11 Reasons Your GE Washer Fills with Water Then Stops

You expect your GE washer to start agitating once you power it on, and it starts to fill up with water, right? But what if your GE washer fills with water then stops and won’t agitate?

Your GE washer fills then stops because of a power disruption, open lid, faulty lid switch, unbalanced load, wrong button or cycle, an error code, a frozen motor, stuck items, bad drainage, or part malfunction.

In this case, the parts that could malfunction and prevent agitation include the speed selector, water-level switch, drive belt, timer, motor, or electronic control board. 

Note that while there are many possible causes, it only takes one of them to prevent your GE washer from agitating. I’ll walk you through them to help you identify the exact reason why your washer stops after starting to fill up with water. 

But first, we’ll look at how you can reset the washer. Why?

Sometimes all it takes to fix the issue and get your washer back agitating is a reset. You can reset the motor or electronic controls, and the problem may be no more. 

Let’s get started!  

In a rush? Find below possible explanations for your non-agitating GE washing machine.

Quick Troubleshooting Guide for A GE Washer That Fills with Water Then Stops

Does Your GE Washer Fills with Water Then Stops? Try A Reset First

Before you think of any repairs when your GE washer won’t agitate, consider resetting it. Sometimes all it needs to start agitating as soon as it fills up with water is a motor or electronic controls reset. 

How To Reset The GE Washer Motor?

Remember, if the motor doesn’t turn, the washer won’t agitate or spin. Usually, the motor shuts down when it detects an abnormality such as a load imbalance, power disruption, or error code, and a reset can help re-awake it. 

Here’s how to do a GE washer motor reset:

• Unplug your GE washer for 60 seconds 
• Plug it back and quickly lift and lower its lid (6 times in 12 seconds)
• Lift it not lower than 12 inches
• Once the 12 seconds ellipses, close its lid and turn it on to see if it agitates

Generally, it may take 30 seconds before a newly reset GE washer can sense the load and start to agitate.

How to Reset A GE Washers Electronic Controls? 

You can also reset your GE washer’s electronic controls when the washer doesn’t agitate once it fills up. Generally, this reset is recommendable when a washer stops before completing a given cycle.

Here’s how to do it:

• Unplug the washing machine for at least 2 minutes
• Alternatively turn off the fuse or circuit breaker from the same time (2 minutes)
• Restore power and select a new cycle

If the above reset doesn’t fix the issue, consider the 11 problems explained next. One of those issues could be causing your washer not to agitate after filling up with water.

Why Does My GE Washer Fills with Water Then Stops?

Consider these 11 issues if your GE washer stops filling with water and won’t agitate after a reset.

1. Power Disruption

If your GE washer detects a disruption in its power supply when filling up with water, it will stop. Generally, a power disruption comes in the form of:

• A flipped breaker – The circuit breaker flips off during a power surge to protect the washer. So, check the breaker to see if it’s off. 
• An overheated fuse – A power surge can also blow up the thermal fuse to protect the washer. Thus, check that too.

Fix 

If the circuit breaker is flipped, reset it. As for the thermal fuse, test its continuity with a multimeter. If it overheats, it won’t show continuity, and you should replace it. 

2. Open Lid (GE Top Load Washer Fills with Water Then Stops)

If you have a top loader, then you ought to consider this. Generally, the washer won’t agitate if the lid is up/open.

Though a few GE models will continue filling up and even agitate and drain, a majority won’t. As far as an open lid goes, consider these checks:

• The lid not firmly pressed – Unless you firmly close the lid, the washer may fail to agitate. 
• Stuck clothes – Sometimes, the lid won’t close properly because of trapped clothes. So, confirm if that’s the case.

Fix 

Firmly press the washer lid to try and close. If it won’t lock, check for any trapped clothes and remove them before firmly pressing the lid. 

3. Faulty Lid Switch 

If your washer’s lid won’t close after performing the above fix, it’s highly likely you have a bad lid switch. This is often the typical cause of a GE washer that fills up and suddenly stops. 

