On GE dishwashers, a blinking panel usually points to a latched-door issue, Control Lock, or a reset that needs to finish.
What The Blinking Light Usually Means
Patterns tell you a lot. A Start/Reset light that blinks for about two minutes means the machine is shutting down after a reset; let it finish and try again. Periodic beeps often mean the door opened mid-cycle or isn’t latched. And when the Lock icon is lit, the keypad is disabled until you unlock it. See the official GE page on blinking lights and beeps.
| Blink/Beep | What It Means | Quick Action |
|---|---|---|
| Start/Reset blinks about two minutes | Dishwasher is completing a reset | Wait until lights stop, then choose a cycle and press Start |
| Beep repeats while idle | Door unlatched during a cycle | Close the door firmly; press Start to resume |
| Lock light on | Controls are locked | Press and hold Lock (or Lock Controls) for ~3 seconds to toggle |
| Multiple lights flash after outage | Power interruption | Press Start/Reset; wait two minutes; if needed, flip breaker briefly |
GE Dishwasher Not Starting And Blinking — Common Causes
This problem usually boils down to a handful of checks. Work through them in order. You’ll rule out simple stuff fast and avoid chasing ghosts.
1) Door Not Fully Latched
The control won’t run a wash unless the latch switch reads closed. A utensil poking out, a tall pan handle, or racks not seated can keep the door from sealing. Re-seat both racks, remove anything protruding, then close the door with a firm push. If the Start light blinks right after you press it, reopen and try again with a stronger close.
2) Control Lock Is On
When Control Lock is active, key presses won’t do anything and you’ll often see a steady Lock light. To turn it off on many models, press and hold the Lock or Lock Controls pad for three seconds until the light goes out. Some models use a button combo listed on the label inside the door. GE explains the Control Lock feature in more detail.
3) The Machine Just Reset
If you pressed Start/Reset, or if a brief outage hit the line, the dishwasher may blink while it pumps out and shuts down. Give it two full minutes to finish, then choose your cycle and press Start once. Don’t double-press Start; that can trigger another reset instead of a clean launch.
4) Delay Start Or A Held Cycle
Some models can sit with a countdown like “1H” and appear idle while they wait to begin. Cancel Delay, or press and hold Start for three seconds to clear a held cycle, then pick a new cycle and press Start again.
5) Power Glitch
Electronics can hang. A quick power cycle usually clears odd blinking. Turn the unit off at the breaker for about 30 seconds, then restore power. When the panel wakes, select a cycle and press Start right away. If lights flicker during storms, a surge strip isn’t recommended; use only the dedicated outlet and breaker instead.
6) Stuck Flood Float
If the float sticks in the up position, the dishwasher thinks it’s already full and won’t start a fresh fill. Slide out the lower rack. Lift the float straight up; check for seeds, glass, or scale around the post. Clean, set it back down so it moves freely, then try a short cycle.
7) Low Water Or Shut Valve
A closed supply valve will stall a start as the control waits for water. Make sure the under-sink valve feeding the dishwasher is open all the way. If you hear a brief hum and then blinking, restore flow and try again.
8) Sticky Keys Or Wet Panel
Spills and steam can make keys unreliable. Wipe the panel dry. With power off at the breaker, press each key a few times to “unstick” it, then restore power and try a cycle. If keys work only sometimes, note the pattern for a future repair visit.
Quick Start Checklist (Fast Wins First)
- Shut the door hard enough to click; remove anything that can touch the seal.
- Check for a lit Lock icon; hold Lock for three seconds to clear.
- If Start/Reset is blinking, wait two minutes for the shutdown to finish.
- Pick a cycle, press Start once, and close the door right away.
- Still blinking? Flip the breaker off for 30 seconds, then retry.
When The Start Light Blinks Mid-Cycle
Mid-cycle blinking paired with a steady beep means the door opened. Close the door so the latch switch reads closed, then press Start to resume. If the door didn’t open, look for a dish jutting into the door, a loose kick panel pressing on the door, or a latch strike that drifted. A small shift can stop the switch from closing even though the door looks shut.
Hands-On Checks That Solve Most Cases
Inspect The Latch And Strike
Open the door and check the metal strike on the tub frame. It should sit centered in the latch slot. If it’s off to one side, loosen its screws, nudge it, and retighten. Close the door to test fit. You’re aiming for a crisp click and no spring-back.
Free The Flood Float
With the lower rack out, find the small plastic float near the sump. It should rise and fall smoothly. If it binds, lift it out, clean debris, and set it back so it slides freely. A free float lets the valve open when you press Start.
Rule Out A Dead Cycle
Choose a short cycle like Rinse. If that runs, the machine is fine and your previous cycle was stalled by a door event or a pending reset.
Tool-Free Fixes Vs. Repairs
Most blinking-and-no-start calls end with a door or lock fix. Still, some parts do fail. Use the table below as a rough guide.
| Part/Setting | What You’ll See | DIY Or Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Door latch switch | Blinking at Start; beeps when closing | Pro if switch or latch is cracked |
| Control Lock | Lock light stays on | DIY: hold Lock to clear |
| Flood float stuck | No fill; quick blink after Start | DIY clean; Pro if damaged |
| Keypad ribbon/capacitive keys | Random inputs or no response | Pro |
| Water supply closed | Short hum, then idle | DIY: open valve |
| Control board frozen | Odd patterns after a surge | DIY power cycle; Pro if repeat |
Model-Specific Notes That Matter
Some GE models expect you to press Start, then close the door right away. If you wait too long, the control times out and the light keeps blinking. Also, Delay Start can show as a number plus “H” while the timer counts down; cancel if you meant to run now. If you’ve just pressed Start/Reset, let the two-minute drain complete before trying again.
Safe Power Reset, Step By Step
- Turn the dishwasher’s breaker off.
- Wait about 30 seconds so the control powers down.
- Turn the breaker on.
- Pick a cycle, press Start once, and close the door right away.
This clears stuck states after a surge and stops odd blinking in many cases.
Care Moves That Prevent The Next Blink
Load So Nothing Touches The Door
Handles, cutting boards, and sheet pans can push the door outward. Keep tall items clear of the seal path and the latch window.
Keep The Filters And Float Clean
Rinse the fine and ultra-fine filters and check around the float post. Seeds and scale make parts stick, which can lead to false “full” readings and a no-start.
Close And Start In One Motion
Pick the cycle, press Start, and close the door right away. That single motion avoids timeouts on models that expect a quick close.
Still Stuck?
If the Start light keeps blinking after all the steps above, jot down what the panel shows, any beep rhythm, and when the blink happens. That detail speeds a service visit for parts like a latch switch, keypad, or main board.