The blinking lights on a GE stackable washer and dryer are not your enemy. This guide will show you how to use them to fix a glitchy GE appliance.
Why Is My GE Stackable Washer Dryer Light Blinking?
1). Diagnosis
GE washers and dryers have diagnostic systems that run in the background. Flashing lights behind the control panel prove that those diagnostic systems are working. Usually, you can’t see them. They are not bright enough to catch your attention. You will only notice them in dark or dimly lit rooms.
You can ignore this diagnostic blinking. You should only panic when the manual warns you about these lights. Otherwise, they are not a problem.
2). Timer
You can’t run a GE appliance with a defective timer. The device uses the timer to shift between programs and commands. Without this timer, the washer will perform the last command you gave indefinitely.
Blinking lights may signify a defective timer. The washer will flash the LEDs because it has failed to perform the actions you want.
3). Clogging
Clogging is common in washers and dryers, and for a good reason. People leave objects in their pockets all the time. And even if that wasn’t the case, clothes generate lint, a substance that blocks filters, hoses, and drains when it accumulates.
Clogging can create timer-related issues because the washer has failed to engage the next step of its program due to a blocked drain. These lights will persist until you remove the obstructions. Check your manual to determine whether the appliance has a specific LED that signifies clogging. Is that LED flashing?
4). Glitch
Modern GE stackable washers and dryers are convenient because they offer a plethora of sophisticated features and functions. However, the appliances are susceptible to electronic glitches because of those features and functions.
Glitches are challenging because troubleshooting them is a time-consuming process. You won’t realize that your appliance has a glitch until you have checked and ruled out every other potential culprit. This is why many consumers respond to flashing lights by performing a reset. A reset will eliminate electronic glitches.
5). Malfunction
GE washers and dryers are susceptible to a multitude of malfunctions. You can identify the type of malfunction by the number of flashes. Common GE stackable washer and dryer defects include:
- Dead drive motor
- The drive belt is loose
- The hub nut is loose
- Defective drive shaft assembly
- The mode shifter circuit has failed
- Faulty door switch
- Worn-out motor coupler
- Defective clutch
- Overloaded washer
- Overheating drive motor
- Faulty drive motor brake
- Pressure sensor dropout
6). Faulty Control Board
Faulty control boards can produce flashing lights. You may also make things worse by replacing them.
When you replace the control board, follow the installation instructions in the manual. If you have doubts about your work, consult a technician. Ask them to inspect the board. They can resolve any mistakes you make. Otherwise, the blinking lights will persist. The washer’s functions may deteriorate.
7). Loose Wiring
Loose or damaged wiring can interfere with the appliance’s operations, leading to glitches and malfunctions. Loose or broken wires are dangerous because they can cause arcing and start a fire. Again, you should consult a technician, especially if you can’t see any loose or damaged wiring. For all you know, you made some poor connections while installing or repairing the washer.
8). Unbalanced Load
The GE stackable washer/dryer cannot spin at full speed when the load is unbalanced. Consult the manual. Identify the lights that typically flash when the load is out of balance. If you can see those flashing LEDs on the appliance, rearrange the clothes in the washer.
Did you exceed the capacity of the washer? How many clothes can the device accommodate? The manual will answer all these questions. You can run an overloaded or unbalanced washer/dryer. However, you are more likely to wear out the spinning mechanism.
9). No Water
Check the water supply. A washer that can’t fill with water uses beeping sounds and flashing lights to warn you. Check your home’s water supply. Maybe someone accidentally turned the faucet off.
This rarely occurs. You probably have a defective inlet valve. If the valves are okay, check the water level pressure and temperature selector switches.
10). Defective Washer
Consumer Reports has spoken to people whose washers lasted 28 years. However, the average lifespan of a washer or dryer is roughly ten years. And once the appliance reaches the end of its lifespan, the lights will flash continuously as the washer’s functions deteriorate.
Eventually, it will stop working. You can extend an old washer’s lifespan by replacing some of the core components. But it is much cheaper to get a new GE appliance.
Some GE Stackable Washer Dryer Lights Meaning
Spin Light Blinking Meaning
1). The load is unbalanced, or at the very least, the appliance detects an out-of-balance condition.
2). If the stackable washer/dryer has stopped working, you have a defective lid switch.
3). You have a clogged filter.
4). Loose drive belt.
5). Loose hub nut.
6). Loose or broken wire.
How To Fix It
1). Fix or replace a loose or broken wire.
2). Replace the drive belt.
3). Tighten the hub nut.
4). Get a new drive motor.
5). Clean the filter.
6). Replace the lid switch.
Wash Light Blinking Meaning
1). The door is open.
2). You have a damaged door lock or lid switch.
3). You have a defect control board.
4). Clogged drain pump.
5). Clogged hoses and lines.
6). You have a problem with the water supply. Maybe the hot and cold water faucets are closed. Or the water level is too low.
How To Fix It?
1). Replace a damaged door lock and lid switch.
2). Replace a defective control board. But first, consult a technician, and determine whether they can fix it.
3). Remove obstructions from the drain pump, lines, and filters.
4). Make sure the hot and cold water faucets are open.
5). Replace damaged inlet valves.
6). Fix or replace kinked drain hoses.
Rinse Light Blinking Meaning
1). The water is not filling.
2). The water level is too low.
3). The water is not draining.
4). The lid is open.
5). The lid switch is defective.
6). The water is overflowing.
How To Fix It?
1). Check the faucets. Do you have an active water supply in your home? Are the pipes kinked or blocked? Did someone turn the taps off? Remedy every issue connected to the water supply. Sometimes, all you need is to increase the water pressure.
2). Check the inlet valves and replace them if they are damaged.
3). Resolve drain issues. That means unclogging the drain, fixing hoses with kinks, and replacing damaged drain lines. Clean the drain routinely. Don’t permit debris to accumulate. Otherwise, the appliance may overheat.
4). Fix or replace the lid lock. Sometimes the sensors are at fault. They think the lid is open when it is closed. You need a technician to troubleshoot and replace all the defective components in this area.
All Lights Blinking – Why?
1). The appliance is dead. It has developed a malfunction, or the device has reached the end of its lifespan.
2). You have a blocked drain line or filter
3). The pump is dead.
4). You have a defective control board. Glitches and faulty control boards can cause nuisance flashing that doesn’t mean anything.
How To Fix It?
1). Replace a defective pump
2). Find the obstructions in the drain system and remove them.
3). Fix or replace kinked and damaged drain lines.
4). Replace damaged filters.
5). Get a new control board.
6). Perform a reset.
7). Get a new GE stackable washer/dryer.
GE Stackable Washer Dryer Light Blinking And Won’t Start – Why?
1). The water pipe is clogged.
2). You have blown a fuse.
3). A power surge destroyed the circuit board.
4). Damaged wires or loose connections.
5). The power source is defective.
How To Fix It?
1). Replace a faulty outlet.
2). Replace a damaged power cord.
3). Replace the fuse.
4). Get a new circuit board.
5). Perform a hard reset.
6). Replace damaged wires.
7). Tighten loose connections.
8). Use your warranty to get a new appliance if the old one has reached the end of its lifespan.
