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GE Appliances Dishwasher Error Code C1

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026
⚠ Medium Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Slow drain — pump-out during drain exceeded ~2 minutes

💰 DIY cost: $0–$100 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$280 Save $150+ by doing it yourself
GE Appliances Dishwasher error code C1 on the display panel
How the C1 code appears on a GE Appliances dishwasher display

What Does Error Code C1 Mean on a GE Appliances Dishwasher?

Slow drain — pump-out during drain exceeded ~2 minutes.

The control timed the drain and the pump took longer than about 2 minutes to clear the water, indicating restricted drainage. On many newer GE/Profile/Café models with a touch UI, C1 instead reports a stuck control-panel key — clean the panel and power-cycle if no drain restriction is found.

Models affected: GE, GE Profile, and GE Café dishwashers

What Causes Error Code C1?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

  1. 1
    Air gap or drain hose partially clogged 40% of cases
  2. 2
    Garbage disposal knockout plug not removed / disposal blocked 25% of cases
  3. 3
    Drain filter restricted 20% of cases
  4. 4
    Drain pump weakening 15% of cases

How to Fix GE Appliances Dishwasher Error Code C1

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Clean the air gap

    Remove the air gap cap on the sink and clear any debris.

  2. 2

    Check the drain hose and disposal

    Reposition a kinked hose and run the disposal to clear it.

  3. 3

    Clean the drain filter

    Remove and rinse the tub-bottom filter.

  4. 4

    Test the drain pump

    If drainage stays slow after clearing, test the pump.

    🔩 GE dishwasher drain pump ($50–$100)

How to Reset Error Code C1

Clear the restriction, then press RESET (or Start/Cancel) and run a new cycle.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If drainage is clear but C1 keeps returning, the drain pump or control board drain timing circuit is failing.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$280

Related Error Codes

C2
Drain failure — total pump-out cycle exceeded ~7 minutes
⚠ High Severity
C3
Control board failure
⚠ High Severity
C5
Drain failure — dishwasher not draining
⚠ High Severity
OE
Drain error — not draining properly
⚠ High Severity

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your GE Appliances Dishwasher:

🔩
Search PartSelect
GE Appliances Dishwasher repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More GE Appliances Dishwasher Error Codes

FL Flood switch activated — water in base tray C4 Wash motor failure — circulation pump not running PF Power failure — cycle interrupted by power outage C7 OWI sensor failure — optical water indicator fault HO Water not hot enough — incoming water temperature too low PrS Pressure sensor fault — water level sensing issue

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my GE Appliances Dishwasher when error C1 appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the drainage issue behind C1 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes C1 on a GE Appliances Dishwasher? +
Across reported GE Appliances dishwasher repairs, the most frequent is air gap or drain hose partially clogged (40% of cases), garbage disposal knockout plug not removed / disposal blocked (25%), then drain filter restricted (20%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
C1 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored C1 fault; if it returns, the drainage problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — clean the air gap, then check the drain hose and disposal — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.
How much does it cost to fix GE Appliances Dishwasher error C1? +
A DIY repair typically runs $0–$100 in parts, versus $150–$280 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $150. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which GE Appliances Dishwasher models show error C1? +
C1 is documented on GE, GE Profile, and GE Café dishwashers. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 10, 2026.

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