As good as GE washing machines are, they are not flawless. Sometimes, the washer won’t move past sensing mode, and you wonder why. So, is your GE washer stuck on sensing mode and can’t explain it?
Your GE washer is stuck on sensing mode because of failed drainage, faulty lid switch, shift actuator, or timer, loose or damaged wiring, wrong setting, plug corrosion, or malfunctioning control board.
While most of these issues look too technical, they are quite the opposite. Depending on how handy you are, you can fix most of them, and I’m going to help you.
This troubleshooting guide shall focus not just on the probable causes but also on their applicable fixes. What’s more, I’ll share quick processes for putting your GE washer on diagnostic and resetting it.
Putting it on a diagnostic helps you identify hidden faults and errors. On the other hand, a reset is recommendable as a fix when you do a component replacement or just want to restore the machine to its factory setting.
Let’s get started!
In a rush? Check out a quick troubleshooting guide for your GE washer, which won’t go past sensing mode below:
Quick Troubleshooter for A GE Washer Stuck On Sensing
| Probable Cause | Fix | |
| 1. | Failed drainage (blocked water filter, drain line, drain pump, or inlet valve) | Unblock the affected drain, replace the clogged filter or water valve and clean the drain pump properly if it’s dirt-clogged |
| 2. | Faulty lid switch | Test the lid switch for continuity with a digital multimeter, then replace it if faulty |
| 3. | Defective shift actuator | Run diagnostic, then replace the shift actuator if it’s defective |
| 4. | Malfunctioning timer | Replace the timer if it’s faulty and reset the washer |
| 5. | Loose/damaged wiring | Fix loose wiring and replace any damaged option |
| 6. | Wrong setting | Change the setting or reset the washer |
| 7. | Plug corrosion | Rub the rust off using a wire cleaning brush |
| 8. | Control board malfunction | Run diagnostic to see if the error codes indicate a malfunctioning control board. Replace it if that’s the case |
Why Is My GE Washer Stuck On Sensing? 8 Reasons Explained
Different GE washers remain in sensing mode for various reasons. So, it’s worth considering all possibilities and discussed below are eight probable causes:
1. Failed Drainage
Your GE washer won’t be able to run, let alone more to the next cycle if the water doesn’t drain. You need the water to drain so the washer’s sensors can respond to your command when you pick a new cycle.
Unfortunately, possible clogging interferes with the drainage, and your GE washer has no option but to remain in sensing mode. Overall, here are the contributors to a failed drainage:
a) Blocked Water Filter
A clogged water filter interferes with the drainage. And if the water doesn’t drain, your washer will remain on the same cycle. Even worse, the clogging may cause the motor to overheat as it’ll constantly run.
Fix
Examine the water filter for clogging. If the water filter is clogged, replace it.
b) Blocked Drain Line/Hose
If the drain line is blocked, your washer won’t drain. You also have to remove any kinks to ensure water flows smoothly.
Fix
Look for any clogging in the drain hose and unclog it. If there are kinks, untwist the drain hose to boost water flow.
c) Clogged Drain Pump
Your drain pump won’t be able to pump water if clogged, meaning the water won’t drain. So, you also have to inspect your drain pump for clogs.
Fix
Clean your drain pump if it’s dirt clogged. While at it, inspect it for possible wear or malfunctioning and replace it if faulty.
d) Clogged GE Water Inlet Valve
A clogged water inlet stops the washer from filling up with water. Water may not get to the washer if the inlet valve is considerably blocked with debris, calcium deposits, or dirt.
Fix
Take out the water inlet valve and clean it to eliminate the clog. That’s if your washer inlet valve is newly installed. If it’s older than six months, just replace it. If the water inlet valve is not clogged, test its functionality with a digital multimeter and replace it if it doesn’t show continuity.
2. Faulty Lid Switch
Your GE washer won’t spin if its lid is just open. That happens naturally when the lid switch is functional. Once it malfunctions, the washer may run and stop mid-cycle. If it stops on the sensing cycle, it’ll remain stuck until you fix it.
Fix
Use a digital multimeter to check for continuity on the lid switch. If the lid switch fails to show continuity, it’s faulty – replace it.
3. Faulty Shift Actuator
If the shift actuator is faulty, your GE washer unit won’t be able to move between the various cycles (wash, rinse, and others.). Your faulty shift actuator won’t be able to change position when you instruct your washer to move to a new cycle.
Fix
It’s essential to confirm that the shift actuator is faulty before considering replacing it. That means entering your GE washer into the diagnostic mode (discussed later). If you find an error code indicating the shift actuator is faulty, replace it.
4. Malfunctioning Timer
A malfunctioning timer will send the wrong diagnosis, making it harder for the washer to take commands. So, you should check it to ensure it’s okay.
