HE
What code HE means on a GE dishwashers, what causes it, and which part to check first.
● SEVERITY: HIGH
GE HE means: Heater circuit failure — no continuity through heating element. The documented cause is: Heating element burned out(common) — The in-sump heating element has developed an open circuit. Water will not reach sanitizing temperature.
What HE means
Heater circuit failure — no continuity through heating element
The display shows HE and the machine stops until the fault is cleared.
What the technical documentation says
Causes documented in the technical source published by easybear-appliancerepair.com
| DOCUMENTED CAUSE OR CHECK |
|---|
| Heating element burned out(common) — The in-sump heating element has developed an open circuit |
| Water will not reach sanitizing temperature |
| Heater wiring connection failure(occasional) — The wire terminal connection at the heating element has corroded or loosened from heat cycling |
| Control board heater relay failure(rare) — The relay on the main board that powers the heating element has failed open |
| Professional Repair |
| Estimated Cost |
| Repair Time |
Replacement parts
Tools you'll need
Before you open anything
Unplug the machine and close the water tap before removing any panel. The heating element and the wash water can stay hot long after the cycle ends.
What to check, in order
From the quickest check to the one that needs a technician.
Find a specialist
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Frequently asked questions
What does HE mean on a GE?
Heater circuit failure — no continuity through heating element The documented cause is: Heating element burned out(common) — The in-sump heating element has developed an open circuit. Water will not reach sanitizing temperature. · Heater wiring connection failure(occasional) — The wire terminal connection at the heating element has corroded or loosened from heat cycling. · Control board heater relay failure(rare) — The relay on the main board that powers the heating element has failed open. · Professional Repair · Estimated Cost · Repair Time
Can I fix HE myself?
It depends on the part involved: Heating element burned out(common) — The in-sump heating element has developed an open circuit. Water will not reach sanitizing temperature. · Heater wiring connection failure(occasional) — The wire terminal connection at the heating element has corroded or loosened from heat cycling. · Control board heater relay failure(rare) — The relay on the main board that powers the heating element has failed open. · Professional Repair · Estimated Cost · Repair Time Clearing a filter or straightening a hose is within reach of anyone; anything behind a panel means mains electricity and water together — that is a job for a technician.
Does GE use other codes on this appliance?
Yes: we document 30 other codes for GE on this dishwashers. They are listed at the bottom of this page, each with its own meaning.
Does the same code mean the same thing on other brands?
Often not. The same two characters can point to completely different faults depending on the manufacturer — always check the page for your own brand.