Why is My GE Dishwasher Leaking – Top 8 Causes

A GE dishwasher leaking is a serious problem. GE dishwashers are expensive, and the GE company has a good reputation for quality appliances. If your GE dishwasher starts to leak, it means that water is spilling out of the bottom of the machine and seeping into your kitchen floor or onto your countertop.

You need to take care of this as soon as possible because if you don’t fix GE Dishwasher Leaking quickly, mold can start growing in these wet areas and cause some major damage. Here’s how to diagnose GE Dishwasher Leaking problems, so you know what steps to take next!

What Causes GE Dishwasher Leaking? Troubleshooting and Diagnosis

Let’s look at the possible causes and solutions for it.

Using the Wrong Detergent

One of the most common reasons for dishwasher soap bubbles is detergent. Modern detergents use sudsing or soap bubbles as part of a cleaning process to rid dishes and glasses of accumulated food debris.

Dishwasher soap that is not intended for dishwashing or ordinary dish soap can cause too much sudsing in the machine and leak out of the door. Consider switching to a detergent suitable for dishwashing. GE dishwashers are designed to work best with GE‘s recommended brand of detergent.

GE Dishwasher is Overloaded

The most common reason a dishwasher leaks water is that there are too many dishes in it. When the water sprays on the dishes, if they block it, then water will leak out of the dishwasher.

There is a very thin line between the number of dishes that you should put in your dishwasher. If you overfill it, the water will not be enough to wash the dishes and not get cleaned fully. You may have to put them in again, and this will cause more wear on your unit (and water) altogether.

Dishwasher is Not Correctly Aligned

A GE dishwasher should be installed so that the front is running parallel to the countertop and there are no obstructions in front of it.

If your dishwasher isn’t working right, it may be because it is not level. This means that water can spill out the front door. To fix this problem, check to see if your dishwasher is level horizontally and vertically and adjust accordingly.

Faulty Water Inlet Valve

The GE dishwasher’s water inlet valve is the device that controls how much water enters your GE dishwasher. If you get a leak, it could be because of this component. The valve may need to be tightened or replaced if leaks continue after tightening.

The float switch tells the dishwasher to stop filling when it has enough water. But a mechanical defect inside the valve could make it stay open, even if the float switch is satisfied.

If you notice that your dishwasher continues to fill up and there is no more room for water, then you need to open the door latch. If opening the door latch doesn’t fix this problem, a defective inlet valve will need to be replaced.

Loose Pump Seal

While looking under the dishwasher, it is important to look for leaks around the water pump. If you see water coming out of the rubber seal around the pump housing or motor, repair this by removing and replacing its rubber seal using a new one.

The pump seals may need to be replaced and/or tightened. Whenever the water flows over them, it creates pressure which could lead to leakage at just about any part of your dishwasher.

The easiest way to identify a GE Dishwasher Leaking is by looking for drips or leaks near the pump. A loose seal often causes this problem, but you won’t see any signs of leakage until after your machine has been running for a while.

Leaky Door Seals

Door seals are found on the inside of your GE dishwasher door. These seals the gap between the GE dishwasher and its frame to keep water from leaking out. Leaky GE dishwashers will drip onto or pool near their door seals, which can be identified by a dark wet area around them when you open your GE dishwasher’s door.

The easiest way to fix this is by replacing these rubber gaskets with new ones that fit properly in order to prevent any further leakage.

You should also look for leaks at other places where there may not be signs yet but could soon cause hinges, panel joints, etc. If one is discovered, it needs immediate repair before more damage occurs! This includes tightening screws if they’re loose or adding GE dishwasher sealant to areas that need it.

Faulty Float Switch

GE dishwashers use a float and switch to prevent the unit from overfilling with water. The float is located near the bottom of the machine and activates when enough water has accumulated in it or maybe degraded by particles being drawn into it. If this happens, then it opens up an electrical circuit that shuts off the incoming water supply.

A dishwasher set to fill with water won’t leak unless a malfunctioning float or float switch causes the water level to be too high. Generally, the proper amount of water in your dishwasher should be up to the heating element at the base. If you find that there is too much water in your dishwasher, then it may be due to a problem with either replaceable parts (such as the float) or an electro-mechanical system (the float switch).

Use a multimeter and test the Float switch for continuity. If it doesn’t have any continuity, replace the switch.

Stuck or Clogged Spray Arm

If you find that the spray arm is stuck or clogged then you will face GE Dishwasher leaking problem, then first check to see if there are any objects on the bottom of your dishwasher. If nothing seems to be blocking it, then try using a cotton swab with some vinegar and water solution mixed in for 45 seconds.

Do not use this method if you have hard water because it will cause more buildup.

Use a toothbrush to clean out the holes where jets come through and give them an all-over scrubbing inside and outside of each hole. It’s important that no food particles remain near these areas as they could get caught and block future water flow from coming out of those jets. Lastly, add four tablespoons of baking soda directly into the jet area.

This will act as a deterrent to help clean out any remaining food particles and grease in the area. Let it work its magic for about an hour before running your dishwasher again, or you could even let it sit overnight if that’s more convenient for you.

Drain Pump is Leaking

If your GE dishwasher leaks water, part of the problem may be the drain pump. If it is faulty and does not fully drain the water, you could experience an overflow in some instances. 

If you suspect that your pump is the cause of a leak, you can dismantle it and check for any small seeds or glass particles keeping it from functioning. If the pump starts dripping fluid from its axle, then it should be replaced.

We hope that now you are not facing the GE Dishwasher leaking problem. Please do comment with your questions, and we will be happy to answer them.