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GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes/Glasses/Top/Bottom Rack

General Electric or GE is one of the most innovative and reputable brands in the dishwasher market. GE dishwashers are reliable, quiet, efficient, durable, and come in impressive design options. However, as most dishwashers age, they face the common problem of not cleaning dishes properly.

To fix a GE dishwasher that is not cleaning dishes properly, clean the spray arms, and remove any food debris clogging the holes. Also, check the water inlet valve for any damages or clogging. Next, clean the dishwasher filter and inspect the food chopper, detergent dispenser, and heating element.

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes/Glasses/Top/Bottom Rack

In the rest of this article, you’ll learn the following info:

  • Why your GE dishwasher is not cleaning your dishes properly and how to fix it
  • How to fix a GE dishwasher not cleaning upper/top rack
  • How to fix a GE dishwasher not cleaning bottom rack
  • How to fix a dishwasher not cleaning glasses and dishes
  • How to fix a dishwasher not cleaning tea stains on cups

GE Dishwasher Doesn’t Clean Well: Causes and How to Fix

GE Dishwasher Doesn't Clean Well: Causes and How to Fix

If your dishwasher is not cleaning well, it could be a result of a blocked filter. Most GE dishwashers come with a removable filter that traps food particles in the wash water. Although they are typically self-cleaning, you still need to remove and clean them periodically as they can get clogged.

The filter is usually located at the bottom of the dishwasher. Remove it from its housing and clean out the food particles in the filter. After cleaning the filter, run it under hot water. For gunk or debris stuck in the filter, soak it in warm, soapy water for a few minutes and clean it off with a soft brush.

Also, check the filter’s housing and clean off any food debris or particles in it. Before installing the filter back into the machine, inspect it thoroughly for any damaged parts. If the filter is damaged, you’ll need to replace it.

Debris in the food chopper can also cause your dishwasher to not clean dishes well. Depending on your GE dishwasher model, there is usually a food chopper that cuts leftover food into smaller pieces that can easily pass through the drain. The chopper helps to prevent the food particles and water from circulation back onto your plates.

However, if the chopper blades are damaged, it will not chop the food particles into fine pieces, and this may cause draining issues with the dirty water recirculating back onto your plates. It can also reduce the pressure from the spray arms, leaving you with dirty and half-washed dishes. 

To inspect the food chopper, remove the lower spray arm, spray tower, filter housing, and pump cover. You may need the help of a professional to get access to the chopper. Once you remove the chopper from its housing, inspect it to check for damage, wear, or cracking. If it has any of these, you’ll need a replacement.

You might also be interested in GE Dishwasher not Drying.

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Upper/Top Rack: Causes and How to Fix 

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Upper/Top Rack: Causes and How to Fix
GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Upper/Top Rack: Causes and How to Fix

Clogged spray arms are one of the common reasons why a dishwasher may not clean the top rack. As the name suggests, the spray arms spray and shoot water at the dishes to clean them. If these arms are clogged or damaged, they won’t dispense the water at the right pressure and rate.  

If your dishwasher has two spray arms, remove the upper arms and visually inspect them. Be sure to turn off the dishwasher or disconnect it from the power source before removing the spray arms. When removing the components, check if there’s any resistance. If they’re stuck and difficult to remove, you will have to replace them.

If the top spray arms are clogged with dirt or food debris, use a soft brush to scrub and a toothpick or steel wire to unclog the spray holes. After unclogging the holes, spray or rinse it with warm water. If there’s still some debris left in the holes, soak the spray arms in white vinegar. 

When loading your dishwasher, avoid placing pots, pans, and heavy items on the top rack. Things like these belong to the bottom rack where they can receive more powerful water jets and not block the spray arms. 

DID YOU KNOW:

A common reason for a GE dishwasher top rack falling off is damaged rack slides or wheels. Frequent use can wear out these components, causing instability. To solve this issue, inspect the rack slides and wheels for damage and replace any broken parts to ensure the rack remains on its track.

