solution: To replace the main control board on a GE dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher, and turn off the water supply.
• Step 2: Open the door and unthread the screws mounting the dishwasher to the countertop.
• Step 3: Carefully pull the dishwasher out of the cabinet.
• Step 4: Put a towel down and gently lay the unit on its back.
• Step 5: Unthread the screws on the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher.
• Step 6: Remove the panel along with the insulation.
• Step 7: Use a 5/16” nut driver to unfasten the screws on the junction box cover. Then, remove the cover and disconnect the jumper wire.
• Step 8: Unplug the wiring harness that connects to the control panel.
• Step 9: Unthread the inner screws mounting the control board support panel.
• Step 10: Pull down the support panel.
• Step 11: Take a photo of the wires on the control board for reference.
• Step 12: Disconnect the wires to release the control board.
• Step 13: Use a 1/4” socket or nut driver to remove the grounding screws.
• Step 14: Press the mounting pins using pliers to free the old board from the support panel.
• Step 15: Align the new control board on the support panel. Then, push it down until it snaps into place.
• Step 16: Secure the grounding screw.
• Step 17: Connect the wires to the new control board. Pull up your photo reference.
• Step 18: Mount the support panel and secure it with its screws.
• Step 19: Plug in the wiring harness that connects to the control panel and the jumper wire.
• Step 20: Realign the junction box cover and replace the screws to mount it in place.
• Step 21: Reinstall the insulation and the access panel.
• Step 22: Keep the dishwasher upright and mount it on the cabinet. Then, plug it in and turn on the water supply.
• Step 23: Check if the dishwasher turns on and runs a cycle.

How to Fix a GE Dishwasher That Isn’t Starting

A GE dishwasher won’t start a cycle if Demo mode or Control Lock is activated. Just disable these functions and the dishwasher will respond to your inputs and run a cycle.

If you have a component failure, replace the defective component to resolve the issue.

Before looking into repairs, there are a few possible causes that you need to rule out. Go over our list, starting from the top, to find step-by-step instructions and tips for troubleshooting your GE dishwasher.

Repairs	Instructions
Disable 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.
Deactivate the 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.
Replace the door latch.	• Unplug the dishwasher, and turn off the water supply valve. • 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. Test if the dishwasher turns on and runs a cycle.

Disable Demo mode.

Demo mode allows retailers to display the different functions and features on an appliance without activating any programs. If this mode is activated, the control panel might turn but won’t start any cycles.

All you have to do is disable this mode on your GE dishwasher. You’ll have to press the right button combination to deactivate it, which may vary depending on your appliance model.

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.

Deactivate the Control Lock.

Like most modern appliances, your GE dishwasher has a Control Lock function that prevents curious little hands from tampering with the settings. If it is activated, the buttons on the control panel will be locked and won’t respond to your touch.

You can’t run a cycle until you disable the Control Lock function, which you can do in a few simple steps. However, the exact process may vary depending on your dishwasher model.

Older Models

Older GE dishwasher models have a Lock button on the panel, making it easier to enable and disable the function whenever needed.

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

Modern Models

On modern GE dishwasher models, there might not be a dedicated button for the Control Lock function. Instead, you’ll have to press a specific button combination for your dishwasher 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.

Replace the door latch.

If you have to slam the door on the dishwasher to close it shut, the latch is most likely worn and in need of replacement. For your safety, your unit won’t run a cycle until it detects that the door is closed.

You must replace the door latch once it is broken. It is a quick fix, which you can do by yourself with a few tools.

What You’ll Need:

• Phillips screwdriver
• 1/4” drill driver or nut driver
• New door latch

Solution: To replace a faulty door latch assembly on a GE dishwasher, 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 turns on and runs a cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

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