Check The Drain Impeller
The first component to check is the drain impeller. The drain impeller can sometimes break, and water is then not able to be pushed out through the drain hose into the garbage disposal or drain line.
To check it:
Check For A Failed Drain Solenoid
If the GE dishwasher still isnt draining, a failed drain solenoid could be the reason. This part opens the drain valve that allows the water to exit the dishwasher. To check this, first, disconnect the power and remove the bottom panel of the dishwasher.
You should then be able to see the drain solenoid attached to the main pump. Reach under the dishwasher and push down the solenoid. If the solenoid doesnt move, replace it.
If the solenoid does move, you should still try to troubleshoot it by following the steps below:
Ge Dishwasher Not Draining Try These Diy Solutions First
How do you fix a GE dishwasher not draining? Theres nothing quite like the frustration of opening up your dishwasher, only to discover water and dirty dishes left behind. Your GE Dishwasher not draining can be a frustrating problem, but there can be an easy fix. Follow this guide to figure out Why is there standing water in my GE dishwasher?
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Ge Dishwasher Filter Is Full
A dishwasher filter screens out larger food particles to prevent them from clogging the drain pump. A GE dishwasher not draining may have a filter thats clogged with these particles, restricting water flow. Our dishwasher loading tips suggest removing larger particles from dishes before loading the dishwasher. However, regular cleanings are the best way to avoid clogs and draining problems.
Follow these steps to clean a full GE dishwasher filter:
How To Diagnose Dishwasher Problems

If you have a dishwasher that is not running or is not cleaning your dishes as well as it used to, there are likely some problems you can diagnose and fix.
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Check For A Defective Drain Valve
As mentioned earlier, the drain can become clogged with debris. When checking this area, also check the drain valve. Over time, the drain valve can become clogged and stop working.
Clean the valve if there is debris present. If you have already done this, but the unit will not actuate, you will need to replace the valve.
Tips For Ge Dishwasher Care
Even if youre careful, a variety of items can end up on your dishes. So, in order for dishwashers to work correctly, you must clean them on a frequent basis.
The following are some suggestions for extending the life of your GE dishwasher.
Finally, I hope youve been able to solve the GE dishwasher not emptying issue.
Take the time to double-check all of the items Ive listed. Your dishwasher will not drain correctly if one of them is defective. You might be able to detect and repair the problem yourself if you check everything yourself.
If this is not the case, contact a plumber who can properly diagnose and correct the issue. If youre concerned about the cost of hiring a repairman, dont wait.
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Clean The Drain Hose Blockage
Another reason that may lead to the draining issue is drain hose clogging. The drain hose is located for attaching the dishwasher, drain sink, or dishwasher to the garbage disposal.
It enables the wastewater to flow from the dishwasher toward the drain sink while running a cycle. But when it gets clogged or pinched, it may create the issue of draining water in your GE dishwasher.
Solution:
Make sure your dishwasher has no power supply by flicking off the circuit breaker. You need to move it forward to unfasten its screws would be helpful.
Fold the water supply faucet. Now, to detach the drain hose from its attachments, itâs essential to unfasten the clamps from the garbage disposal or drain the sink and the GE unit.
If you find the drain hose pinched, ensure to flatten it. In case of worn out, you should consider its replacement. Clean the clogging material from the hose.
Run clean water from it and place it on both sides. Tighten the clamps. Ensure to unfold the water supply is. Push back the dishwasher in its position and tighten its screws for firmness.
How Do You Reset A Ge Dishwasher
GE dishwasher models come with a “Start/Reset” button, so all you have to do is press and hold this button for a few seconds, then wait two minutes for it to reset.
If this doesn’t solve the issue you’re experiencing with your appliance you may need to perform a hard reset. To do this, cut off the power supply to the dishwasher by turning off the circuit breaker connected to it. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
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Why Is My Dishwasher Not Getting My Dishes Clean
If your dishes aren’t coming out as spotless as they used to, it could be due to particle or mineral buildup in your appliance. Follow these steps to help ensure your dishwasher is clean and functioning optimally:
- Clean the drain filter: A clogged drain filter could mean that dirty water is recirculating when you run a cycle. Clean the filter every few months to remove particle buildup.
