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GE Dishwasher Error Codes and Blinking Lights

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A GE dishwasher code is a short message about one condition, and GE’s own support page is clear that not every code appears on every model and that most of them end in a repair visit. This guide follows GE’s error-code page and three companion pages on blinking lights, a dishwasher that will not drain and a dishwasher that will not run. Match the exact characters on your display to the table, do only the owner step GE lists and keep the model number ready if you have to call. For a dishwasher with water in the tub but no code, the dishwasher not-draining guide covers the shared drain checks.

GE codes and what the support page says

GE says that some codes clear after you disconnect power for a minute or two, and that if one does not, service may be required. The table below follows GE’s listing.

Code or message What GE says it means What GE lists for the owner
Number + H (for example 1H) Delay Start mode is active Nothing; it is not an error
C1 Pump-out during drain ran over 2 minutes Clean the air gap (how air gaps work), replace or reposition the hose, run the disposer; service if it persists
C2 Total pump-out cycle exceeded 7 minutes Press RESET to stop the beep
C3 Dishwasher will not drain Turn off power at the breaker for about 30 seconds, then reset; service if it persists
C4 Filled twice after a power failure, a stuck or failed float, or a clogged drain or sump Press Start, then Cancel/Reset; tap the float cover to free it; check the rear bottom sump for debris
C5 Pump-out time was too short Confirm the water supply is on and rerun the cycle; tap the float cover to free it
C6 Incoming water temperature is too low Use water of at least 120°F; run the nearby faucet first; adjust the water heater; avoid running washers or showers during the cycle; use longer cycle options
C7 Water temperature sensor circuit is inoperative Turn off power at the breaker for about 30 seconds, then reset; service if it persists
C8 Detergent cup is blocked from fully opening Remove the obstruction, close and latch the door, wait 30 seconds
PF A power failure occurred Select the cycle and options, then press Start
Cup Open Detergent cup is not closed Add detergent and latch the cup; pressing Start again overrides it
FTD or F56 Failure to drain Check the drain hose, air gap and disposer
LEAK DETECTED Possible leak detected On models with leak detection the cycle is cancelled; contact service
999 Floor Protect with Alert models: possible leak and no start. All other models: the control needs a reset Floor Protect models: contact service. Others: reset the control
H2O Low water condition See below
PrS Pressure sensor sends an invalid signal Likely a harness or sensor issue; service is recommended

The drain codes: C1, C3, C4, C5 and FTD

Four of GE’s codes are about water leaving the tub, and the drain page gives the checks they share. GE says to clean the filters on models with Fine and Ultra Fine filters, and notes that some water in the sump is normal: on a model with an Ultra Fine filter water should not cover the tub bottom, and on models without one, one to two cups is normal. Check the rear sump for paper, large objects or food such as noodles, lettuce or bones; the dishwasher filter guide shows the cleaning routine. Check the drain hose below the sink for clogs or kinks, and GE advises replacing an old hose with the white corrugated hose supplied with new dishwashers, because re-using a worn hose may promote kinking or a blockage.

The kitchen sink and disposer come next. Clear any sink drain clog and run the disposer before starting the dishwasher; GE warns against putting your hands into the disposer. If a disposer was recently installed or replaced, remove the drain plug inside it as the disposer’s instructions describe. If the dishwasher has an air gap, remove the cap and clear out debris. Without an air gap, GE says the drain hose needs a high loop under the counter at the height in the installation instructions. GE also says the wrong detergent, or too much of it, can cause over-sudsing that blocks draining, so use the detergent and rinse agent it recommends.

If those steps do not fix it, GE directs you to schedule a repair. It adds a clear warning: do not use drain cleaner in the dishwasher.

H2O: it depends on the cycle

GE gives two different instructions for the low-water message. During a 1-Hour Wash cycle only, schedule service, and other cycles can be used until then. During AutoSense, Heavy, Normal or Light, check that the inlet hose is not kinked, and if that is not the cause, call for service. Do not treat the same message as meaning the same thing in every cycle.

999: check the model first

GE separates 999 by model. On Floor Protect with Alert models it means a possible leak and the dishwasher will not start, and the instruction is to contact service. On all other models it means the control needs a reset, and GE has a separate article for it. Do not assume every GE dishwasher showing 999 has a leak alert, and do not assume a model with the alert is only showing a reset message.

Beeping and blinking lights without a code

GE’s blinking-lights page covers behavior that is not on the code table. Beeping every 30 seconds or every minute means the door was unlatched during the cycle; close it and the cycle resumes. A blinking Start or Start/Reset light means the dishwasher has been reset and is turning off, and GE says it blinks for 75 to 90 seconds depending on the model with no action needed. For other blinking lights or beeping, GE suggests power surges as a possible cause: press Start/Reset, wait two minutes, and if the problem persists, turn off power at the house breaker or fuse box for 30 seconds and restore it. Light and sound meanings vary by model, so check the owner’s manual.

When the dishwasher shows nothing and will not run

If the dishwasher has power, with lights or sound, but will not start, GE lists eight causes in this order: control lock is on; the door is not latching fully, which can be blocked by trim, insulation or a cabinet or countertop edge; Delay Start is active; Demo Mode is on, on some models; the dishwasher hums but will not start; a stuck flood float; leak protection is active on LCD models; and Sleep or Sabbath Mode is on, which turns off all lights and sounds even with power connected. For the hum, GE says that on models starting with GDF, GDT, PDT, CDT, DDT, ADT or ZDT you should pour one pint of hot tap water into the bottom of the appliance, press Start and let it run for five minutes. The dishwasher won’t-start guide covers the shared visible checks.

What to tell GE

Have the model number and the exact display text ready, and say whether the code appeared once or has returned after a reset. GE’s service route is its online scheduler, and the support line is 1-800-GECares. Tell the agent which of the owner steps above you have already tried, and for any leak message, say whether water is visible on the floor.

Frequently asked questions

What does H2O mean on a GE dishwasher?

GE lists H2O as a low-water condition. During a 1-Hour Wash cycle, schedule service; during AutoSense, Heavy, Normal or Light, check that the inlet hose is not kinked and call for service if that is not the cause.

What does PF mean on a GE dishwasher?

PF means a power failure occurred. GE says to select the cycle and options again and press Start.

What does 999 mean on a GE dishwasher?

On Floor Protect with Alert models, 999 means a possible leak and the dishwasher will not start; contact service. On all other models GE lists a control reset.

Why does my GE dishwasher beep every 30 seconds?

GE says beeping every 30 seconds or every minute means the door was unlatched during the cycle. Close the door and the cycle resumes.

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