April 19, 2023

GE GTW top-load washer error codes

GE

These error code explanations can help you diagnose a problem with your GE GTW model top-load washer. Error codes blink on the washer’s digital display when the control detects a problem or part failure. The washer stops and won’t respond until you fix or replace the failed part. When an error code appears on your washer:

  1. Match the error code with the code in the chart below.

  2. Make sure that the condition listed with the error code is the same as the symptom(s) shown by your GE GTW top-load washer.

  3. Read the DIY advice to learn how to troubleshoot the issue and determine the problem part.

  4. Follow repair guide instructions (if listed) to fix the broken part.

For repair how-to help, visit the repair help section, which includes troubleshooting and repair advice for washing machines, other major appliances, lawn and garden equipment, garage door openers, vacuum cleaners and more.

Error Code
Condition
DIY advice
1

Basket spins with the lid unlocked

Check/Repair

This code can appear if you spin the basket by hand. If the code appears during the spin portion of a cycle, unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the lid lock/switch and the electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires and replace the wire harness if it’s damaged. If the wire harness connections are okay, replace the lid lock/switch assembly.

Possible parts
Lid lock/switch assembly, wire harness
2

Lid lock/switch failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connections between the lid lock/switch and the electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires and replace the wire harness if it’s damaged. If the wire harness connections are okay, replace the lid lock/switch assembly.

Possible parts
Lid lock/switch assembly, wire harness
3

Locked motor

Check/Repair

Make sure the washer isn’t overloaded. Pull some clothes out and restart the cycle. For future loads, fill the basket loosely. If you didn’t overload the washer, unplug the washer and manually rotate the spin basket to check for binding or resistance. If the spin basket doesn’t rotate smoothly, there may be an item stuck between the spin basket and the outer tub. A damaged spin bearing also will prevent the spin basket from spinning freely. Have a service technician complete this repair because it requires taking the washer apart completely. If the spin basket rotates smoothly, a problem with the drive motor or start capacitor could be causing the error code. Loose or broken motor wires could prevent the drive motor from rotating. Check the wire harness connections between the electronic control board and the drive motor. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if it's damaged. Have a service technician examine the washer and test the capacitor and motor to accurately determine which parts need replacing.

Possible parts
Drive motor, start capacitor
4

Electronic control board reset its software

Check/Repair

This code can appear when exiting the service diagnostics mode or on power up. No problem is being detected. The code appears to indicate that software was reset.

Possible parts
5 or 10

Mode shifter failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connection between the electronic control board and the mode shifter. Reconnect any loose wires and repair any broken wires. If the wires are okay, check the resistance through the mode shifter using a multimeter. The meter should measure about 5,700 ohms through the mode shifter. Replace the mode shifter if the meter measures infinite resistance or near 0 ohms.

Possible parts
Mode shifter
6

Water overflow error

Check/Repair

Check to see if the tub fills with water when the power cord is unplugged. If it does, then an inlet water valve is leaking—replace the inlet water valve assembly. If the tub doesn’t fill with water when you unplug the washer, check the air hose between the bottom of the tub and the connection on the electronic control board. Reconnect the air hose if it’s loose. Replace the air hose if it’s pinched, punctured or damaged. If the air hose is okay, replace the electronic control board (the water level sensor is a component of the electronic control board).

Possible parts
Inlet water valve assembly, electronic control board
8

Water level pressure sensor failure

Check/Repair

If the washer isn’t filling when this code appears, make sure that water supply faucets for the washer are open. If the water supply valves are open, move the washer forward and unplug the power cord. Shut off the water supply faucets and disconnect the water supply hoses from the back of the washer. Check the inlet water valve screens for deposits. Replace the inlet water valves if their inlet water screens are clogged with deposits. Don’t try to clean the screens because debris can get into the valve, causing it to leak even when closed and potentially causing a flood in your house. If the inlet water screens are clear, place the ends of the water supply hoses in a bucket and briefly open the water supply faucets to see if water flows through the water supply hoses. Check the hoses for clogs if water doesn’t flow through the supply hoses. If water flows through the supply hoses, remove the top cover and check the wire harness connections between the control board and the inlet water valves. Reconnect any loose wires. If the wiring connections are okay, then you’ll likely need to replace the inlet water valves. If the washer fills when this code appears, unplug the washer and then check the air hose between the bottom of the tub and the connection on the electronic control board. Reconnect the air hose if it’s loose. Replace the air hose if it’s pinched, punctured or otherwise damaged. If the air hose is okay, replace the electronic control board (the water level sensor is a component of the electronic control board).

Possible parts
Inlet water valve assembly, pressure switch air hose, electronic control board
9

Lid switch error

Check/Repair

The electronic control board detects that the washer lid hasn’t been opened for 3 consecutive cycles. Don’t run more than 2 consecutive cycles without opening the lid. If you open the lid after every cycle or every other cycle and this code still appears, unplug the washer and check the lid lock/switch assembly wiring. If the wiring connections are okay, then you’ll likely need to replace the lid lock/switch assembly because it isn’t detecting the lid being opened.

Possible parts
Lid lock/switch assembly
11

AC power is not 60 Hz

Check/Repair

This code appears when power supply frequency is not 60 Hz. Check with your power company regarding the power supply.

Possible parts
12, 20 or 21

Water overflow error

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and then check the air hose between the bottom of the tub and the connection on the electronic control board. Reconnect the air hose if it’s loose. Replace the air hose if it’s pinched, punctured or otherwise damaged. If the air hose is okay, replace the electronic control board (the water level sensor is a component of the electronic control board). Check to see if the tub fills with water when the power cord is unplugged. If it does, then an inlet water valve is leaking—replace the inlet water valve assembly.