- Clean the spray arms: Dirty or clogged spray arms could also be recirculating gunk and preventing the dishwasher from performing at its best. Check the holes of the spray arms for clogs and remove any particles using a cotton swab or toothpick.
- Rinse the machine: Grease and grime can build up in your dishwasher over time, affecting the performance of your machine. To give your appliance a good rinse, pour two cups of vinegar into the bottom of your empty dishwasher, select a deep cleaning cycle, and run the dishwasher at the hottest temperature available.
Air Gap And High Loop
If your dishwasher drain hose does not connect to a garbage disposal, it may connect to an air gap. If you do not have an air gap, the drain hose may be positioned in a high loop underneath the sink. Both the air gap and high loop are designed to stop wastewater from flowing back into the dishwasher during the draining cycle. If the air gap is clogged or the drain hose is not in a high loop position, then water backing up and not draining may be causing the drainage issue.
The air gap is usually a fitting mounted to the sink or kitchen cabinet. The air gap works by sending air into the hose, which eliminates the negative pressure that can cause the discharged wastewater to return to the dishwasher. The air gap can be inspected and cleaned of debris by removing the cover and cap.
The high loop method works by looping the drain hose up so that it is secured just under the sink. Check the dishwashers manual for the correct specifications for your dishwashers drain hose.
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Turn Off The Power Supply And Water Supply
Turn off the power supply by unplugging it from the outlet or shutting down the circuit breaker to which it’s connected.
Then, turn off the water supply by looking for the water line connecting to the dishwasher. This is a copper or stainless steel line that should be just right under the sink.
You also need to close the shut-off valve under the sink that supplies water to the dishwasher.
Faulty Drain Pump Impeller

This is one of the most common repairs for a GE dishwasher that doesnt drain.
The drain impeller pushes water through the drain hose and into the drain line or garbage disposal.
When this part goes bad, the whole drain pump need to be replaced. Heres how to replace it:
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Common Causes Of A Clogged Drain
The most common causes of a dishwasher not draining are food and cleaning products. These can clog the drain and cause it to stop working. Most are plumbed into a garbage disposal, so make sure that is not plugged as well. If the drain pump motor is bad you would be able to NOT hear it as it drains. Excess dirty dishes, with too much food debris, is the normal cause for not draining. The corrugated drain hose tends to collect these particles and clog the line. Make sure you also check the dishwasher filter as well, a commonly overlooked item.
What To Do If There Is Water In The Bottom Of Your Dishwasher
Try Vinegar and Baking SodaMix together about one cup each of baking soda and vinegar and pour the mixture into the standing water at the bottom of the dishwasher. Leave for about 20 minutes. If the water is draining or starting to drain at that time, rinse with hot water and then run the dishwasher’s rinse cycle.
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Ge Dishwasher Arms Not Spinning
It is most commonly caused by food particles or burnt-on grease accumulating around the arms pivot point.
1. Remove the dishwashers front panel
2. Inspect the area for any build-up
3. If there is, clean it off with a wire brush or an abrasive pad
4. Put the access panel back on
5. Check if the problem has been solved
Ge Dishwasher Emitting Bad Smell
Dishwashers boast that they can get dishes remarkably clean, even if the dishes are covered with food. However, its important to remember that food particles on the dishes now sit in the dishwasher. Anything that cant drain with the water can get trapped inside. This stuck food can then smell, creating a bad odor from the dishwasher.
The best way to avoid odor problems is to keep your dishwasher clean. To keep your dishwasher clean, do some tasks daily, while you can do others weekly.
Each day, pick up any food particles that you see along the bottom of the dishwasher. This can go a long way in keeping the appliance cleaner and running smoothly. About every one to two weeks, give the dishwashers interior a gentle wipe down to avoid grime buildup.
