You generally expect a GE washer to stay on sensing mode for 2-3 minutes or up to 5 at most as it detects the load size and determines the amount of water to match it. But what if you’ve to deal with your GE washer stuck on sensing for much longer, perhaps even hours?
Well, your GE washer is stuck on sensing because something is amiss. It could be that the drain pump is clogged, the lid switch or water inlet valve is defective, the washer belt is damaged, the transmission has failed, or a wiring fault or a non-working control board.
Clearly, there are several angles to look at, and all of them point to a fault. You can troubleshoot most of these issues, making it easy to go past the sensing mode and run your washer normally.
This troubleshooting guide shall help you understand how the seven issues stop your washer from going beyond the sensing phase and what to do to fix them. Let’s dive in!
In a hurry? Find a quick troubleshooting guide for your GE washer below when it won’t go past sensing mode:
GE Washer Stuck On Sensing – Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| – | Likely Cause | Fix |
| 1. | Clogged Drain Pump | Clean the drain pump. |
| 2. | Bad Lid Switch | Replace the lid switch if it won’t display continuity on a multimeter. |
| 3. | Defective Water Inlet Valve | Replace the inlet valve if it’s blocked, damaged, or rusty. |
| 4. | Damaged Washer Belt | Check the washer belt for breakage and replace it if that’s the case. |
| 5. | Failed Transmission | Replace the transmission if it’s noisy, and the washer produces a burning odor. Alternatively, replace the washer. |
| 6. | Wiring Fault | Call an expert to fix any loose or damaged wiring. |
| 7. | Non-Working Control Board | Replace the control board as your last option. |
Why Is My GE Washer Stuck On Sensing?
Ideally, your GE washer should only stay on sensing mode briefly, perhaps 2-3 minutes, to establish the load size and the correct amount of water to balance it. However, if the GE washer won’t stop sensing, especially if it does that for more than 5 minutes, you should check out these issues:
1. Drain Pump Clogging
The drain pump needs to pump out the wastewater from your washer. That should happen concurrently as the washer runs.
However, the drain pump may fail at its job due to excessive clogging. In most cases, that happens when you fail to inspect and clean the drain pump routinely.
Fix
Inspect the drain pump for clogging; clean it if you find it filthy. Remember to clean every part, especially the filter, to ensure no clog could interfere with the pump’s pumping performance.
2. Bad Lid Switch
Is the washer’s lid open? And does it open mid-cycle? If yes, you likely have a bad lid switch, and that’s the reason the washer won’t go past sensing mode.
Once the lid switch fails, it becomes hard for the washer door to latch firmly, and even if it shuts, chances are that the door will pop up open mid-cycle. But more importantly, your washer won’t complete a cycle even if it manages to start.
Fix
You can tell if the lid switch is at fault if you test it with a multimeter. Just probe the lid switch with the multimeter to check for continuity and replace it if it lacks it.
3. Defective Water Inlet Valve
The work of the inlet valve is to release water into the drum to allow it to fill up. That’s critical for the load-sensing phase, and you expect no issues if nothing is wrong with the water inlet valve.
However, sometimes the inlet valve may fail due to any of these issues:
- Clogging
- Rust/corrosion
- Damage
In such an event, the water inlet restricts water flow to the drum, and since the washer struggles to fill up, it remains in sensing mode.
Fix
If the water inlet valve is clogged, rusty, or damaged, replace it. That means you must take it out and inspect it, something you can do with your washer manual.
4. Damaged Washer Belt
What happens is that the transmission, which I’ll explain next, depends on a working belt to shift and allow the washer to transition from the sensing phase to the wash cycle. Once the belt fails, the transmission fails, and the washer stays in sensing mode.
Besides, the drum won’t turn if the washer belt is defective. If that doesn’t happen, the washer won’t run, which means it’s likely to stay in sensing mode.
Fix
Inspect the washer belt for damage and replace it if so.
5. Failed Transmission
A defective transmission stops the drum from turning, so the washer won’t move from the sensing phase to the wash cycle. But as mentioned earlier, that could happen due to a defective belt, so you should rule out the washer belt before considering the transmission.
