GE Dishwasher Not Draining? (Here’s why!)

The best thing about owning a dishwasher is getting clean, sanitized dishes without having to wash them yourself. Arguably, the worst is a drainage problem, which leaves you with unclean dishes and a pool of dirty water—eek!

After cleaning up the mess, you still have to fix the problem or else it will happen again if your run another cycle. Until the issue is resolved, you’ll have to go back to hand-washing your dishes.

Lucky for you, we know exactly why your GE dishwasher isn’t draining. We’ll delve into the most common causes and walk you through all the steps to troubleshoot them.

Why is my GE dishwasher not draining water?

If your GE dishwasher isn’t draining, it’s most likely caused by an obstruction in the filter, drain hose, or air gap. 

A faulty component can also impede the drainage process. If the drain pump or the check valve is defective, they must be replaced to fix the drain problem.

Before making any repairs, here are a few simple ways to troubleshoot a GE dishwasher that isn’t draining.

• Run the disposer. If you have one, turn on the disposer prior to starting your dishwasher to clear food and debris in the drain system.

• Remove large obstructions in the sump area. Clear out items that might be blocking the sump, such as debris from food containers, noodles, leafy vegetables, and so on.

If your GE dishwasher still won’t drain after these quick fixes, keep reading our guide and learn how to identify the underlying cause of your drainage problem. We also have more detailed instructions to help you troubleshoot it.

Causes and Solutions

Clear any obstructions in the filter, drain hose, or air gap to fix your GE dishwasher’s drainage problem. Straighten out any kinks and bent areas in the drain hose, but replace it if you see signs of damage.

If the drain pump or check valve is malfunctioning, a replacement is also necessary.

Let’s take a look at the possible reasons why your GE dishwasher isn’t draining.

Causes	Solutions
The knockout plug hasn’t been removed.	• Unplug the garbage disposal and disconnect the drain hose. • Unmount the garbage disposal and set it on its side. Use a hammer and screwdriver to knock out the plug. • Remove the plug. • Install the garbage disposal and attach the drain hose.
The drain hose has a kink or a clog.	• Check the drain hose for kinks and bent areas. Straighten them out, if needed. • Disconnect the drain hose from the sink drain or garbage disposal.  • Inspect the hose for any blockages and remove any visible obstructions. • Place one end of the hose into a bucket.  • Use the drain function and let the water flow into the bucket. • Reconnect the drain hose and plug in the dishwasher.
The wrong detergent is causing excess suds.	• Only use powder, liquid, tablet, or pod detergents formulated for dishwashers.  • GE recommends the Cascade Platinum Action Pacs and the Finish • Quantum Automatic Dishwashing Detergent.
The filter is dirty.	• 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.
The air gap has a clog.	• 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.
The check valve is faulty.	• Open the dishwasher door and remove the lower rack assembly. • Rotate the fine filter counterclockwise and pull it out from the dishwasher. Then, remove the coarse filter. • Pull the old check valve out. • Insert the new check valve into the slot in the sump. • Reinstall the coarse filter. Insert the fine filter, then rotate it clockwise until it locks in place. • Slide the lower rack assembly back into the dishwasher. • Close the door and check if it fixes your drainage problem.
The drain pump is malfunctioning.	• Unplug the dishwasher, or turn off the power at the circuit breaker. • Shut off the water supply valve. • Unthread the screws on the kickplate. Pull out the kickplate and set it aside. • Disconnect the water supply line elbow fitting from the inlet valve using Channellock pliers.  • Unmount the junction box cover and set it aside. Remove the wire nuts, then disconnect the wires. • Loosen the strain relief nut using a flathead screwdriver. Take the strain relief and power wires out of the junction box. • Detach the drain hose from the sink drain or garbage disposal system. • Then, feed it through the cabinet. • Unfasten the screws mounting the dishwasher to the cabinet, countertop, or floor. • Carefully pull the dishwasher away from the cabinet. Adjust the leveling legs, if necessary. • Spread a towel on the floor, then gently lay the dishwasher on its back. • Unplug the wire harness from the drain pump. Press the tab on the drain pump and turn it counterclockwise to release it. • Insert the new drain pump and twist it clockwise until it locks in place. • Then, connect the wire harness to the pump. • Lift the dishwasher back up. Confirm that the drain hose is accessible through the cabinet wall. • Move the dishwasher back into the cabinet. Check if the dishwasher is leveled properly, then adjust the legs if necessary. • Reinstall the screws to secure the dishwasher to the cabinet, countertop, or floor. • Reconnect the drain hose to the sink drain or garbage disposal. Keep the hose above the connection point. • Align the wires and strain relief nut in the junction box. Then, tighten the strain relief nut. • Group the wires by color and secure them using the wire nuts. • Reinstall the junction box cover and rethread the screw to secure it. • Reconnect the water supply line fitting to the inlet valve. Replace the screws on the kickplate to mount it. • Turn on the water supply valve. Restore power to the dishwasher.

