GE Dishwasher Noise Troubleshooting (What to Do)

GE is a well known appliance brand. They make a range of different dishwashers. Sometimes a GE dishwasher can develop a noise, and in this article I will explain how to troubleshoot your GE dishwasher when this happens.

GE dishwasher noise often results from a hard object that has fallen into the bottom of the appliance, hitting the spray arm. This can produce a loud rattling or banging noise during operation. To fix this, stop the dishwasher, remove any foreign objects from the bottom, and ensure the spray arms can rotate freely.

If there’s a persistent humming noise, it might be due to a worn pump motor. The motor operates the pump to circulate water, and as it wears down, it can become noisy. If the motor is the issue, it typically needs to be replaced to eliminate the no

There are a few steps to help you identify what is causing the issue, and there are a few different noises a GE dishwasher can make. Below, I will explain how to identify what is causing the issue, and the best way to go about stopping your GE dishwasher from making a noise.

GE Dishwasher Noise Troubleshooting (What to Do)

If a GE dishwasher starts making a noise there are a few potential components that can cause it. It’s possible to identify what component is likely causing the issue by doing a few things. Here’s what to do if your GE dishwasher is making a noise.

In general, clean out the drain pump. If the drain pump is clear it means a component needs to be replaced. The components that can cause the noise are the drain motor, the impeller fin, the circulation pump, and the water inlet valve. Typically, this needs to be done by a repair technician.

It’s possible to identify what component is causing the issue by listening to when the noise occurs during the cycle.

For example, if it happens after it stops washing the dishes, then it can be the drain pump that is causing the issue. This is because the drain pump is responsible for removing all the water at the bottom of a dishwasher after the wash cycle.

There are also different types of noises that can occur in different parts of a washing machine. Here’s a table that shows a list of noises a GE dishwasher can make, and what it means:

Noise	What it means
Knocking noise in the wash cabinet	Dishes aren’t stacked properly. They are moving around when they are sprayed with water. Open the washer and stack dishes properly.
Rattling noise in the wash cabinet	Dishes aren’t stacked properly. They are moving around when they are sprayed with water. Open the washer and stack dishes properly.
Knocking noise in the water pipes	Dishes aren’t stacked properly. They are moving around when they are sprayed with water. Open the washer and stack dishes properly.
High pitched noise	Internal component is broken, or something is stuck in an internal component.
Humming noise	Internal component is broken, or something is stuck in an internal component.
Vibrating noise	Internal component is broken, or something is stuck in an internal component.
Any other noise	Internal component is broken, or something is stuck in an internal component.

This page on the official GE website also gives some reasons for common noises that can occur on a GE website (source).

There are also 4 internal components that are likely to be causing the issue. Here’s a table that shows what to do for each component if they are causing the noise:

Component	What to do
Drain motor	Clean it out, or replace.
Circulation pump	Replace.
Impeller fin	Clean it, or replace it.
Water inlet valve	Clean it out, or replace. The internal rings have worn out, and are rubbing.

Run an Affresh cycle to clear any blockages

In the owner’s manual for the well known dishwasher brands such as GE, it’s recommended to run an Affresh cycle. Affresh is a special tablet that you put into your dishwasher. When you do it cleans your dishwasher very well. They recommend using one reasonably frequently, about every 1 to 3 months. Depending on how much you use your dishwasher. If you don’t do this regularly, then it’s a good thing to try. If food remnants are causing a clog in one of the components, it can work to clear it, and stop the noise. In other cases the plaster or rubber in one of the components is broken, or slightly out of place and is rubbing against something. An Affresh, wont do anything. And you will need to have a repair technician identify which component is causing the noise, and repair or replace the component for you.

DID YOU KNOW:
To reset a GE dishwasher, press the Start or Reset button during a cycle, wait 2 minutes, open the door and add any additional dishes. Close the door and press the Start/Reset button again. If the dishwasher doesn’t respond, turn off the power at the breaker for 30 seconds to reset the control panel.

GE Dishwasher Buzzing Noise Not Working

A GE dishwasher can all of a sudden start making a buzzing noise. The buzzing noise can happen the entire wash cycle, or can happen every now and then during a wash cycle. Here is what to do if your GE dishwasher is making a buzzing noise.

As a general rule, something has got stuck in one of the components, or one of the components has failed. The official owners manual of GE dishwashers do not state what to do if your dishwasher makes a buzzing noise. Therefore, it’s best to contact a repair technician to stop it from happening.

It’s also possible the repair is covered under warranty. It’s possible to pull your dishwasher out, disconnect the power, and inspect each of the components one by one. However, typically it’s easiest to contact GE support to have a repair technician repair it for you.

GE Dishwasher Making Noise When Draining

There are three parts of a dishwasher wash cycle where a GE dishwasher will drain. At the beginning of the cycle, and after the wash and rinse cycle. At these different parts of the wash cycle it can begin making a noise, here’s why this happens and how to fix it.

In general, it means your circulation pump needs to be replaced. The replacement can be done yourself, but, generally it requires a repair technician. They can also diagnose if it’s not the drain pump and if another component is causing the noise while your GE dishwasher is draining.

It’s best to contact GE support first because it’s possible the repair is covered under warranty. If not, they can also advise how to have a repair technician repair it for you. If you have experience working on appliances or something similar it is possible to inspect and repair your dishwasher yourself with the help of Youtube videos.

