GE washer error codes: what they mean and what to check
By Wayne, authorized GE service representative, Etobicoke. Updated September 13, 2026.
The GE washer codes GE's own support site documents, what each one means, the safe check for each, and when an Etobicoke washer needs Wayne on site.
What the codes on a GE washer are telling you
A code on a GE washer display is the control reporting one condition it detected, and on most models it is a condition you can act on. GE’s support site says that 2017 and newer electronic control washers use a Consumer Help Indicator that communicates simple remedies you can perform without calling for service. The codes in the table below are the ones GE documents on its support pages. Codes not listed here are not documented by GE for the public, and Wayne reads those from the service diagnostics on site.
Verified GE washer codes
The meanings and actions in this table are taken from GE’s support pages for the Consumer Help Indicator, the top load display and status lights, and the H2O Supply error.
| Code or light | Meaning per GE | Safe check | When to call |
|---|---|---|---|
| dE or E2 | Lid is open, or was opened during the cycle | Close the lid and restart | Lid is closed and the code stays |
| UE | Load is unbalanced | Redistribute the laundry evenly, confirm the washer is level | Every load triggers it even when balanced |
| Spin or Spin and Rinse light blinking | Out of balance condition detected | Redistribute the load and run a Drain and Spin cycle | Repeats with balanced loads |
| H2O SUPPLY, IE, or Wash and Rinse lights blinking | Water not entering the washer | Confirm both supply valves are fully open, check for a kinked fill hose | Valves are open and water still does not enter |
| FE | Water has reached a critical level | Turn off the water and the power to the washer | Call right away. Do not run another cycle |
| CAnCELEd scrolling | Machine paused longer than 24 hours or stopped because of errors | Wait 4 minutes for the lockout, then start a new cycle | Returns on the next cycle |
| Lid or Lid Locked light | Three cycles started without the lid being opened | Open the lid, close it, and start a new cycle | Light stays after opening and closing |
GE’s support site also notes that the H2O SUPPLY condition triggers a 3 or 4 minute lockout on 2015 and newer models, and that the washer runs its drain pump for 4 minutes as a protection against overfilling. Wait the lockout out rather than repeatedly pressing start.
Two codes that need a technician
FE is the one code on a GE washer that should not be reset and retried. It means the control saw water above the level it expects, and the likely causes are a water valve that is stuck open or a pressure sensor that is not reading. Shut the supply valves, turn off the breaker, and call. A washer that keeps filling can flood a laundry closet in a Long Branch or Mimico condo before the hallway drain catches it.
A lid or lid lock code that stays after the lid has been opened and closed points to a failed lid switch or lock assembly. The washer will not spin without it, and the part is tested and replaced with the cabinet open, which is not a home repair.
Codes that are really about the load or the floor
UE and the blinking spin light are common on GE washers, and often do not need a part. A single heavy item, a load that is too small, or a washer that rocks on an uneven basement floor will all trigger an out of balance stop. GE’s advice is to redistribute the load and make sure the washer is level. Twist the levelling feet until the washer does not rock corner to corner, then run a spin cycle with a mixed load.
If a levelled washer still stops on every load, the suspension rods or dampers may have worn, and that is a service call.
Codes you may see that GE does not publish
GE’s public support pages do not document every code a GE washer can display. Some codes only appear in the service diagnostics that a technician enters from the control panel. If your washer shows a code that is not in the table above, write it down along with the model number from the label inside the lid or on the back, and pass it on when you book. Wayne reads the stored fault history on site, which often shows more than the one code on the display.
What not to do
Do not remove the back or the top of the washer to reach the water valve or the pressure sensor. Do not run a washer showing FE to see if it happens again. Do not force a locked lid open. The lock releases when the control is reset or the power is cycled.
When to call Wayne
Call when a code stays after the safe check, when FE appears at all, or when the washer stops on every load after levelling. Book GE washer repair in Etobicoke or use the request-a-visit form. Wayne confirms every booking himself, usually the evening before. Phone (416) 329-1415.