Start Light blinking in GE Dishwasher (Simple 2 Fixes)

It is not uncommon for the start light of a GE dishwasher to blink either orange or white, but this can sometimes become a major headache for many users.

Did you know that with the blinking light, the dishwasher is actually trying to communicate with you? It may sound funny, but it’s true!

When the start button light blinks orange or white, it usually indicates that the dishwasher is in the middle of a wash cycle or performing a self-reset. However, some other reasons could exist for this.

In this article, I will explain the meaning of the flashing light and the steps you have to take to troubleshoot this issue.

Why is the GE dishwasher’s start light blinking?

Usually, the start button flashes Orange but often you may notice the button is blinking white. Both these indicate the same issue.

However, when the GE Dishwasher’s start button light flashes, the dishwasher doesn’t think the door is closed. This is typically caused by the damaged door latch or sensor. Aside from this, if the dishwasher is in the mid-cycle and you opened the door, the button will also blink.

Look at the bellow table:

How to troubleshoot when the start light blinks on GE Dishwasher?

In short: When the start light blinks, simply disconnect the dishwasher from the power source and keep it unplugged for 5-10 minutes. If that doesn’t work, test the door latch and replace it if necessary.

Step 1: Reset the Dishwasher

Before inspecting the door latch or any other parts, perform a cool reset. As previously mentioned, you might have opened the dishwasher while it was in the mid-cycle or performing internal functions such as self-resetting.

Resetting is a pretty simple process. Here’s how:

• Disconnect the dishwasher from the power source.
• Wait for at least 5-10 minutes.
• After the time has passed, reconnect the dishwasher to the power source.

Now check if the problem has been resolved. If the issue persists, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Test the door latch

This step is particularly useful if the dishwasher continues to beep while blinking and won’t start, regardless of how many times you press the start button.

The door latch sends a signal to the control board when the door is closed to initiate the wash cycle. However, when it becomes defective and cannot send a signal, the control board believes that the door is still open, which is why it flashes and won’t start.

So what’s the solution? First, test the latch with a multimeter for continuity. If it appears to be defective, replace it with a new one.

Door Latch is working but still the start button light flashing

If testing the door latch proves that it is working properly, the problem might be with the door gasket.

Here’s what the problem might be:

• Tightened Screws: During installation, technicians often tighten the screws too tightly, which causes the entire top assembly to be pulled upward.
• Misaligned Sensors: Due to the tightening of screws, the door sensor and another sensor that connects to the door become misaligned, preventing the dishwasher from starting.

To fix this issue, simply push down on the middle of the entire assembly (See the above picture) to realign the sensors. Alternatively, you can put some shims on the top to push and wedge the assembly down to realign the sensors.

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F.A.Q.s

Q: What should I do if my GE dishwasher start button light continues to blink after troubleshooting?

In this case, it may be time to contact a professional repair service to diagnose and repair the issue.

Q: How do I know if this problem is due to a serious issue?

If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this article and the issue persists, it’s time to seek assistance from a technician.

Q: Can a blinking start button light on a GE dishwasher be caused by a faulty sensor or switch?

Yes, a blinking start button light on a GE dishwasher can be caused by a faulty sensor or switch. If the troubleshooting steps I mentioned in this guide do not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to have the sensor or switch replaced.