GE Cafe dishwasher not draining

Common reasons your GE Cafe dishwasher is not draining

The most common reasons your GE Cafe dishwasher is not draining are a failed drain pump, cracked drain hose or a defective electronic control board.

  • 61%

    61% of the time it's the
    Drain Pump

  • 17%

    17% of the time it's the
    Drain Hose

  • 13%

    13% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 9%

    9% of the time it's the
    Something else

Schedule your dishwasher repair now!

We can help! Our service technicians have the expertise to fix your GE Cafe dishwasher - no matter where you bought it!

Call (646) 440-2692 or schedule online now.
Text (240) 616-1772 to schedule now.

Most common repairs needed to fix a GE Cafe dishwasher

Drain Pump Replacement

A dishwasher that’s not draining often has a failed drain pump. The drain pump motor could be bad or the drain pump impeller could be damaged. The drain pump may make a loud noise when the impeller is damaged. The motor may make a loud buzzing noise or not make any noise at all if it isn’t spinning the impeller during the drain portion of the dishwashing cycle. The drain pump is hard to access so you’ll need to have a Sears Home Services Technician check out the drain pump and replace it if it isn’t working.

Drain Hose Replacement

When the dishwasher will not drain properly, a cracked or clogged drain hose could be causing the failure. The drain hose connect to the drain pump and carries wastewater to the sink drain. The drain hose has a check valve to prevent drain water from siphoning back into the dishwasher at the end of the drain routine. A cracked hose or check valve can let water blow back into the tub when the drain pump stops. Accessing the drain hose is difficult so you’ll need to have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert fix the drain hose when it’s cracked or damaged.

Electronic Control Board Replacement

If your dishwasher is not draining, you can suspect that it has a defective electronic control board if the drain pump doesn’t run. The control board should send electrical current to the drain pump during the drain portion of the dishwashing cycle. A failed relay or corrupted logic on the circuit board could prevent the control board from sending electrical current to the drain pump. Determining whether an electronic control board is defective is difficult. Have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the dishwasher when it is not draining.

What to expect when you experience a GE Cafe dishwasher not draining issue

How is the not draining problem fixed?

Correcting most not draining problems usually involves replacing the drain pump, drain hose or electronic control board. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher that is not draining

When the dishwasher is not draining it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.

What to look out for with a dishwasher not draining diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

What to do When You Find Your Café Dishwasher Not Draining

When your GE Café dishwasher is not draining, start by checking the sink drain for a clog. If you have food in the garbage disposal that is clogging the Café dishwasher drain path, turn on the disposal and clear it out so the dishwasher will drain properly. If the kitchen sink is backed up and won’t drain, have a plumber fix the drain problem so your dishwasher will drain properly.

If you have an air gap installed in the drain hose going to the sink drain or garbage disposal, check the air gap for a clog. Clearing a clog in the air gap may fix your Café dishwasher not draining problem.

Check the drain hose for a clog. With the dishwasher shut off and disconnected from electrical power, carefully the drain hose off the kitchen sink drain or garbage disposal drain line connection. Check for grease or debris that could be clogging the end of the dishwasher drain hose.

Other problems that can prevent your Café dishwasher from draining include a bad drain pump, wiring failure and defective control board. If the drain pump doesn’t run, then a wiring failure or defective electronic control board may be causing the problem. If the drain pump runs but doesn’t pump water, then the drain pump may need to be replaced. To have the Café dishwasher not draining issue accurately diagnosed and repaired, schedule dishwasher repair service. We’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the drain problem.
If your GE Café dishwasher ends each run with water pooling inside, a clogged hose or worn-out drain pump might be the issue. Standing water can also impact cleanliness on the next load. Instead of scooping out leftover liquid, rely on kenmore dishwasher repair near me—the same pros can handle Café units, too. Full drainage restores that premium wash standard.

What our customers say about us

With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

Thorough

James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.


Kirsten A, Oxford, PA

Service Call

Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!


James G, Hillsboro, MO

Daniel

Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.


Paul F, Hghlnds Ranch, CO

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my GE Café dishwasher remove the water?
A blocked drain hose, clogged filter, or failing drain pump usually causes standing water. Check and clean the filter for any debris first.
How do I unclog the drain hose on a GE Café dishwasher?
Disconnect power, remove the lower access panel, detach the drain hose from the pump, and flush it with warm water or a brush to clear blockages. Reattach securely.
Could a broken drain pump prevent draining?
Yes. If the pump motor is burned out or jammed, water won’t expel. Replacing the pump typically fixes the issue when hoses are clear.
When should I call a technician for a GE Café dishwasher not draining?
If cleaning the filter and hose doesn’t solve the problem, the drain pump or control board may be at fault. An appliance pro can conduct electrical tests and replace necessary parts.

Repair Dishwasher Resources

Photo of an open Kenmore dishwasher in white modern kitchen
5 min readMar. 04

If you've ever encountered a dishwasher with standing water, you understand the frustration of a drainage issue.

Simple Steps to Replace a Blocked Dishwasher Spray Arm
6 min readMar. 04

If the dishes in your dishwasher are no longer getting clean, it could be the spray arm is clogged.

7 Common Dishwasher Problems and How to Fix Them
5 min readMar. 04

Many common issues stem from simple misuse.

dishwasher tips
4 min readMar. 04

If your dishwasher is giving you trouble, our experts have crafted a video playlist that offers a wealth of solutions to tackle common issues.

Glossary Terms

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

A dryer drum is the main interior component of a clothes dryer where clothes are placed to be dried. It rotates during the drying cycle, allowing heated air to circulate through the clothes.

A heat pump is an energy-efficient device that transfers heat from one place to another, providing heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.

A dryer thermal fuse is a safety device designed to protect a dryer from overheating by cutting off the power if the air temperature exceeds a safe level.