GE Appliances Washing Machine Error Code E44

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026

⚠ High Severity 🔧🔧 Moderate DIY

Motor speed sensor failure

The most common cause of the E44 error on a GE Appliances washing machine is speed sensor failure (~65% of cases); start with: test speed sensor.

💰 DIY cost: $20–$55 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $200–$400 Save $180+ by doing it yourself

GE Appliances Washing Machine error code E44 on the display panel — How the E44 code appears on a GE Appliances washing machine display

What Does Error Code E44 Mean on a GE Appliances Washing Machine?

Motor speed sensor failure.

E44 fires when the control board loses valid speed feedback from the motor's tachometer during a cycle. Without that pulse signal the board cannot verify or regulate drum RPM, so it halts or produces erratic agitation and spin. The fault most often points to a degraded tach sensor on the motor or a chafed feedback wire between motor and board. Unlike codes flagging motor overcurrent or driver faults, E44 specifically indicates missing or implausible speed-sensor input rather than a motor or winding failure itself.

Models affected: GE front-load and top-load washers with electronically controlled variable-speed motors, roughly mid-2010s onward

What owners report: Owners commonly report E44 appearing right as the drum tries to ramp up to spin, with clothes left soaking wet. A brief unplug sometimes clears it temporarily, but if it returns the sensor or its wiring harness is the usual culprit; check for chafed leads near the motor before assuming the board has failed.

What Causes Error Code E44?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

1

Speed sensor failure 65% of cases
2

Sensor wiring damaged 25% of cases
3

Control board speed input failure 10% of cases

How to Fix GE Appliances Washing Machine Error Code E44

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min

⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.

1

Test speed sensor

Check resistance per service manual.

🔩 Multimeter
2

Replace sensor

🔩 GE speed sensor ($20–$55)

How to Reset Error Code E44

Unplug the washer for 5 minutes to clear the code, then restart on a spin cycle. If E44 reappears once the drum starts turning, test and replace the motor speed sensor.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Full GE Appliances washer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If new sensor and error persists, control board input failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $200–$400

Related Error Codes

Spin speed error — motor not reaching target RPM

⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code E44 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows E44 →

Frigidaire Washing Machine E44

Control board communications fault

Electrolux Washing Machine E44

Door-closed sensing fault — closure sensor not detected

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your GE Appliances Washing Machine:

🔩

Search PartSelect

GE Appliances Washing Machine repair parts

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Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More GE Appliances Washing Machine Error Codes

E64 Heater open circuit — heating element has failed E61 Water temperature too low E65 Heater relay failure on main control board E71 NTC temperature sensor failure — open circuit E47 Door lock failure

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my GE Appliances Washing Machine when error E44 appears? +

It is not advisable. The washing machine may still power on, but running it while E44 is active can worsen the sensor fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.

What most commonly causes E44 on a GE Appliances Washing Machine? +

Across reported GE Appliances washing machine repairs, the most frequent is speed sensor failure (65% of cases), sensor wiring damaged (25%), then control board speed input failure (10%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.

E44 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +

A reset only clears the stored E44 fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — test speed sensor, then replace sensor — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a moderate job — a multimeter and some disassembly are usually involved.

How much does it cost to fix GE Appliances Washing Machine error E44? +

A DIY repair typically runs $20–$55 in parts, versus $200–$400 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $180. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.

Which GE Appliances Washing Machine models show error E44? +

E44 is documented on GE front-load and top-load washers with electronically controlled variable-speed motors, roughly mid-2010s onward. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

• GE Appliances Support — official manufacturer documentation
• Our editorial & verification policy

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: June 10, 2026.

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