Possible parts
Inlet water valve assembly, water level pressure switch air hose, electronic control board
13, 14, 23 or 24

Lid lock/switch failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the lid lock/switch assembly wiring. If the wiring connections are okay, then you’ll likely need to replace the lid lock/switch assembly.

Possible parts
Lid lock/switch assembly
15

Thermistor (temperature sensor) failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connection between the thermistor and the electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires. If the wiring harness connections are okay, replace the thermistor.

Possible parts
Thermistor
16

Not draining

Check/Repair

Check the washer drain for a clog. Check the drain hose for a kink or restriction. Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connection between the electronic control board and the drain pump. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the drain pump doesn't run when activated, replace it.

Possible parts
Drain pump
17

Basket won’t spin at the start of a wash cycle

Check/Repair

The control expects to detect dry garments loaded in the washer at the start of a wash cycle. Don’t load the washer with wet garments. This code also appears if water is still in the tub when you start a new wash cycle. Drain water from the tub and then start the wash cycle. If this code appears when the tub is empty and a dry load is in the basket, open the lid and manually rotate the spin basket to check for binding or resistance. If the spin basket doesn’t rotate smoothly, check for an item stuck between the basket and tub. If you find no item between the basket and tub, have a service technician examine and repair the washer.

Possible parts
18

Not draining

Check/Repair

Check the washer drain for a clog. Check the drain hose for a kink or restriction. Unplug the washer and check the wire harness connection between the electronic control board and the drain pump. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if damaged. If the drain pump doesn't run when activated, replace it.

Possible parts
Drain pump
19

Washer paused for more than 24 hours or water in the tub while the washer is off

Check/Repair

Restart a paused cycle within 24 hours. Promptly remove wet laundry from the washer so the tub won’t fill with water when the washer is off. If the tub fills with water while the washer is empty and turned off, then an inlet water valve may be leaking. Check to see if the tub fills with water when the power cord is unplugged. If it does, then an inlet water valve is leaking—replace the inlet water valve assembly.

Possible parts
Inlet water valve assembly
22

Can’t balance the dry load to start the cycle

Check/Repair

Redistribute the load and start the cycle again. If the code reappears, empty the spin basket and unplug the washer. Open the lid and manually rotate the spin basket to check for binding or resistance. If the spin basket doesn’t rotate smoothly, there may be an item stuck between the spin basket and the outer tub. If you don't find an item between the spin basket and tub, have a service technician examine and repair the washer. If the basket spins smoothly, check the wire harness connection between the motor and the electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires.

Possible parts
25

Control detects water level drop when the washer isn’t draining

Check/Repair

Check the drain hose for proper installation. An improperly installed drain hose can allow water to siphon out of the washer during the cycle. Follow the washer installation instructions to correctly install the drain hose if it isn’t installed properly. Unplug the washer and check the air hose between the bottom of the tub and the connection on the electronic control board. Reconnect the air hose if it’s loose. Replace the air hose if it’s pinched, punctured or damaged. Check for leaks from the washer tub. Replace the tub if it’s damaged.

Possible parts
Water level pressure switch air hose, washer tub
26 or 31

Out of balance during the final spin

Check/Repair

Redistribute the load, and run the drain and spin cycle. If the code reappears, check that all four leveling legs have full contact with the floor. To check, place your hands on the corners of the washer and try to rock it slightly from side to side. If the washer rocks, adjust the legs. If the washer doesn’t rock, empty the spin basket and unplug the washer. Open the lid and manually rotate the spin basket to check for binding or resistance. If the spin basket doesn’t rotate smoothly, check for an item stuck between the spin basket and the outer tub. If you don't find an item stuck between the basket and tub, have a service technician examine and repair the washer. If the basket spins smoothly, check the wire harness connection between the motor and the electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires.

Possible parts
27

Lid has been open more than 15 minutes with water in the tub

Check/Repair

If you pause a cycle, close the lid and restart the cycle within 15 minutes to avoid this error code. Using a cycle with the no-spin option selected can cause the error code because water from wet garments will drip down into the tub after the cycle ends. Use the rinse, drain and spin cycle to remove water after running a cycle with the No Spin option selected. If the tub isn’t filled with water when you see this code, the water level pressure switch may not be detecting water level accurately. Unplug the washer and check the air hose between the bottom of the tub and the connection on the electronic control board. Reconnect the air hose if it’s loose. Replace the air hose if it’s pinched, punctured or damaged. If the air hose is okay, replace the electronic control board (the water level sensor is a component of the electronic control board).

Possible parts
Electronic control board
29

Excessive suds caused the cycle to stop

Check/Repair

Excessive suds prevent the washer from draining during the cycle so the cycle stops and displays this error code. Let the suds dissipate, then finish running the rinse, drain and spin to finish the cycle. Use the right amount of HE (high efficiency) detergent to avoid excessive suds during the cycle.

Possible parts
HE detergent
30

Stuck key on the control panel

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the wire harness between the user interface control and the electronic control board. Replace the wire harness if damaged. If the wire harness is okay, replace the user interface control. If the problem continues, replace the electronic control board.

Possible parts
Wire harness, user interface control, electronic control board
32

Can’t unlock the lid

Check/Repair

Unplug the washer and check the lid lock/switch assembly wiring. If the wiring connections are okay, then you’ll likely need to replace the lid lock/switch assembly.

Possible parts
Lid lock/switch assembly

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