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- Owner's manual - (English, French)
- Operating Instructions
- Caring for the dishwasher
- Troubleshooting Tips
Table of contents
USER MANUAL Dishwashers
Operating Instructions
About the dishwasher control panel
You can locate your model number on the left tub wall just inside the door. Throughout this manual, features and appearance may vary from your model.
Please match the control panel for your unit to a similar control panel below.
Operation of models with cycle dial
Rinse Only
 | For rinsing partial loads that will be washed later. Do not use detergent.
|
Plate Warmer or Drying
 | For warming clean dishes and serving plates. This cycle will take approximately 39 minutes.
|
Hot Start or Hot Prestart Option
 | Preheats wash water.
|
Short Wash or Light Wash or Water Saver
 | For quickly washing loads of everyday dishes with light to medium soils that have not dried on.
|
Start (Models with a Dial)
Slowly turn the Dial to the START or ON position, or the selected cycle. Don’t turn it past the START, ON or cycle position; you could accidentally miss a prewash.
There is a time delay between start-up and water fill so you will not hear any wash action right away.
- Latch the door to begin the cycle.
Using the dishwasher
Check the Water Temperature
The entering water must be at least 120°F and not more than 150°F, for effective cleaning and to prevent dish damage. Check the water temperature with a candy or meat thermometer. Turn on the hot water faucet nearest the dishwasher, place the thermometer in a glass and let the water run continuously into the glass until the temperature stops rising.
Adjust the maximum/minimum temperature of the water heater if necessary to deliver water at the proper temperature.
Use a Rinse Agent such as Cascade® Rinse Aid™ 
Rinse agents, such as Cascade® Rinse Aid™ are designed for great drying action and to protect against spots and film build-up on your dishes, glasses, flatware, cookware, and plastic.
Filling the Dispenser
Fill the rinse agent dispenser until it reaches the bottom of lip inside the opening. Replace cap. To check if rinse agent is needed, remove the cap and look into the dispenser. A full dispenser should last about one month. If the rinse agent spills, wipe up the excess. |  |
Proper Use of Detergent 
Use only detergent specifically made for use in dishwashers. Cascade® Automatic Dishwashing Detergents have been approved for use in all GE dishwashers. Keep your detergent fresh and dry. Don’t put powder detergent into the dispenser until you’re ready to wash dishes.
The amount of detergent to use depends on whether your water is hard or soft. With hard water, you need extra detergent. With soft water, you need less detergent.
Protect your dishes and dishwasher by contacting your water department and asking how hard your water is. Twelve or more grains is extremely hard water. A water softener is recommended. Without it, lime can build up in the water valve, which could stick while open and cause flooding. Too much detergent with soft water can cause a permanent cloudiness of glassware, called etching.
Use the information in the table below as a guideline to determine the amount of automatic dishwasher detergent to place in the dispenser.
You’ll find two detergent dispensers on the inside door of your dishwasher. All wash cycles require detergent in the main cup. When using automatic dishwashing detergent tabs, simply place one tab in the main cup and close.
Be sure the Dial is OFF before adding detergent. Otherwise, the detergent cup will not close and latch properly. Add detergent then close the main cup
NOTE: Using a detergent that is not specifically designed for dishwashers will cause the dishwasher to fill with suds. During operation, these suds will spill out of the dishwasher vents, covering the kitchen floor and making the floor wet.
Because so many detergent containers look alike, store the dishwasher detergent in a separate space from all other cleaners. Show anyone who may use the dishwasher the correct detergent and where it is stored.
While there will be no lasting damage to the dishwasher, your dishes will not get clean using a dishwashing detergent that is not formulated to work with dishwashers.
Caring for the dishwasher
To clean the control panel, use a lightly dampened cloth, then dry thoroughly. To clean the exterior, use a good appliance polish. Never use sharp objects, scouring pads or harsh cleaners on any part of the dishwasher.
Protect Against Freezing
 | If your dishwasher is left in an unheated place during the winter, ask a service technician to:
|
Does Your Dishwasher Have an Air Gap?
 Check the air gap any time your dishwasher isn’t draining well. | An air gap protects your dishwasher against water backing up into it if a drain clogs. The air gap is not a part of the dishwasher. It is not covered by your warranty. Not all plumbing codes require air gaps, so you may not have one. The air gap is easy to clean.
|
Stainless Steel Panels
For cleaning rust and tarnish, cleaners with oxalic acid such as Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser™ will remove rust, tarnish and small blemishes. Use only a liquid cleanser free of grit and rub in the direction of the brush lines with a damp soft sponge. Do not use appliance wax or polish on the stainless steel.
For other blemishes and marks, use Stainless Steel Magic or a similar product using a clean soft cloth. Do not use appliance wax, polish, bleach or products containing chlorine on Stainless Steel. You can order Stainless Steel Magic # WX10X29 through GE Parts by calling 877.959.8688. In Canada, call 1-800-661-1616.
Troubleshooting Tips
| Problem | Possible Causes | What To Do |
| Dishwasher won’t run | Fuse is blown, or the circuit breaker tripped | •Replace fuse or reset circuit breaker. Remove any other appliances from the circuit. • Try resetting the START/RESET pad. |
| Power is turned off | • In some installations, power to the dishwasher is provided through a wall switch, often located next to the disposer switch. Make sure it is on. | |
| Noise | Some of the sounds you’ll hear are normal | • Soft food disposal shredding action. •Drain valve opening to pump water out. • Timer control as cycle progresses. •Detergent cup opening. • The motor stopping during the drying period. •Water draining out of tub immediately after touching the START/RESET pad. |
| Utensils are not secure in rack or something small has dropped into rack | •Make sure everything is secured in dishwasher. | |
| Rattling dishes when the spray arm rotates | •Make sure dishes are properly loaded. See the Loading the dishwasher racks section. | |
| Motor hums | •Dishwasher has not been used on a regular basis. If you do not use your dishwasher often, set it to fill and pump out once every week. This will help keep the seal moist. | |
| Water standing in the bottom of the tub | This is normal | •A small amount of clean water around the outlet on the tub bottom at the back of the tub keeps the water seal lubricated. |
| Water won’t pump out of the tub | Drain is clogged | • If you have an air gap, clean it. •Check to see if your kitchen sink is draining well. If not, you may need a plumber. • If the dishwasher drains into a disposer, run disposer clear |
| Suds in the tub | Correct detergent wasn’t used | •Use only automatic dishwasher detergents to avoid sudsing. Cascade®, Cascade® Complete and Electrasol® Automatic Dishwashing Detergents have been approved for use in all GE dishwashers. • To remove suds from the tub, open the dishwasher and let suds dissipate. Add 1 gallon of cold water to the tub. On Models with a Dial: Close and latch the dishwasher. Pump out water by slowly turning the Dial until a drain period is reached. Repeat if necessary. On Models with Electronic Control: Pump out water by pressing the START/RESET pad, then 10 seconds later, press START/RESETpad again. Repeat if necessary. |
| Rinse agent was spilled | •Always wipe up rinse agent spills immediately. | |
| Stained tub interior | Some tomato-based foods can cause reddish stains | •Use of the RINSE ONLY cycle after adding the dish to the load can decrease the level of staining. GE recommends Cascade® Plastic Booster to help remove these types of stains |
| Tea or coffee stains | •Remove the stain by hand, using a solution of 1/2 cup bleach and 3 cups warm water. | |
| An overall yellow or brown film can be caused by iron deposits in water | •A special filter in the water supply line is the only way to correct this problem. Contact a water softener company. | |
| White film on inside surface—hard water minerals | •GE recommends Jet-Dry ® or Cascade Crystal Clear® to help prevent hard water mineral deposits from forming. •Run dishwasher with citric acid to remove mineral deposits. Citric acid (Part number: WD35X151) can be ordered through GE Parts. See back cover for ordering information. | |
| Dishes don’t dry | Low inlet water temperature | •Make sure inlet water temperature is at least 120°F. • Select HEATED DRY. •Use HOT START and ADDED HEAT options. • Select a higher cycle, such as POTS & PANS or HEAVY WASH. |
| Rinse agent dispenser is empty | •Check the rinse agent dispenser and fill as required. | |
| Dishes and flatware not clean | Inlet water temperature is below 120°F. | •Raise the water heater temperature to 120°F. •Use HOT START, POTS & PANS or HEAVY WASH and HI TEMP WASH. |
| Too little detergent | • See Using the dishwasher section, refer to Proper Use of Detergent for detergent recommendations. | |
| Old or damp powdered detergent | • See Using the dishwasher section, refer to Proper Use of Detergent for detergent recommendations | |
| Water pressure is temporarily low | • Turn on a faucet. Is water coming out more slowly than usual? If so, wait until pressure is normal before using your dishwasher. | |
| Air gap is clogged | •Clean the air gap. | |
| Improper rack loading No air gap or high drain loop | •Make sure large dishware does not block detergent dispenser or wash arm. •Verify that you have an air gap or a high drain loop. Refer to the Installation Instructions. | |
| Spots and filming on glasses and flatware | Extremely hard water Low inlet water temperature Overloading the dishwasher Improper loading Old or damp powder detergent Rinse agent dispenser empty Too little detergent | •Use Jet-Dry® or Cascade Crystal Clear® rinse agents to remove spots and prevent new film buildup. • To remove stubborn spots and pre-existing film from glassware: 1 Remove all metal utensils from the dishwasher. 2 Do not add detergent. 3 Select the longest cycle. 4 Start the dishwasher and allow to run for 18 to 22 minutes. Dishwasher will now be in the main wash. 5 Open the door and pour 2 cups (500 ml) of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher. 6 Close the door and allow to complete the cycle. If vinegar rinse doesn’t work: Repeat as above, except use 1/4 cup (60 ml) of citric acid crystals instead of vinegar |
| Cloudiness on glassware | Combination of soft water and too much detergent | • This is called etching and is permanent. To prevent this from happening, use less detergent if you have soft water. Wash glassware in the shortest cycle that will get them clean. |
| Water temperature entering the dishwasher exceeds 150°F. | • Lower the water heater temperature | |
| Detergent cup lid won’t latch | Dial is not in the OFF position | • Turn the Timer Dial to OFF. |
| Detergent left in dispenser cups | Dishes are blocking the detergent cups | •Reposition the dishes. |
| Steam | This is normal | • Steam comes through the vent by the door latch during drying and when water is being pumped out. |
| Black or gray marks on dishes | Aluminum utensils have rubbed against dishes | •Remove marks with a mild, abrasive cleaner. |
| Control panel lights go off when you are setting controls | Time too long between touching or selecting pads | • Each pad must be touched within 30 seconds of the others. To relight, touch any pad again or unlock and relatch the door |
| Control panel responded to inputs but dishwasher never filled with water | Door latch may not be properly seated | •Call for service. |
See other models: GDF540HGD1BB GDL20KCSCBS PVW7361EJ1ES GSS23WSTASS JSP26BD2WH