Fix
You can replace the transmission or the washer if the washer transmission is defective. However, given that a new transmission may cost you $350 – $400, getting a new GE washing machine makes more financial sense.
6. Wiring Fault
While you expect your washer to malfunction when there’s a wiring fault, sometimes the malfunction appears as the washer stays in sensing mode.
It could be that the wires are loose, damaged, or even chewed by a rodent. If so, the washer won’t work as it usually does. It’ll malfunction, and that may mean not moving past sensing mode.
Fix
Consider calling an expert to check the wiring and fix it.
7. Non-Working Control Board
Lastly, consider the control board as your last option. It is the heart of the washing machine; nothing works once it fails. It relays signals to the entire washer to allow it to run.
If the control board is faulty, which could result from direct damage or short-circuiting, the washer won’t spin, agitate, change cycles, or do anything.
So, if none of the above reasons explains why your GE washer won’t go beyond sensing mode, it could be due to a non-working control board.
Fix
Consider replacing the washing machine’s control board as the last option.
GE Deep Fill Washer Stuck On Sensing
A GE deep-fill washing machine will stay in the sensing phase for different reasons. It could be due to a clogged drain pump, which won’t pump out water, or a defective lid switch, which won’t allow the washer door to close firmly.
If that’s not it, it could be due to a defective transmission, washer belt, water inlet valve, or main control board. And if any of those components is faulty, you have to replace them or find an expert who can.
GE Profile Washer Stuck On Sensing
Consider that your GE profile washer won’t go past sensing because of a failed component. In this case, the component could be the drain pump, transmission, lid switch, washer belt, water inlet valve, or main control board.
But if it’s none of those issues, it could be a wiring fault. In that case, have an expert check the wiring for damage and looseness and fix it.
GE Front Load Washer Stuck On Sensing
A GE front loader will stay on the sensing phase longer than usual due to a non-pumping drain pump. In such a case, you should check the drain pump for excessive clogging ad clean it.
It could also be that the water inlet valve, transmission, washer belt, or control board is defective, and if so, replace it. The last consideration is a wiring fault, which requires an expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Does My GE Washer Keep Saying Sensing?
Your GE washer keeps saying ‘sensing’ because it’s struggling to establish the load size and fill up with the correct amount of water. In that case, check the drain pump for clogging, the lid switch for fault, and the washer belt for damage.
If that’s not the case, check the transmission, water inlet valve, and control board for faults and replace them.
2. What Do You Do When Your Washing Machine Is Stuck On Its Sensing?
You can do several things when your washing machine is stuck on sensing. You can start by resetting the washer – simply by unplugging it for a minute or so. If that doesn’t work, check the lid and try to latch it if it’s unlatched firmly.
Also, inspect and clean the drain pump and water inlet valve for clogging. And if the washer belt, transmission, or control board is defective, replace it.
3. How Do You Reset A GE Washer Sensor?
You can reset a GE washer sensor by unplugging the appliance for 1 minute and then plugging it back. Then, wait for 30 seconds to start lifting and lowering the washer’s lid six times within 12 seconds. Ensure you lift the lid at least 2 inches high.
4. Is There a Reset Switch On A GE Washer?
Unfortunately, GE doesn’t include a reset switch on most washers. However, you can do a hard reset – unplug the washer for 1 minute. After that, lift the lid six times within 12 seconds before restarting the washer.
5. How Do I Manually Reset My GE Washer?
You can manually reset your GE washer by disconnecting its power supply for at least a minute. That means unplugging it or turning it off from the circuit breaker.
You can lift and lower the lid six times in under 12 seconds before restarting. Meanwhile, raise the top at least 2 inches high for the best reset results.
Concluding Thoughts on GE Washer Stuck On Sensing:
The seven issues above explain why your GE washer remains in sensing mode beyond its expected time. It could be that the drain pump is excessively clogged or the washer belt, lid switch, transmission, water inlet valve, or control board is defective. And if that’s not it, it could be a wiring fault.
However, call GE or your local washer expert if you can’t fix it. The problem could be more serious than the seven issues I’ve shared and thus needs an expert’s input.
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