The ‘Profile’ series of dishwashers are the General Electronic Companies’ premium models of dishwashers. They utilize cutting-edge modern designs and features to give you the very best dishwashing experience possible.
Even though these are the highest quality dishwasher GE manufactures, like any appliance, they can run into some issues you may need to contend with.
So to help you navigate and fix these issues, we’re going to walk through all the main problems that might crop up on a GE Profile Dishwasher and give you easy-to-follow steps on how to get them fixed.
Common GE Profile Dishwasher Problems
Good news, though! Most of the problems you’ll encounter on a GE Profile Dishwasher are pretty easy to fix with a bit of simple maintenance and cleaning. So let’s discuss what problems might crop up so you can better diagnose what’s going on with your dishwasher.
1. Dishwasher Won’t Start Up
If you find that your dishwasher starts up, but after attempting to start a cleaning cycle, nothing happens, it may be because the door hasn’t fully latched or the strike hasn’t moved into position properly.
The door must be fully latched before the dishwasher will start to ensure that the water doesn’t leak out and all over your kitchen.
2. Cleaning Quality is Poor
GE Profile Dishwashers are top-of-the-line appliances, and as such, you should expect them to provide superior cleaning quality. If you notice that the cleaning quality has degraded, it could be because the filter is clogged up, causing dirty water to sit inside the dishwasher.
The spray arms could also be clogged due to mineral deposits from hard water, meaning the dirty dishes aren’t getting enough water to be cleaned thoroughly. Or it may be that you simply haven’t loaded the dishes correctly, preventing the water from reaching every surface, resulting in poor clean quality.
3. Dishwasher is Leaking
If you are experiencing leaking issues, it usually means the door gasket has failed. The door gasket is the rubber/plastic seal that lines the door to create a water-tight barrier; if the gasket becomes cracked or damaged, it may leak water.
However, in some cases, this may also indicate that the drain hose has gotten blocked, causing water to back up into the machine. So once again, the filter should be emptied, and the drain hose needs to be inspected for blockages and cleaned out accordingly.
4. Unusual Noises and Vibrations
A few moving components inside the dishwasher can start to clunk, vibrate and create strange noises. These components may include the pump motor, the wash impeller, or the spray arms.
Significant noises coming from these components may indicate that they are failing and should be checked and replaced accordingly.
5. Water is Pooling Inside the Dishwasher
When you start to notice pooling water at the bottom of the dishwasher that won’t drain away, it usually means the filter’s clogged up and needs to be cleaned.
However, in some cases, the drain pump may be failing and not pumping the water away, or the impeller, which rotates and siphons water out of the dishwasher, has snapped and can’t push the water out through the drain hose.
6. Not Getting Enough Water
When a dishwasher isn’t getting enough water, you may notice that the dishes may not be adequately cleaned after the wash cycle has finished.
The usual culprit behind this is the water inlet valve which opens and closes in order to let in more water as the dishwasher requires. When this valve fails, it may stay permanently closed, preventing new water from flowing into the dishwasher, and will need to be replaced.
However, before doing this, you should also check your home’s water pressure, as the water inlet valve requires a minimum PSI of 20 to open.
7. Dishes Aren’t Drying Properly
If you notice the dishes are not dry even after the drying cycle has finished, it may be because you haven’t loaded the dishes properly, which is causing water to pool in the bowls and cups.
It may also be due to the heating element failing, meaning your dishwasher’s water isn’t getting hot enough to evaporate properly.
8. Control Lock is Activated
GE Profile Dishwashers have a locking feature that essentially disables all controls to prevent kids or pets from accidentally activating something. It’s easy to forget to turn the lock off, so you’ll need to disable it before the GE dishwasher will respond.
9. Thermal Fuse has Blown
The thermal fuse is a safety device that blows if your dishwasher gets too hot; this then immediately stops your dishwasher from heating and helps protect other components from damage.
Once the thermal fuse has blown, the only solution is to replace it, as these are single-use components.
