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GE Appliances Washing Machine Error Code E64

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: June 10, 2026
⚠ High Severity 🔧🔧🔧 Advanced DIY

Heater open circuit — heating element has failed

The most common cause of the E64 error on a GE Appliances washing machine is heating element burned through (open circuit) (~65% of cases); start with: test the heating element.

💰 DIY cost: $40–$100 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $200–$380 Save $160+ by doing it yourself
GE Appliances Washing Machine error code E64 on the display panel
How the E64 code appears on a GE Appliances washing machine display

What Does Error Code E64 Mean on a GE Appliances Washing Machine?

Heater open circuit — heating element has failed.

The control board monitors the wash-water heating element's circuit resistance during hot, warm, and sanitize cycles. When it measures an open circuit rather than the expected 20–30 ohms, it fires E64, indicating the element has burned through, its wiring is broken, or the heater relay isn't completing the loop. Unlike E61, which points to a heater that runs but fails to reach temperature, E64 reflects a total loss of electrical continuity, so no heat is produced at all.

Models affected: GE front-load washers with an internal water heating circuit, such as the GFW550SSNWW, GFW650SSNWW, and GFW850SPNRS; top-load models without a heater (e.g. GTW465ASNWW) generally do not report this code
What owners report: Owners commonly report E64 appearing only on hot or sanitize cycles while cold washes run normally, which can make it easy to overlook at first. Before condemning the element, it's worth checking the two heater wires, since a loose or corroded connection sometimes triggers the same code and is a much quicker fix.

What Causes Error Code E64?

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

  1. 1
    Heating element burned through (open circuit) 65% of cases
  2. 2
    Heater wiring harness damaged or disconnected 25% of cases
  3. 3
    Control board heater relay failure 10% of cases

How to Fix GE Appliances Washing Machine Error Code E64

🔧🔧🔧 Advanced DIY Est. time: 1–3 hours
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Test the heating element

    Disconnect the two wires from the heater. Test with a multimeter for continuity. A good heater reads approximately 20–30 ohms. Open circuit = failed heater.

    🔩 Multimeter
  2. 2

    Check wiring to heater

    Inspect both wires leading to the heater for damage, burned insulation, or loose connections.

  3. 3

    Replace the heating element

    The element is typically accessible from under the tub. Follow service manual for your specific model.

    🔩 GE washer heating element ($40–$100)
    ⚠️ Unplug and fully drain the washer before accessing the heater.

How to Reset Error Code E64

After replacing the heating element, unplug for 5 minutes and restart. The code clears after a successful heated cycle.

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

Heating element access requires significant disassembly. Professional service is recommended if you're not experienced.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $200–$380

Related Error Codes

E61
Water temperature too low
⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code E64 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows E64 →

Frigidaire logo
Frigidaire Dryer E64
Heating element failure
Electrolux logo
Electrolux Dryer E64
Heating element failure — open circuit

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
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

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

More GE Appliances Washing Machine Error Codes

E65 Heater relay failure on main control board E71 NTC temperature sensor failure — open circuit E52 Spin speed error — motor not reaching target RPM E43 Drive motor failure E44 Motor speed sensor failure E47 Door lock failure

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my GE Appliances Washing Machine when error E64 appears? +
It is not advisable. The washing machine may still power on, but running it while E64 is active can worsen the heating fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.
What most commonly causes E64 on a GE Appliances Washing Machine? +
Across reported GE Appliances washing machine repairs, the most frequent is heating element burned through (open circuit) (65% of cases), heater wiring harness damaged or disconnected (25%), then control board heater relay failure (10%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
E64 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored E64 fault; if it returns, the heating problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — test the heating element, then check wiring to heater — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is an advanced repair involving deeper disassembly or electrical testing.
How much does it cost to fix GE Appliances Washing Machine error E64? +
A DIY repair typically runs $40–$100 in parts, versus $200–$380 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $160. Expect the work to take 1–3 hours.
Which GE Appliances Washing Machine models show error E64? +
E64 is documented on GE front-load washers with an internal water heating circuit, such as the GFW550SSNWW, GFW650SSNWW, and GFW850SPNRS; top-load models without a heater (e.g. GTW465ASNWW) generally do not report this code. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

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

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