GE Dishwasher Circulation Pump Noise

A circulation pump is responsible for spraying water into a dishwasher which comes out of the spray arms that rotate during the wash cycle. While your GE dishwasher is spraying water to wash or rinse the dishes the circulation pump can begin making a noise. This is what to do if the circulation pump on your GE dishwasher is making a noise.

As a general rule, the circulation pump needs to be replaced. When a circulation pump makes a noise it means it has failed. The repair can be done by a repair technician. But, if you have experience with electronics it can be replaced yourself.

If your GE dishwasher still functions normally then there is no rush to get rid of the noise. Contact GE support, they can tell if your GE dishwasher is covered under warranty, and also how to get a repair technician to repair it for you.

GE Dishwasher Impeller Noise

There are typically 2 impellers on a dishwasher, they are responsible for pumping water, and draining water. During the wash cycle or the drain cycle the impeller can begin making a noise. This is why this happens and how to get it to stop happening.

In general, the impeller needs to be replaced. It should ideally be inspected to see if it’s faulty, but in general, it needs a repair technician to fix it. Therefore, it’s best to contact GE support to see if the repair is covered under warranty.

But, if you have experience repairing appliances you can replace the impeller yourself. It is quite a big job because you need to take the impeller apart. But, the entire component that is making the noise can also be replaced.

Commonly, something can be stuck in the drain pump impeller, and doing a cycle with a Affresh tablet can clear the blockage that is making the noise. Try that first, and if the noise is still happening, then contact GE support to see if the repair is covered under warranty, and/or to have a repair technician repair your dishwasher.

GE Dishwasher Loud Vibrating Noise

A dishwasher only has water that flows into and out of it, however, it has quite a few moving parts. There can be an issue where it starts making a loud vibrating noise. Here is how to troubleshoot your GE dishwasher when it’s making a loud vibrating noise.

Generally, it means the impeller fin is faulty, the water inlet valve has worn out and needs to be replaced, the circulation pump has failed, or the drain motor has failed. Each component can be inspected and/or replaced yourself but in general it needs a repair technician to fix it.

Checking each component requires you to know how each component works, and it will need to be disassembled to identify any parts inside each component to see if they have broken, or if there is a blockage. Typically, it’s best to contact GE support and see if your dishwasher is still covered under warranty. They can also let you know how to get a registered technician to repair or replace it for you.

GE Dishwasher Making Noise During Wash Cycle

The wash cycle involves spraying water over the dishes, once with detergent, and a second time to rinse them. Your GE dishwasher can start making a noise and indicates there’s either a blockage, or one of the components has failed. Here’s what you should do to fix your GE dishwasher when it’s making noise during the wash cycle.

In general, either something is wrong with your washer, or one of the internal components has failed. If there is an issue with your dishwasher it will beep. However, if there is a clicking, grinding, or humming type noise it means there is a blockage or one of the internal components has failed.

However, doing the repair is reasonably difficult if you have not repaired an appliance before, or worked with electronics. Therefore, it’s typically easiest to do the repair yourself. It’s also possible the repair is covered under warranty. So, it’s best to contact GE support in the first instance. They can advise you if the repair is covered under warranty.

GE Dishwasher Making Noise When Water Circulates

Water that enters a dishwasher is pumped into it and sprayed by the spray arms at the top and bottom of your dishwasher. A noise indicates that a part of one of the internal components has broken, or something is stuck in one of the components. If your GE dishwasher is making a noise when water circulates here’s what to do to fix this issue.

In general, it means the circulation pump or impeller fin has failed, and needs to be replaced. It’s possible to test and replace either part yourself, but does require a voltmeter, and experience working with tools. Typically, it’s easiest to have a repair technician do it.

Get in touch with GE support. They can let you know how to get a repair technician to repair your GE washer. They can also tell you if your GE dishwasher is covered under warranty.

GE Dishwasher Whistling Noise or High Pitched Noise

An unusual thing that can happen with GE dishwashers is they can make a high pitched noise or a whistling noise during the wash cycle. The noise can be caused by a few different things. This is what to do to stop the noise from happening.

In general, something is stuck in the spray arms, or there is something stuck in one of the components. Inspect the water outlet holes in the spray arms and clear anything stuck in the holes, and run an Affresh cycle. If it’s still making the noise contact GE support to organize a repair technician.

GE dishwashers come with a warranty that covers defective components for the first year. But, each subsequent year they provide coverage for fewer things. And typically after the first year GE will only replace the defective component free of charge. After the first year, you will need to pay for labor, and service costs. For a full explanation of what is covered by the GE warranty refer to this page on the official GE website.

GE Dishwasher Grinding Noise

There are a few components in a GE dishwasher that rotate, and if there is an issue with them they will produce a grinding noise. If your GE dishwasher is making a grinding noise here’s how to troubleshoot this issue.

As a general rule, one of the internal components has failed, and a part of a component is rubbing on something. Or, something is stuck in one of the components such as the drain pump. Begin by doing an Affresh cycle to try to clear any food items that can be stuck, after that contact GE support.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 4, 2022.

GE support can tell you if the repair or replacement is covered under warranty. And they can schedule a repair technician to do the repair or replacement for you.

Overall, there is something stuck in one of your dishwasher components. Or, one of the components has broken. Start by running an Affresh cycle to remove any food debris that may be causing it. Next, it’s typically best to have a repair technician repair or replace the component for you.

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