How to Clean GE Dishwasher: Filters, Screens, Sump & Spray Arms Step by Step

When a GE dishwasher starts smelling sour, leaving grit on glasses or holding water in the bottom, the filters and screens are almost always the first place to look. GE hides several of them under the lower spray arm: a fine filter, a coarse filter screen and a sump reservoir with its own cover. Here’s how to clean a GE dishwasher properly: take out both racks, remove the lower spray arm and hub nut, lift out the fine filter, unbolt the spray arm support, then pull the sump cover, sump reservoir and coarse filter. Wash everything in hot soapy water and reassemble in reverse.

It sounds like a lot of parts, but it’s a 30–45 minute job with a screwdriver and a small socket. The Repairior editorial team put this guide together from GE service procedures and what technicians find when they open up smelly, slow-draining GE units. We’ll also cover newer GE models with a simple twist-out filter, how to tell a dirty filter from a drain problem, and when it’s time to call for repair.

First, Which GE Filter System Do You Have?

GE has used two main designs over the years. Open the door and look at the edge of the tub or the inside edge of the door for the model label. Then look at the floor of the tub under the lower spray arm.

What you see	Filter system	Cleaning method
A round filter with a handle or arrows you can twist	Newer manual-clean filter (common on many current GE and GE Profile models)	Twist counterclockwise, lift out, rinse. About 5 minutes.
A spray arm on a center hub, a plastic nut and a flat screen around it	Multi-part system with fine filter, coarse filter and sump reservoir (many older and some Profile models)	Full teardown below. About 30–45 minutes.

If you’re not sure, search your model number in GE’s owner manual library. Write the model number down before you start; you’ll want it if you need a replacement part later.

Tools and Supplies You’ll Need

• A small flathead screwdriver (for prying hub nut tabs)
• A 1/4 inch socket or nut driver (for the spray arm support screw, if present)
• A sink of hot soapy water with liquid dish soap
• A sponge and an old toothbrush
• A wash rag or towels
• Rubber gloves
• A small bowl to hold screws so nothing gets lost

How to Clean GE Dishwasher Filters and Screens Step by Step

Step 1: Turn off power and find your model number

Switch off the dishwasher at the breaker or unplug it. Let it cool if it ran recently. Open the door and locate the model label, usually on the left or right edge of the tub opening or along the top of the door. Take a photo of it.

Step 2: Remove the bottom rack

Pull the bottom rack all the way out. It lifts straight off the door rollers. Set it aside in another room or on a towel so it’s out of your way.

Step 3: Remove the top rack

The upper rack is held in its tracks by a stopper at the end of each rail. To get it out:

1. Slide the rack out until it stops.
2. Find the plastic stopper at the end of the track. Push it through or squeeze its ends together, then spin or pull it free.
3. Once the stopper is out, the rack wheels can roll out of the track.
4. Do the same on the other side, then lift the top rack out.

Older stoppers are often brittle or already missing a piece. If one breaks, it’s an inexpensive part; order it by your model number so the rack doesn’t roll off the track later.

Step 4: Remove the lower spray arm

Lift the lower spray arm up slightly and turn it counterclockwise until it releases, then lift it off. It comes out easily on most GE units.

Step 5: Unscrew the hub nut and remove the fine filter

Under the spray arm you’ll see a plastic nut holding things together. It has small locking tabs around it.

1. Gently pry up the tabs with a small flathead screwdriver.
2. Turn the nut counterclockwise and lift it off.
3. Lift out the fine filter, the flat mesh screen around the center. This is the part that traps small particles and is usually the dirtiest.

These tabs are easy to break on older units, and it’s common to find one or two already snapped off. The nut will usually still turn and hold. Go slowly so you don’t break the rest.

Step 6: Detach the spray arm support

To reach the coarse filter, you need to take out the spray arm support (sometimes called the conduit), the pipe that carries water up to the upper spray arm.

1. Pry up the small tab that locks the pipe in place, then slide the pipe out. If the tab is already broken, remove the loose piece and the pipe should slide free.
2. Check for screws holding the support. Some units have one near the bottom and one higher up. Remove them with a 1/4 inch socket and put them straight into your bowl.
3. At the back, press in the tabs holding the support and lift it out.

Step 7: Remove the hub, sump cover and sump reservoir

1. Unscrew the hub in the center of the floor by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Remove the sump cover (the cage on top of the sump) by squeezing it in at the sides and lifting.
3. Remove the sump reservoir by squeezing it in and wiggling it gently until it comes out. It can be snug; patience works better than force.

