GE washer not working
Common reasons your GE washer is not working
The most common reasons your GE washer is not working are a jammed door lock assembly, malfunctioning electronic control board or a defective timer.
69% of the time it's the
Door Lock Assembly11% of the time it's the
Electronic Control Board10% of the time it's the
Timer10% of the time it's the
Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a GE washer
Door Lock Assembly Replacement
When a washer door lock assembly is jammed, you may encounter difficulty in opening or closing the washer door. The door may not latch properly, leading to issues in starting or completing a wash cycle. The washer might display an error code indicating a door lock problem. During operation, the door lock may make unusual clicking sounds or fail to engage, preventing the washer from starting. Additionally, if there is a malfunction, the door lock indicator light may not illuminate as expected. Users might notice water remaining in the drum even after the wash cycle has finished, indicating a potential problem with the door lock assembly preventing proper drainage.
Electronic Control Board Replacement
A malfunctioning electronic control board can lead to various failures in a washer. This is because the board serves as the brain of the washer, controlling crucial components such as the water valve, drive motor, drain pump, and cycles. If the electronic control board fails, the washer may not power up or display the cycle status. Additionally, it might fail to fill, agitate, spin, or drain. In some cases, a shorted board may emit a burning smell.
Timer Replacement
A defective washer timer can exhibit various erratic behaviors, impacting the normal operation of the washing machine. The timer might stall or not progress through the different stages of the cycle, causing the washer to get stuck at a particular point. A malfunctioning timer may also prevent the washer from starting or stopping, or cycles may pause unexpectedly. You might also hear unusual sounds or clicks coming from the timer’s internal cams and gears.
Why is my GE washer not working?
Follow these basic troubleshooting steps that may restore power to your GE washer and get it working again.
1. Check the electrical outlet for power
Make sure that the washing machine power cord is fully plugged in.
If you find the power cord fully plugged in, check the electrical outlet for power. Plug a nightlight or small appliance into the outlet to see whether it has power.
If the nightlight doesn’t work, reset the house breaker for the outlet.
If the outlet is still dead after resetting the breaker, have an electrician fix the electrical outlet.
2. Examine the power cord
If the outlet has power, unplug the power cord and check it for damage. If the power cord is frayed, cut or damaged, replace it.
3. Reset the electronic control board
If you found no problems with the power cord, leave it unplugged for a few minutes then plug it back in to restore power to the washer.
The electronic control board may reboot and reset so the washer works properly.
For some top-load GE washers, you’ll need to lift and lower the washer lid six times within a 12 second period after plugging the power cord back in to reset the control board.
If the washer is still dead, move on to the next troubleshooting step.
4. Unplug the washer and check control board wiring
Loose or disconnected wiring can sometimes prevent the washing machine from powering up.
Unplug the power cord and remove the top washer panel or open the control console to check wiring connected to the control board.
Reconnect any loose wiring, reassemble the washer and see if it powers up.
If the washer is still dead after reconnecting loose wiring or you found wiring intact, replacing the electronic control board may fix the washer. It's best to have a service technician check the washer and replace the control board if it's bad.
If you choose to replace the control board yourself, follow the steps in this illustrated guide for a front-load washer: How to replace the machine control board in a front-load washer.
A faulty user interface control board or a number of other issues can prevent a GE washer from powering up. It’s best to have a service technician examine and repair these types of failures.
What to expect when you experience a GE washer not working issue
How is the not working problem fixed?
Correcting most not working problems usually involves replacing the door lock assembly, electronic control board or timer. 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 washer that is not working
When the washer is not working 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 washer failures.
What to look out for with a washer not working diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your washer 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.
A GE washer that won’t function at all signals bigger electronic or mechanical failures. Repeated attempts can’t revive a dead machine. Rather than a growing laundry backlog, rely on washing machine repair service near me. Diagnostic expertise brings your GE back online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Washer Resources
Having trouble with your washer? Find out why won’t my washer drain and learn how to fix it quickly with Sears Home Services.
Learn the common causes of a washing machine leaking water from underneath and how you can fix the problem.
Learn common reasons why your washing machine is leaking from the bottom and get expert tips from Sears Home Services to find and fix the leak.
Learn why your washing machine is not spinning and get expert troubleshooting tips to fix the problem.
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 washing machine pedestal is a platform that raises the washer off the ground, providing easier access to the appliances and often includes additional storage space such as drawers.
A washer tub is the interior part of a washing machine where clothes are placed for washing, typically made of stainless steel, plastic, or porcelain-coated metal, designed to hold water and withstand the agitation or spinning during the wash cycle.
Fabric softener is a laundry additive used to soften and freshen clothing, reduce static cling, and make fabrics feel smoother.
Additional possible GE washer symptoms you may experience
- GE washer not filling
- GE washer leaking from bottom
- GE washer buttons not working
- GE washer noisy
- GE washer not agitating
- GE washer no power
- GE washer not draining
- GE washer not spinning
- GE washer not starting
- GE washer not washing
- GE washer smart dispense not working
- GE washer deep fill not working
- GE washer door not locking
- GE washer drain and spin cycle not working
- GE washer won't start cycle
- GE washer not turning on
- GE washer lid won't lock