GE Appliance Error Codes: What Supers Should Know
GE's dishwasher C-codes, refrigerator codes and top-load washer messages, with the safe checks GE itself recommends and the codes that need a technician.
Most GE codes a tenant reports come from three appliances: the dishwasher (C1 to C8 and a few word codes), refrigerators with an electronic dispenser (two-letter codes like FF and dE), and newer top-load washers (H2O SUPPLY, UE, FE). A good share clear after a breaker or power reset and a simple check. Leak codes, sensor codes and anything that comes straight back after a reset need a technician.
The tables below use GE Appliances' own support articles. GE notes that not every code appears on every model, so read the code off the display exactly as shown and keep the model number handy.
GE dishwasher codes
These come from GE's dishwasher fault, error and function code list.
| Code | What it means | What the tenant or super can safely check | Send a work order? |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | Pump-out during drain ran longer than 2 minutes | Clean the air gap, straighten the drain hose, run the disposer | If it continues |
| C2 | The whole pump-out took longer than 7 minutes | Press Reset to stop the beep, then treat as a drain problem | If it repeats |
| C3 | Dishwasher will not drain | Breaker off about 30 seconds, back on, reset the dishwasher | If it continues |
| C4 | Filled twice after a power failure (stuck float, or clogged drain or sump) | Touch Start, then Cancel/Reset; tap the float cover (front left of the tub floor); clear debris from the sump at the back | If it continues |
| C5 | Pump-out time too short | Confirm the water supply is on, run the same cycle again, tap the float cover | If it continues |
| C6 | Incoming water too cold (GE wants at least 120°F) | Run the kitchen faucet hot before starting; check the water heater setting | Usually no |
| C7 | Water temperature sensor circuit not working | Breaker off about 30 seconds, then reset | If it continues |
| C8 | Detergent cup blocked from opening | Move the pan or utensil in the way, close and latch the door, wait 30 seconds | No |
| PF | Power failure | Select the cycle and press Start | No |
| Cup Open | Detergent cup not closed | Add detergent and latch the cup | Only if it keeps showing |
| FTD or F56 | Failure to drain | Check the drain hose, air gap and disposer | If those are clear |
| LEAK DETECTED | Possible leak; models with leak detection cancel the cycle | Wipe up water, don't run it again | Yes |
| 999 | Possible leak | On Floor Protect with Alert models it won't start; on others, reset the control | Yes on Floor Protect models; otherwise if it returns |
| H2O | Low water condition | Check the inlet hose for kinks | Yes if it shows on the 1-Hour Wash cycle, or if the hose is fine |
| PrS | Pressure sensor sending an invalid signal | Nothing; GE says it's most likely a harness or sensor issue | Yes |
A number followed by H (1H, 2H and so on) isn't a fault. It means Delay Start is set.
GE refrigerator codes
GE lists these for refrigerators with electronic dispenser controls. The codes flash in green on the control panel.
| Code | What it means | What the tenant or super can safely check | Send a work order? |
|---|---|---|---|
| FF | Temperature is rising too high | Check whether frozen food has started to thaw | Yes if food is thawing or the code returns |
| CC | Refrigerator temperature is incorrect | Check the temperature controls | If the setting is right and it persists |
| dE | Defrost system hasn't run properly in the last 24 hours | Unplug for a minute or two to reset the panel | If it returns |
| CI | Icemaker may not be working properly | Check the icemaker is switched on and making ice | If it persists |
| PF | Power to the refrigerator was interrupted | Confirm it's running and cold again | No |
| DE (capital D) | Demo mode: lights work, cooling is off | Unplug one to two minutes, plug back in | If DE still shows |
| tC or tF | TurboCool or TurboFreeze is on (may look like EC or EF) | Nothing; it's a setting, not an error | No |
Watch the difference between DE and dE. Capital DE is demo mode and usually clears with a power reset. Lowercase dE means the defrost system hasn't run properly, and if it comes back after a reset it needs a technician.
GE top-load washer codes
These are from GE's Consumer Help Indicator chart for electronic-control washers made in 2017 or later. GE says messages vary by model, so check the owner's manual if the display shows something else.
| Code | What it means | What the tenant or super can safely check | Send a work order? |
|---|---|---|---|
| H2O SUPPLY or IE (or Wash and Rinse lights blinking) | Water isn't entering the washer; a 4-minute lockout starts | Make sure both supply valves are on, especially after a move-in or a water shut-off | If the valves are open and it persists |
| CAnCELEd | Cycle paused over 24 hours, or stopped itself after certain errors; 4-minute lockout | Wait out the lockout, then start the cycle again | If it keeps happening |
| Lid (or Lid Locked light) | Three cycles started without the lid being opened | Open and close the lid, start a new cycle | If it persists |
| dE | Lid is open | Close the lid | No |
| UE | Load is unbalanced | Spread the laundry evenly and check that the washer is level | If it happens on normal loads |
| FE | Water has reached a critical level | Turn off the water and the power to the washer | Yes |
We did not find a code table for standard GE dryers on GE's support site, so this note doesn't list any.
What a super can try first
Everything here comes from GE's own instructions. None of it involves opening the appliance.
- Power reset. GE says disconnecting power for a minute or two can clear a code. For dishwashers, GE's own steps for C3 and C7 are the circuit breaker, off about 30 seconds. For refrigerators, unplug for a minute or two.
- Drain path on a dishwasher. For C1, FTD and F56, clean the air gap on the sink deck if there is one, look for a kinked drain hose under the sink, and run the disposer, since the dishwasher often drains through it.
- Float and sump. For C4 and C5, tap the float cover in the front left corner of the tub floor and clear food debris from the sump at the back of the tub.
- Hot water. For C6, run the kitchen faucet until it's hot before starting the dishwasher.
- Washer supply valves. For H2O SUPPLY, confirm both valves behind the washer are fully open.
- Load and level. For UE, spread the load and check that the washer sits level.
Write the code down before resetting anything.
When to send a work order
Send one right away for:
- LEAK DETECTED or 999 on a dishwasher with leak protection. Don't let the tenant keep running it.
- FE on a washer. Water is at a critical level. Turn off the water and power first.
- PrS on a dishwasher, or H2O during a 1-Hour Wash cycle.
- FF with thawing food in the freezer.
Send one after a single reset and recheck for:
- C1, C3, C4, C5 or C7 that come back after the steps above.
- dE on a refrigerator that returns after a power reset.
- H2O SUPPLY with both valves open, or CAnCELEd that keeps cutting cycles short.
When you open the work order, include the exact code, the model and serial number from the tag, and what was already tried.
Next step
If a GE code is still on the display after the basic checks, request service for the unit. Our pages on dishwasher repair, refrigerator repair and washer and dryer repair cover what we work on.
Need Help With This?
Our licensed team is ready to help. Explore our services or open a work order.
Related Articles
Samsung Appliance Error Codes: What Supers Should Know
Samsung washer, dryer and refrigerator codes grouped the way Samsung groups them, with the checks Samsung allows and the codes that need a technician.
LG Appliance Error Codes: What Supers Should Know
LG washer, dryer and refrigerator codes from LG's US Help Library, with the resets and checks LG recommends and the fridge codes that always need service.
Bosch Dishwasher and Washer Error Codes: What Supers Should Know
Bosch dishwasher and washer codes from Bosch's US support pages, including the drain codes a super can usually clear and the leak codes that can't wait.