GE dishwasher no power

Why doesn’t my GE dishwasher have power?

Several different problems can prevent the dishwasher from getting electrical power. A tripped circuit breaker, bad electrical outlet or faulty wiring can prevent the dishwasher control panel from lighting up.

Control panel issues

Sometimes, the control power is getting power but faulty internal wiring or a failed control panel prevents the dishwasher from working. A service technician typically needs to check and repair the control panel when the dishwasher is getting power but the controls won’t light up.

Broken internal components

Dishwashers have internal components such as electronic control boards, switches, motors and wiring that can break. A short circuit in an internal component can prevent the controls from getting power.

Troubleshooting Your Dishwasher Issues

Sometimes, the dishwasher power problem can be resolved with the flick of a light switch.

You may be surprised to learn that many dishwashers have a light switch beside the garbage disposal light switch. The dishwasher light switch shuts off power to the dishwasher when the switch is in the “off” position.

So, the first step in troubleshooting a dishwasher that won’t power up is to check that light switch. Turning on that switch may fix the problem right away and you can start the dishwasher.

Some dishwashers don’t have that light switch installed beside the sink. If you don’t find such a switch or if the switch is there but it’s already turned on, then you’ll need to troubleshoot your dishwasher issues as described in the steps below.

Reset the house circuit breaker

A tripped circuit breaker is often found to be the cause of your dishwasher not getting power. Because you often can't tell whether the breaker has tripped, reset the breaker for the dishwasher by shutting it off and turning it back on. Check the dishwasher now to see if it powers up.

Check the dishwasher power cord

Some dishwashers have a power cord that plugs into an electrical outlet under the sink, while other dishwasher power cords are wired directly from the wall to the wires in the dishwasher’s junction box. If your dishwasher power cord plugs into an electrical outlet, make sure the power cord is plugged in.

If the power cord is plugged in, it’s possible the electrical outlet doesn’t work. Check the electrical outlet for power by plugging in a small lamp. If it doesn't light up, have an electrician repair the bad outlet.

Here’s a helpful troubleshooting video that shows this step and additional troubleshooting steps to take when your dishwasher has now power.

Examine junction box wiring

If your dishwasher’s power cord doesn't plug into an electrical outlet under the sink, then the power supply is hardwired into the junction box.
Check the power cord connections in the junction box. The above video shows how to follow these steps to check junction box wiring.

Note: If you’re not completely confident that you can safely complete this troubleshooting procedure, then it’s time to schedule a service technician to diagnose and repair your dishwasher.

• Shut off the house circuit breaker for the dishwasher to disconnect electrical power—you don’t want electricity flowing to the junction box.
• Remove the dishwasher’s bottom front access panel and toe panel. On most dishwashers, you’ll need to take out the mounting screws from each side and then pull off the panels.
• Remove the screw from the junction box cover and pull off the cover.
• Check the black wire connection and the white wire connection.

Reconnect any loose or disconnected wires. Reinstall the junction box cover and then reinstall the bottom front access panel and toe panel. Restore electrical power to the dishwasher and see if the dishwasher works.

Check the user interface control wiring

Many dishwashers have a user interface control in the control panel that connects to the electronic control board.

If the dishwasher still isn’t getting power, check the user interface control wire harness. The control panel won't light up if the wire harness is disconnected.

(The above video shows how to check the user interface control wiring in a common type of dishwasher using this procedure:)

• Shut off power to the dishwasher.
• Open the dishwasher door and remove the Torx screws from the outer edges of the inner door panel. So the outer door panel doesn’t fall off, support it with one hand as you remove the final screws.
• Separate the outer door panel and the control panel and rest the outer panel on the floor.
• Check the wire harness connection between the user interface control and the electronic control board.

If the user interface control wire harness is unplugged, reconnect it. Reassemble the dishwasher and restore power.

Schedule a Service Technician to Repair the Dishwasher

If the dishwasher still doesn't power up, then a blown fuse, defective user interface control, a failed electronic control board, a broken wire or other dishwasher issues could be preventing the dishwasher from getting power. Have a Sears service technician examine and repair the dishwasher.

You’ll likely see the technician perform the initial troubleshooting steps described above. Additional diagnosis requires live voltage checks, which only should be performed by a service technician with the proper training.

What to expect when you experience a GE dishwasher no power issue

How is the no power problem fixed?

Correcting most no power problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, user interface control or power supply 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 has no power

When the dishwasher has no power 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.

When you need professional GE dishwasher repair service to fix a problem, schedule an appointment with Sears Home Services.

What to look out for with a dishwasher no power 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.

GE Dishwasher Has No Power Troubleshooting

When your GE dishwasher has no power, first check the light switch beside the sink. Most homes have a light switch next to the garbage disposal light switch that shuts off power to the dishwasher. If that light switch inadvertently go turned off, your dishwasher won’t get electrical power. Turning that light switch back on will fix the power problem.

If you find that light switch turned on, check the electrical power cord for your GE dishwasher to make sure it is plugged in securely to the electrical outlet. Jostling items around under the sink can unintentionally unplug the power cord. Plug the power cord back in if you find it unplugged. That may fix the problem when your GE dishwasher has no power.

If the problem is not caused by an unplugged power cord, then check the house circuit breaker for the dishwasher. Reset the house circuit breaker if you find it tripped. It’s difficult to tell if the circuit breaker is tripped in many homes, so shut the breaker off and turn it back on to make sure that it’s on. This may restore power to your GE dishwasher.

If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help you fix the problem when your GE dishwasher has no power, then a bad main electronic control, faulty power cord, wiring failure or bad power supply could be preventing your dishwasher from working. Schedule dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and fix the issue.
Zero response from a GE dishwasher usually signals deeper wiring or fuse failures. Standard resets won’t fix blown components. Rather than leaving dishes stacked, consider dishwasher repair in my area. Restoring power gets you back to easy kitchen cleanup and daily convenience.