Washing machine error codes
An error code tells you which part of the machine failed its self-check. It does not always name the broken part, so we test before replacing anything. Choose your make and enter the code, and the finder will tell you what it means, whether it is something you can check at home, and when it is a job for an engineer. If you would prefer to speak to us and get some advice, just give us a call. We're always happy to help.
- £75 fixed labour fee, plus parts
- Usually repaired the same or next working day
- Parts and labour guaranteed
Look up your code
How to read an error code
A code points to a circuit that failed a check, not necessarily to a broken part. The "not draining" codes (Hotpoint F05, Bosch E18, Samsung 5C, Beko E03, AEG E20, LG OE) are the most common of all and usually mean a blocked filter. Door codes often clear when the door is shut properly. Motor, heater and control board codes need testing with a meter.
To reset most machines, switch off at the wall, unplug it, wait two minutes and plug it back in. If the code comes straight back, the fault is still there.
When to stop. If a code comes with a burning smell, a hot plug, buzzing, or a trip switch that keeps going, do not reset the machine again. Switch it off and ring us.
Error codes by make
The codes for each make, what they mean and what to do. Go to your make:
SamsungLGBosch, Siemens and NeffHotpoint and IndesitAEG, Zanussi and ElectroluxHoover and CandyMieleBekoHaier
Samsung
| Code | What it means | What to do | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4C / 4E / E1 | Water not coming in | Check the tap is on, the fill hose is not kinked, and the small mesh filter where the hose meets the machine is clean. | Check at home |
| 4C2 / 4E2 | Water temperature problem | Check the fill hose is on the cold tap, not the hot. | Check at home |
| 5C / 5E | Not draining | Clear the debris filter at the bottom front and check the drain hose. Checks → | Check at home |
| dC / dE / dC1 / dE1 | Door open, or a door-lock fault | Shut the door properly. If it keeps coming back, the latch, the hinge or the wiring is usually the cause. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| ddC | The Add Door was opened without pausing | Press start to carry on. | Check at home |
| UB / UE | Unbalanced load | Spread the load out, or add a few items; check the machine is level. Checks → | Check at home |
| OC / OE / OF | Overfilled | Switch off and restart. If it comes back, the water-level sensor or the inlet valve needs testing. | Check, then ring us |
| LC / LE | Leak, or a drain-hose problem | Check the drain hose. If there is water under the machine, switch it off at the wall and at the tap. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| 3C / 3E | Motor | The motor circuit has failed its check. We test the motor, its carbon brushes and the wiring, and replace whichever part has failed. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
| HC / HE | Heating | The heater or its circuit has failed its check. We test the element and the temperature sensor and replace the faulty part. | Needs an engineer |
| 1C / 1E | Water-level sensor | The sensor that measures the water level has failed its check. We test the sensor and the small hose that feeds it, which can block, and clear or replace whichever is at fault. | Needs an engineer |
| 8C / 8E | Sensor | A sensor has failed its check. We find which one with a meter and replace it. | Needs an engineer |
| AC / AE / AC6 / AE6 | Board communication or inverter fault | Switch off at the wall for two minutes and try again. If it comes back, it is a job for an engineer. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| UC / 9C1 / 9E1 | Low mains voltage | Check the supply. The machine should not be on an extension lead or sharing a circuit with another heavy appliance. | Check, then ring us |
| PC / PE | Clutch | The clutch between the motor and the drum has failed its check. We test it and replace it if needed. | Needs an engineer |
LG
| Code | What it means | What to do | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE | Not enough water coming in | Check the tap is on, the fill hose is not kinked and the inlet filter is clean. | Check at home |
| OE | Not draining | Clean the filter and check the drain hose. Checks → | Check at home |
| UE | Unbalanced load | Redistribute the load and check the machine is level. Checks → | Check at home |
| dE / dE1 / dE2 | Door will not lock | Close the door firmly and clear anything caught in the latch. If it persists, it is a job for an engineer. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| LE | Motor locked or overloaded | Leave it for 30 minutes, then restart with a smaller load. If it comes back, it is a job for an engineer. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| CE | Too much current | Unplug the machine for ten seconds. If it comes back, it is a job for an engineer. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| PF | Power failure during the cycle | Restart the programme. | Check at home |
| SUD | Too many suds | Let the cycle finish and use less detergent next time. | Check at home |
| CL | Child lock on | Hold the child-lock button for three seconds. | Check at home |
Bosch, Siemens and Neff
Siemens and Neff machines are made by the same company and use the same codes.
