As essential to clean dishes as detergent, your dishwasher needs a steady and adequate water supply to get the job done. Why is your GE dishwasher not filling with water? A faulty water inlet valve can halt its flow from your home supply. Learn how to fix a GE dishwasher that won’t fill with these troubleshooting tips.
GE Dishwasher Not Filling With Water? This Could Be Why.
Whether your dishwasher doesn’t have enough water or none at all, there’s usually a faulty part responsible. Here’s how to pinpoint the part in question to initiate the right repair.
Malfunctioning Dishwasher Float
To prevent the dishwasher from overflowing, the float rises with the incoming water level. When the correct level is reached, it signals the float switch to turn off the water inlet valve. This stops the flow of water from your home supply. When the float malfunctions, it’s typically due to damage or a buildup of debris. If the float can’t rise with the water level, you’ll find your GE dishwasher not filling with water.
Follow these steps to assess the dishwasher float:
- Remove the float assembly cover
- Manually move the float up and down to see if it moves freely. If it doesn’t, check for debris that may be impeding its motion, removing any buildup.
- If there is no visible debris, check the float for breakage or cracks. A damaged float must be replaced.
If the float assembly is working properly and you still notice your GE dishwasher not getting water, the float switch may have malfunctioned. When this happens, the switch won’t signal the water inlet valve to open and the dishwasher won’t receive any water. The float switch is typically located right below the float assembly. If it shows a lack of continuity with multimeter testing, it must be replaced.
Faulty Water Inlet Valve
A faulty water inlet valve is one of the most common reasons for a GE dishwasher not filling with enough water. The valve opens and closes at various times throughout a wash cycle, allowing for water flow to the dishwasher from your home supply. If one of its components fails or becomes clogged with debris, it may not open properly, restricting or prohibiting water from flowing.
To inspect the valve for blockages or damage, remove the dishwasher’s lower access panel and locate it on the left side. How do you unclog a water inlet valve? Unfortunately, unclogging it is not recommended, as doing so can easily damage the valve’s components. If the water inlet valve appears clogged or damaged, it must be professionally replaced.
Malfunctioning Dishwasher Door Switch
Once the dishwasher door is completely closed and latched, the door switch signals the control panel to begin a wash cycle. As a safety precaution, and to prevent leaks, the switch only signals the dishwasher to fill if the door is properly latched. However, if the door switch malfunctions, it may not register that the door is closed and you’ll find your GE dishwasher not filling with water.
To determine if the door switch has malfunctioned, it must be tested for continuity with a multimeter. Most door switches are found at the top of the dishwasher door, behind the outer door panel, and must be removed for testing. If the switch shows no continuity, it should be replaced by a professional dishwasher repair service.
Whether you find your dishwasher not draining water or not filling like it should, our technicians can help. Contact Appliance Repair Specialists for prompt and reliable service!
