How to Reset a GE Dishwasher

Co-authored by Homer Flores

Last Updated: August 23, 2022

In cases of power surges, problems with the dishwasher, or adding in dishes after a cycle has begun, your GE dishwasher may need to be reset. Start by pressing the Start/Reset button and waiting. If that option is unsuccessful, try rebooting your unit by cutting the power and waiting before restoring power.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Resetting during a Cycle

1
Press the Start/Reset button to cancel the cycle. If your machine is malfunctioning mid-cycle or you forgot to add a dish, you’ll need to reset the cycle. For front-control washers, press the Start/Reset button. If you have a top-control washer, carefully open up the top of the dishwasher door and press Start/Reset, then close the door.
- Dishes can be added at any point up until the main wash.^{[1]
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2
Wait 2 minutes while the water pumps out. Make sure to wait before opening the machine and adding dishes. During this time, you may see a blinking light, which means that the machine is resetting. Make sure the light has stopped blinking before starting up the machine again.^{[2]
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3
Unlatch the door carefully and load any additional dishes. Be careful of any hot steam or water. Place any extra dishes in the dishwasher and start a new cycle by pressing the Start button again and push the door closed until it latches.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Rebooting the Dishwasher

1
Use the reboot as a last resort. Since this is a hard reset, you shouldn’t perform a reboot on your machine too regularly. Always try the Start/Reset button first. If that does not work and the machine will not reset, try rebooting the dishwasher.
2
Unplug the unit to cut the power. If you can access the cord, carefully unplug it from the power source. This will completely reboot the unit and should fix any problems with the machine.^{[4]
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3
Turn off the unit’s power from your home’s circuit breaker or fuse box. If you don’t have easy access to the machine’s cord, you can also cut power from the main power control. If your circuit breaker or fuse box isn’t close by, this may require some walking back and forth. Make sure to only cut power to that outlet, not other areas of your house.
4
Wait for 30 seconds to 10 minutes before turning the power back on. While GE suggests that you wait only 30 seconds before plugging it in or turning the power on again, sometimes your machine may need a longer break.^{[5]
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Research source} Keep the power off for up to 10 minutes, then restore power. Your machine should be back to normal.^{[6]
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Expert Q&A

Question

This doesn't work for my dishwasher. What should I do?

Homer Flores
Appliance Repair Specialist
Homer Flores is an Appliance Repair Specialist and Training Manager at PreFix, a home maintenance company out of Austin, Texas. With over 15 years of experience, Homer specializes in home improvement, remodeling, and construction. Homer’s dedication to the PreFix mission of providing hassle-free one-stop-shop service for home care, in addition to their completion of the Capital Factory and Techstars Accelerators, has contributed to their growth of service to over 50 zip codes throughout the greater Austin area.

Homer Flores

Appliance Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Most of these processes vary from model to model. The best way to access this function is to locate the technical spec sheet located behind the toe kick plate and follow the specific steps from the manufacturer.
Question

My washer stopped filling with water and running any cleaning cycle. What should I do?

Community Answer

If the steps in the article don't help, you should contact customer service or a repair center.
Question

What do I do if my GE dishwasher doesn't start when the start button is pressed? What do I do if the light just blinks?

Community Answer

In my experience, replacing the door switch fixes this issue. Until you do that, it's acting as if the door is open.