GE GD 550 Series User manual

Write the model and serial
numbers here:
Model #_________________
Serial # _________________
You can find them on a label on
the tub wall just inside the door.
GE is a trademark of the General Electric Company. Manufactured under trademark license.
OWNER’S MANUAL
DISHWASHERS
49-4000218 Rev 1 05-21 GEA
ENGLISH/FRANÇAIS/
ESPAÑOL
GD*450 – 535 Series
GD*550 – 635 Series
SAFETY INFORMATION .........3
USING THE DISHWASHER
Getting Started........................5
Dispensers ............................8
Appliance Communication .............10
Loading ............................. 11
CARE AND CLEANING ............17
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS......19
LIMITED WARRANTY ...........23
CONSUMER SUPPORT ......... 24

249-4000218 Rev 1
THANK YOU FOR MAKING GE APPLIANCES A PART OF YOUR HOME.
Whether you grew up with GE Appliances, or this is your first, we’re happy to have you in the family.
We take pride in the craftsmanship, innovation and design that goes into every GE Appliances
product, and we think you will too. Among other things, registration of your appliance ensures that we
can deliver important product information and warranty details when you need them.
Register your GE appliance now online. Helpful websites and phone numbers are available in the
Consumer Support section of this Owner’s Manual. You may also mail in the pre-printed registration
card included in the packing material.

49-4000218 Rev 1 3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THE APPLIANCE
SAFETY INFORMATION
READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize
the risk of fire, explosion, electric shock, and to prevent property damage, personal injury,
or death.
WARNING PROPER INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
This dishwasher must be properly installed and located in accordance with the Installation Instructions before
it is used. If you did not receive an Installation Instructions sheet with your dishwasher, you can receive one by
visiting our Website at GEAppliances.com. In Canada, visit www.GEAppliances.ca.
Ŷ Connect the dishwasher/appliance to a grounded
metal, permanent wiring system; or run an
equipment-grounding conductor with the circuit
conductors and connect to the equipment-grounding
terminal or lead of the appliance.
Ŷ Improper connection of the equipment-grounding
conductor can result in a risk of electric shock.
Check with a qualified electrician or service
representative if you are in doubt whether the
appliance is properly grounded.
Ŷ Detailed grounding instructions can be found in the
“PREPARE ELECTRICAL WIRING” section of the
Installation Instructions.
Ŷ Dispose of discarded appliances and shipping or
packing material properly.
Ŷ Do not attempt to repair or replace any part of your
dishwasher unless it is specifically recommended in
this manual. All other servicing should be referred to
a qualified technician.
Ŷ Use only cord kit WX09X70910 or hard-wire to
building electrical. Failure to follow this instruction,
could result in risk of fire and personal injury.
Ŷ To minimize the possibility of electric shock,
disconnect this appliance from the power supply
before attempting any maintenance.
NOTE: Turning the dishwasher off does not disconnect
the appliance from the power supply. We recommend
having a qualified technician service your appliance.
WARNING WHEN USING YOUR DISHWASHER, FOLLOW BASIC PRECAUTIONS,
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
Ŷ Use this appliance only for its intended purpose as
described in this Owner’s Manual.
Ŷ Use only detergents or wetting agents
recommended for use in a dishwasher and keep
them out of reach of children. Using a detergent
that is not specifically designed for dishwashers will
cause the dishwasher to fill with suds.
Ŷ Locate sharp items so that they are not likely to
damage the door seal.
Ŷ Load sharp knives with the handles up to reduce
the risk of cut-type injuries.
Ŷ Do not wash plastic items unless marked
dishwasher safe or the equivalent. For plastic
items not so marked, check the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Ŷ Do not touch the heating element during or
immediately after use.
Ŷ Do not operate your dishwasher unless all
enclosure panels are properly in place.
Ŷ Do not tamper with controls.
Ŷ Do not abuse, sit on or stand on the door or dish
rack of the dishwasher.
Ŷ To reduce the risk of injury, do not allow children to
play with, on or inside this appliance at any time.
Ŷ Do not store or use combustible materials including
gasoline or other flammable liquids or vapors in the
vicinity of this or any other appliance.
Ŷ Small parts, such as rack clips, can be a choke
hazard to small children if removed from the
dishwasher. Keep out of reach of small children.

