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  1. Repair
  2. GE
  3. GE Washer
  4. Washer not filling

GE washer not filling

Common reasons your GE washer is not filling

The most common reasons your GE washer is not filling are a clogged water valve assembly, malfunctioning electronic control board or a bad water level pressure switch.

  • 51%

    51% of the time it's the
    Water Valve Assembly

  • 10%

    10% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 7%

    7% of the time it's the
    Water Level Pressure Switch

  • 32%

    32% of the time it's the
    Something else

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    Most common repairs needed to fix a GE washer

    Water Valve Assembly Replacement

    The water valve assembly controls water flow into the washer. A clogged water valve inlet screen will prevent the wash tub from filling with hot water, cold water or both. Electrical failures in the valve may also prevent the valve from opening to allow water into the tub. The valve connects your home’s water supply to the washer. A faulty valve may begin leaking into the tub or around the connections to the water supply hoses. If you suspect a faulty water valve assembly, have a Sears Home Services professional inspect the washer and replace the valve if needed.


    Electronic Control Board Replacement

    A malfunctioning electronic control board can lead to various failures in a washer. This is because the board serves as the brain of the washer, controlling crucial components such as the water valve, drive motor, drain pump, and cycles. If the electronic control board fails, the washer may not power up or display the cycle status. Additionally, it might fail to fill, agitate, spin, or drain. In some cases, a shorted board may emit a burning smell.

    Water Level Pressure Switch Replacement

    If the water-level pressure switch in a washer is bad, it loses its ability to sense, control, and maintain the water level in the outer wash tub. This failure may result in the washer not filling or overfilling with water. The pressure switch operates using an air tube attached to the bottom of the tub, which senses the water level. As the wash tub fills, air pressure in the tube pushes up on a diaphragm inside the water-level pressure switch. A post attached to the diaphragm opens and closes electrical contacts within the switch's body, thereby controlling the water fill and shutting off the water when the washer is full. If any components of the water-level pressure switch fail, have a Sears Home Services repair technician replace the switch.

    What to expect when you experience a GE washer not filling issue

    How is the not filling problem fixed?

    Correcting most not filling problems usually involves replacing the water valve assembly, electronic control board or water level pressure switch. 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.

    Search for GE washer repair near me and you'll find Sears Home Services in your neighborhood and ready to fix your washing machine.

    Sears Home Services recommendations for a washer that is not filling

    When the washer is not filling 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 washer failures.

    What to look out for with a washer not filling diagnosis

    Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your washer 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.

    GE Washer Won’t Fill Troubleshooting

    When your GE washer won’t fill, check to make sure that the lid is shut on a top loader or the front load washer door is closed fully. Most GE washers won’t start the cycle and begin filling if the door or lid is open. If the door or lid is shut but the control doesn’t accurately detect the lid or door position, you’ll likely need to have the washer serviced by a technician. Schedule washer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem.

    The next thing to check when your GE washer won’t fill is the water supply faucets behind the washing machine. Make sure that those water supply faucets are fully open. If you find them shut, open the faucets to supply water to your GE washer and it should start filling.

    If you suspect a problem with the water supply going to your washer, shut off the water supply valves and disconnect the fill hoses from the back of the washing machine. Place the ends of the fill hoses in a bucket and briefly open the water supply valves to check water flow through the fill hoses. If you have no water supply going to the washer, have a plumber fix the washer water supply.

    If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help you find and resolve the problem with your GE washer that won’t fill, schedule washer repair service and we’ll fix the fill problem for you.

    Why is my GE Washer Not Filling All the Way?

    If you have an HE (high-efficiency) GE washer not filling all the way, you may not be used to the lower water level that the washer uses if your previous washer was a conventional deep fill model. Even if you use the deep fill option on a GE HE washer, the control will only add about 3 more gallons of water.

    For a front-load washer, you’ll barely be able to see the water in the bottom of the washer because the HE front loader uses very little water to clean clothes.

    Becoming accustomed to the water fill levels in HE washers takes time many people. The HE washers will still clean clothes effectively using much less water than a conventional top-load washer. Just don’t overload an HE washer and use HE detergent to avoid excessive suds. Also, you’ll typically only need about a tablespoon of HE detergent to clean most loads in an HE washer.

    If you have a conventional deep fill GE washer not filling all the way, a problem with the water level pressure switch is often the cause of the problem. Schedule washer repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the fill problem.

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    Repair Washer Resources

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Pressure Transducer Work?"
    5 min readDec. 05

    Learn how a pressure transducer works to detect water level in a washing machine.

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Top Load Washing Machine Work?"
    10 min readDec. 04

    Learn how a top-load washing machine works and how to use and maintain the washer.

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Mixing Valve Work?"
    6 min readNov. 26

    Learn how a mixing valve works to control water temperature in a washer.

    What's the Reason Behind My Washer Drum Being Loose and Banging Around image
    6 min readNov. 18

    Learn why your washer drum is loose and banging around and get professional advice on fixing it. Contact Sears Home Services for a reliable repair service.

    Glossary Terms

    Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

    A washing machine pedestal is a platform that raises the washer off the ground, providing easier access to the appliances and often includes additional storage space such as drawers.

    A washer tub is the interior part of a washing machine where clothes are placed for washing, typically made of stainless steel, plastic, or porcelain-coated metal, designed to hold water and withstand the agitation or spinning during the wash cycle.

    Fabric softener is a laundry additive used to soften and freshen clothing, reduce static cling, and make fabrics feel smoother.

    Additional possible GE washer symptoms you may experience