How to Troubleshoot a GE Profile Dishwasher
Now that we’ve covered the potential causes, you have a better understanding of the kind of problems you’ll run into with a GE Profile Dishwasher. Let’s walk through how to fix these problems to restore your dishwasher to working order.
1. Check the Door Lock
If your dishwasher isn’t starting up, you’ll need to check the door is latching fully. Push the door into place and listen for a definitive click that confirms it’s latching properly.
If you don’t hear the click, then the strike plate might not be aligned with the door latch, or the lock might be damaged. You’ll need to order a new latch and strike plate from the GE Parts Website and replace the faulty door latch.
2. Clean the Filter and Spray Arms
If the cleaning quality is not up to par, you will have to clean out the filter and spray arms. The filter is found at the bottom of the dishwasher and can be easily removed and cleaned under running water.
Also, you can use a soft brush and a mild detergent to scrub it clean if it’s particularly dirty. Next, you should remove the spray arms from the bottom of the dishwasher and use something like a toothpick and poke through the cleaning holes to dislodge the deposits.
Once you are done, run an empty wash cycle to flush out all the debris you’ve just loosened.
3. Check the Door Gasket and Drain Hose
If you are experiencing leaks with your dishwasher, you should first check the door gasket for any damage or cracks that might compromise the water-tight seal. If any are located, then the gasket must be removed and replaced with a new one.
Similarly, a blocked drain hose may cause water to back up into the dishwasher, which causes leaks. Disconnect the drain hose and visually inspect it for blockages.
If any are located, you can use a long tool such as a plumbing snake to dislodge the buildup. Alternatively, you can run water through it using a garden hose to clean it out.
4. Check the Moving Components
The primary moving components in a dishwasher include the pump motor, the washer impeller, and the spray arms. If any of these starts to wear down, they may vibrate and be unusually noisy.
You should inspect each of these elements by checking if they turn nicely and aren’t damaged. If any damage is found, they should be replaced with new ones.
5. Address Pooling Water Problems
There are 3 main culprits behind water pooling in your dishwasher, including the filter being clogged up or the drain pump and impeller not functioning correctly. You’ll first need to clean the filter out using the steps mentioned previously.
Next, the impeller should be inspected to see if any plastic wings have broken off; if it’s damaged, it should be replaced. Then you should check the drain pump for functionality and replace it accordingly.
6. Replace the Water Inlet Valve
If your dishwasher isn’t getting enough water, it’s usually an issue with the water inlet valve. Before rushing ahead and replacing it, you should first check that your home can supply enough water pressure to meet the 20psi minimum requirement.
If it is, check the water valve for functionality using a multimeter, and if it’s found to be non-functional, then just replace it.
7. Load the Dishes Correctly
If your wash results aren’t great, or the dishes have pools of water left in them, you might not be loading the dishwasher properly. You should stack all bowls and cups facing down and use the natural slant of the washer racks to ensure most of the water drains away naturally.
You can also utilize a rinse aid that decreases the water’s surface tension and helps the evaporation process.
8. Disable the Control Lock
If the control lock is enabled, then the profile dishwasher control panel will be non-responsive. Locate the control lock button on your front panel; it will be labeled either Control Lock or Lock Controls.
Press and hold the button down for a few seconds until the light turns off, and the dishwasher should now become responsive.
9. Replace the Thermal Fuse
If your dishwasher isn’t heating properly, the thermal fuse may have blown. When this happens, it must be replaced. While this may seem complex, it’s pretty straightforward; simply use the following steps:
- Start by turning the power to the dishwasher off.
- Locate the thermal fuse, which is usually placed near the control board. Refer to your user manual for the exact location of your specific dishwasher model.
- Remove the wires and screws that hold it in place. Make a note of the wiring configuration, as you’ll be installing the new one using the same orientation.
- Take out the old thermal fuse and insert the new one.
- Reinstall the screws and attach the wires.
- Power the dishwasher back up and run an empty test cycle to check it’s all working ok.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