You have to check the lid switch magnet or probe to see if it’s broken or missing. If it’s either, the lid switch will be faulty, preventing the lid from closing. 

Fix 

Check the lid switch to see if the magnet or probe is missing or broken. In both cases, you’ll need to replace the lid switch.

4. Unbalanced Load (GE Washer Fills with Water Then Stops and Hums)

Sometimes the GE washer will stop filling up with water and hum because the load is out of balance. If the clothes are not uniform in the drum, the washer may perceive it as a fault and fail to agitate. 

So, you ought to inspect the laundry load, too, to ensure its uniform. 

Fix 

If your laundry is not even, redistribute it evenly. You may need to throw in or reduce a few articles to make it even. But first, it starts with powering the unit off to avoid an electric shock. 

5. Wrong Button Selection 

You may accidentally press ‘pause’ or ‘start/stop on your GE washer as it fills up. Once you do that, the machine will abort the filling process.

Thus, check the selected buttons to see if that’s the case. Also, check the trimer knob to see if it’s pushed in. 

Fix 

You’ll need to undo the pause or start/stop functions if you accidentally pressed them, and if the timer button is pressed, push it out to allow the washer to agitate and spin. 

6. Soak Mode 

Some GE washers have the soak mode/cycle feature that allows you to soak the clothes for 15 – 30 minutes before performing the main wash. Once you select ‘soak mode,’ the washer won’t agitate.

So, it will fill up and stop for 15 – 30 minutes or until you cancel the cycle. 

Fix 

Cancel the soak cycle to allow the washer to start agitating. But if you can wait, then wait for the process to complete. 

7. Error Code

A GE washer may stop filling if it detects an error and sends it to the control panel. One of these errors is the error code ‘cancel.’

The washer may also flash its furthest lights twice. Such flushing lights indicate a detected fault and are common on newer GE models

Fix 

Clear the error codes by pressing Drain +Spin + Start. But if the error won’t go off, unplug the washer for at least 1 minute to reset. Then power it on, and press Drain + Spin + Start.

8. Frozen Motor 

It’s generally advisable not to store your washing machine under freezing conditions. And if you do, you should thaw it out before using it.

Why? That’s because the freezing temperature freezes the drain pump’s water, which locks the motor. Once the motor locks or freezes, it won’t run. As a result, your washer will stop after filling up with water. 

Fix 

Examine the motor and drain pump. If they look frozen, allow them at the same time to thaw out. 

9. Stuck Items 

If foreign objects are in the drum, the washer may stop agitating after filling up. So, you should check the drum for coins, pins, broken zips, and buttons. 

Fix 

Turn off the washer and remove any trapped items.

10. Bad Drainage 

Unless the water drains properly, the washer won’t spin or agitate properly or may fail to do so entirely. Overall, the source of bad drainage includes the following:

• Clogged drain hose
• Dirty water inlet valve 
• Clogged drain pump

Fix 

Inspect the drain hose, water inlet valve, and drain pump for clogging and clean them appropriately. 

11. Part Malfunction 

Lastly, consider the possibility of one of these components malfunctioning.

• Speed selector – It could be stuck, thus preventing the washer from spinning. If so, release it, point it to speed, and turn it on. 
• Water level switch – Test the water level switch for continuity and replace it if it lacks continuity. 
• Drive belt – Inspect the drive belt for wear, cracks, and looseness and replace it if that’s the case. 
• Motor – Check the motor to see if it turns. If it doesn’t, replace it. 
• Electronic control board (ECB) – Consider changing the ECB (module) as a last resort. 

Closing Thought On A GE Washer That Fills with Water Then Stops

Now you know why your GE washer fills with water then stops. Start by checking for a power disruption open lid, faulty lid switch, uneven load, and the other things I’ve shared.

Remember, however, to first reset the washer. Only after doing the reset should you proceed to the fixes!

Also Read:

• Why Maytag Washer Fills with Water Then Stops
• Why Whirlpool Washer Fills with Water Then Stops  
• Troubleshooting a Kenmore Washer That Fills Up and Stops
• GE Washer-Dryer Troubleshooting Guide