449-4000218 Rev 1
SAFETY INFORMATION
READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THE APPLIANCE
WARNING WATER HEATER SAFETY
Under certain conditions, hydrogen gas may be produced in a water heater that has not been used for two or more weeks.
HYDROGEN GAS IS EXPLOSIVE.
If the hot water has not been used for two or more weeks, prevent the possibility of damage or injury by turning
on all hot water faucets and allowing them to run for several minutes. Do this before using any electrical
appliance connected to the hot water system. This simple procedure will allow any built-up hydrogen gas to
escape. Since the gas is flammable, do not smoke, use an open flame, or use the appliance during this process.
TO PREVENT MINOR INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE
Ŷ During or after wash cycle, contents may be hot to
the touch. Use care before handling.
Ŷ Close supervision is necessary if this appliance is
used by or near children. Do not allow children to
play around the dishwasher when closing the door,
closing the upper rack, or while vertically adjusting
the upper rack due to the possibility of small fingers
being pinched.
Ŷ Non-Dishware Items: Do not wash items such as
electronic air cleaner filters, furnace filters and
paint brushes in your dishwasher. Damage to the
dishwasher and discoloration or staining of the
dishwasher may result.
Ŷ Load light-weight, plastic items so they do not
become dislodged and drop to the bottom of the
dishwasher—they might come into contact with the
heating element and be damaged.
WARNING RISK OF CHILD ENTRAPMENT
PROPER DISPOSAL OF THE DISHWASHER
Junked or abandoned dishwashers are dangerous…even if they will sit for “just a few days.” If you are getting
rid of your dishwasher, please follow the instructions below to help prevent accidents.
Ŷ Do not allow children to play with, on, or inside this or any discarded appliance.
Ŷ Take off the door of the washing compartment.
CAUTION
NOTICE
Ŷ ,I\RXUGLVKZDVKHULVFRQQHFWHGWRDZDOOVZLWFK
ensure that the switch is on prior to use.
Ŷ ,I\RXFKRRVHWRWXUQWKHZDOOVZLWFKRIIEHWZHHQ
wash cycles, allow 5-10 seconds after turning the
switch on before touching Start to allow the control
to initialize.
Ŷ Use only powder, Cascade® Platinum™ ActionPacs™ or
Finish® Quantum® Automatic Dishwashing Detergent,
liquid detergents or rinse agents recommended for
use in a dishwasher and keep them out of the reach
of children. Cascade® Platinum™ ActionPacs™ or
Finish® Quantum® Automatic Dishwashing Detergent,
and Cascade® Platinum™ Power Dry™ Rinse Aid
or Finish® Jet-Dry® Rinse Aid rinse agents have been
approved for use in all GE Appliances dishwashers.
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
Be sure that the electrical connection and wire size are adequate
and in conformance with the National Electric Code, ANSI/NFPA
70 – latest edition, and all local codes and ordinances.
This appliance must have:
Ŷ 120V, 60Hz, AC-only, 15-ampere or 20-ampere, fused
electrical supply.
Ŷ Wiring must be 2 wire with ground and rated for 75°C (167°F).
Ŷ If the electrical supply does not meet the above
requirements, call a licensed electrician before
proceeding.
It is recommended to have:
Ŷ A circuit breaker or time-delay fuse.
Ŷ A properly grounded individual branch circuit.

49-4000218 Rev 1 5
USING THE DISHWASHER
Getting started
Features and appearance will vary throughout this manual
Cycle/Select Cycle
Press the Cycle/Select Cycle pad for the desired wash cycle. The light next to the Cycle/Select Cycle pad
will be lit to indicate which wash cycle has been selected.
NOTE: Cycle times vary based on soil level, water temperature, and options selected.
The cycle may be selected with the door in the open position. The cycle will not start until the Start pad is
pressed and the door is closed within 4 seconds.
AutoSense
(on some
models)
This cycle automatically senses the soil level and adjusts the wash cycle accordingly.
*Time range: 1 hour 50 minutes - 2 hours 5 minutes.
Heavy/
Heavy Duty
This cycle is meant for heavily soiled dishes, cookware, pots, or pans with dried-on or baked-on
soils. Everyday dishes are safe to be used in this cycle. This cycle uses improved dry, which can
extend the cycle time. *Time: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Normal/
Everyday This cycle is meant for daily, regular, or typical use to completely wash a full load of normally soiled dishes and is designed to conserve both water and energy. Normal/Everyday was used
to rate the energy efficiency of this dishwasher. *Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
1 Hour/
Time Saver This cycle is for light to medium soiled dishes and takes about 1 hour. It is safe for china and crystal with no options selected. NOTE: This cycle does not use Dry. For improved dry
performance, press Dry/Dry Boost option for some models, or select the Normal/Everyday or
Heavy/Heavy Duty cycle. *Time: 60 minutes.
Rinse
(on some
models)
For rinsing partial loads that will be washed later. Do not use detergent. Detergent is not
dispensed during the rinse cycle. *Time: 15 minutes.
*Washing time only. Does not include drying time, Auto Hot Start, or options. NOTE: If the incoming water
temperature is too low, the Auto Hot Start feature may add up to 25 minutes of additional time.
4
Load Dishwasher
For best dishwashing results, follow the loading guidelines found in the Loading section. No pre-rinsing of
normal food soil is required. Scrape off hard soils, including bones, toothpicks, skins, and seeds. Remove
leafy vegetables, meat trimmings, and excessive amounts of grease or oil.
Add Detergent
Add needed amount of detergent to the detergent dispenser. Use high quality detergents such as Cascade®
Platinum™ ActionPacs™ or Finish® Quantum® Automatic Dishwashing Detergent. See Dispensers section.
Add Rinse Agent
Add high quality rinse agents such as Cascade
®
Platinum™ Power Dry™ Rinse Aid or Finish® Jet-Dry® Rinse
Aid to the rinse agent dispenser. See Dispensers section. NOTE: The use of rinse aid can further enhance
the dishwasher’s drying performance.
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