GE Appliances GDT645SYNFS spots and film on glasses and flatware
Cause 1 of 3Extremely hard water, or the rinse agent dispenser is empty. Source: Troubleshooting Tips: Spots and filming, p. 22
First checkFill the rinse agent dispenser.
Causes and checks
Extremely hard water, or the rinse agent dispenser is empty. Source: Troubleshooting Tips: Spots and filming, p. 22
- Fill the rinse agent dispenser. See Fill and adjust the rinse agent.
- If the water is extremely hard, a water softener may be needed.
The inlet water is below 120 °F (49 °C). Source: Troubleshooting Tips: Spots and filming, p. 22
- Raise the inlet water to at least 120 °F (49 °C).
Overloading, old or damp powder detergent, or too little detergent. Source: Troubleshooting Tips: Spots and filming, p. 22
- Load as the manual's loading section shows, use fresh detergent and use the right amount.
All 3 causes checked. Contact GE Appliances: 800.432.2737.
Service
If the checks above do not clear it, contact GE Appliances: 800.432.2737, geappliances.com/. United States, for service (general enquiries 800.626.2000). Canada: 800.561.3344. Source: Consumer Support, p. 26
Other GDT645SYNFS problems
- Dishwasher won't start or run4 causes in the manual. First: the Start sequence was not followed. The cycle starts only if the door is closed within 4 seconds of pressing Start.
- Controls respond but the dishwasher never fills with water3 causes in the manual. First: the door is not completely closed.
- Water left in the bottom of the tub or not pumping out2 causes in the manual. First: the air gap is clogged, or the drain loop or air gap was not installed as the installation instructions require.
- Dishes and flatware are not clean5 causes in the manual. First: the Ultra-Fine Filter or the Fine Filter is clogged.
- Dishes don't dry3 causes in the manual. First: the inlet water is too cool.
- White film on glassware, dishes and the tubA low-quality phosphate-free detergent is the likely cause of a white film on glassware, dishware and the interior. Hard-water minerals also leave a white film on the tub interior.
- Glassware is cloudy and the cloudiness does not wash offEtching, which is permanent. It comes from soft water combined with too much detergent, or from inlet water above 150 °F.
- Suds in the tub2 causes in the manual. First: the wrong detergent was used. Detergent not made for dishwashers fills the dishwasher with suds.
- Detergent is left in the dispenser cupDishes or utensils block the detergent cup or stop its door from opening.
- Control panel lights go off while setting the controlsMore than 30 seconds passed between pad presses. The display also turns off when the door stays open for two minutes.
- Black or gray marks on dishesAluminum utensils rubbed against the dishes.
Sources
- Owner's Manual, Dishwashers GD*565-665, DD*700 and PD*715-785 Series. GE Appliances, a Haier company. Document 49-4000270, revision Rev 0, 2022-07, 78 pages, en-US. images.salsify.com (PDF). Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
- Quick Specs, GDT645SFN/SGN/SMN/SSN/SYN Stainless Steel Interior Dishwasher with Hidden Controls. GE Appliances. Document GDT645SFN/SGN/SMN/SSN/SYN, revision Specification revised 6/20, 2020-06, 2 pages, en-US. images.salsify.com (PDF). Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.