Step 8: Remove the coarse filter screen and wipe the sump

With the reservoir out, lift out the coarse filter screen. This catches larger debris like seeds, labels and broken glass, so wear gloves.

You’ll see an opening where water rises to feed the spray arms. That opening doesn’t normally clog, so you don’t need to dig into it. Do wipe out the reservoir area thoroughly with a wash rag, removing any sludge, food and standing grime.

Step 9: Wash every part in hot soapy water

Fill your sink with hot water and dish soap and put in all the parts: fine filter, coarse filter, sump reservoir, sump cover and hub. Some of these will be badly gunked up, especially on a dishwasher that has never had its filters cleaned.

• Scrub each part with a sponge, and use an old toothbrush on the mesh and in the corners.
• Hold the screens up to the light. You should be able to see through the mesh evenly.
• For greasy buildup, let the parts soak 10–15 minutes first.
• Avoid wire brushes or steel wool, which can tear the screens.
• Rinse everything with clean water.

While the parts soak, check the lower spray arm holes and clear any blocked ones with a toothpick.

Step 10: Reassemble in reverse order

1. Set the coarse filter screen back in place.
2. Press the sump reservoir back in until it seats, then snap the sump cover on.
3. Screw the hub back on clockwise.
4. Reinstall the spray arm support: clip it in at the back, replace the screws and slide the pipe back into its locking tab.
5. Put the fine filter back around the center.
6. Thread the hub nut on clockwise until the tabs lock.
7. Set the lower spray arm back on and give it a slight clockwise turn until it locks into place. Spin it by hand to make sure it turns freely.
8. Slide the top rack back into its tracks and reinstall the stoppers, then put the bottom rack back.

Restore power and run a hot rinse or short cycle to make sure everything drains and nothing leaks.

How to Clean a GE Dishwasher Filter on Newer Models

If your GE has the newer twist-out filter, the job is much quicker:

1. Remove the bottom rack.
2. Turn the filter handle counterclockwise and lift the filter out.
3. Rinse it under warm running water and scrub gently with a soft brush and dish soap.
4. Wipe any food out of the opening with a damp cloth.
5. Drop the filter back in and turn it clockwise until it locks.

Do this about once a month, more often if you run the dishwasher daily.

Finish With a Quick Deep Clean

With the filters clean, a few extra minutes make a noticeable difference:

• Door gasket and bottom lip: wipe them with warm soapy water and a toothbrush. The wash spray never reaches these areas, so grime and mold build up there.
• Cleaning cycle: run the hottest cycle empty with a dishwasher cleaner tablet in the detergent cup, or a cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack.
• Exterior: wipe the front with a soft cloth; on stainless, wipe with the grain and dry.

For the full routine, see how to clean a dishwasher.

GE Dishwasher Filter Parts at a Glance

Part	What it does	How it comes out
Lower spray arm	Sprays water on the bottom rack	Lift and turn counterclockwise
Hub nut	Holds the fine filter down	Pry tabs, turn counterclockwise
Fine filter	Traps small food particles	Lifts out after the hub nut
Spray arm support	Carries water to the upper arm	Release tab, remove screw(s), press rear tabs
Hub	Center mount for the arm	Turn counterclockwise
Sump cover	Cage over the sump	Squeeze in and lift
Sump reservoir	Holds wash water	Squeeze and wiggle out
Coarse filter screen	Catches large debris and glass	Lifts out under the reservoir

Water in the Bottom of a GE Dishwasher: Normal or Not?

It’s perfectly normal to see a little water down in the sump after a cycle. GE dishwashers keep some water there to keep the seals from drying out.

A lot of water sitting on the floor of the tub is different. That’s a drainage problem. Cleaning the filters and screens fixes many cases, because a clogged filter slows water on its way to the drain. If you’ve cleaned everything and water still sits in the bottom, the cause is most likely:

• A clog in the drain hose, often a kink behind the dishwasher or a blockage where it connects to the sink drain or garbage disposal.
• A blocked air gap on the countertop, if you have one.
• A failing drain pump, which may hum without moving water.
• A new garbage disposal with the knockout plug still in place.

A drain pump replacement is a job most people hand to a technician.

How to Stop a GE Dishwasher From Smelling

1. Clean the fine and coarse filters and the sump as shown above.
2. Wipe the door gasket and the bottom edge of the door.
3. Make sure the drain hose has a high loop so sink water can’t flow back.
4. Run the garbage disposal before starting the dishwasher.
5. Leave the door cracked after each cycle so the tub dries.

