What to check, in order
- Clean the air gap
If your dishwasher drains through one, lift off the air gap cover, take off the plastic cap underneath and clean it with a toothpick. Then refit the cap and cover.
- Check the drain hose
Reposition it if it's kinked or squashed, or replace it.
- Run the waste disposer
If the dishwasher drains into one, run it to clear it out.
- Check the sink
See whether your kitchen sink is draining well.
When to call an engineer
If the problem persists, GE says to contact service.
Good to know
- C2 is a related code: the whole pump-out cycle has taken more than 7 minutes. GE says to press Reset to stop the beep.
Parts people end up buying
Only if the checks above point to a part. Match it to your model number first: it's on a label on the edge of the door or the side of the tub.
- Dishwasher drain hoseSearch on Amazon
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Quick answers
What does the GE C1 error code mean?
The pump-out during the drain has taken more than 2 minutes.
Can I fix GE C1 myself?
Easy (about 20 minutes). Start with: clean the air gap; check the drain hose; run the waste disposer. If the problem persists, GE says to contact service.
Is GE C1 worth repairing?
Usually free. Usually a blockage in the air gap, the hose or the disposer.
Checked against
- GE Appliances: dishwasher error, fault and function codes
- GE Appliances: dishwasher owner's manual 49-4000283 (PDF)
Last reviewed October 2026. Manufacturers update their pages, and your manual is the final word. Spotted a mistake? Email contact@appliance-error-codes.com.