Ge Dishwasher: not completing cycle

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your GE Dishwasher starting but failing to complete its cycle? You may notice it stops mid-wash, leaves water inside, or the clean light remains off. This could be due to various issues, including a faulty door latch, control board failure, or drainage problems. Understanding these causes can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Ge Models

  • Some GE models detect leaks and will shut off mid-cycle as a safety feature; inspect seals and hoses.
  • Float switch and drain pump issues specifically mentioned in GE Profile models causing cycle reset problems.

Possible Causes

Faulty or misaligned door latch/door switch

How to Identify: Dishwasher stops when door is jarred or the latch doesn’t click fully; cycle halts without error code.

Part: Door latch mechanism or door switch

Control board or touchpad/timer failure

How to Identify: Random stops mid-cycle, unresponsive controls, or cycle progression inconsistent; control panel erratic.

Part: Control board, touchpad, or timer

Water inlet supply issues

How to Identify: Dishwasher fills slowly or not at all, hums from inlet area, or hose visibly kinked/blocked.

Part: Water inlet valve or supply line

Drain problems (float switch or drain pump issue)

How to Identify: Water remains inside and cycle doesn’t proceed; float stuck, unusual pump noise, or visible clog.

Part: Float switch or drain pump

Motor or circulation pump overheating/failure

How to Identify: Dishwasher halts during wash phase, lack of water circulation, or motor overheats.

Part: Motor and circulation pump assembly

Overheating protection/thermal fuse blown

How to Identify: Dishwasher cuts out suddenly without obvious external cause; tests show thermal fuse blown.

Part: Thermal fuse

DIY Solutions

Inspect and secure door latch/switch

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, multimeter (optional)
  1. Turn off power to dishwasher.
  2. Open and close door; inspect latch for debris/misalignment.
  3. Clean around latch and check switch operation; test continuity if you have a multimeter.
  4. Tighten loose hardware or replace latch assembly if visibly damaged.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before handling switches

Clean filter and check drain components

Moderate 20-40 minutes
Tools Needed: gloves, soft brush, bucket
  1. Turn off power and water.
  2. Remove bottom rack and locate filter.
  3. Clean filter of debris and rinse under water.
  4. Check drain area and float; clear any blockages.
  5. Run a short cycle to see if issue resolved.
⚠️ Safety First: Avoid sharp edges inside dishwasher

Reset control board (soft reset)

Easy 5-10 minutes
  1. Turn off dishwasher at breaker or unplug.
  2. Wait 5 minutes.
  3. Restore power and start a cycle.
  4. Observe if dishwasher completes cycle.

Check water supply valve and inlet

Easy 10-15 minutes
  1. Ensure water valve is fully open.
  2. Inspect visible water line for kinks or obstructions.
  3. Run dishwasher to verify water fills normally.
⚠️ Safety First: Turn off water supply before adjusting hoses

Professional Repairs

Replace control board or touchpad

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

Replace door latch or door switch

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Replace drain pump or float switch

Estimated Cost: $80 - $250

Replace circulation pump/motor assembly

Estimated Cost: $150 - $350

When to Call a Professional

Dishwasher displays error codes related to controls or pump
Repeated cycle stops after DIY checks
Visible electrical issues (burn marks, tripped breaker persists)
Water leakage during cycle

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean filters and drain area: Drain-related cycle stops
    Frequency: monthly
  • Inspect door latch and seals: Door latch misalignment stops
    Frequency: quarterly
  • Run dishwasher cleaner cycle: Mineral buildup affecting valves
    Frequency: monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my GE Dishwasher not completing cycle?
Common causes include a faulty door latch, control board failure, or drainage issues.
How do I fix GE Dishwasher not completing cycle myself?
Check the door latch, clean the filter, reset the control board, and verify water supply.
How much does it cost to fix not completing cycle?
Professional repairs range from $50 for a door latch to $400 for a control board replacement.
When should I call a technician for not completing cycle?
If DIY fixes fail or if the issue seems complex, it's best to call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

33%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Professional

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Door latch issues (1 mentions)
  • Inlet pressure valve or water level sensor problems (1 mentions)
  • Filter blockage (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replaced the door latch

    Success rate: 25.0%

  2. Check inlet pressure valve or water level sensor

    Success rate: 25.0%

  3. Clean or replace filter

    Success rate: 25.0%
Analysis based on 3 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. What modern dishwasher is not a piece of shit?
  2. GE Dishwasher stops after a couple of minutes into cycle, wo...
  3. GE dishwasher won't complete cycle

Community Discussions

won't complete cycle

replaced the door latch

DIY View on Reddit →

not completing the cycle, loud rushing noise

Bosch and Miele dishwashers recommended for reliability and performance.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

stops after a couple of minutes into cycle, works after multiple tries

Possible issues with inlet pressure valve or water level sensor

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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