If you see black spots on the seals or racks, follow our guide on how to clean a moldy dishwasher. Many GE models have stainless steel tubs, so skip chlorine bleach; see can I put bleach in my dishwasher.

How Often to Clean GE Dishwasher Filters

Task	Twist-out filter models	Multi-part filter models
Rinse the filter	Monthly	Fine filter monthly
Full filter and sump clean	Not needed	Every 3–6 months, or when it smells or drains slowly
Cleaner or vinegar cycle	Monthly	Monthly
Door gasket wipe	Every 1–2 weeks	Every 1–2 weeks

When to Call for GE Dishwasher Repair

• Water still pools in the tub after cleaning the filters
• The drain pump hums but doesn’t drain
• Dishes stay dirty with clean filters and clear spray arms
• Error codes, blinking lights or no fill
• Leaks after reassembly that you can’t trace to a seated part
• Broken hub nut tabs or support clips that won’t hold parts in place

Find Dishwasher Repair Near You

If your GE still won’t drain or clean properly after you’ve cleaned the filters and screens, compare local appliance technicians and request free quotes. Give them your model number and what you’ve already tried.

Browse dishwasher repair companies · Get free dishwasher repair quotes · Dishwasher repair service guide

How to Clean GE Dishwasher: Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the filter on a GE dishwasher?

Under the lower spray arm on the floor of the tub. Newer models have a single twist-out filter. Many older models have a fine filter under a hub nut plus a coarse filter screen beneath the sump reservoir.

How do I clean my GE dishwasher filter?

On newer models, twist the filter counterclockwise, lift it out, rinse and scrub it with dish soap, then lock it back in. On multi-part models, remove the spray arm and hub nut, lift out the fine filter, then remove the support, sump cover, reservoir and coarse filter, and wash all of them in hot soapy water.

Does a GE dishwasher have a self-cleaning filter?

Some older GE models used a self-cleaning system with a grinder, but most still have screens that collect debris over time. Check your owner’s manual by model number.

How often should I clean my GE dishwasher filter?

Rinse the filter about once a month. On multi-part systems, do a full filter and sump clean every three to six months, or sooner if you notice smells or slow draining.

Why is there water in the bottom of my GE dishwasher?

A little water in the sump is normal. A lot of water on the tub floor means a drainage problem: a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose or air gap, or a failing drain pump.

Why does my GE dishwasher smell?

Food trapped in the filters and sump, grime on the door gasket, or drain water flowing back. Clean the filters and sump, wipe the seal and check the drain hose loop.

What if the tabs on the hub nut are broken?

The nut often still turns and holds. If it won’t stay tight or the filter shifts, order a replacement nut using your model number or have a technician replace it.

Can I run my GE dishwasher without the filter?

No. Without the filters, food and glass can reach the pump and damage it. Always reinstall every screen before running a cycle.

Related Guides

• How to Clean a Dishwasher
• How to Clean Maytag Dishwasher
• How to Clean a Frigidaire Dishwasher
• How to Clean a KitchenAid Dishwasher
• How to Clean a GE Profile Self Cleaning Oven
• Dishwasher Repair Houston

Conclusion

Knowing how to clean a GE dishwasher mostly means knowing where its filters hide.

• Check your model first: twist-out filter or multi-part filter system.
• On multi-part models, remove the racks, spray arm, hub nut and fine filter, then the support, sump cover, reservoir and coarse filter.
• Wipe out the sump and wash every part in hot soapy water with a sponge and toothbrush.
• Reassemble in reverse and lock the lower spray arm clockwise.
• A little water in the sump is normal; a lot means a drain hose clog or pump problem. For those, get free quotes from a local technician.

About This Guide

Editorial policy

This guide was written by David C and reviewed by the Repairior Editorial Team using GE service procedures and the filter cleaning routine appliance technicians follow in customers’ homes. Businesses cannot pay to be featured in our how-to content.

Content transparency

Filter layouts, screws and clips vary by GE model and year. Follow your owner’s manual where it differs from this guide, and turn off power before removing parts. Repairior is not affiliated with GE Appliances and earns revenue from optional business plans, which do not affect this guide.

About the author

David C is part of the Repairior Editorial Team, which researches home appliance care and repair and works with local repair businesses across the US, helping homeowners fix what they can and know when to call a pro.

Helpful official resource: GE Appliances service and support.