GE's own article for a washer that drips or fills when it is not turned on says the first step is to turn off the water valves on the supply lines so no more water can enter, and that the likely cause is a failed water valve on the back of the washer, which can leak into the tub when the washer is off; the valve or valve assembly usually needs replacing by a technician. The GE manual adds a related, normal behavior: a pump that runs while the washer is not in use means the drain sump detected an undesired water fill level from a potential open faucet; shut off the water valve and inspect it for blockage, and keep the washer updated through the SmartHQ app.
Differential
Likely causes of “GE PFW950 front-load washer fills with water while turned off”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A failed water valve
What separates it Water drips or fills the tub with the washer off
How to confirm Turn off the supply valves; the valve or valve assembly needs replacing
- 2
A blocked or leaking supply valve at the wall
What separates it The drain sump pump runs while the washer is not in use
How to confirm Shut off the water valve and inspect it for blockage
- 3
An out-of-date washer software
What separates it The sump pump runs repeatedly because the washer software is out of date
How to confirm Install the latest updates through the SmartHQ app
- 4
A drain hose pushed too far down the drain
What separates it Water siphons back because the drain hose is pushed too far down the drain
How to confirm No more than 7 in in the drain pipe with an air gap
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether water enters with the washer off and how fast
- Whether the supply valves are on
- Whether the sump pump runs when the washer is idle
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedTurn off both supply valves
ReversibleTurn off both supply valves, and this stops water entering while the washer is not in use.
Check the drain hose
ReversibleNo more than 7 in in the drain pipe and an air gap around it; a snug fit can siphon.
Inspect the supply valve
ReversibleInspect the supply valve, by shutting off the water valve and checking it for a blockage.
Update the washer
ReversibleUpdate the washer, and make sure that you have the latest updates available through the SmartHQ app.
Schedule service for a failed valve
ReversibleSchedule service for a failed valve, since the washer's water valve assembly then needs replacing.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Drain sump behavior
- GE's troubleshooting table describes a pump running while the washer is not in use as normal in one case: the drain sump detects an undesired water fill level, for example from a faucet left partly open, and pumps it out. GE's advice is to shut off the water valve, inspect it for blockage and keep the washer updated. So water that appears and disappears with no cycle is worth tracing to a supply valve before assuming a fault in the washer.
- Installation limit for the drain hose
- GE's installation note says placing the drain hose too far down the drain pipe can cause a siphoning action, that no more than 7 inches of hose should be in the pipe, and that there must be an air gap around it, since a snug fit can also siphon. GE's other article recommends clipping the hose to the side of the standpipe so it does not need to be pushed in so far.
- Parts for this problem on the PFW950 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- water inlet valve, part number WH23X29553, at $97.59.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models GFW850, GFW655, GFW650, GFW550, GFW510, PFQ97, GTW840, GTW725, GTW720, GTW585, GTW525, GTW465, GTW335, GNW128.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If water enters with the washer off, schedule GE repair service
- !If the sump pump runs repeatedly, shut off the water and call service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
GE's own support articles for front-load washers, each.
GE's own support articles for these symptoms.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-20.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my GE washer fill with the power off?+
The water valve on the back of the washer may have failed and leaks into the tub.
Why does the pump run when the washer is not in use?+
GE says the drain sump is detecting an undesired water level from a potential open faucet; shut off the water valve and inspect it.
What should I do first?+
Turn off the water valves on the supply lines.
How far should the drain hose go in the pipe?+
No more than 7 in with an air gap.