GE dishwashers are just like other appliances. Their lights are only alarming if you don’t know what they mean. The guide below will offer some clarity.
GE Dishwasher Start Light Blinking Meaning
- The ‘Start’ button doubles as the reset button in some models. In fact, it has a ‘Start/Reset’ label. Pressing the button will reboot the system, canceling any wash cycles in progress. The button will flash to show that the water is draining. Kitchen Seer expects this process to continue for two minutes.
- The CSM (Current Sense Module) tripped. Press ‘Select Cycle’ and ‘Start’ simultaneously for five seconds to see if the controls respond and the display comes on. This proves the CSM has tripped.
- The control board is defective.
- The cycle was interrupted. You can do this by opening the door. Expect similar consequences when a power disruption occurs.
- When the dishwasher loses power, the start button may blink momentarily when you restore power. This is not a cause for concern.
How To Fix It?
- If you performed a reset, you don’t have to do anything. The blinking will stop once the water stops draining. Give the dishwasher a few minutes before attempting to restart it.
- Enter service mode to reset the CSM (Hold ‘Start’ for five seconds).
- Just Answer suggests unplugging the dishwasher and leaving it alone for one day, especially if it stops working. This will reset the electronic components.
- Replace a defective control board.
- Close the door firmly. Restart the cycle where necessary. Some machines require a hard reset after a disruption in the power supply.
- Inspect the door for damage, wear, and tear. Replace a faulty door with a broken latch.
GE Dishwasher Blinking Orange/Yellow/Amber Light – Why?
- You have activated the lock control
- You opened the door during a wash cycle.
- The latch is broken.
- You have a faulty sensor. It has tricked the dishwasher into thinking that the door is open.
- A disruption in the power supply has disrupted the wash cycle.
- The control board is defective.
How To Fix It?
- Make sure the door is closed. Confirm that you heard the latch engage.
- If the latch is broken, replace it. If the orange light persists, consult a professional to determine whether you need a new door. They can inspect the sensor to decide whether or not it needs replacement.
- If the door is closed and the sensor is okay, a GE expert on this best buy forum wants you to open the door, press ‘start,’ and close the door within the next four seconds. If the wash cycle is still running, cancel it. Hold ‘Start’ for three seconds and then close the door.
- Perform a reset to resolve glitches resulting from an electrical disruption. Sometimes, lights will flash randomly when the power goes away during a wash cycle and returns. It takes a reset to remove them.
- Replace the control board. If you have the skill, find the control board and check its status. A ‘Steady Off’ status LED shows you need a new control board. Consult a technician to determine whether a repair option is available. Although, the chances of success are low.
GE Dishwasher Blinking Yellow Light And Won’t Start – Why?
The yellow light is almost always connected to the door. Dishwashers can’t run when the door is open. You need to close it firmly to prevent the wash cycle from making a mess. Opening the door during a cycle can disrupt the dishwasher’s functions.
If you’re lucky, the wash cycle will continue once the door closes. Or maybe the machine will force you to cancel and restart the cycle. If you’re unlucky, the dishwasher will develop a glitch. However, the consumer isn’t always at fault. In other words, don’t be so quick to assume that you forgot to close the door firmly before starting a new cycle. The following culprits are common:
- Some GE dishwashers have door latches with factory defects. The door won’t close all the way, regardless of the pressure you apply.
- Door latches can break because of poor handling, natural wear and tear, and physical damage. Again, these factors will prevent the door from closing fully.
- Objects can obstruct the door.
- The GE dishwasher has loose connections.
- The door can slip from its position. It can become misaligned, preventing the latch from engaging the locking mechanism.
- The dishwasher doesn’t know the door is closed because of a defective sensor.
- If the sensor seems okay, check the control board for defects.
How To Fix it?
- Perform a reset before you tamper with the control board. A reset can eliminate glitches.
- Replace the control board. Just Answer expects a replacement board to cost you $160 or less, depending on the model. A skilled technician can fix some control boards. It usually makes more sense to replace the component to prevent future malfunctions.
- Inspect and replace any damaged wires you come across. Pests can chew through wires. Don’t patch the cables with electrical tape. Even though it is the more convenient option, electrical tape is not a long-term solution.
- Tighten loose connections.
- Make sure the door is properly aligned. Doors can become misaligned because of loose screws.
- Replace a defective door, latch, or both.
- Replace a defective sensor.
You can ignore a yellow light, at least for a time, if the dishwasher works. However, if the dishwasher won’t even start, use your warranty to get a replacement.
GE Dishwasher Flashing Orange Light And Beeping – Why?
- The door is not closed. Manufacturers design dishwashers to respond to open doors during a cycle. They don’t want these appliances to make a mess by spraying water all over your kitchen door. Some people either forget to close the door or they don’t shut it firmly enough.
- Some people open the door on purpose during a cycle to add or remove a dish. The machine will beep and flash its lights until you close the door.
- A power surge or disruption can result in beeping and flashing lights because it interrupts the wash cycle.
- The door latch is broken. Either it can’t lock or won’t stay locked and begins to open after a few minutes.
- The control board is dead.
- Loose connections and broken wires can cause glitches, resulting in inexplicable beeping and flashing.
How To Fix It?
- If a power surge or blackout interrupts the cycle, press ‘Start’ to perform a reset. You can also use a hard reset to clear electronic glitches by unplugging the power cord (or turning the power off at the circuit breaker).
- Don’t stop at clearing the beeping and flashing lights. Find the source of the surge. Otherwise, the same problem will manifest in the future. If you have a bad breaker, replace it. If the grid has a problem, call the power company. Dishwashers require a reliable power supply.
- Replace the broken latch. Determine the latch’s status beforehand by testing the component for continuity. You don’t want to replace a healthy latch. If the latch seems okay, test the wiring harness and replace it where necessary.
- Replace a bad control board.
- Find and fix broken wires and loose connections.
Don’t be afraid to replace the dishwasher if you’ve exhausted all possible fixes, but the orange light and beeping have persisted. Some people ignore these symptoms, especially if they haven’t prevented the dishwasher from working.
But if the beeping is an insufferable distraction, return the appliance quickly before your warranty expires. GE can either identify the problem and solve it or provide a replacement.
GE Dishwasher Green Light Flashing – Why?
- The green light is a good thing. It shows that everything is working. Check the manual for confirmation. If it identifies green as a sign of a healthy dishwasher, you can ignore it unless you notice troubling symptoms. For instance, some consumers have dishwashers with flashing green lights that won’t start.
- The control board is defective.
- If you see the green light near the sump pump, you have a drain issue.
How To Fix It?
- The control board runs everything. Therefore, things will go wrong when this component fails. Control boards are susceptible to surges. Replace a defective control board before the dishwasher stops working altogether. You can fix it during an emergency, especially if you can’t afford to get a new one. However, you should make plans to get a replacement in the near future.
- Solve the drain issue. That could involve removing blockages in the pump, sump, hoses, and filters. It could also mean replacing a defective pump, damaged filter, or even the hoses. You can’t always fix clogging. Some obstructions are too stubborn. You’re only option is to replace the clogged component.
- Look for leaks and fix them. Drain issues and clogging can lead to leakages.
- Perform a reset. This usually involves pressing the start button. But you can also perform a hard reset by disconnecting the GE dishwasher from its power supply and waiting a few minutes, possibly even hours, before reconnecting it. A reset removes glitches.