GE Dishwasher PF — What It Means & How to Fix It
PF simply records that power to the dishwasher was interrupted mid-cycle — reselecting your cycle and pressing Start clears it, with no repair needed unless it keeps happening.
What this code means
PF stands for power failure: the dishwasher lost electrical power during a cycle and is letting you know the program didn't finish. It isn't a fault in the machine, it's a status note. GE's remedy is to choose your cycle and options again and press Start, and the dishwasher runs normally. A PF that appears repeatedly without any obvious outage points at the supply rather than the dishwasher.
PF is a power-interruption status on GE dishwashers, not a component fault. If it recurs without power outages in your home, the issue is usually the outlet, breaker, or wiring feeding the unit — that is where to look, or to have an electrician look.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Brief household power outage or flicker | Very common | Yes — restart |
| Tripped breaker or GFCI feeding the dishwasher | Common | Yes — reset breaker |
| Loose or failing power connection at the unit | Occasional | No — electrician job |
| Control board not retaining the cycle | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Reselect your cycle and options and press Start — GE's intended response to PF; the dishwasher should resume normal operation.
- If it won't start, check your breaker panel for a tripped breaker, and any GFCI outlet involved, and reset as needed.
- Note whether other lights or appliances flickered at the same time, which would point to a household supply event rather than the dishwasher.
- If PF keeps returning with no outages, stop guessing at the dishwasher and have the outlet and wiring checked.
When to call a technician
- PF returns repeatedly with no power outages in the home — the supply connection or wiring needs a professional look.
- The breaker or GFCI trips each time the dishwasher runs.
- The control loses the cycle or resets itself mid-wash even on steady power.
Typical professional repair cost: Free to restart. If a wiring or outlet fault is found, an electrician typically charges $100–$250; a control board, if implicated, runs $200–$450.
Frequently asked questions
Is a PF code on my GE dishwasher serious?
Usually not. PF just means power was interrupted during a cycle — a brief outage or a tripped breaker is enough. Reselect your cycle and press Start and it should run normally. It only matters if it keeps recurring with no outages, which points to the supply.
How do I clear the PF code?
Choose your cycle and options again and press Start. PF is a status message rather than a fault, so there is nothing to repair — restarting the cycle clears it in the ordinary case.
Why does PF keep coming back?
Repeated PF codes without household outages usually mean the dishwasher's power supply is unreliable — a tripped GFCI, a loose connection at the outlet, or marginal wiring. That is worth having an electrician check rather than treating it as a dishwasher fault.
Related GE codes
- GE Dishwasher C1 Your GE dishwasher is draining, but too slowly for the control's liking — the water path is partly restricted, usually at the air gap, the drain hose, or a disposer that hasn't been run.
- GE Dishwasher C2 Draining ran well past the time GE allows — about seven minutes — pointing to a heavier blockage than the milder C1, though the things to check are the same trio.
- GE Dishwasher C3 The dishwasher didn't drain at all, and GE's first move for C3 is a brief power reset — if water still won't leave afterward, the drain path or pump needs attention.
- GE Dishwasher C4 C4 means the dishwasher refilled twice after a power interruption, which usually traces to a stuck overfill float or a clogged sump rather than anything electrical.
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