GE dishwasher not heating

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.