GE washer not starting

Common reasons your GE washer is not starting

The most common reasons your GE washer is not starting are a malfunctioning electronic control board, jammed door lock assembly or a faulty user interface.

69% of the time it's the
Electronic Control Board

11% of the time it's the
Door Lock Assembly

10% of the time it's the
User Interface Control

10% of the time it's the
Something else

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Most common repairs needed to fix a GE washer

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.

How to replace the electronic control board in a washer

Door Lock Assembly Replacement

When a washer door lock assembly is jammed, you may encounter difficulty in opening or closing the washer door. The door may not latch properly, leading to issues in starting or completing a wash cycle. The washer might display an error code indicating a door lock problem. During operation, the door lock may make unusual clicking sounds or fail to engage, preventing the washer from starting. Additionally, if there is a malfunction, the door lock indicator light may not illuminate as expected. Users might notice water remaining in the drum even after the wash cycle has finished, indicating a potential problem with the door lock assembly preventing proper drainage.

How to replace the door lock assembly on a washer

User Interface Control Replacement

A faulty user interface control may become unresponsive and won’t allow you to change wash cycle settings or turn the washer on and off. In some failures, only one or two buttons or dials on the interface are affected, but in some cases the entire interface will be completely dead. Cycle status such as time remaining in the cycle won’t display properly on a defective user interface. Control keys or buttons on the user interface may also stick, causing the washer to exhibit inconsistent behavior, such as starting or stopping unexpectedly during a cycle. Error codes may also be present.

How to replace a washer user interface control

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

How is the not starting problem fixed?

Correcting most not starting problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, door lock 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 washer that is not starting

When the washer is not starting 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 starting 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 Top Load Washer Won't Start the Cycle Troubleshooting

When your GE top load washer won’t start the cycle, make sure that the lid is fully shut. Some GE top load washers won’t start the cycle unless the lid is shut. Some models require the lid to be shut and locked before the cycle will start. Check for visible damage to the lid switch, lid strike and lid lock assembly on your GE top load washer. Have a service technician repair the washer if the lid switch or lid lock assembly is visibly damaged.

A GE top load washer won’t start the cycle if it doesn’t fill with water. Check the water supply faucets behind the washer to make sure they are open. Open those faucets if you find them shut. The washer may start the cycle if you restore the water supply and the washer fills with water.

Problems with the control panel can prevent the washer from starting. A stuck key or bad start key may prevent the washer from beginning the cycle. Press all keys on the control panel to try and free up a stuck key then try again to start the cycle. If the control panel is unresponsive, you’ll likely need to have a service technician replace that component.

Sometimes, a power surge through the electrical supply lines going to your home will cause the control board to lock up and quit operating. You can sometimes cure this problem by resetting the control board. To reset the control board, unplug the washer power cord for 2 minutes. Plug the power cord back in to restore power and see whether the washer will start the cycle.

When you’re unable to resolve a problem with your GE washer not starting the cycle yourself, schedule washer repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the washer.

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