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Is your GE dishwasher not starting? It may not be a major problem. Follow these four easy steps to troubleshoot the problem and get back to washing dishes!
GE dishwashers are incredibly easy to use. You just have to load your dishes into it, choose your desired wash program, and shut the door. So if the machine still won’t start, you’ve got some troubleshooting to do.
To troubleshoot your GE dishwasher that won’t start, check that it has an incoming power supply. Then, check if the Lock Controls feature is activated. Next, the door latch and catch might be misaligned, or the switch inside that latch might have failed.
Your dishwasher won’t function at all until you can fix this problem. So, keep reading this guide to the end to understand what causes the issue and the troubleshooting steps you must take.
How Do You Troubleshoot A GE Dishwasher That Won’t Start?
The best way to troubleshoot your GE dishwasher is to take an organized, step-by-step approach. First, you should start with the quickest issues you can rule out. Then, you gradually move on to other issues that are more challenging to deal with.
Here is a step-by-step process you can follow to troubleshoot your GE dishwasher when it doesn’t start:
Step 1: Check For Incoming Power Supply
About this: First and foremost, you should begin troubleshooting by checking the dishwasher’s incoming power supply. More specifically, you should pay attention to these things:
- The dishwasher’s power cable and plug
- The wall socket your dishwasher uses
- The circuit breaker for that wall socket
A problem with any of the three things listed above can prevent your dishwasher from getting the power it needs to run. Thankfully, it doesn’t take much time or effort at all to check them.
Its effects: Your dishwasher power cable and plug can affect your appliance if they have suffered damage. For example, plugs can break, while cables can be ripped or torn.
Suppose those parts are still in excellent condition. In that case, the wall socket could also suffer a failure that prevents it from supplying power to your dishwasher.
Lastly, the circuit breaker could affect your dishwasher’s power supply if it has tripped. This is because the breaker will prevent electricity from flowing to the wall socket and your appliance when that happens.
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How to fix it: If you discover the power cable or plug is damaged, you’ll have to buy a genuine replacement compatible with your dishwasher. Unfortunately, these parts cannot be fixed but can only be replaced.
Next, check the circuit breaker. Push it to the OFF position, then return it to the ON position to restore power to your dishwasher.
Lastly, test the wall socket. You can do that by plugging another appliance into the socket to see if it works.
You’ll need a qualified electrician to troubleshoot and fix it if it doesn’t.
Electrical work is quite dangerous as a DIY task unless you’re trained to do it safely.
Read: Why GE Dishwasher Won’t Start Just Beeps?
Step 2: Check If Lock Controls Are Activated
About this: After you’ve confirmed that the dishwasher’s power supply is working correctly, bring your attention to the Lock Controls feature on the control panel.
This feature will disable most of the buttons on the control panel when you activate it.
Doing so prevents people (especially children) from operating and adjusting the dishwasher settings you’ve chosen.
Its effects: Unfortunately, the Lock Controls feature will also prevent you from operating your GE dishwasher if you don’t know it’s enabled. That’s why nothing happens when you press any of the buttons on the control panel.
How to fix it: You can disable the Lock Controls feature in seconds by pressing the correct buttons.
The exact buttons to press will differ between GE dishwasher models. So, look at your appliance’s control panel for markings that tell you which to push.
Press and hold those buttons to deactivate the Lock Controls. Then, you’ll have complete control of the machine again.
Read: 5 Reasons Why GE Dishwasher Not Draining
Step 3: Check For A Misaligned Door Latch And Catch
About this: Next, it’s time to consider the door latch and catch. These two components work together to keep your dishwasher door securely shut, especially while a wash cycle is running.
More importantly, they signal the dishwasher when it’s safe to start a cycle. That will only happen when the door is closed. So, opening it mid-cycle will cause the machine to stop.
Its effects: Another reason your GE dishwasher isn’t starting is that the door latch and catch are misaligned. As a result, the latch can’t accurately sense when the door is closed and won’t signal the appliance to start washing.
In other words, a misaligned door latch and catch will make your dishwasher think the door is still open. So, it will not begin washing your kitchenware.
How to fix it: The misalignment here typically happens because the dishwasher is incorrectly mounted to the counter above it.
When the mounting screws are too tight, the top of the dishwasher bows upwards. That causes the door latch and catch to no longer be aligned.
You can solve this problem by adjusting the screws that mount the dishwasher to the counter above it. Add screw spacers, if you must, to ensure the dishwasher door isn’t affected.
Read: Should You Use Dishwasher Detergent Substitute’s?
Step 4: Test The Door Latch For Faults (gE dishwasher not starting)
About this: Lastly, check the door latch itself. The latch consists of switches that are activated when you close the dishwasher door.
When that happens, they’ll send electrical signals to the dishwasher, telling it that it’s safe to begin washing.
Its effects: A faulty switch can also prevent your dishwasher from starting even if the door latch and catch are correctly aligned. That’s because the switch can’t tell the dishwasher that the door is closed and that it’s safe to begin the washing cycle.
How to fix it: There are two possible solutions to this problem. Firstly, you can try to replace the affected switch inside the door latch. However, that’s only possible if you or your repair technician can find the correct replacement switch, which isn’t always readily available.
Otherwise, the most straightforward solution is to purchase a new door latch. That way, you’ll get a brand new latch with working switches.
Read: Why Is Dishwasher’s Detergent Door Not Opening?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you need a bit more guidance, here are a few commonly asked questions to help you understand your GE dishwasher:
How Do You Start A GE Dishwasher?
It doesn’t take much to start your GE dishwasher. You only need to choose your desired wash program and close the dishwasher door to start it. But, of course, if that doesn’t work, you’ll have to troubleshoot the appliance for problems.
How Do You Reset A GE Dishwasher That Won’t Start?
Sometimes, a hard reset will help your GE dishwasher start normally. You can do that by shutting off the circuit breaker to the appliance for a full minute. During this time, the appliance will clear its memory and any errors affecting it. Then, turn it back on and allow the machine to start up normally.
Read: 4 Top Reasons Why Bosch Dishwasher Getting E15 Error Code
Why Is My GE Dishwasher Blinking And Not Starting?
Your GE dishwasher blinks and fails to start after it experiences a power surge. You can correct this by resetting the dishwasher following the steps detailed above.
Do GE Dishwashers Need A Separate Circuit Breaker?
Yes, your GE dishwasher should be on a separate circuit and have its own circuit breaker. That way, the appliance won’t have to compete with other machines for power and can normally start any time you use it.
Will A GE Dishwasher Start If The Door Isn’t Closed?
No, your GE dishwasher won’t start if the door is open. So, shut the door firmly when you want the cycle to start.
