Troubleshooting GE Washer Keeps Sensing: 7 Reasons and Solution

GE washers have an intelligent mode called the Sensing Fill. This mode helps fill the right amount of water for the laundry load in the washer tub. Sensing in the GE washer knows the load size and with the help of water level sensors, it fills the tub appropriately.

Sometimes you may find the washer stuck in sensing mode and nothing happens. The washer doesn’t fill water and the sensing mode indicator might keep blinking. If you are facing such issues, here are the top 7 reasons and their respective troubleshooting tips.

GE Washer Stuck on Sensing Mode

If you find your GE washer stuck in sensing mode, then here are the possible reasons:

• Blocked Water Inlet
• Faulty water inlet valves
• Overloaded Washer Tub
• Faulty motor drive and transmission
• The drain pump filter is clogged
• The water level Sensor may not be working
• Shift actuator may be faulty

Blocked Water Inlet

The water inlet in the washer has a filter that helps block the debris from entering the tub or drum. This filter is very fine and can easily get clogged with dust and debris. When this filter is clogged, water cannot pass through and cannot fill the tub. So, the washer can keep saying sensing but doesn’t do anything.

Solution:

• Pause the washer or turn it off and unplug the washer
• At the rear side of your washer, you can find two hoses getting into the appliance. These are the hot and cold water inlets.
• Close the water taps in which these inlet hoses are connected to
• Now, remove the water inlet hose from the washer
• Once you remove it, you can find a filter in the inlet present in the machine
• Remove the filter and wash it thoroughly in running water
• Replace the filter and connect the hoses back into the inlet valves
• Plug it back and Start the washer again. You can find the sensing mode to work

Faulty Water Inlet Valves

When your water inlet valves are malfunctioning, the washer cannot draw water into the tub. This causes the machine to get stuck in sensing mode. The control board can communicate with the valves and operate it according to the wash program you have chosen. During the Sensing mode, the valves have to open to let the water in while the tub starts to spin slowly. When the water is not getting into the tub, the washer is stuck on sensing.

Solution:

• If you find that no water is pouring into the washer tub, you can put the washer in testing mode to check for error codes
• The error code E62 or Fault Code 24 indicates an issue with your internal components like the water inlet valve
• When you ensure these error codes, call for an appliance technician and check the integrity of the valve
• If the valve doesn’t work, you have to replace it with a new part

Overloaded Washer Tub

Sensing in GE washers works by understanding the load size of the tub. When you overload the washer beyond its capacity, the sensing mode cannot function. Because, during the sensing mode, the tub slowly spins to soak the clothes and fill the water up to the right level. When you overload the washing machine, the tub cannot spin and it can get stuck in sensing mode.

Solution:

• Pause the washer and open the lid of your top load washer or the door of your front load washer
• Remove some of the laundry until the tub is only filled halfway
• Close the door completely and start the washer
• Before loading your washer, know the capacity of your washing machine and fill only half or 3/4th of the tub capacity.

Faulty Motor Drive and Transmission

The Sensing mode works by slowly spinning the tub while simultaneously filling the water in the tub. But if the motor drive or transmission has any faults, it can cause the washer to get stuck in the sensing mode. The motor and transmission cannot rotate the tub which prevents the washer from functioning the sensing mode.

Solution:

• Put the washer in test mode and check for the error codes E48, E50, and E54. In some models, you can get the fault code 3 indicating an issue with the drive motor.
• If you find these error codes, there is a good chance that the motor winding or transmission system will be damaged. Also, if you have issues with the control board, then you can get these error codes.
• Check with your appliance technician and fix the fault in the motor and transmission to get rid of this issue

The Drain Pump Filter is Clogged

Sometimes the washer might have a clogged drain pump filter and this causes the washer to get stuck in sensing mode. This usually happens in between the wash cycle where the washing machine shifts from washing to rinsing but it cannot drain the water due to a clog in the filter. You must get rid of the clog and allow the water to drain properly for the washer to function.

Solution:

• Turn off the washer and remove the drain pump filter present in the bottom end of your front load washer. In top load models, they are found inside the wash tub.
• Remove the filter and clean the drain filter thoroughly in running water to remove the blockage.
• Replace the filter and turn on the washer. Check whether the water is draining and the sensing mode starts working properly.

Water Level Sensor May Not be Working

Sensing in GE washers functions with the help of a water level sensor or pressure sensor. When the proper water level is reached, the water level sensor shuts off the inlet valve and proceeds to the next process in the wash cycle. But if the sensor has issues, it cannot properly fill and sometimes, the washer might overflow too. In such cases, you have to fix the sensor or check the control board.

Solution:

• You can confirm the presence of an issue with your water level sensor using the error codes.
• If you get fault codes 25 or E65, it can indicate an issue with the pressure sensor or water level sensor.
• First, you can try a complete reset of the washing machine just to ensure that there are no faults with the control board.
• If the problem persists, you have to replace the sensor with the help of a technician.

Shift Actuator May be Faulty

Shift actuators are responsible for the washing machine to shift from one process to another. Without the shift actuators, the washer won’t spin and sometimes the washer won’t move at all. In such conditions, the washer cannot get past sensing mode. So, you have to check the integrity of the shift actuator and fix the washer stuck on sensing.

Solution:

• Make sure the washer lid is properly closed and ensure that the lid switch works properly.
• Put the washer in test mode and check for the following error codes according to the washer model: 5, E58, and E62. These codes may indicate an issue with the shift actuator and a communication error between the mainboard and the components.
• If you encounter such error codes, then you can try resetting the washer.
• If the problem persists, call a technician to remove the shift actuator and check for its integrity. If it didn’t work well, then replace the part.

These are the top 7 reasons and their respective troubleshooting tips you can follow when your GE washing machine is stuck in sensing mode.