The knockout plug hasn’t been removed.

Did your drainage problem start after installing a new garbage disposal system? If it did, you must have forgotten to remove the knockout plug.

Garbage disposals usually come with an inlet tube that you can attach to your dishwasher. During the draining process, your dishwasher pushes water through the tube and into the disposer.

Since not all households have a dishwasher, the port where you connect the drain hose is usually blocked by a plug to prevent leaks. Once you install a dishwasher, you knock out this plug 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: Knock out the plug using a hammer or screwdriver.
• Step 4: Take the plug out.
• Step 5: Reinstall the garbage disposal.
• Step 6: Reconnect the drain hose.
• Step 7: Run a cycle to confirm that the drain problem is gone.

The drain hose has a kink or a clog.

Another area that you need to inspect for clogs is the drain hose. If dirt accumulates in the hose, it can restrict the flow of water out of the dishwasher, causing it to drain slowly or not drain at all.

Make sure the drain hose has no kinks or bent areas as they may also restrict water flow and impede the draining process. If the hose has no signs of damage, straightening out the kinks and clearing the obstructions should be enough to fix the problem.

What you’ll need:

• Bucket
• Towels

Solution: To clean an obstructed drain hose on a GE dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Check if the drain hose is bent or kinked.
• Step 2: Straighten out any kinks and bent areas to promote better flow.
• Step 3: Disconnect the drain hose from the disposer or sink drain. 
• Step 4: Inspect the hose for any blockages and remove any visible obstructions.
• Step 5: Place the end of the drain hose into a bucket. Use the drain function and let the water flow into the bucket to remove any remaining debris.
• Step 6: Reconnect the drain hose and plug in the dishwasher.
• Step 7: Run a quick cycle to test if the dishwasher drains properly.

The wrong detergent is causing excess suds.

Is your dishwasher producing a lot of foam during cycles? Using the wrong detergent or a low-quality one can lead to excess suds, which can impede the draining process.

If you’re using liquid detergent, it’s not only important that you use the right kind but you must also use the right amount. You should fill up the dispenser with enough detergent to achieve great results, but you shouldn’t use more than you need.

Solution: Use powder, liquid, tablet, or pod detergents formulated for dishwashers. GE recommends the Cascade Platinum ActionPacs and the Finish Quantum Automatic Dishwashing Detergent.

Here’s a little guide to help you determine how much detergent you need.

Water Hardness	Amount of Detergent
Soft water (0-3 grains)	Keep the main wash cup ⅓ full.
Medium water (4-8 grains)	Keep the main wash cup ⅔ full.
Hard water (9-12 grains)	Fill the main wash cup up to the max fill line.
Very hard water (over 12 grains)	Fill the main wash cup and pre-wash cup up to the max fill line.

If you don’t know the hardness of your water, you can contact the water utility company in the area. Or, you can ask the County Extension Agent.

