GE electric water heater with electronic control displays E1 and does not heat.

Safety: Turn OFF power at the breaker and verify no voltage at the heater terminals.

Steps to address E1:

• Remove upper access cover: Take off the insulation and plastic shield to expose the upper element and thermostat.
• Check ECO reset: Press the red reset button on the upper thermostat firmly. A click indicates it was tripped.
• Inspect wiring: Tighten any loose screws on the thermostat and element terminals. Look for burned wires and replace if needed.
• Test upper element: Disconnect one wire from the element and measure resistance across the element terminals. A typical 4500 W element should read around 10–13 Ω. Infinite resistance indicates a failed element.
• Replace faulty parts: Replace the upper heating element if open. If the element is good but E1 persists, the electronic thermostat/control may be defective.
• Refill tank before powering: If you replaced an element, ensure the tank is completely full of water and all air is purged from hot water taps before restoring power.