How To Troubleshoot and Repair Common GE Washer Problems

If you have a GE washing machine and are having trouble with it, you’re in the right place. To help you troubleshoot and repair problems you are having, we’ve put together a list of the main problems people have and how you can fix them. 

Whether your washing machine smells, is leaking, not draining, not spinning, or won’t fill, this article will tell you what you need to do to get your GE washing machine working again.

My GE washing machine smells

Your washing machine is probably one of the most used appliances you have in your home. For this reason, it can often get a build-up of mold, mildew, bacteria, and grime in it, which can start to cause bad odors to emit from your appliance. Thankfully, this problem is one of the easiest to fix as it generally just involves giving your washing machine a thorough clean.

Here’s what to do:

• Put on a pair of protective gloves.
• Make a cleaning solution of 2 cups of hot water, ½ cup of bleach, and ¼ cup of lemon juice. For a natural cleaning solution, mix 2 cups of hot water with ½ a cup of white vinegar and ¼ a cup of lemon juice. Once you’ve mixed your solution, pour it into a spray bottle.
• Start by cleaning the door gasket (on front loader washers) and/or around the door area.
• Next, clean the outside of the washing machine.
• Spray and wipe the inside of your GE washing machine, paying special attention to the inside of the detergent drawer.
• Finally, fill the detergent drawer with your cleaning solution and place your washer onto a cleaning cycle, or if you don’t have that function turn it onto the hottest and longest wash cycle.
• Once the cycle ends, leave the door open to let the washer dry out.

My GE washing machine is leaking

Another common problem people have with their washing machines is when they start to leak. This is also an easy problem to fix, which you can do yourself without the need to call a technician.

The cause of the leak depends on where it is coming from. If the leak is coming from the back of your washing machine, the most likely cause is a damaged drain hose, inlet valve, or water hose. To check for these types of leaks, pull your washing machine out from the wall and carefully inspect all hoses and inlet valves for signs of damage. If any of them are damaged, they will need to be replaced.

If the hoses and inlet valves and all fine, you will then need to rule out if the leak is coming from somewhere else. 

For top-loader washing machines, leaks can occur when your washer is overloaded, or you use too much detergent, which causes too many suds in your washer drum which then overflow. If this isn’t the cause, it could also be a faulty water pump, which can be found at the bottom of your appliance. To determine if the water pump is faulty, check if the leak is coming from underneath your washing machine and if so, call a technician to come and inspect it.

If you have a front-loader washing machine, the likely leak culprits are a damaged door gasket or drum seal. Inspect both components for any signs of damage and if you find any they will need to be replaced.

My GE washing machine won’t drain

If your GE washing machine is failing to drain after or during a wash cycle, there are a few key components within your appliance that may be responsible. 

• Lid switch. This switch tells the main control board that your washing machine door is properly closed. When it becomes faulty, your washer might not work because it thinks the door isn’t closed. To check if the lid switch is working, find the switch and try to press it down with your finger to see if you hear a clicking sound. If you don’t hear a click sound, it will need to be tested with a multimeter, and if faulty, replaced.

• Water pump. The pump is responsible for draining out water during and after a wash cycle. When it becomes blocked, your washing machine will not drain. To determine if the pump is faulty, it needs to be removed and inspected for any signs of damage and if so, it will need to be replaced. The pump motor can also be tested with a multimeter.
• Drain hose. The drain hose can sometimes get kinks or breakages in it, which prevents water from draining out. Simply locate the drain hose and inspect it for damage. If damaged, replace it.
• Drain. Sometimes the drain that your washing machine water goes down can get blocked. Most drains can be unblocked with a plunger. 

My GE washing machine won’t spin

If your GE washer isn’t spinning, there are a few simple troubleshooting and repairs you can make. Start with making sure your washing machine isn’t overloaded with laundry as this will prevent the washer drum from being able to move around. You also need to make sure there aren’t too many heavy items in your GE washer like towels as this also prevents the drum from being able to rotate due to the motor not being powerful enough.

If those simple fixes don’t work, you may need to test the lid switch, belt drive, and drive belt to ensure they are working correctly. If the problem is electrical, this will need to be fixed by a qualified technician.

My GE washing machine won’t fill

If your GE washing machine won’t fill with enough, or any water, there are several possible causes you’ll need to troubleshoot. These include checking all of the water hoses to ensure they aren’t damaged, making sure the water faucets are turned on, and the water filter isn’t blocked. 

If those simple fixes don’t solve the problem, it may be caused by a faulty water level switch, water inlet valve (especially if it’s an electronic one), or pressure chamber. These components are much more difficult to repair so it’s best to call a qualified technician to come and fix them.