GE Dishwasher Error Codes

GE dishwasher codes and what to do

Not every code appears on every model. These are the ones GE lists as most common.

Code	What GE says it means	What you can do
H2O	Low water: not enough water came in during the timed fill.	Open the hot water valve under the sink all the way, check the hose for kinks, and make sure the dishwasher sits level. Pick a different cycle, then switch back to clear the code.
C1	Pumping out during drain took longer than 2 minutes.	Clean the air gap, check the drain hose, and run the disposal.
C2	The whole pump-out took longer than 7 minutes.	Press Reset to stop the beeping, then do the C1 checks.
C3, FTD, F56	The dishwasher won’t drain.	Switch off the breaker for about 30 seconds and reset. Check the hose, air gap and disposal.
C4	It filled twice after a power failure, or the float is stuck.	Tap the float cover, the small upside-down cup in the front left corner of the tub floor. Check the sump at the back for debris.
C5	Pump-out time was too short.	Make sure the water is on and tap the float cover.
C6	The incoming water is too cool. GE wants at least 120°F.	Run the kitchen tap hot before you start the dishwasher, and don’t start it while a shower or the washer is using hot water.
C7	The water temperature sensor circuit has stopped working.	Breaker off for 30 seconds and reset. If it returns, it needs service.
C8	The detergent cup is blocked from opening.	Move the pan or utensil that’s in the way, close the door and wait 30 seconds.
999	On models with Floor Protect, a possible leak. On others, the control needs a reset.	Floor Protect models won’t start; book service. Other models: reset the control.
PrS	The pressure sensor is sending a bad signal.	GE recommends service. It’s usually the sensor or its wiring.

Meanings checked against GE Appliances’ support pages in October 2026.

Messages that aren’t faults

• 1H, 2H, 3H and so on: delay start is on.
• PF: the power went out. Choose your cycle and press Start.
• Cup Open: a reminder to fill and close the detergent cup.

The air gap, and why it shows up in C1

A lot of Bay Area kitchens have an air gap: the small chrome or plastic cap at the back of the sink. The dishwasher drains up through it, then down to the disposal or drain. When it fills with sludge, drain time stretches past GE’s two-minute limit and you get C1. Pull the cover off, clear it out, and run the disposal. If water spits out of the air gap during the drain, the hose after it is blocked.

H2O after plumbing work

GE says H2O shows up most often the first time a dishwasher is run, after plumbing work in the house, or after someone turned off the valve under the sink. In each case the valve usually isn’t all the way open. If H2O appears only on the 1-Hour Wash cycle, GE says to schedule service but keep using the other cycles in the meantime.

Codes we haven’t listed

You’ll see FED and others described online. GE’s public list doesn’t define them, so we haven’t guessed. Have the exact code and your model number (on the inside edge of the door) ready, and we’ll look it up for your unit.

When to call

• C3 or FTD comes back after the air gap, hose and disposal are clear
• LEAK DETECTED, or 999 on a Floor Protect model
• C7 or PrS returns after a breaker reset
• H2O with the valve fully open and the dishwasher level

Before you reach into the sump or the float area, switch the dishwasher off at the breaker. Broken glass collects down there, so go slowly.

We repair GE, GE Profile and Café dishwashers across the San Francisco Bay Area. See GE appliance repair, dishwasher repair, dishwasher not draining and dishwasher not cleaning. Our $219 service call is free if you go with the repair, and the exact price comes before any work (how pricing works). We use OEM parts, and qualifying repairs carry 90 days on parts and labor. Same-day weekday service is often available.

We are factory authorized for GE, but this guide is ours, not GE Appliances'. Code meanings are paraphrased from GE Appliances' public support pages.

Bay Appliance Repair, 140 San Pedro Rd, Daly City, CA 94014 · (415) 585-5900 · BEAR #46247 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. We come to you; there is no walk-in counter.

Common questions

How do I clear an H2O code on a GE dishwasher?

Open the hot water valve under the sink all the way, check that the supply hose isn't kinked, and make sure the dishwasher is level. Then select a different cycle and switch back to the one you want, which clears the code. If H2O keeps coming back with good water pressure, the inlet valve or a sensor needs testing.

What does 2H mean on my GE dishwasher?

It isn't an error. A number followed by H means delay start is set for that many hours. Cancel the delay, or wait, and the dishwasher starts on its own.

How do I reset a GE dishwasher?

GE's reset is to cut power at the breaker for about 30 seconds, or a minute or two, then turn it back on. That clears many codes. If the same code comes right back, the fault behind it is real and the part needs to be tested.