GE GEH50DFEJS, Owner'S Manual

20

49-50300-2  

Troubleshooting

TROUBLESHOOTING

Problem

Possible Causes

What To do

CONTROL PANEL

The heater is beeping 
and the display says F11

The water heater has not 
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powering up.  Powering up 
the heater without water will 
damage the electric heaters.  
The water heater warranty 
does not cover damage 
or failure resulting from 
operation with an empty or 
partially empty tank.

•  Fill the tank completely with water.  Press ENTER to stop the 
alarm and then cycle power when the tank has been filled.
•  If the unit has been confirmed to be filled with water, and an F11 

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indicator due to certain unique environment conditions encountered 
during the start up.  If the unit is full of water, turn the breaker off for 
about 10 minutes to allow the water temperature to stabilize, then 
turn the breaker back on.  If the F11 code persists, schedule GE 
Appliances Service.

The heater is beeping, 
the anode light is on (on 
some models), and the 
display says F16

The anode rod is approach-
ing end of life and it is 
recommended to replace it 
in order to continue to offer 
protection from corrosion. 

•  Call for service or follow the instructions on how to replace the 
anode rod on page 12.  Ensure that the anode depletion sensing 
anode rod or other GE Appliances approved anode rod is installed.  
Installation of an unapproved anode rod will VOID the warranty.

The heater is beeping 
and the display says 
“F17”

The anode rod is not con-
nected properly and the 
water heater may not be 
protected from corrosion.  

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•  If the tank is full of water and the F17 code persists, contact  
GE Appliances service.
•  Press anode button to silence alarm.

The green mode 
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Normal operation

•  In Hybrid Mode and High Demand/Boost Mode, the Electric/

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active. 

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48 hours as an indication that the unit is not operating in the most 

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•  These conditions are normal and do not indicate an operating 
issue.

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effective operation.

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•  

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may be an indication of a sealed system failure.  Contact service.

The heater is beeping 
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“bAdlinE”

Unit is not receiving 240VAC 
as intended

•  Turn off power to water heater (generally at the breaker panel).  
Then read 

Electrical Connections

 section of the Installation 

Instructions, see page 16.  Then contact the installer to verify 
electrical input to the water heater.

The heater is beeping 
and the screen displays 
an error code

Heat pump system issue, 
codes “FA”-“F8”; Control 
or other issue, codes “F9”-
“F23”

•  The water heater may automatically switch to another available 
heating mode to ensure continued availability of hot water. Contact 
service immediately and give them the codes listed on the display 
screen.
•  To quiet the beeping, press either the UP or DOWN arrow button.

OTHER

Water heater makes 
sounds

A fan is used to move air 
through the system

•  Some amount of fan sound is normal.  If you hear an abnormal 

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window A/C), then contact service.

The EEV valve makes click-
ing noises upon power up

•  This is normal.

Unit is not making 
normal sounds

If unit is using electric 
resistance elements, it will 
not make fan or compressor 
sounds.

•  Check mode of unit.

Rumbling noise

Water conditions in your 
home caused a buildup of 
scale or mineral deposits on 
the heating elements

•  Remove and clean the heating elements.  This should only be 

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Water dripping down the 
outside of the heater

Condensate drain is clogged

•  Clear out any debris in the drain port on the unit.

Hot/Cold water connections 
or other parts have loosened

• 

Tighten the loose connections. This should only be done by a 

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Relief valve producing 
popping sound or drain-
ing

Pressure buildup caused 
by thermal expansion to a 
closed system

•  This is an unacceptable condition and must be corrected.  See 

Thermal Expansion

 section on page 14.  Do not plug the relief valve 

outlet.  Contact a plumbing contractor to correct this.

Hot water has a rotten 
egg or sulfur smell

Certain water supplies with 
high sulfate content will react 
with the anode rod that is 
present in all water heaters 
for corrosion protection of 
the tank

•  The odor can be reduced or eliminated in most water heaters 
by replacing the anode rod with less-active material rod.  In some 
cases, an added step of chlorinating the water heater and all hot 
water lines may be necessary, contact your local water professional 
or plumber for options and instructions.  Call 1.888.4GE.HEWH 
(1.888.443.4394) to learn how to purchase this replacement anode 

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of a non-GE Appliances approved anode rod, or operating the water 
heater without a GE Appliances approved anode rod will VOID the 
warranty.