GE electric water heater displays E4 and will not heat; ECO trips repeatedly.

Safety: Turn OFF power at the breaker immediately. Do not reset repeatedly without finding the cause.

Steps to address E4:

• Check water temperature: Run hot water at a faucet and verify if it is excessively hot (over 140°F). If so, leave power off until repaired.
• Inspect thermostats: Remove upper and lower access panels. Check that thermostats are set to a safe temperature (120°F recommended). Replace any thermostat that does not open when temperature is reached.
• Test elements for ground fault: With power off and wires removed, measure resistance from each element terminal to the tank (ground). Any measurable resistance indicates a grounded element that must be replaced.
• Check for dry-firing: If an element was recently replaced, confirm the tank was fully filled before power was applied. A dry-fired element must be replaced.
• Reset ECO: After correcting the fault, press the red reset button on the upper thermostat and restore power. Monitor temperature closely.

Warning: Persistent overtemperature conditions are dangerous and should be evaluated by a professional if you are unsure.