GE Dishwasher Not Draining: What to Check

When a GE or GE Profile dishwasher won't drain, GE's own support page says to start with the filters and the sump. Clogged fine or ultra fine filters are the most common cause. After that, check for a disposer drain plug that was never removed, a kinked drain hose, and a missing high loop or clogged air gap.

One thing to know first: on GE models with an ultra fine filter, a small amount of water sitting in the sump after a cycle is normal. A full inch or more of dirty water in the tub is not.

Safety first

Turn off power to the dishwasher at the circuit breaker, or unplug it, before you reach into the tub or under the sink. Some dishwashers are also controlled by a wall switch. If you will touch the drain hose, the supply line or anything behind the kick panel, close the dishwasher's water shut-off valve. GE says it is usually under the kitchen sink on the branch line to the dishwasher, and it closes clockwise. If there is no working valve, shut off the main water supply to the house.

Have towels and a cup ready to bail out standing water before you pull the filters.

What you can check yourself

1. Clean the fine and ultra fine filters

Many GE dishwashers use removable fine and ultra fine filters at the bottom of the tub. These are not self-cleaning. Twist them out, rinse them under warm water and scrub off grease and food. GE suggests cleaning them about once a month. While the filters are out, wipe out the sump and remove any glass, seeds or labels you can see.

2. Check the garbage disposer

If the dishwasher drains into a disposer, run the disposer first to clear it. If the disposer is new, or the dishwasher has never drained right since it went in, the disposer's knockout plug may still be in place. GE's installation instructions say the plug must be knocked out, or the dishwasher will not drain.

3. Look at the drain hose

Follow the drain hose from the dishwasher to the sink. Check for kinks, twists or a spot crushed by stored items or by the unit being pushed back. GE says the drain hose should not run more than 72 inches high.

4. Confirm the high loop or air gap

GE requires the drain hose to have a high loop fastened under the counter, at the height in the installation instructions, unless an air gap is installed. GE's built-in installation instructions call for a loop at least 32 inches high. The loop stops dirty sink water from siphoning back into the tub. If your sink has an air gap, pull the cap off and clear any debris inside.

5. Check the sink drain

If the kitchen sink is slow, the dishwasher can't empty into it. Clear the sink clog first, then run a short rinse cycle to test.

Did it start right after an install or a plumbing job?

If the dishwasher drained fine until something changed under the sink, look there first. A new disposer with the knockout plug still in, a drain hose that got kinked when the unit was slid back into place, or a high loop that was taken down during other work are all common after-install causes. GE's installation instructions also say to keep the drain hose free of kinks, twists and pinches and to follow local plumbing codes. Fixing any of those is usually free. If you aren't comfortable pulling the unit out to reach the hose, that's a reasonable point to call the installer or a repair tech.

Likely failed parts and what a technician tests

If the filters, sump, disposer, hose and sink are all clear and water still sits in the tub, a technician will usually look at:

• Drain pump. The tech checks whether the pump hums without moving water and whether something hard is jammed in it. GE notes that rattling or grinding can mean a hard object is caught in the pump.
• Drain pump motor. GE says a steady squealing sound can point to a worn pump motor.
• Drain hose or check valve. A hose clogged inside, or a stuck check valve, can block flow even when the pump runs.
• Wiring and the control. A bad connector or a control that never tells the pump to run can look like a pump failure.

Connected GE Profile dishwashers can send SmartHQ app alerts when something keeps a load from washing well. If your model is connected, check the app before the tech arrives. GE's support pages also cover blinking lights and beeping, which some models use to flag a problem.

When to stop DIY and call a pro

• The filters are clean, the hose and disposer are clear, and the tub still won't drain.
• You hear humming, grinding or squealing from under the tub during the drain.
• Water is on the floor or in the cabinet.
• The fix means pulling the dishwasher out or removing the kick panel to reach the pump.

Our GE dishwasher repair directory lists local companies, with city pages such as Atlanta, Charlotte and Phoenix, plus state pages like Texas. This site is an independent directory and is not affiliated with GE Appliances.

What it costs

Fixr puts a dishwasher service call fee at about $35 to $100, often credited toward the repair if you go ahead. Fixr lists drain pump replacement at about $150 to $400 and drain pump repair at about $100 to $250. HomeAdvisor lists dishwasher repair labor at about $75 to $100 an hour.

If your GE is getting older, compare the quote against the cost of a new one. Fixr's rule of thumb is that a repair costing more than about half the price of a new dishwasher usually isn't worth it. See our dishwasher repair cost guide and how long dishwashers last for help with that decision.

Keep it from happening again

• Scrape plates before loading so big scraps don't end up in the filters.
• Clean the fine and ultra fine filters about once a month.
• Run an empty hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner now and then to clear grease and lime scale from the filters, spray arms and piping, as GE suggests.
• Run the disposer before you start the dishwasher.

Not a GE? Our main guide to a dishwasher not draining covers every brand. If your GE drains but dishes come out dirty, see dishwasher not cleaning.