Why does my dishwasher make a humming/constant running noise when not actually running?

My dishwasher makes a humming noise after it has completed it's cycle (it beeps a couple times when it is done running, and also has a light on the top that signals the dishes are clean). This noise is continuous, not very loud, but I am just wondering how much energy it is wasing with whatever it is doing. I have a friend with almost exactly the same GE Profile dishwasher, and it does the same thing. Unit is only 2 years old, and has made this noise since day 1. I usually end up leaving the unit part way open since that prevents it from making the noise. If I leave it closed it makes the noise for hours, I am not sure it will ever actually stop. reading the manual helps, it explains that this dishwasher even though it finishes, beeps, and lights up that it is finished continues to run a 'high efficiency' fan for 30mins to 4 hours later. It also says press a key on the keypad to stop it, however that does NOT work...

Public Comments

1. There is a heat cycle to dry your dishes, there might be a fan circulating air depending on the model.
2. The squirrels are begging for food. Feed them and the sound will stop.
3. if this is only two years old, i would contac the manufacturer. no.1 they arent suppose to do that that means there is a relay that is not shutting off. the machine thinks it is still in operation mode. if i was you i would leave that door partially open to cause if you shut it all the time it burn out your motor eventually ...keep on the manufacturer as a ia sure they have complaints about this. they need to make it right.
4. I think Titan is correct.
5. If it drying, you should have a setting to turn it off to save energy. If it is two years old, your warranty has probably expired.
6. It could be the transformer on the control board. The transformer would be energized whether or not the machine is running. It would not burn any more electricity than if it wouldn't be humming but it could indicate that the control may be going bad.