How to Reset a GE Dishwasher (easiest way)

If you own a GE dishwasher and it won’t start it could be caused by a number of things which we are going to explain in this article.

But before we get into what could have been the cause, let’s look at the easiest way to reset it and get it working again.

How To Reset Your GE Dishwasher That Won’t Start

To reset a GE dishwasher which won’t start, press and hold the “Start/Reset” button for 2 minutes. This should reset the dishwasher, if it doesn’t work, remove the plug to cut off all power to the dishwasher for at least 5 minutes. 

This gives the appliance time to discharge all of the electricity. It should then start and function as normal.

If your model has a timer control, turn it to any position apart from the final spin before turning the power back on.

Why Is The Start Button Flashing?

If the start button is flashing on your GE dishwasher, it is either because the door isn’t closed correctly, or your dishwasher is performing a reset. It is possible that you might have caught the “Start/Reset” button more than once when attempting to turn it on.

On some models, pressing the “Start/Reset” button more than once will cause  the machine to reset. You might need to press it again to get the dishwasher to start.

How To Factory Reset A GE Dishwasher

To perform a factory reset on a GE dishwasher all you need to do is remove the plug from the socket for 5 minutes. This removes all power from the machine and resets everything back to the way your dishwasher was when you first used it.

However, a factory reset will not cure all of your dishwasher’s problems. There are some problems that will need an expert to repair. If your dishwasher has a genuine fault, it will still be there even after a factory reset. If this is the case, you will need to contact GE if your dishwasher is still under warranty. If not you will need to contact a dishwasher engineer.

GE Dishwasher Won’t Turn On At All

If your GE dishwasher won’t turn on at all, try the following;

• Ensure the mains plug is connected and the wall socket is switched on
• Check that the fuse hasn’t blown or the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped
• Press the “Start/Reset” button

Faulty Door Latch

If this doesn’t work, it could be the door switch is faulty. You can get the machine to enter a diagnostics error code mode by ensuring the machine is in stand-by mode then pressing the “Cycle Select” and “start” buttons at the same time for 5 seconds. 

This will make the appliance perform a door status check. If all of the LED lights show, the door will have been detected as fully closed. If at the end of the check, the lights are all flashing, try shutting the door correctly. Then press the “start” button within 10 seconds of shutting the door. If this doesn’t work, you might need a new door latch.

Demo Mode

In some cases, if the “Start” button does nothing when pressed or it beeps 3 times when pressed and all of the other buttons appear to work as normal, it could be the machine is in demo mode. To get it out of demo mode, press and hold the “Start” and “Heated Dry” buttons at the same time for 5 seconds.

Control Lock (Child Lock)

If the control panel lights up, but doesn’t respond to any button, it could be locked. On some models the “Heated Dry” button is used as a lock and on others there’s a “Lock” button. 

If you can see the “Lock” symbol (locked padlock) near the “Heated Dry” button it means the control panel is locked. To unlock it, just press and hold the “Heated Dry” button for 5 seconds or until you hear a beep and the locked symbol light goes off.

For control panels with a “Lock” button just press the “Lock” button twice and the lock will be removed. To relock the control panel just press the “Lock” button twice again.

Check The Water Valve

The dishwasher will not start if the water valve is turned off. It will only operate if it detects water is running into the machine. So if your machine won’t start, it might be worth checking that the water valve is open or the tap is turned to the on position.

Leak Protection

Some GE dishwashers have a Leak Protection feature (sometimes called floor protect) which could be stopping the machine from starting. This would usually indicate that it has detected a leak somewhere in the machine. If this is the case you should see the “Leak Detected” notice on the LED display.

Other GE Dishwasher Issues

Dishwashers are great appliances, they save you time and they save your hands too. It can be annoying if you find another dish or glass after you have started the program. But as long as Your GE dishwasher hasn’t got as far as the main wash, you can add any extra dishes to the machine.

What To Do To Add Extra Dishes To Your GE Dishwasher After The Program Has Started

As long as it’s before the main wash has started you are able to add dishes to your GE dishwasher whether it’s a front-control model or a top-control model. The functions are the same.

Reset The Cycle

If you have a front-control model, press the Start/Reset button and if you have a top-control model you will need to open the door carefully taking extra care for any hot steam or hot water and press the Start/Reset button on the top of the door and then close the door. This is the easiest way to reset your GE dishwasher.

What Do The Flashing Lights And/Or Beeping Sounds Mean?

Any GE dishwasher with an electronic control could start displaying flashing lights or start making beeping sounds. These are alarm signals to notify you that your appliance needs some attention. 

As the flashing lights or beeping noises can mean different things on different models, it’s best if you consult your user manual. If you don’t have a user’s manual follow this link to find one online at GE Appliances.

For most models the following information might be of some help;

• A regular beeping sound every 30 or 60 seconds
  This is an indicator of the door having been unlatched during the cycle. To remedy this, close the dishwasher door. This should resume the cycle and stop the beeping.
• Flashing the “Start” or “Start/Reset” light
  This shows that the appliance has been reset and is turning off. The light will flash for anywhere between 60 to 90 seconds depending on which model dishwasher you own.
• Other beeps or flashing lights
  Any other beeps or flashing lights could indicate that the dishwasher has a problem due to a power surge, power cut or some other electrical anomaly. Press the “Start/Reset” button and allow 120 seconds to pass. If the problem remains, turn off the power to the appliance by unplugging it. Then plug it back in after 5 minutes. This should have rebooted the machine.

If there are still flashing lights or beeping noises after completing all of the above, we recommend contacting GE directly by following this link or telephoning 01603 412324.

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