Applies to: dishwasher.
How to fix C1
- Remove the lower rack and clean the filter and sump; pull out food debris and glass.
- Check the drain hose under the sink for a kink and, if a disposal was fitted recently, that its knockout plug was removed.
- Cut power for 60 seconds at the breaker to reset and run a drain-only cycle.
- If it still will not drain, the drain pump impeller is jammed or the pump has failed; it is accessible from inside the tub on most models.
When to stop and call a repairer
If water is leaking under the machine, stop and find the leak first.
What it costs
| Parts | Part prices are not published by the manufacturer. Ask a parts supplier or service centre for a current price. |
|---|---|
| Service | Service prices vary by region and are not published by the manufacturer. Ask an authorised service agent for a quote before booking a visit. |
| Worth repairing? | Yes. |
How to check the error log
GE does not publish a consumer diagnostic-mode sequence for its dishwashers. Service-mode entry differs by model and lives in the technical service manual for your model number (printed on the tub or door edge). Button sequences circulating online are model-specific and often wrong, and service mode can run pumps, valves and heaters, so we do not list them. GE's own reset is: Start/Reset, wait two minutes, then switch off at the breaker for about 30 seconds.
Clear the log after a repair so you can tell whether the fault has really gone.
Beyond the fix
Tips and tricks
- Lift the chrome cover off the air gap, unscrew the plastic cap, and clear any build-up. Also check the short hose from the air gap to the disposer or sink drain.manufacturer manual
- Run the garbage disposer before starting the dishwasher so food waste does not sit in the drain path. Keep hands out of the disposer.manufacturer manual
- A technician video suggests listening during a cycle. If you can hear the pump working, the blockage is more likely in the filter, hose or disposer than in the pump.owner video
Common mistakes
- Skipping the air gap and disposer checks, which are the first things GE lists for this code.
- Pouring drain cleaner into the tub. GE says not to use it in the dishwasher.
Easily confused with
- FTD or F56 is GE's separate failure to drain code and has the same first checks.
Further reading
Questions
What does C1 mean on the GE Appliances dishwasher?
Drain pump timeout: the pump ran more than 2 minutes without draining (older models: stuck key). The dishwasher tried to pump out and the water did not go. Clogged filter, a blocked or kinked drain hose, a new garbage disposal with the knockout plug still in, or a drain pump that has failed.
Can I fix C1 myself?
DIY difficulty: easy. Remove the lower rack and clean the filter and sump; pull out food debris and glass. Check the drain hose under the sink for a kink and, if a disposal was fitted recently, that its knockout plug was removed.
How much does it cost to fix C1?
Part prices are not published by the manufacturer. Ask a parts supplier or service centre for a current price. Service prices vary by region and are not published by the manufacturer. Ask an authorised service agent for a quote before booking a visit.
Is it worth repairing?
Yes.
C1 during startup or during use?
GE Appliances dishwashers report C1 any. That timing is a useful clue when narrowing the cause.
Can I keep using the machine with C1 showing?
Usually you can finish the drink you are making, but do not ignore it — the underlying fault rarely heals itself. Work through the cheap checks first.
Will C1 clear on its own?
Often, yes. The first step (remove the lower rack and clean the filter and sump; pull out food debris and glass) clears a share of cases on its own. If the code comes straight back, the part is genuinely at fault.
How long does the repair take?
Fifteen to thirty minutes with basic tools, once you have the part.