GE · Dishwasher
GE Dishwasher C10 Error Code
Wash pump or motor circuit fault
What this error means
C10 indicates wash motor failed to start or report feedback.
How C10 is detected
When C10 appears on a GE dishwasher, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On GE GDT655SSJSS, GE GDF630PSMSS, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most C10 calls are resolved without parts: cancel and towel water. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If C10 returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Glass in impeller
- Seized pump
- Loose connector
- Relay failure
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Cancel and towel water
- 2Clean sump
- 3Spin impeller by hand
- 4Listen at wash step
When to call a technician
Pump hums without spin needs circulation motor.
Affected models
- GE GDT655SSJSS
- GE GDF630PSMSS
- GE GDT225SSLSS
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use dishwashers to prevent C10 from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when C10 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your GE dishwasher—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for C10; GE uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting C10; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.