GSW Total Power / Upper Circuit Failure

GSW electric water heater has no hot water at all

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Tripped breaker, Loose wiring at junction box, Tripped high-limit reset, Failed upper element or thermostat

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Turn off the breaker and verify no voltage is present before opening covers.

  • Check breaker: Inspect the electrical panel and reset any tripped breaker. If it trips again immediately, do not force it; investigate further.
  • Verify supply wiring: Remove the top junction box cover on the heater. Tighten wire nuts and terminal screws. Look for burnt insulation.
  • Reset high limit: Press the red reset button on the upper thermostat behind the upper access panel.
  • Test upper element and thermostat: With power off, use a multimeter to check continuity. Replace any open element or thermostat with GSW-compatible parts.
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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Upper Thermostat / ECO
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