The filter is dirty.

All GE dishwashers are equipped with a filter that traps food scraps and other foreign objects during wash cycles. Some models even have a fine filter and an ultra-fine filter. 

Since their main role is to catch food particles and debris, they must be cleaned regularly to prevent clogs and to keep them in optimal condition. 

Once the filters are clogged, water will struggle to flow out of your dishwasher. This causes water to pool inside the tub and soil your newly cleaned dishes.

GE dishwashers without an ultra-fine filter will usually have a cup or two of clean water inside the drum, which is completely normal. If your model has an ultra-fine filter, you should only see water in the sump, but it shouldn’t fill the bottom of the tub.

Not to worry, cleaning a clogged filter is a simple process, which should only take a few minutes. 

What you’ll need:

• Sponge
• Towels
• Soft brush

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: Lay 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 pull it out of the dishwasher.
• Step 5: Lift the fine filter up to remove it.
• 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. Turn it clockwise until the arrow on the filter aligns with the arrows on the tub.
• 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 air gap has a clog.

Not all dishwashers are connected to an air gap, but if yours is, a clog in this area might be causing your drainage problem.

An air gap is a small chrome or stainless steel fitting that connects the sink drain to your dishwasher. It prevents wastewater from flowing back into the tub and contaminating your freshly washed dishes.

If your dishwasher isn’t connected to an air gap, you can rule this out and look for other possible causes. However, if you do have one, you should open it up and check for obstructions.

Food scraps, dirt, and grime can accumulate inside, preventing your dishwasher from draining properly. 

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. It is usually located near the faucet.
• Step 2: Pull out the inner cover to access the air gap.
• Step 3: Use a toothpick or a bamboo skewer to remove bits of food and dirt lodged inside 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. Spread towels around the air gap to absorb spills and prevent flooding in your kitchen.
• Step 5: Run a brief rinse cycle to expel stubborn 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. Use a toothpick or a bamboo skewer to pull out any particles.
• Step 8: Attach the inner cover until it locks into place.
• Step 9: Reinstall the stainless steel air gap cover.

The check valve is faulty.

Is water draining out of your GE dishwasher and flowing back into the tub? You most likely have a faulty check valve.

Located in your dishwasher’s sump, the check valve is an anti-backflow device. It prevents dirty water from re-entering your dishwasher during normal operations.

You can open the dishwasher and confirm that the check valve is still there. If you’ve recently cleaned the sump or filter assembly, you probably removed the check valve and forgot to reinstall it.

If this is the case, you can simply reinsert it into its slot in the sump area. However, if the check valve shows signs of damage, you must replace it to prevent dirty water from pooling inside the dishwasher.

Solution: To replace a faulty check valve on a GE dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Open the dishwasher door, and remove the lower rack assembly.
• Step 2: Rotate the fine filter counterclockwise and pull it out from the dishwasher.
• Step 3: Remove the coarse filter.
• Step 4: Pull the old check valve out.
• Step 5: Insert the new check valve into the slot in the sump.
• Step 6: Reinstall the coarse filter.
• Step 7: Insert the fine filter, then rotate it clockwise until it locks in place.
• Step 8: Slide the lower rack assembly back into the dishwasher.
• Step 9: Close the door and check if it fixes your drainage problem.

The drain pump is malfunctioning.

Every dishwasher uses a drain pump to remove water from the tub. During the drain cycle, it pumps water through a hose and onto a disposer or drain pipe.

You can do a continuity test to determine if the drain pump is faulty or not. If the component shows no continuity, its electrical path is broken; thus, it can no longer function properly.

Unfortunately, you can’t repair a defective drain pump. However, you can replace the damaged pump with a new one.

