GE Profile Dishwasher F42 Error Code Guide

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What This Error Means

F42 means “wash circulation motor failure / motor circuit fault” on a GE Profile dishwasher.

The control board fills the tub, tries to start the main wash pump, doesn’t see the right current draw, and shuts the cycle down with F42.

  • Machine fills with water, then just sits there or gives a faint hum.
  • Spray arms never really spin, dishes stay dirty.
  • Cycle stops a few minutes in and flashes F42 on the display.

This code is about the pump drive system, not the drain, not the water inlet, and not a button you pressed wrong.

Official Fix

Here’s the straight shot version of what the service manual expects you to do.

  • Kill power first.
    Flip the breaker off or unplug the dishwasher. Give it at least 60 seconds. 120V bites, so don’t work it live.
  • Pop the door and check inside for obvious jams.
    Pull the lower rack. Make sure no big utensils or pans are blocking the spray arm or sump area.
  • Clean the filters and sump area.
    Remove the bottom filter and mesh screen. Rinse them out. Shine a light into the sump. Scoop out glass, bone, or heavy food sludge that could stall the pump.
  • Restore power and try a short cycle.
    Turn the breaker back on, start a quick or rinse cycle, close the door, and watch. If it runs normally and no F42, you got lucky.
  • If F42 comes back, manual says start testing components.
    • Kill power again. Pull the toe-kick panel and locate the wash circulation motor harness.
    • Unplug the motor and ohm it out with a multimeter. Compare to the tech sheet inside the kick panel (usually taped in a plastic sleeve).
    • Inspect the wiring harness and connectors between the control board and the wash motor for burns, corrosion, or loose pins.
    • If the motor is open, shorted, or physically seized: replace the circulation pump & motor assembly.
    • If the motor tests good and spins freely but throws F42 anyway: replace the main control board.

Official line from GE: don’t bypass the code and don’t keep power-cycling forever. Track it down to either a bad motor, a bad harness, or a bad board and swap the defective part.

The Technician’s Trick

Here’s the stuff we try in real kitchens before ordering pricey parts.

  • Free a stuck impeller from the top side.
    • Kill power and water first. Breaker off, water valve under the sink off.
    • Pull the bottom rack, filter, and the plastic sump cover.
    • Flashlight time: look down into the sump for glass shards, popcorn kernels, bones, twist ties, or plastic bits.
    • Reach in and gently spin the impeller with a finger or an insulated screwdriver. It should turn with a little resistance, not be locked solid.
    • If it’s jammed, work the debris out, spin it a few full turns, make sure it’s smooth.
  • Dry out a wet motor connector.
    • Pull the toe-kick panel. Feel around the motor and harness for moisture.
    • If a small leak has soaked the connector, dry it out and fix any obvious drip (loose clamp, cracked hose) before you power back up.
  • Do a proper hard reset after fixing the jam.
    • Restore power.
    • Close the door and press and hold Start for about 3 seconds to cancel any stuck program.
    • Wait until the lights go out, then start a short cycle and listen: you should hear a solid spray, not just fill and silence.

If the motor still growls, trips the breaker, or instantly throws F42 again, stop trying to “massage” it back to life. At that point, it’s parts time.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: GE Profile under ~8 years old, stainless tub, otherwise behaving, and F42 points clearly to a single bad wash motor or board you’re willing to swap.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: 8–10 years old, history of other repairs, or quote for motor + labor lands around 50% of a good new mid-range dishwasher.
  • ❌ Replace: 10+ years old, noisy, rusty, maybe leaking, and it looks like you’ll need both the motor and control board to clear F42.

Parts You Might Need

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See also

Getting hit with error codes on other gear around the house? These breakdowns can help: