What should I check first for GE dishwasher error C8?

Check for debris or another obstruction blocking the detergent cup and clear it.

What usually causes GE dishwasher error C8?

Debris around the detergent cup

C8Low

GE dishwasher error C8

C8 means the detergent cup is blocked.

Symptom
C8
Free checks
3 checks
Most likely cause
Debris around the detergent cup

The 3 free checks

Start at the top. Unplug the machine first.

01
Check for debris or another obstruction blocking the detergent cup and clear it.
02
Keep dishes and utensils clear of the cup when loading, so it can open.
03
Close the dispenser cover, restart the dishwasher, and after 30 seconds check whether the cover has opened.

What causes it

Listed most likely first.

Cause	How often	DIY
Debris around the detergent cup	Most common	Yes
Items loaded so they block the cup from opening	Common	Yes

Before you check anything

Disconnect the power first. Unplug the machine at the socket, or switch off its circuit at the consumer unit if it is hard-wired. Do this before opening any panel, reaching into a pump filter, or moving the appliance.
Turn off the water before disconnecting a hose, and have a towel and a shallow tray ready — a drain hose holds water even when the drum looks empty.
Gas, mains wiring and sealed refrigeration are for a qualified professional — in many countries that is a legal requirement, not advice. If you smell gas, do not touch any switch: leave, and call your gas emergency number from outside.
Stop if you smell burning, see scorched wiring, or find water near an electrical connection. None of those is a code to look up.

The checks on this page are the manufacturer’s own, rewritten and sourced, and they are reference information rather than a repair instruction for your particular machine. Model, age and installation all change what is safe to do. You are the one standing in front of it — if a step looks wrong for the machine you have, trust that and call a technician.