What E31 Means
E31 means draining took longer than the control allows - the pump is running but the water is leaving too slowly. This belongs to the E-code set on GE front-load washers (the GFW-style machines); the same letters and numbers mean different things on GE top-load machines and on the older GE Profile front-load platform. It is the partial-restriction version of E30 and usually comes down to the filter or the drain path rather than the pump itself.
Common Causes of E31
- Partly blocked pump filter
- Lint or debris restricting the drain hose
- Slow house drain or standpipe
- Drain hose too long or run too high
- Weakening drain pump
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
Clean the drain pump filter behind the lower access door, draining into a tray first. Straighten the drain hose, make sure it is not pushed far down the standpipe, and check the standpipe itself is not partly blocked - a bucket of water poured down it will show how fast it clears. Run a Drain & Spin afterwards. If the filter and hose are clear and E31 returns, the pump is likely weakening.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- None for filter and hose maintenance.
- The parts involved sit inside the cabinet at line voltage, in a machine that may still hold water.
- Damage caused during a repair attempt may not be covered - check your warranty terms first.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.