GE UltraFresh Low Detergent Smart Dispense - how to refill, change, add detergent

Someone asked how to know if the Smart Dispense detergent is running low, so here’s a video showing our GE UltraFresh Vent System clothes washing machine with low detergent. Hope it helps!

[@ChristineBean]

I really appreciate this, our brand new washer was stuck on Low Tank even though we had just filled it so this was very helpful.

[@fixthishouse3303]

Thanks for watching! Did you fix yours? Some people say they needed to update their app for the washer detergent dispenser to work.

[@ChristineBean]

@@fixthishouse3303 Yes, I just fiddled around like you did switching between modes and then turning it off and it finally recognized the detergent!

[@fixthishouse3303]

@@ChristineBean awesome!

[@Lacroix999]

I have the newer model and couldn’t figure this out in the app, but turning it on/off reset it and was the piece I was missing! Thank you!!

[@quiltsick]

i did not realize I could toggle to see how many loads were left with each setting, good to know, thanks! I usually leave it on auto but recently read someone else uses less & quick wash. I could do that with my clothes but not sure the hubster's clothes would get clean but it is worth a try. I had a problem with my washer today. I needed to wash 6 yds of fabric. I fan folded it & put big safety pins along the edge. I have read other quilters do this. I put it on delicate with a medium spin. It came out very wet. So I did a spin only, same thing. Spun it again, same thing. I was not happy! So I put a couple of towels in & ran it on a quick wash with high speed & it finally spun out. Lessened learned, lol.

[@fixthishouse3303]

I’ve never heard of that technique. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@irenebutcher8004]

Thank you so much! Even the service department was not able to get the low message off! Your reset fix worked!

[@fixthishouse3303]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@hjordisjones4760]

Just got these delivered 4 days ago and the tank low stays on even following your video. Which I loved

[@fixthishouse3303]

When mine says “low tank” I fill it and turn the machine off, then on again. Have you tried that? (Not sure what I covered in this video.)

[@kikisanford6063]

Thanks!! I've been adding and adding liquid detergent to the liquid detergent dispenser thinking that would fix it. Now I know. It was so annoying to have that light on continuously.

[@tiffanylawson9551]

Just got this washer and I was so confused! Thank you.

[@celiigongora4214]

Hello have you had an issue whereby you turn on your washer, chose which washing option you want, and start…. But it skips the “fill” Option and goes straight to wash? Help!

[@fixthishouse3303]

I haven’t, it sounds like the machine is starting mid-cycle , the water is off, or the machine is broken. Does it do this every time?

[@celiigongora4214]

@@fixthishouse3303it does it frequently. The technician still has not find what the problem is 😢

[@DisMe4real]

Thank you so much. You've helped our house hold.🙏🏾

[@katherinesr]

Your video helped us realize our auto dispenser had been turned off accidentally. I noticed the detergent level was not lowering after many washes and I assumed something major was wrong after it was moved to our new house. So, I’ve been washing clothes for two weeks with no detergent, lol. I didn’t think to check if the auto dispenser was on. Duh! Thanks for prompting us to check it. Problem solved!

[@fixthishouse3303]

I’ve had this happen to me… thankfully for only a couple of loads at a time. I haven’t been brave enough to tell anyone though, lol. I think my clothes basket hits the SmartDispense button when I’m unloading the dryer (stacked machines). Water cleans. That’s what I tell myself :)

[@katherinesr]

@@fixthishouse3303 now that you mention it, I’ll bet that’s what happened. Thanks, again!

[@erinskimming9040]

Have you experienced mold growing in your dispenser? I've only had our ge washer about 9 months, and there is a small amount of mold in the dispenser chambers that we don't use. ( like the bleach and fabric softener chamber). TIA

[@fixthishouse3303]

Yes. When the SmartDispenser is low/out of detergent, you can open the drawer and press the “PUSH” button at the back to pull the tray out. Wipe off the mold (or wash the whole unit if you want) and return it to the slot.

[@louievictorio8790]

Mine is the same tank low! Thank u for the video, also i have a question bcoz we have the same washer and we just instaled it the other day my problem is its not filling enough water, should i call my insurance to do it coz i know i cant open it or try to fix it to avoid losing the warranty

[@fixthishouse3303]

The machines are designed to use minimal water. You may try washing regular laundry on the bulky setting, but the machines don’t use extra water - just enough. The principle is that friction cleans. I hope that helps.