Fix
Use a digital multimeter, and test your GE washer timer for continuity. If the timer shows no continuity, replace it and restart your washer.
5. Loose/Damaged Wiring
If the washer’s wiring is loose anywhere or if they are chewed off (by a rodent), they’ll cause the washer to malfunction. One way to express their malfunctioning is by staying on the sensing mode.
Fix
Look around your washer for any loose or damaged wiring, replace damaged wiring and fix any loose/hanging options.
Other Reasons Why Your GE Washing Machine Stuck On Sensing
6. Wrong Setting
If you choose the wrong sensing, your GE washer won’t go past sensing mode. You’ve to ascertain that you select the right setting to match your laundry.
Fix
Check the washer set to ensure it’s running on the right setting. you know how to reset the washer (steps shared later in this post)
7. Plug Corrosion
If you’ve used your GE washer for a while, consider checking the plugs or connectors for corrosion. Since you handle water when you run the washer, sometimes water leaks to the plugs, causing them to rust. When that happens, the washer sensor will start to malfunction.
Fix
Check the plugs for corrosion and rub the rust coating off, preferably using a steel wire cleaning brush.
8. Control Board Malfunction
The last thing to check for fault is the control board. The control board is responsible for relaying commands to other washer components.
So, if it’s faulty, the other components won’t work, and your GE washer will most likely remain on one cycle/mode.
Fix
If the control board is malfunctioning, you should replace it. But before you do, run a diagnostic on your washer to verify if the error codes indicate a bad control board. If yes, then replace it.
How to Put A GE Washer On Diagnostic Mode?
Generally, running a diagnostic on your GE washer allows you to confirm your suspected faults. The diagnosis (self-test) enables you to access up to 10 error codes which you can interpret with the help of your manual and find suggested fixes.
The Steps
Here are the general steps for running a diagnostic of your GE washing machine and retrieving possible error codes:
Step 1 – Clear Previous Sequences
It’s important to first clear previous errors before putting your washer on diagnostic mode. Hence, press the power button until the control panel display becomes blank.
Step 2 – Unplug The washer
Now, disconnect the washer’s power plug from the electric outlet for about 30 seconds.
Step 3 – Re-plug The washer
Once the 30 seconds are over, plug your GE washer into the electric outlet and press’ SIGNAL.’
Step 4 – Enter Test Mode
Follow the signal selection by pressing ‘DELAY START’ to get to t01. Then press ‘SIGNAL’ and ‘DELAY START’ to lock the washer’s door and enter test mode t02. You’ll note the error code t02 on display to show your washer is on test mode.
Step 5 – Retrieve Recent Codes
Select ‘DELAY START’ to allow your machine to display the most recent faults/error codes. Note that your washer will display E00 when there aren’t any saved fault/error codes.
Step 6 – View and Clear the Error Codes
Take time to view the error codes that are on display. You can even write them down for easy reference before clearing the sequence.
Regarding sequence clearance, press ‘START/PAUSE’ for a couple of seconds until the display panel goes blank.
Step 7 – Return to t02
Now press power on your washer to get back to test mode (t02)
Step 8 – Exit Test Mode
Lastly, press ‘SIGNAL’, ‘DELAY START’, ‘SIGNAL’, and ‘DELAY START’ once again in the same order to exit diagnostic/test mode.
How Do You Reset A GE Washer Sensor Stuck on Sensing?
Suppose you cannot fix your GE washer even after finding the error code? Or perhaps you’ve replaced something, but the washer still won’t go past sensing.
If so, you should try resetting it, and here’s how to do it:
- Unplug your GE washer from the power for about 1-minute
- Plug it back and wait for 30 seconds to start opening the lid
- Open the lid six times quickly as you close it (raise it about 2 inches). You should do everything in under 12 seconds.
Ordinarily, the above reset should reset the sensor and motor and allow your washer to run. If it doesn’t, talk to a washer professional.
People Also ask
1. Why Is My Washing Machine Stuck On Sensing?
Your washing machine is stuck on sensing because of a clog or faulty component. As far as clogging goes, check the drain line, filter, inlet valve, drain drive motor, control board, or sensor for faults.
2. Why Is My Washer Stuck On Sensing Fill?
Your washer is stuck on sensing fill because the water inlet valve, inlet screen, or a supply line is blocked, hampering water flow and drainage. It could also be because of a faulty lid switch, shift actuator, fill sensor, or control board.
3. Why Does My Washer Says Sensing?
Your washer says sensing because the water level is pretty low or the washer won’t fill up with water. So, you need to improve water flow to the washer or reduce the laundry load to match the available water with the current laundry size.
Closing Remarks On A GE Washer Stuck On Sensing!
Generally, checking the drainage, washer settings, and components (if they are defective) is key to unstucking a washer that won’t go past sensing. However, don’t forget to run diagnostics to confirm the error/fault and possibly reset the washer.