GE Dishwasher Error F7 / FTD: Failure to Drain

The Logic Verdict

The DIYer in the video proves you don’t have to yank the dishwasher out of the cabinet to beat F7/FTD. Kill power, bail the standing water, drop the toe-kick, and pull the turbidity/pressure sensor straight from the sump. Nine times out of ten it’s packed with sludge. If cleaning the sensor doesn’t clear the fault, twist the drain pump out, ohm it, and replace it if the readings jump around.

What It Means

On these GE controls, F7/FTD is a “failure to drain” alarm—the board never sees the pressure sensor report an empty tub after the final pump-out. A plugged sensor well, stuck plunger, or weak pump keeps the water level from dropping, so the control screams F7 and stops the cycle in self-defense.

Common Causes

• Sludge in the pressure/turbidity sensor. The video shows the black sensor cartridge coated in gunk that blocks the diaphragm from moving.
• Weak or jammed drain pump. When the pump windings go open or the impeller sticks, the tub never clears and the fault repeats.
• Clogged sump screens and big food particles. Leaving rice, seeds, or pasta in the bottom tray just feeds the sensor blockage again.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Kill power and open the sump. Flip the breaker, sponge out the standing water, remove the lower racks and silver filters, then grab a Phillips or 1/4” nut driver to remove the two toe-kick screws.
2. Pull and clean the sensor. Pop the wiring connector off the pressure sensor, squeeze the tabs, and slide the black cartridge out of its white housing. Scrub the well, pick out debris with a toothpick, and make sure the plunger moves freely before snapping it back together. Leave the kick plate off until you’re sure there are no leaks around the O-ring.
3. Restore power and test. Run a quick cycle. If it still flashes F7/FTD, move to the drain pump.
4. Remove the drain pump. Reach under the tub, press the retaining clip, and rotate the pump counterclockwise. Disconnect the two-wire harness and drop the pump out from below.
5. Bench-test the pump. Set a multimeter to ohms and check the two terminals. A healthy GE pump typically reads in the low tens of ohms and stays steady. If the reading jumps all over (as in the video) or the impeller is jammed, replace the pump.
6. Reinstall or replace. Snap a good pump back into the sump, reconnect the wiring, reinstall the kick plate once you confirm there are no leaks, and remind the household to scrape plates before loading so the pressure sensor stays clean.

Parts & Tools

• Supplying Demand WD21X25468 pressure sensor (GE-compatible)
• GE WD19X25187 dishwasher drain pump kit

Watch the Fix