[@louievictorio8790]

@@fixthishouse3303 hi. But the problem is i dnt even see bubbles, i saw water coming out but just enough to wet it, i dnt see water like our other washer, also wen rinsing its the same thing, no water i ts just turning around and just wet cloths, so i think something is wrong, its our first time using, im stress coz i want more water to make sure that our cloths is clean,

[@fixthishouse3303]

Are you using the SmartDispenser? And if so, do you have it turned on (top left button on the panel). It has options for Auto, More and Less.

[@louievictorio8790]

@@fixthishouse3303 i do not, i just choose normal then turn it on, should i do that to fix the problem?

[@louievictorio8790]

@@fixthishouse3303 i watch some of ur video and really looking if ur washer have enough water or same as ours, its really weird coz even wen rinsing , i dnt see water, its just wet and spinning arounf

[@MariaLopez-zw2bs]

Do you think you could record it on the spin cycle ? I got a LG but I’m not liking it so much I’m very untested in this GE washer but can’t find reviews on it thank you😊

[@fixthishouse3303]

Do you want to see how loud it is on the spin cycle?

[@MariaLopez-zw2bs]

@@fixthishouse3303 yes please

[@fixthishouse3303]

I just uploaded a video of our machine on the spin cycle. It’s not very scientific, but might help some.

[@fixthishouse3303]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKmZlZapgNSorJY

[@ambermakros4768]

Thank u I figured out how to turn off because i use the tide pods

[@rettaperkins8460]

Thank you 😊

[@kellenthecleaningkid436]

Can you use tide pods with this machine

[@fixthishouse3303]

Yes, I believe you’d add the pod to the tub with the clothing (and make sure the SmartDispenser is off).

[@kellenthecleaningkid436]

@@fixthishouse3303 thank you

[@futuretrunks6461]

hmm I notice that my smartdispense tank is leaking the detergent down into the blue gasket when not in use. Has this happen with you? I only had this washer for year any ideas on how to fix this? I pulled out the tray and it slowly drips out of that hole idk if its the tank. Do you usually have that tray close when not in use or should I crack it opened?

[@fixthishouse3303]

I keep the tray closed because we use the machine almost daily. My sister has a front loader (different brand, no SmartDispenser) and she completely removes her tray to let the tray/slot dry out. For the leak, I’d remove the tray when it’s empty (or dump the detergent into a bucket) then examine/clean the round hole on the back side of the tray. If it’s broken, maybe you could buy a replacement tray. Hopefully it’s just stuck. Let me know if you need more help.

[@RonCarrier-yq4fg]

Can I use the Auto dispense feature and use a liquid brightener(OxiClean) in the manual dispenser? Or do I put the liquid brightener(OxiClean) in the bleach section? Thanks

[@fixthishouse3303]

Yes, that should work. If you add it to the front manual liquid detergent slot it mixes in sooner than the bleach compartment. I put powdered OxyClean in the front.

[@mikaylaserna3001]

So im pretty young and i just moved out of my moms house who did pretty much everything for me and im trying to figure out how to do all this, so i was wondering if i could put gain detergent in that spot too??

[@fixthishouse3303]

Yes, you can fill the SmartDispenser with liquid again detergent. You might need to adjust the amount of detergent used (Less, Auto, or More). I usually leave it on “Less” because the thinner, cheaper laundry detergent we use seems to dispense faster than thicker brands. We went through detergent too fast.

[@HurtadoRosie]

Hello just got mine today I’ve don’t three loads and their is water in the softness dispenser after the load is done do you know what I need to do so that there is no water at the end of wash

[@fixthishouse3303]

Congrats on your new machine! I am not sure I know the answer. I have water in the bleach dispenser after every wash. My softener dispenser is almost always empty. Some people have said that leftover water in those dispensers is normal. My only suggestion would be to make sure the machine is level… but I don’t really think that’s the answer.

[@marylingarris3610]

Do you have to use only liquid detergent in the Smart Dispense?

[@fixthishouse3303]

Yes

[@tanealjones1960]

Thank you ma’am needed the help

[@fixthishouse3303]

You’re welcome!

