How to Troubleshoot a General Electric Appliance

General Electric, also known simply as GE, is a large manufacturer of appliances, with a sizable product line.  They make washers and dryers, refrigerators, microwaves and stoves, just to name a few.  If you own an appliance manufactured by GE that is not working, there are some steps you can take to determine the problem, before calling the repairman.  

1. Check the source of electricity, before evaluating the appliance itself.  Many times, the problem that causes appliance malfunction is a tripped breaker or blown fuse.  Go to the panel that manages your appliance’s power and check to see if the breaker has been tripped or the fuse has blown.  Even if the breaker or fuse seems to be working correctly, it is a good idea to fully trip and reset the breaker or replace the fuse, and then return to see if the appliance turns on.  This is the most common solution to power problems with GE appliances. 


2. Check the latching system if your appliance has a door that must be closed fully for the appliance to function.  If the door is not latching correctly, it can prohibit the appliance from turning on.  Look to make sure that latches are catching when the door is closed.  Make sure the latch is not obstructed in any way and is functioning.  If the latch appears to be broken, you might want to see if you can replace it yourself.  Check your manual or search online to see if this is possible.  Parts can be purchased at local GE distributors or online. 


3. Look at the display.  If your GE appliance has a digital display, it will likely give you clues that will help identify the problem.  It is possible that the appliance needs to be reset due to a power outage, before functioning regularly.  The reset process is usually quite easy for most appliances.  You should try to hit the “clear” button and see if that works, before heading to the manual for complete instructions. 


4. Check to ensure the outlet is sufficient for the appliance.  Sometimes, appliances are made for a certain type of outlet that your home does not have.  You can purchase voltage testers to ensure your GE appliance is getting the power it needs.  This is a common problem with dryers, as some require a 220 volt dedicated outlet.  You can damage these appliances if they are not connected to the correct power source. 


5. Wait and listen.  Sometimes your GE appliance simply needs to “restart” and this might take a few minutes.  GE refrigerators are a perfect example of this and will make a clicking sound while the compressor turns on.  Wait a few minutes to see if the refrigerator has returned to normal functions, before determining if there are more serious problems to address.