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GE dishwasher not heating
Common reasons your GE dishwasher is not heating
The most common reasons your GE dishwasher is not heating are a defective electronic control board, faulty pump and motor assembly or a damaged user interface control.
39% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
17% of the time it's the Pump and Motor Assembly
13% of the time it's the User Interface Control
31% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a GE dishwasher
Electronic Control Board Replacement
When your dishwasher is not heating, it could have a defective electronic control board. The control board sends current to the heating element when it’s working properly. A failed relay or corrupted logic on the circuit board could prevent the control board from sending electrical current to the heating element. 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 heating.
Pump and Motor Assembly Replacement
When a dishwasher isn't heating, a faulty pump and motor assembly could be causing the failure. Heated water won’t move through the spray arms and heat dishes during the cycle when the pump and motor assembly is bad. A faulty pump and motor assembly leaves more water in the sump and prevents air from heating properly in the dishwasher. When your dishwasher isn’t heating and dishes aren’t getting clean, have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and fix the dishwasher.
User Interface Control Replacement
When your dishwasher is not heating, a damaged user interface control could be causing the problem. The user interface control connects to the electronic control board through a wire harness and sends signals to the control board to help control the dishwashing cycle. A bad heat selection key on the user interface control can prevent the dishwasher from heating because you won’t be able to select a heat setting for the cycle. Have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and replace the user interface control if it’s damaged.
Why is my dishwasher not getting hot?
A defective electronic control board, faulty high-limit thermostat, bad heating element or wiring failure are the common causes of a heating problem in a GE dishwasher.
Check the High-Limit Thermostats
The high-limit thermostats at the bottom of the dishwasher tub shut off the heating element when they detect abnormally high water temperature. The number and location of high-limit thermostats on GE dishwashers vary.
A defective high-limit thermostat trips at a cooler temperature, preventing the heating element from heating. With the electrical power disconnected from your dishwasher, you can check for electrical continuity through the high-limit thermostat using a multimeter.
If you measure no continuity at room temperature, the high-limit thermostat tripped and is defective.
This safe DIY video shows how to access and replace the high-limit thermostat in a GE dishwasher:
Use the procedure in this video to access the high-limit thermostat and replace that component if you measure no continuity through the thermostat spades.
Test the Heating Element
The heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher tub heats water during the wash and rinse cycles and air during the heated drying cycle.
Check the heating element and replace it if you see physical damage such as a cracked or broken element.
If you see no physical damage, you can test the element using a multimeter.
Access the heating element as shown in this safe DIY video:
Measure resistance through the element using a multimeter. You should measure between 10 and 40 ohms through the element.
If you measure no continuity through the element, replace it as shown in the above video.
If these tips don’t help you fix the problem with your GE dishwasher not heating, then a bad electronic control board or wiring failure could be causing the problem. You’ll likely need to have a service technician check the dishwasher for these failures.
What to expect when you experience a GE dishwasher not heating issue
How is the not heating problem fixed?
Correcting most not heating problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, pump and motor assembly or user interface control. 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 heating
When the dishwasher is not heating 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 heating 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.
A GE dishwasher that can’t heat water or perform a hot final rinse leaves grease and germs behind. Defective thermostats or heating elements often cause these lukewarm cycles. Rather than re-running loads, secure a dishwasher appliance repair near me. High-temp washes return your dishwasher to optimal sanitizing capacity.
What our customers say about us
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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
Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Dishwasher Resources
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If you've ever encountered a dishwasher with standing water, you understand the frustration of a drainage issue.
If the dishes in your dishwasher are no longer getting clean, it could be the spray arm is clogged.
Glossary Terms
A dishwasher gasket is a flexible seal that prevents water from leaking out of the dishwasher door during operation. It's crucial for maintaining the appliance's efficiency and preventing water damage.
A dishwasher impeller is a rotating component within the dishwasher's pump that circulates water throughout the unit during a wash cycle, ensuring efficient cleaning by spraying water at high pressure.
A dishwasher sump is located at the bottom of the dishwasher, serving as a collection point for water during the wash cycle. It houses the main pump and filter, facilitating the recirculation and drainage of water, essential for the cleaning process.
A dishwasher turbidity sensor is an advanced feature that measures the level of food particles and debris in the water, allowing the dishwasher to adjust the wash cycle length and water usage for optimal cleaning efficiency.