You should also check the users manual and look at how you can remove the filter from the bottom of the appliance. Also, give your filter a gentle cleaning periodically to make sure it works well.
Finally, youll want to do a deeper cleaning about every one to two months. Run the wash cycle on the appliance using hot water and place a cup of vinegar inside to break up any other food particles and residual dishwasher detergent. The rest of the dishwasher can remain empty.
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Clean The Dishwasher Filter Regularly
It is quite easy to prevent any clogs in your dishwasher filter. All you need to do is clean it regularly and remove any accumulated food particles or gunk that may end up there.
Be sure to clean it thoroughly using hot, soapy water. This will allow you to remove every last ounce of buildup so that nothing blocks the drain cycle anymore.
Rinse the filter afterward, and install it back into the dishwasher. In case the filter is damaged in any way, make sure to replace it right away.
Cause # : Dirty Dishwasher
Sometimes everything will be working perfectly alright, but your dishwasher may not still drain properlythe reason: a dirty dishwasher.
Solution: Cleaning your dishwasher monthly with vinegar and baking soda is best to ensure that it performs optimally. Follow the steps below for cleaning your GE dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda.
- Empty your dishwasher and place 1-2 cups of white distilled vinegar at the top rack. Run your dishwasher on hot settings.
- Once the cycle is complete, remove the cup holding vinegar and sprinkle one cup of baking soda at the bottom of your dishwasher.
- Program your dishwasher to a hot cycle.
- Now use a flexible wire to clean the showerheads on spray arms.
- Do not add vinegar and baking soda together in your dishwasher.
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Damaged Drain Pump Impeller
The drain pump on your GE dishwasher uses an impeller to push water through the drain hose and down into the drain tube. A damaged impeller will cause water to pool at the bottom of your dishwasher.
In some GE dishwasher models, you can replace an impeller independently. Find out how to do this by watching this video:
Other models will require you to replace the entire drain pump if the impeller malfunctions.
It’s also important to check if the drain pump itself is malfunctioning as this can also prevent your GE dishwasher from draining properly.
Use a multimeter to perform a continuity test on your drain pump. If it shows a reading of 200 ohms, then it’s not the problem. If it fails to show any reading, then you’ll need to replace it.
How Do I Force My Ge Dishwasher To Drain

If youve noticed that your GE dishwasher isnt draining, the first thing you should do is make sure that none of the pipes under the sink are backed up. In order to do this, you need to turn off the water supply and wait a few minutes for all of the water to drain from the pipes. After this, turn on the water again and check to see if your GE dishwasher still isnt draining. If it is, then you may want to force it to drain by opening one of the dishwasher doors and letting it run until it drains completely. On some models all you do is Press and Hold the start button for 3-4 seconds, and it should start to drain.
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Check The Chopper Blade For Clogs
The chopper blade in the dishwasher dices any food particles that come off the dishes. This helps to avoid a clogged sink or dishwasher line. If too much debris builds up around the chopper screen, the dishwasher can stop draining.
Therefore, if your dishwasher isnt draining, determine if the chopper blade has damage and then clean the debris from the area. If you discover a damaged blade, you will need to replace it.
To replace the chopper blade, follow the steps below:
Cause # : Incomplete Wash Cycle
Your GE dishwasher may not complete a cycle randomly. It can cause draining problems.
Solution: Check why your dishwasher is not completing the wash cycle properly. It can happen due to improper loading, overloading, selecting the wrong cycle, pre-rinsing your dishes, and door problems. The best way to get rid of an incomplete washing cycle is to reset your machine. You can reset your GE dishwasher by holding the start/stop button for 3-5 seconds.
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Check The Drain Pump:
Next, check to see if the drain pump is functioning.
The drain pump is located on the rear of the dishwasher, towards the tubs bottom. It will suck air into the suds if it isnt working properly instead of pushing them down into the drain tube.
If it has rusted, then replace it. Also, if it makes a clicking noise when you turn it on, that is a sign that something is wrong and you should have to repair it right away before any more damage occurs.