GE Dishwasher Not Draining at End of Cycle [Troubleshooting]

GE dishwasher not draining at the end of the cycle? There could be some reasons why your GE Dishwasher is not draining at the end of cycle properly. This page will inform you of some solutions that might help you get rid of it.

GE Dishwasher Not Draining at End of Cycle – Troubleshoot and Diagnosis

Most of the time, your dishwasher will not be draining because of a damaged drain pump. But, before you access the drain pump, you need to check that the drain hose is connected properly and not blocked. Also, the filter and sump should be checked for debris. If your dishwasher still will not drain, there may be a damaged solenoid causing the problem. Please check below to diagnose and fix the drainage problem in your GE dishwasher.

GE Dishwasher Not Draining at End of Cycle [Troubleshooting]

    1. Check Drain Pipe and Garbage Disposal

Before you check the dishwasher components which could be responsible for the drainage problem, you have to check that the pipe the dishwasher drains into is not clogged. If your dishwasher is connected to a garbage disposal, ensure that the disposal is clear of debris. Remember that the garbage disposal’s drain tube which connects to the dishwasher drain hose may become clogged. Detaching the drain hose and clearing the disposal’s drain tube will be able to get rid of the drainage problem. If your dishwasher has been recently installed, ensure that the garbage disposal knockout plug in the garbage disposal’s drain tube has been removed.

    1. Check Air Gap and High Loop

If the dishwasher drain hose does not connect to a garbage disposal, it probably connects to an air gap. If you do not have an air gap, then the drain hose may be positioned in a high loop underneath the sink. The air gap and high loop are specially designed to stop wastewater from flowing back into the dishwasher during the draining cycle. If the air gap is clogged or, then water backing up and not draining may be causing the drainage problem.

Usually, the air gap is a fitting mounted to the sink or kitchen cabinet. The air gap will work by sending air into the hose that eliminates the negative pressure which can cause the discharged wastewater to return to the dishwasher. The air gap will be able to be inspected and cleaned of debris by removing the cover and cap. The method works by looping the drain hose up so that it is secured under the sink. Please check the dishwasher’s manual for the correct specifications for your dishwasher’s drain hose.

    1. Check Filter and Sump

You may have a removable filter in your GE dishwasher. Removing the filter may allow you to clear the drain pump of any debris which may be clogging it. If you are able to remove the filter, please clean it with warm water and soap. Ensure to remove all debris. For your information, the filter is located at the bottom of the dishwasher. The sump’s main aim is to collect water for the pump. Making sure the sump area is clean will help the dishwasher to drain and prevent the blockages. For safety, ensure to disconnect the power to the dishwasher before accessing the filter.

    1. Check Drain Hose

If your dishwasher cannot drain, it may be because the drain hose is blocked. The first thing to check is if the drain hose is blocked or kinked. If the hose is not kinked, you have to check to see if the drain hose is blocked. Detaching the drain hose from under the sink must not be too difficult. The pliers are able to be used to release clamps which may be securing it. You are able to use a drain snake tool to clear the hose of debris.

Another way to clear the drain hose is to put the end of the hose into a big bucket and run a short cycle. This can cause the blockage to blow out into the bucket or show that the pump is not working. Ensure that you are prepared to turn your dishwasher off or have another bucket handy to gather the discharged water from the dishwasher. Checking the other end of the hose will likely need accessing the drain pump inside the dishwasher.

    1. Check Drain Pump

If the drain hose or filter is not blocked and also the drain hose is connected correctly, then your dishwasher likely has a faulty drain pump. Pump motors are able to fail mechanically or electrically. Usually, a mechanical fault is caused by a broken impeller or a foreign item clogging the drain pump. The impeller on the drain pump must rotate when you turn it manually. If it will not rotate, then the drain pump will likely need to be replaced. If a drain pump impeller is broken, the impeller or the entire drain pump will need to be replaced.

If you want to check whether the drain pump has failed electronically, simply you are able to use a multimeter to test the drain pump for continuity. If the pump fails a continuity test, then it will need to be replaced. When testing for resistance, most working drain pumps will show a reading of around 200 ohms.

Depending on your dishwasher model, the drain pump is able to be accessed by removing the bottom-front kick plate or putting the dishwasher on its back and unscrewing the access panel underneath the dishwasher. Or, the drain pump can be accessed when you remove the filter inside the dishwasher tub. Before accessing the drain pump, you have to ensure to disconnect the power and turn off the water supply to your dishwasher.

    1. Drain Solenoid

The drain solenoid usually opens the drain valve to allow water to drain from the dishwasher. The solenoid can be broken due to abnormally high or low temperatures. If the solenoid fails, then the valve will not open, and your dishwasher will not drain. As with the pump motor, the drain solenoid will be able to be tested with a multimeter to determine if it has continuity. If the solenoid is broken, it should be replaced. For your information, the solenoid is located by the motor or on the drain pump.

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