Introduction
You should read the error codes, if possible, when you are troubleshooting your washer. If you can read the error code, you can likely go to the correct place and save a little time. Not an absolute certainty, but it's often helpful.
The Basics
A super valuable resource is the mini manual that is usually tucked away inside your machine. If you can open the machine up, the manual is often in the control console or inside the main housing. Sometimes, you can find them on top-loaders on the left side of the housing by pushing the basket toward the front and to the right. You can often reach into the left corner of the machine and find the tech sheet. This is your best source for understanding the codes, as it is more specific to your machine. Some front loaders have them.
One bright spot: The codes grow in number, but in many instances, the meaning of a particular code stays the same.
Causes
Data for the top loaders is shown below with some noted distinctions. There aren’t attached pages for the older ones, so make sure you take a look at the information before skipping to the error code lists. We have attached top loader error code pages for 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2018.
Earlier Top Loaders
Reading the codes is complicated by the fact that GE top loaders have a number of different ways of displaying error codes. The early Hydro Wave machines (Early 2000s) simply had an LED on the Motor/Inverter assembly, which blinked with pauses to indicate motor faults. Those codes are reproduced below)
These codes are for Hydro Wave machines(applies to some Profile models, too, with the same drive train). The flashes repeat every 6 seconds per GE service manuals:
1 Flash – >25 sec for the tub to stop
2 Flashes – Belt Slipping, Replace the belt, also clean the pulleys—unexplained oil shows up occasionally.
3 Flashes – Software Problem. Clear it. If it returns, replace the motor
4 Flashes – Mode Shifter Failure
5 Flashes – Motor Problem—Clear it, but replace the motor if the code returns.
6 Flashes – Motor Locked—Remove the belt and attempt to turn the large pulley both ways. If frozen, replace the mode shifter. If free, replace the motor.
7 Flashes – 4 wash cycles without the lid switch being opened. This points to a bad lid switch. Test the lid switch for function; it may have failed in the closed position.
8 Flashes – Overheated Motor—Check as in 6 Flash case.
9 Flashes – Brake Resistor Failed—Clear and test. Replace motor if code returns
10 flashes – On units built after 2010, No communication between the Motor and Timer/Control board. Usually, the timer or Control board is the problem.
Later GE Top Loaders (2006-2009)
Example model numbers: WCRE6270K, WHRE5550K, WJRE5500K, WJRE5550K, WKRE5550K, WPRE6150K, WPRE8150K, WPRE6100, WPRE8100
These machines use a different system combining the motor codes above and an LED display. It also has you step through the possible error codes rather than displaying them. There is also a bit of self-testing functionality.
To retrieve error codes:
- Press and HOLD the Start/Pause Button
- Rotate the Control Knob 180 degrees (8 bumps)
- It may be helpful to set the control knob to a specific spot each time because that spot becomes a reference location for counting detents or stops later; no specific spot is necessary, though.
- Release the Start/Pause Button
- All LEDs should light.
- Consult this chart for the meaning of each position of the knob
Newer GE Top Loaders (2011-)
Newer GE top loaders give you pretty full diagnostic codes and a full battery of functional tests. On many of the tests, if the machine fails the test, it will not go any further, and you will have to clear the error code again. So once you know the code, you should then use the test merely to verify it and start repairing it.
Error Code Lists
GE 31 9188 Top Loader Error Codes And Diagnostics PP35 39 (2009)
- Link to PDF of Code Sheet (GE 31-9188 Ge Top Loader Error Codes and Diagnostics PP35-39 (2009) Same as 31-9145 (10/2006) Models: WPRE6100 WPRE8100 WCRE6270K WHRE5550K WJRE5500K WJRE5550K WKRE5550K WPRE6150K WPRE8150K
31 16852 Yr 2012 GE Top Load DD Washer Mini Service Manual
- Models: GTWS8650DWS/8655DMC GTWN8450DWS/8455DMC GHWN8350DWS/8355DMC GTWN8250DWS/8255DMC GTWN8150DWS/8155DMC GTWN7450DWW
2016 GE Washer Error Codes Binary 7Seg Doc. 31 9254
- Models: HTW200ASK_WW MTW200AMK_WW GTW220ACK_WW HTW240ASK_WW GTW330ASK_WW GTW460ASJ_WW GTW485ASJ_WW GTW485ASJ_WS GTW490ACJ_WW GTW490ACJ_WS GTW680BSJ_WS
31 9281 GE GTW 750 2018 Top Load Error Codes
Other GE Top Loaders using a Direct Drive Motor will have fault codes that are very similar to the front loader fault codes.
A number of different codes are used depending on the age of your machine. Front-loaders have had error codes from the early 2000s.
The front loader error codes show much less variation than the top loaders; you can try a number of things that you find on machines that might not be specifically listed here.
Front loader model numbers vary considerably, but they often contain FW in their leading letter sequence.
We have included test codes for the diagnostic system and the means to enter the diagnostic mode where possible.
Error Code Lists
Here are some error code lists. The original GE manual Part number is included in case you want to try to find further information.
PDF of Early code sheet (2005) (2005 service manual, 31-9135)31 9135 Yr 2005 Front Load Test And Error Codes
- Models: WBVH6240 WCVH6260 WHDVH626
PDF of 2011 Test and Error Codes 31-9218
31 9218 Yr 2011 Test And Error Codes
- Models: PFWS4600L0 PFWS4605L0 PFWS4400L0 PFWS4405L0
GE 2016 Front Load Washer Test and Error Codes 31-9261GE 2016 Front Load Washer Test And Error Codes
- Models: GFWS1705H GFWS1700H GFWN1600J GFWN1300J GFWH1200H GFWN1100H GFW400SCK GFW450SPK GFW450SSK
GE 2017 Front load Mini Manual 31-16932 Washer Mini Manual GFW450SSM31 16932 GE GFW450SSM1WW Washer Mini Manual
- Models: GFW450SPM GFW430SSM GFW400SCM
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