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ErrBase

GE Washer E31 Error Code: Pressure Sensor Fix

Quick Answer

The E31 code means your washer cannot detect how much water is in the drum. I usually find this is caused by a pinched pressure tube or a faulty electronic pressure sensor. Check the small plastic hose for clogs or holes before replacing any parts.

If you ignore an E31, the washer's just gonna sit there. It won't fill, it won't spin, and if it already has water in the drum it'll usually drain and lock up completely. Nine times out of ten it's a $15 plastic tube or a $40 sensor. I've seen people replace the whole control board on this one when they didn't need to, so let's work through it the right way first.

GeWasherSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate88% DIY Success
Time to Fix
20–60 min
Difficulty
intermediate
Parts Cost
$8 – $55
Tools Needed
Phillips #2 screwdriver, 1/4 inch nut driver

What Does the E31 Code Mean?

OK so the E31 is basically the washer saying 'I have no idea how much water is in here and I'm not doing anything.' The control board talks to a pressure sensor through a tiny plastic tube, and if that signal goes weird or silent, the whole machine locks out. It's actually one of the more fixable errors on GE washers and usually doesn't cost a ton to sort out.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Clogged or pinched pressure tube50%
Faulty pressure sensor35%
Wiring harness issues10%
Main control board failure5%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • Machine starts filling, gets maybe an inch or two of water in the drum, then just stops cold and throws the code on the display.
  • Drain pump kicks on immediately when you hit Start even on a completely empty tub, because the board assumes it might be overfull and needs to drain first.
  • Washer fills all the way up but then skips agitation entirely and jumps straight to drain, which means it sensed something but the reading was off.
  • You hear the fill valve clicking on and off in short rapid bursts like the machine can't make up its mind about the water level.
  • Display shows E31 and won't let you select or start any cycle no matter what buttons you press.

Can you reset a Ge washer to clear the E31 code?

Unplug the washer from the wall, don't just power it off at the controls. Hold the Start button down for 10 seconds to bleed the residual charge off the board. Wait a full five minutes. Plug it back in and immediately select a Drain and Spin cycle. If the code doesn't come back during that cycle, you're clear. If it does, the reset didn't fix it and you've got a hardware problem to track down.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriver1/4 inch nut driverDigital multimeterNeedle-nose pliersElectrical contact cleanerFlashlight or headlampSmall flathead screwdriver

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range4.75–5.25 VDC
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name
Pressure Sensor / Transducerundefined · $20–$55
Pressure Switch Hoseundefined · $8–$25

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I blow into the GE pressure sensor to test it?
Don't blow directly into the sensor housing. These are electronic frequency transducers, not the old-style mechanical pressure switches, and there's a little rubber diaphragm inside that you can actually rupture with too much force. What you can do is disconnect the plastic tube from the sensor port, then blow gently through the tube toward the tub port to clear any crud out of the chamber. That's totally fine. Just don't put your mouth directly on the sensor's port itself.
Where is the pressure sensor located on a GE washer?
On most GE top-loaders and front-loaders, it's under the top panel toward the back-right corner. It's a small round plastic component, maybe the size of a quarter, with a thin hose going down to the tub and a wire connector plugging into the top. Takes about five minutes to reach once you've got the top panel slid back. On some front-load GFW series models it's positioned slightly differently but still accessible from the top or back panel.
Why does my washer drain as soon as I turn it on with E31?
That's the control board doing exactly what it's supposed to do. If it doesn't know the water level, it plays it safe and assumes there might already be water in the drum. So it runs the drain pump first before it'll do anything else, which makes sense from a flood-prevention standpoint. The frustrating part is if the sensor is completely dead, it'll drain and then lock up again because it still can't verify the tub is actually empty.
Does a clogged drain cause the E31 code?
Usually a drain clog shows up as an E22 or a long-drain timeout error instead. But here's a weird edge case I've actually seen twice: if water can't drain and sits in the pressure tube system long enough to leave a mineral or soap scum deposit, it can lock that air column in place and make the sensor think the water level never changed. So indirectly, a long-term drain problem can contribute to an E31. Clear the drain, clean out the pressure chamber port, and see if that clears it.
How much does it cost to fix an E31 on a GE washer?
If it's just the pressure tube, that part is under $20 and takes maybe 15 minutes to swap out yourself. The pressure sensor runs $35 to $55 depending on your model and is pretty easy DIY if you're comfortable pulling the top panel. If it turns out to be the main control board, you're looking at $150 to $250 for the part alone. A tech doing the full sensor swap with labor usually lands around $150 to $200 all in. Worth trying the tube and sensor first before anyone mentions the word 'board.'

Models Known to Experience E31 Errors

This repair applies to most Ge washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

GTW685BSLWS, GTW720BSNWS, GFW550SSNWW, GFW650SSNWW, GTW460ASJ5WW, GTW500ASNWS, GFW850SPNRS

MS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026