GE washer won’t drain: A troubleshooting guide

GE washer got your laundry all soaked and sluggish? Don’t let it ruin your chore plans! Chances are some basic troubleshooting steps will help you get this fixed faster than a spin cycle.

There are a few different parts you can check to fix this problem. The drain pump and control board are the most common ones that may need to be replaced. To check, let’s walk through some steps together so you can repair your washer.

If you need replacement parts for your GE washer, you can use your model number to find what you need at AppliancePartsPros.com. We have thousands of free DIY troubleshooting and repair guides to help you fix your appliance yourself.

Disclaimer: The troubleshooting information provided in this article is based on general service manuals and may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

What you need

• Multimeter
• 1/4-inch nut driver
• 3/8-inch nut driver
• Pliers
• Putty knife

Disclaimer: The specific tools required may vary depending on the model of your appliance and the type of fasteners used on it. Always consult the user manual or refer to any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for the recommended tools for your appliance model.

Safety precautions

Your safety should always be the top priority when performing any appliance repair:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of electric shock.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.

Troubleshooting steps

Step 1 – Access the drain pump

1. Use a putty knife to find the two clips under the top panel at the front, then push in with the putty knife until it releases the panel.
2. Take the front panel and, at a slight angle, pull it off the lower tabs to remove it from the cabinet.
3. Find the drain pump at the bottom right.

Step 2 – Test the drain pump

To see if the drain pump is good, you’ll need to check for the right voltage.

Live voltage warning: For this test, you’ll need to plug your washer back in and turn it on to check for live voltage. Please be very careful here to protect yourself from electric shock, which could potentially cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

1. Set the multimeter set to test for AC voltage. This will have a symbol that looks like a V with a squiggly line.
2. Find the two wires going to the pump.
3. While the washer is in drain mode, put one meter probe on each wire terminal. You should get a reading of 120 volts.

If you get the right amount of voltage but the pump isn’t draining, you’ll need to replace the pump.

If there’s no voltage, you’ll need to test the board and wiring.

Step 3 – Access the control board

1. Use a nut driver to remove the four 1/4-inch screws on the top of the back of the panel.
2. Roll the top panel forward to disengage it from the tabs.
3. Set the control board on the top panel.

Step 4 – Test the control board

Live voltage warning: For this test, your washer needs to be plugged in and turned on so you can check for live voltage. Please be very careful here to protect yourself from electric shock, which could potentially cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

1. Set the multimeter to the AC voltage setting.
2. On the board, find pins J11 and J10.
3. Test from terminal 4 on J11, which is a white wire with a red stripe, to terminal 1 on J10, which is a red wire with a black stripe. You should get a reading of 120 Volts AC here. If there’s no power, that means you have a wiring issue or incoming power issue and need to check the receptacle. If there is power at this point, you’ll need to see if the board is sending power to the pump.
4. While in drain mode, test from terminal 5 on J11, which is a black wire, to terminal 1 on J10, which is a red wire with a black stripe. You should get a reading of 120 VAC here. If there’s no power out, then you have a bad board. If you have power here, that means the problem is either caused by a wiring issue or a bad pump.

More information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your GE washer working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more. We can also help you troubleshoot common washing machine problems here.

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