[@stardust7450]

What you do of the tank low won't go away. I filled it and it won't go away and it isn't taking detergent out of the dispense either.

[@fixthishouse3303]

Remove the “low tank” display by turning the machine off and then on. It should reset. If the machine isn’t taking detergent out, make sure the SmartDispenser setting has a light on next to “Auto, More, Less.” Sometimes I bump mine and it turns off.

[@sammsam6018]

Super helpful. Thank you 🙏

[@denisealeman5667]

Hi, do you have a clue how to get the machine to register that it in fact as detergent? It displays a message as if it has NO DETERGENT, even when I have refilled it. It does not reset itself even after turning it of and restarting it. I keep getting the same error. It eveen shows up on my GE Smart Things app, which I use to keep track of loads.

[@fixthishouse3303]

When my machine displays a low detergent warning, it goes off/resets if I turn it off and then on. You can remove the detergent tray, empty the detergent into a bucket and inspect the rear side where the detergent is dispensed. It *could* be clogged.

[@MrDino237]

I'm getting these and my question is how much fabric softener do u add in it? And do u diluted it any?

[@fixthishouse3303]

I add fabric softener to the max line. I use Suavitel, I think. You could use less or measure using the bottle cap. I usually run large loads and I like our clothing to smell like fabric softener. I don’t dilute it. The machine floods the fabric softener compartment with water. I did a video on that detergent compartment if you want to see it.

[@MrDino237]

Yeah need to see it

[@fixthishouse3303]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXbHo6iVr9Onr6c

[@55kristmas]

My washer which is identical to yours says HTO supply needed..what does that mean? I have no water hooked upto it? It was installed by a worker from the Appliance store I bought from..help

[@fixthishouse3303]

Hi Krista, I suspect the message says “H2O Supply” meaning you don’t have a water supply. Are there hot and cold water hoses connected from the back of the machine to a water source? Is the water source turned on? It may have knobs (like an outside hose faucet) and possibly shut off valves that can be used in case of emergency. Follow the pipes. Make sure the water knob is on, then see if you can find the shut off valves and turn them on. Hope that helps. Maybe someone else will have a suggestion. Also, if you paid for installation and they didn’t get the water running into the machine, the installation isn’t done, imho. Call the store and have them fix it.

[@fixthishouse3303]

I forgot to add a link to GE washing machine codes for troubleshooting: washingcodes.com/ge-washer-error-codes/

[@55kristmas]

Well, I called out the appliance center (repair) & they sent someone out yesterday morning & (brand new washer now mind you) he said it could be the water board or the mother board or both! He also said it could be mid December to mid January before the boards could come in! He had started the washer but but he left before the washer started spinning..is it normal when the washer starts spinning & all thru the spinning cycle for it to sound like a jet engine taking off & it whines (very loudly) all thru the cycle? Mine is bad! This is my luck..like the old saying goes if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all..well I'm tired of the bad luck!

[@fixthishouse3303]

Sounds like a lemon.

[@jessicabrown4686]

When I wash towels only. I put on normal wash 55min. But open up to sopping wet soapy towels. Can you give tips?

[@fixthishouse3303]

On the normal cycle, do you use the Max spin rate? I think you might be overloading the machine OR the towels are high quality or extra large (beach size?). Another option: one or 2 of the items are extra large or extra absorbent and get much heavier than the other items, setting the load off balance. This happens to me when I wash my sons laundry with a high quality/lined/absorbent hoodie in the mix.

[@lindseygruber3309]

Hello! Do you know the difference between the two ultrafresh models? Is it just the capacity? Thank you

[@fixthishouse3303]

It could be capacity and/or the ability to wash AND dry a small 1-2lb load of laundry overnight. (Like when you need a uniform washed and dried by morning.) It washed the clothes, spins them and then vents them u til they dry. That’s my understanding.

[@lindseygruber3309]

@@fixthishouse3303 okay, thank you!

[@kcnnubia]

Hi. I watched all your videos on the GE ultrafresh washer and dryer and couldn't find the model. Is this the 650 or 850 model?

[@fixthishouse3303]

The washer has a 650 in the model number. My guess is the dryer is, too since we bought them together.

[@tomcat6933]

3 models. 550, 650, 850. 850 has 5.0 and others have 4.8 capacity. 850 has the wash and dry. The 550 doesn't have the auto dispenser or washer lights.

