GE Washer E42 Error Code: Motor Overcurrent Issues

Quick Answer

The E42 code signals a motor overcurrent fault. I usually check for a locked drum or a failed motor inverter board first. It means the machine stopped because the motor was working too hard or the control board misread the electrical load.

Ignore this one and you're probably looking at a dead motor soon. E42 is the washer's way of saying the motor is working way too hard, and if you keep forcing cycles, you'll burn out the windings for good. I usually show up to these calls and find either a sock jammed behind the drum or a failing bearing that's been grinding for months. Fix the root cause first, then reset.

GeWasherSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate85% DIY Success

Time to Fix

30–90 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

—

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, 1/4 inch nut driver

What Does the E42 Code Mean?

So here's the deal with E42: the board's protecting itself from a short or overload situation. The motor's either physically stuck, or the inverter's gone sideways internally. It's a pretty common code on GE front loaders, especially ones that are 5-7 years old. Usually runs you $0 if it's a stuck item or loose connector, and up to $300 if the motor or control board has actually failed.

Most Likely Causes

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

Main Control Board Failure45%

Drive Motor Short30%

Wiring Issues15%

Mechanical Obstruction10%

Symptoms You May Notice

Door locks mid-cycle and won't release, E42 shows on the display, machine just sits there doing nothing.
You hear a humming or buzzing sound right before the cycle stops, like the motor's trying hard and then just giving up.
Drum won't spin during the spin cycle at all, even though the wash agitation might have been working fine earlier in the same cycle.
The washer starts and stops repeatedly, sometimes clearing and immediately throwing E42 again within the same cycle.
There's a grinding or rumbling noise when you try to spin the drum by hand, especially toward the back of the drum.

Can you reset a Ge washer to clear the E42 code?

Unplug the washer from the wall and leave it unplugged for at least 60 seconds, not just 10 or 15. While it's unplugged, spin the drum by hand to confirm there's no stuck item. Plug it back in and run a Drain and Spin cycle first before trying a full wash. If E42 comes back within a minute of starting, the electrical fault is still there and a reset won't fix it.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriver1/4 inch nut driverFlathead screwdriver for prying panelsDigital multimeterFlashlight or headlampWork gloves

Diagnostic Checklist

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

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range4–8 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a heavy load cause an E42 error?

Yeah, absolutely. A soaking wet king-size comforter or a full load of jeans can create enough resistance that the motor starts pulling too much current. Try pulling out about half the load and restarting. If it runs fine with a smaller load, you've got your answer. Don't pack the drum more than about three-quarters full on heavy items. The machine can handle it sometimes, but if the motor's already marginal, that's what pushes it over the edge.

How do I reset my GE washer after an E42 code?

Hard reset is the way to go. Unplug from the wall for at least 60 seconds. Not 10 seconds, not 30. A full minute. This lets the capacitors on the control board drain down and clears the fault memory. Plug it back in and start with a Drain and Spin cycle, not a full wash. If the code comes back within the first minute, something's still electrically wrong and no amount of resetting will fix it.

Is the E42 code expensive to fix?

Depends on what caused it. Loose wire? Free. Stuck sock? Free. Motor replacement on a GE front loader runs about $120-180 for the part. Control board is usually $150-250. If you're hiring a tech, add another $100-150 in labor. Basically, if the machine's under 8 years old it's worth fixing. Over 10 years and you're getting close to the break-even point where a new machine starts making more sense.

Why does my GE washer only show E42 during the spin cycle?

The spin cycle demands way more torque and current than the wash tumble does. If the motor's starting to weaken or the bearings are getting tight, the board might not catch it during slow agitation but will trip the fault the second it tries to ramp up to high speed. That's also why you'll sometimes get E42 on the final spin but not the initial drain spin, since the final one hits higher RPMs and puts more stress on everything.

How do I know if it's the motor or the control board causing E42?

This is the key question and a multimeter will tell you. Check the motor winding resistance between all three terminal pairs. If you get 4-8 ohms on each, the motor's probably fine and the board is your suspect. If any reading is zero or OL, replace the motor. I replaced three motors last Tuesday that all turned out to be fine, boards on all three were the actual problem. Test before you order parts, because motors and boards cost about the same and you don't want to guess wrong.

Models Known to Experience E42 Errors

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

GFW450SSKWW, GFW490RPK0DG, GFW550SSN0WW, GFW650SSN0WW, GFW850SPNRS, GFWS1700HWW, GFW148SSN1WW, GFW490RPK2DG

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026