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Bottom Rack: Causes and How to Fix

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Bottom Rack: Causes and How to Fix

Like the top spray arms, the bottom spray arms are susceptible to food particles and mineral build-up. To know the source of the problem, check if the bottom spray arms are clogged or damaged. 

Improper dish loading can also cause the dishwasher not to clean the bottom rack properly. Cramming everything in the bottom or top rack will prevent water and detergents from getting to all the dishes. 

Regularly clean your dishwasher as food particles, grease, soap scum, pieces of broken plates, and mineral deposits from water can accumulate in the machine. The bottom rack is the most affected if you don’t clean your dishwasher.

Scrape off the food particles or clean them with a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda. Also, scrape off large food particles, toothpicks, bones, and other similar items before loading them in the dish rack. It is not necessary to pre-rinse the dishes before loading them.

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes: Causes and How to Fix

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes: Causes and How to Fix

A common reason for a GE dishwasher not cleaning dishes properly is a clogged filter. Over time, food particles and debris can accumulate in the dishwasher filter, impeding water flow and reducing cleaning efficiency. To fix this, remove the bottom rack to access the filter, typically located beneath the spray arms. Twist to unlock and take out the filter, then rinse it under running water and scrub away any gunk before reinserting it.

Another potential cause for poor cleaning is blocked spray arms. Check the spray arms for clogs by removing them according to the owner’s manual instructions and rinsing them under water. Use a toothpick or a piece of wire to clear out the holes. Blocked spray arms can prevent water from reaching all dishes, resulting in them not being cleaned properly. After ensuring they are unclogged, reattach the spray arms and run a test cycle to see if cleaning has improved.

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Glasses: Causes and How to Fix

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Glasses: Causes and How to Fix

A broken or damaged detergent dispenser can result in a dishwasher that does not clean dishes, glasses, and cups properly. First, ensure you’re using the right type of detergent that suits your local water conditions. Powdered detergents are better than gel or tablet detergents as they dissolve faster.

Also, avoid using too much detergent as it can damage your dishwasher or glassware. You’ll most likely find the detergent dispenser located behind the door. Run the dishwasher to check whether the dispenser can release detergent during a wash cycle. If it can, check the dispenser for any damage.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on January 7, 2021.

If the dispenser is clogged with detergent, you can clean it with a small brush. However, if the dispenser spring or door is broken, you’ll need to replace it. 

Also, to ensure your glasses get adequately cleaned, place them between spindles so that water doesn’t get trapped in them.

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Cup/Tea Stain: Causes and How to Fix

GE Dishwasher Not Cleaning Cup/Tea Stain: Causes and How to Fix

If your dishwasher is not cleaning your cups properly and you still find tea stains on them, it may result from improper loading. If you don’t load your cups face down, water will collect inside them, and they won’t get cleaned properly. 

The right temperature is also needed to wash dishes and cups properly. Typically, a dishwasher needs a water temperature of about 120 ℉ (49 ℃) to clean dishes properly. Ensure you adjust your water heater to this temperature range. 

Your dishwasher features a heating element that helps to maintain the temperature between 120 ℉ to 140 ℉ (49 ℃ to 60 ℃). If there’s a problem, a high-limit thermostat shuts off the voltage to prevent damage to the dishwasher.

If the water temperature falls periodically or you suspect the heating element is not functioning correctly, you can test it with a multimeter by checking for continuity. If it appears to be damaged, you’ll need a replacement.

Final Thoughts

A dishwasher’s job is to make your life easier, and GE dishwashers are among the best in the business. However, there comes a time when these machines face the issue of not cleaning dishes properly. As discussed in the article, here are some of the things you can do if your dishwasher is not cleaning your dishes properly:

  • Unclog and clean the spray arms.
  • Check the water inlet valve for damages.
  • Clean the dishwasher filter.
  • Inspect the food chopper and replace it if necessary.
  • Remove soap debris from the detergent dispenser.
  • Use the right water temperature.
  • reset your ge dishwasher

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Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on January 7, 2021.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on January 7, 2021.

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