[@edmundclark2088]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@fixthishouse3303]

You’re welcome!

[@qrash8547]

You mam are awesome!

[@DAOKIV]

Thanks a lot! 🎉

[@kellenthecleaningkid436]

Would this be a good machine for a Airbnb

[@fixthishouse3303]

We use it as hosts to wash Airbnb linens and our household clothing. Would I put this machine in an Airbnb? Possibly. We have talked about buying a new washer/dryer set and putting this unit (now used) in our Airbnb. Would I buy a new set for Airbnb guests to use? Yes, in a high rent area. Our place is not upscale, so we have a top loader that came with the house there.

[@kellenthecleaningkid436]

@@fixthishouse3303 thank you

[@kellenthecleaningkid436]

Could you do a video how you clean a Airbnb

[@fixthishouse3303]

I’ll think about it.

[@krisaamerica2209]

Filled it up all the way, and tank is still low and 0 left. I tried everything, even pulled drawer out and cleaned it and filled it up and started over, still same issue. I pushed severe modes and use knobs, still same issue.

[@fixthishouse3303]

Turn the power button off and then on to reset the “low detergent” message.

[@valeo1508]

We currently don't use the smart dispense. We still get the tank low message.

[@fixthishouse3303]

Is the SmartDispense button (setting) lit up? It shouldn’t read anything (not “Auto, More or Less”).

[@9ixventity]

thank u Nancy

[@marylingarris3610]

I have had to replace this machine after 2 years because I used liquid detergent and the repairman told me liquid detergent gunks up the gears. I will not use liquid detergent as I am tired of replacing washing machines

[@fixthishouse3303]

That’s odd. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@fixthishouse3303]

Are you sure the repairman said liquid detergent or liquid fabric softener? People complain about fabric softener gunking up the drum, I think.

[@marylingarris3610]

@@fixthishouse3303 The repairman told me to use granule Tide or Gain detergent.

[@fixthishouse3303]

Wow, interesting.

[@beckysparacello3189]

I have filled my smart dispense and have washed 6 loads. The soap level in the dispenser drawer has not moved at all!!! So that means my laundry is not being washed correctly

[@fixthishouse3303]

Do you have the Smart Dispense button turned on (Auto, Less, More).? Assuming you have the right button selected, are you washing a lot or a little? I suspect the machine adjusts the detergent amount based on how heavy the load is.

[@beckysparacello3189]

@@fixthishouse3303 yes ma’am it’s on. I I’ll put in on more most of the time. This I put it in less cause it was just two pair of curtains

[@fixthishouse3303]

@@beckysparacello3189 I think I need to do a video of what happens to that detergent compartment when the machine runs.

[@beckysparacello3189]

@@fixthishouse3303 that would be great!! I called GE THIS MORNING. But they are closed till Monday morning.

[@fixthishouse3303]

@Becky Sparacello I’m uploading a video of the inside of the detergent dispensing area now. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXbHo6iVr9Onr6c

[@Ayram9]

Hello - I’m more concerned about the environment than these big appliance corporations are obviously. Liquid detergent is worse for the oceans than powdered, apples to apples re. ingredients. My question is where does one put in the powder and if it’s directly in the washing machine with the clothes, how well does it get mixed in, having so little water spraying in there? Thanks!

[@fixthishouse3303]

The powdered detergent needs to be added to the front of the SmartDispenser compartment for each load of wash. You’ll need to lift the flap in the compartment for powder. Water washes down from above and mixes detergent in with the clothing. I haven’t had a problem with powdered detergents or OxyClean… but the gelatin case of the detergent pods sometimes doesn’t dissolve completely when you add the pod to the drum. Yuck!

[@PhearaXT]

Why can't you use Tide detergent for Smart Dispense?

[@fixthishouse3303]

You can use liquid Tide detergent. It is good, but an expensive brand.

[@ryandean5179]

You’re only supposed to use concentrated detergent in the auto dispenser.

[@RigginTheRod010]

Fabric softener is unhealthy! And it doesn't benefit clothes at all

[@fixthishouse3303]

I started using vinegar recently.

[@natalibenavides6112]

Thank you!

[@kingjesai5556]

Thank you!😎