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GE Appliances Washing Machine Error Code E71

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

NTC temperature sensor failure — open circuit

The most common cause of the E71 error on a GE Appliances washing machine is thermistor burned out (~70% of cases); start with: test thermistor.

💰 DIY cost: $15–$40 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $150–$280 Save $135+ by doing it yourself
GE Appliances Washing Machine error code E71 on the display panel
How the E71 code appears on a GE Appliances washing machine display

What Does Error Code E71 Mean on a GE Appliances Washing Machine?

NTC temperature sensor failure — open circuit.

The control board monitors resistance across the NTC thermistor, which should fall as water warms. When it reads an open circuit — effectively infinite resistance instead of the expected 6k–12k ohms at room temperature — it logs E71 and disables the heating function to avoid running the element without temperature feedback. This distinguishes E71 from a shorted or out-of-range sensor reading; here the board sees no continuity at all, pointing to a burned-out thermistor, an unplugged connector, or a broken wire in the sensor harness.

Models affected: GE front-load washers with a heating circuit and water-temperature sensor, such as the GFW550SSNWW, GFW650SSNWW, and GFW850SPNRS series
What owners report: Owners commonly report E71 appearing on cycles that call for heated or warm water, sometimes mid-wash, while cold cycles may run normally. A loose or corroded connector at the sensor is a frequent false trigger, so reseating it is often the quick win before replacing the part.

What Causes Error Code E71?

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

  1. 1
    Thermistor burned out 70% of cases
  2. 2
    Thermistor connector disconnected 20% of cases
  3. 3
    Wiring fault to thermistor 10% of cases

How to Fix GE Appliances Washing Machine Error Code E71

🔧🔧 Moderate DIY Est. time: 30–60 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Test thermistor

    Disconnect and test resistance with multimeter. Room temperature reading should be approximately 6k–12k ohms.

    🔩 Multimeter
  2. 2

    Check connector

    Reseat connector firmly at the thermistor mounting.

  3. 3

    Replace thermistor

    Install new thermistor and ensure it's properly clipped to the heater or drum housing.

    🔩 GE washer thermistor ($15–$40)

How to Reset Error Code E71

After repair, unplug 1 minute and restart.

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 thermistor is new and tests correctly but error persists, control board sensor input has failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150–$280

Related Error Codes

E64
Heater open circuit — heating element has failed
⚠ High Severity

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

E61 Water temperature too low E65 Heater relay failure on main control board 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 E71 appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the sensor issue behind E71 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes E71 on a GE Appliances Washing Machine? +
Across reported GE Appliances washing machine repairs, the most frequent is thermistor burned out (70% of cases), thermistor connector disconnected (20%), then wiring fault to thermistor (10%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
E71 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored E71 fault; if it returns, the sensor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — test thermistor, then check connector — 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 E71? +
A DIY repair typically runs $15–$40 in parts, versus $150–$280 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $135. Expect the work to take roughly 30–60 minutes.
Which GE Appliances Washing Machine models show error E71? +
E71 is documented on GE front-load washers with a heating circuit and water-temperature sensor, such as the GFW550SSNWW, GFW650SSNWW, and GFW850SPNRS series. 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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