What you’ll need:

• Multimeter
• Towels
• 1/4” nut driver or drill driver 
• 5/16” drill driver or nut driver
• Channellock pliers
• Flathead screwdriver
• New drain pump

Solution: First, isolate the drain pump and perform a continuity test to confirm that it is malfunctioning. To test the pump for continuity, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher or turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
• Step 2: Shut off the water supply valve.
• Step 3: Unthread the screws on the kickplate, remove the kickplate, and set it aside.
• Step 4: Disconnect the water supply line elbow fitting from the inlet valve using Channellock pliers. Use a towel to absorb spills.
• Step 5: Use the 5/16” drill driver to unmount the junction box cover and set it aside.
• Step 6: Take note of the orientation of the power wires. Remove the wire nuts, then disconnect the wires.
• Step 7: Loosen the strain relief nut using a flathead screwdriver. Take the strain relief and power wires out of the junction box.
• Step 8: Detach the drain hose from the sink drain or garbage disposal system. Then, feed it through the cabinet.
• Step 9: Unfasten the screws mounting the dishwasher to the cabinet, countertop, or floor.
• Step 10: Carefully pull the dishwasher away from the cabinet. Adjust the leveling legs, if necessary.
• Step 11: Spread a towel on the floor, then gently lay the dishwasher on its back.
• Step 12: Disconnect the wire harness from the drain pump.
• Step 13: Depress the tab on the drain pump and rotate it counterclockwise to release it. Place the pump on a dry, stable surface where you can test it for continuity.
• Step 14: Get a multimeter and rotate its dial to the lowest setting for ohms of resistance.
• Step 15: Set the black probe on one of the terminals on the drain pump and the red probe on the other terminal.

The multimer will display 15 to 40 ohms of resistance if the drain pump is functioning properly. If you see little or no change to the meter, the component has no electrical continuity and requires replacement.

To replace a faulty drain pump on a GE dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher or turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
• Step 2: Shut off the water supply valve.
• Step 3: Use the drill driver to unthread the screws on the kickplate. Then, remove the kickplate and set it aside.
• Step 4: Disconnect the water supply line elbow fitting from the inlet valve using channellock pliers. Use a towel to absorb spills.
• Step 5: Use the 5/16” drill driver to unmount the junction box cover and set it aside.
• Step 6: Take note of the orientation of the power wires. Remove the wire nuts, then disconnect the wires.
• Step 7: Loosen the strain relief nut using a flathead screwdriver. Take the strain relief and power wires out of the junction box.
• Step 8: Detach the drain hose from the sink drain or garbage disposal system. Then, feed it through the cabinet.
• Step 9: Unfasten the screws mounting the dishwasher to the cabinet, countertop, or floor.
• Step 10: Carefully pull the dishwasher away from the cabinet. Adjust the leveling legs, if necessary.
• Step 11: Spread a towel on the floor, then gently lay the dishwasher on its back.
• Step 12: Disconnect the wire harness from the drain pump.
• Step 13: Depress the tab on the drain pump and rotate it counterclockwise to release it.
• Step 14: Insert the new drain pump and twist it clockwise until it locks in place. Then, connect the wire harness to the pump.
• Step 15: Carefully lift the dishwasher to an upright position. Make sure the drain hose is accessible through the cabinet wall.
• Step 16: Gently move the dishwasher back into the cabinet. Use a carpenter’s level to check if the dishwasher is leveled properly, then adjust the legs if necessary.
• Step 17: Reinstall the screws to secure the dishwasher to the cabinet, countertop, or floor.
• Step 18: Reconnect the drain hose to the sink drain or garbage disposal. Keep the hose elevated above the connection point to promote better drainage.
• Step 19: Align the wires and strain relief nut in the junction box. Then, tighten the strain relief nut.
• Step 20: Group the wires by color and secure them using the wire nuts.
• Step 21: Reinstall the junction box cover and rethread the screw to secure it.
• Step 22: Reconnect the water supply line fitting to the inlet valve.
• Step 23: Replace the screws on the kickplate to mount it.
• Step 24: Turn on the water supply valve.
• Step 25: Restore power to the dishwasher.

Frequently Asked Questions

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