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  1. Repair
  2. GE
  3. GE Dishwasher
  4. Dishwasher not draining

GE dishwasher not draining

Common reasons your GE dishwasher is not draining

The most common reasons your GE dishwasher is not draining are a failed drain pump, cracked drain hose or a defective electronic control board.

  • 61%

    61% of the time it's the
    Drain Pump

  • 17%

    17% of the time it's the
    Drain Hose

  • 13%

    13% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 9%

    9% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a GE dishwasher

    Drain Pump Replacement

    A dishwasher that’s not draining often has a failed drain pump. The drain pump motor could be bad or the drain pump impeller could be damaged. The drain pump may make a loud noise when the impeller is damaged. The motor may make a loud buzzing noise or not make any noise at all if it isn’t spinning the impeller during the drain portion of the dishwashing cycle. The drain pump is hard to access so you’ll need to have a Sears Home Services Technician check out the drain pump and replace it if it isn’t working.


    Drain Hose Replacement

    When the dishwasher will not drain properly, a cracked or clogged drain hose could be causing the failure. The drain hose connect to the drain pump and carries wastewater to the sink drain. The drain hose has a check valve to prevent drain water from siphoning back into the dishwasher at the end of the drain routine. A cracked hose or check valve can let water blow back into the tub when the drain pump stops. Accessing the drain hose is difficult so you’ll need to have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert fix the drain hose when it’s cracked or damaged.

    Electronic Control Board Replacement

    If your dishwasher is not draining, you can suspect that it has a defective electronic control board if the drain pump doesn’t run. The control board should send electrical current to the drain pump during the drain portion of the dishwashing cycle. A failed relay or corrupted logic on the circuit board could prevent the control board from sending electrical current to the drain pump. Determining whether an electronic control board is defective is difficult. Have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the dishwasher when it is not draining.

    What to expect when you experience a GE dishwasher not draining issue

    How is the not draining problem fixed?

    Correcting most not draining problems usually involves replacing the drain pump, drain hose or electronic control board. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

    Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher that is not draining

    When the dishwasher is not draining it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.

    What to look out for with a dishwasher not draining diagnosis

    Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

    How to Fix a GE Portable Dishwasher Not Draining

    When you discover your GE portable dishwasher not draining, check the drain hose for a clog. Pour water through the drain hose to see if it is clear. Clear a clog in the drain hose if water doesn’t flow through it freely.

    If the drain hose isn’t clogged, see if the drain pump runs in the drain portion of the cycle. If the drain pump runs but water doesn’t drain, then you’ll likely need to replace the drain pump because it won’t pump water out of the dishwasher even though it is getting electrical current and running.

    If the drain pump doesn’t run in the drain mode of the cycle, a failed control board or time may not be sending electrical current to the drain pump. A wiring failure will also prevent the drain pump from running. Have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and repair your GE portable dishwasher when the drain pump doesn’t run in your GE portable dishwasher that is not draining. A service technician will be able to check the wiring and determine whether the timer or electronic control board is sending voltage to the drain pump in the drain portion of the cycle.

    What To Do When You Find Your GE Triton Dishwasher Not Draining

    When you discover your GE Triton dishwasher not draining, start by checking the sink drain for a clog. If you have food in the garbage disposal that is clogging the Triton dishwasher drain path, turn on the disposal and clear it out so the dishwasher will drain properly. If the kitchen sink is backed up and won’t drain, have a plumber fix the drain problem so your dishwasher will drain properly.

    If you have an air gap installed in the drain hose going to the sink drain or garbage disposal, check the air gap for a clog. Clearing a clog in the air gap may fix your GE Triton dishwasher not draining problem.

    Check the drain hose for a clog. With the dishwasher shut off and disconnected from electrical power, carefully the drain hose off the kitchen sink drain or garbage disposal drain line connection. Check for grease or debris that could be clogging the end of the dishwasher drain hose.

    Other problems that can prevent your GE Triton dishwasher from draining include a bad drain pump, wiring failure and defective control board. If the drain pump doesn’t run, then a wiring failure or defective electronic control board may be causing the problem. If the drain pump runs but doesn’t pump water, then the drain pump may need to be replaced. To have the GE Triton dishwasher not draining issue accurately diagnosed and repaired, schedule dishwasher repair service. We’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the drain problem.

    Troubleshooting a GE Dishwasher Not Draining Fully

    When your GE dishwasher is not draining fully, a clogged or faulty check valve in the drain hose could be allowing drain water to siphon back into the dishwasher after the drain pump stops. The drain hose if difficult to access and check. It’s best to have a service technician pull the dishwasher out of the cabinet and check that drain hose check valve. The technician will replace the part if it isn’t working as it should.

    A partially clogged drain hose could also prevent a GE dishwasher from draining fully. Shut off electrical power to the dishwasher and carefully remove the drain hose connection to the kitchen sink drain or garbage disposal. Check the end of the drain hose for a grease clog or debris buildup that will prevent the dishwasher from draining fully. Clear the grease or debris out of the drain hose.

    A full garbage disposal will also restrict draining and cause a GE dishwasher not draining fully problem. If the garbage disposal is full of food, run it to clear the drain path for the dishwasher. Make sure that the garbage disposal is clear before running each dishwasher cycle.

    A slow draining kitchen sink could also cause a backup in the dishwasher drain system and prevent your GE dishwasher from draining fully. Use a plumber’s snake or have a plumber clear a kitchen sink clog so your GE dishwasher will drain fully.

    A faulty or damaged drain pump will also prevent your GE dishwasher from draining fully. Have a service technician fix this type of problem.

    If these troubleshooting tips don’t help you fix your GE dishwasher not draining fully, set up dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix your dishwasher.

    Fixing a GE Dishwasher Quiet Power 3 Not Draining

    When you find your GE Dishwasher Quiet Power 3 not draining, check the kitchen sink drain for a clog. If you have food in the garbage disposal that is clogging dishwasher drain path, turn on the disposal and clear it out so the dishwasher will drain properly. If the kitchen sink is backed up and won’t drain, have a plumber fix the drain problem so your dishwasher will drain properly.

    If you have an air gap installed in the drain hose going to the sink drain or garbage disposal from your GE dishwasher Quite Power 3 model, check the air gap for a clog. Clearing a clog in the air gap may fix the dishwasher drain problem.

    Check the drain hose for a clog. With the dishwasher shut off and disconnected from electrical power, carefully the drain hose off the kitchen sink drain or garbage disposal drain line connection. Check for grease or debris that could be clogging the end of the dishwasher drain hose.

    Other problems that can prevent your GE Quiet Power 3 dishwasher from draining include a bad drain pump, wiring failure and defective control board. If the drain pump doesn’t run, then a wiring failure or defective electronic control board may be causing the problem. If the drain pump runs but doesn’t pump water, then the drain pump may need to be replaced. To have the GE dishwasher Quiet Power 3 not draining issue accurately diagnosed and repaired, schedule GE dishwasher repair service. We’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the drain problem.

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    Thorough

    James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.


    Kirsten A, Oxford, PA

    Service Call

    Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!


    James G, Hillsboro, MO

    Daniel

    Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.


    Paul F, Hghlnds Ranch, CO

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