| Code | What it means | What to do | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| E18 | Not pumping out: a blocked pump or a kinked or blocked hose | Clean the pump filter at the bottom front and check the drain hose is not kinked. Checks → | Check at home |
| E16 | Door not locked, often because clothing is caught | Open the door, clear the seal and the catch, close it firmly. Checks → | Check at home |
| E23 | Leak, or water in the base tray (Aqua Stop) | Turn off the tap. The leak-protection system has found water in the base of the machine. We find the leak, repair it and dry the base out. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
| E33 | Too much foam | Use less detergent. | Check at home |
| Tap symbol | Water supply | Check the tap is on and the hose is not kinked. | Check at home |
Hotpoint and Indesit
Machines without a display show these codes as combinations of flashing lights. Indesit is the same family; the codes below are the ones Hotpoint publishes.
| Code | What it means | What to do | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| F01 | Circuit board | Unplug the machine for two minutes and try again. If it comes back, it is a job for an engineer. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| F02 | Motor circuit (the drum will not turn) | The motor circuit has failed its check. We test the motor, its carbon brushes and the wiring, and replace whichever part has failed. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
| F03 | Temperature sensor | The temperature sensor has failed its check. We test it and replace it if needed. It is an inexpensive part. | Needs an engineer |
| F05 | Waste pipe blocked or a pump fault (water left in, door stuck) | Clean the filter and check the drain hose. Usually a blocked filter. Checks → | Check at home |
| F06 | Door lock. Hotpoint links this code to the safety recall | Clear the door and the catch. Then check your model against the door-lock recall before anything else. Machines sold between October 2014 and February 2018 may be affected. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| F07 | Board or heating circuit | The heating circuit or the control board has failed its check. We test the heater first, because it is the cheaper part, and only then the board. | Needs an engineer |
| F08 | Heater | The heater has failed its check. We test the element and its wiring and replace the heater if needed. | Needs an engineer |
| F09 | Software | The control board has a software fault. We check the board and its connections. On some models it can be reset; otherwise the board has to be replaced. | Needs an engineer |
| F11 | Pump circuit | The pump circuit has failed its check. We test the pump and its wiring and replace the pump if needed. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
| F12 | Control fault (will not turn on) | The control board is not communicating with the display. We check the connections and the board. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
| F13 | Dryer temperature sensor (washer-dryers) | On a washer-dryer, the dryer's temperature sensor has failed its check. We test it and replace it if needed. | Needs an engineer |
| F15 | Heater control | The heater control has failed its check. We test the heater, its relay and the control board. | Needs an engineer |
| F18 | Internal data error | Unplug the machine for two minutes. | Check, then ring us |
AEG, Zanussi and Electrolux
Machines without a display give the same codes as a number of beeps or flashes.
| Code | What it means | What to do | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| E10 / C1 (1 beep) | Water supply restricted | Check the tap is on, the fill hose is not kinked and the inlet filter is clean. | Check at home |
| E20 / C2 (2 beeps) | Not draining | Clean the filter and check the drain hose. Checks → | Check at home |
| E30 / C3 (3 beeps) | Water-level sensor | The sensor that measures the water level has failed its check. We test the sensor and the small hose that feeds it, which can block, and clear or replace whichever is at fault. | Needs an engineer |
| E40 (4 beeps) | Door lock | Check the door is shut properly and nothing is caught. If it persists, it is a job for an engineer. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| E50 | Motor | The motor circuit has failed its check. We test the motor, its carbon brushes and the wiring, and replace whichever part has failed. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
| E60 | Heater or temperature sensor | The heater or its circuit has failed its check. We test the element and the temperature sensor and replace the faulty part. | Needs an engineer |
| EF0 / EF3 (15 beeps) | Leak, foam or imbalance | Check for water under the machine and use less detergent. If there is a leak, switch the machine off at the wall and at the tap. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| EH0 | Mains supply irregular | Check the supply. The machine should not be on an extension lead. | Check, then ring us |
Hoover and Candy
| Code | What it means | What to do | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| E03 | Not draining | Clear the pump filter and check the drain hose. Checks → | Check at home |
| E02 | Not filling | Check the tap is on, the fill hose is not kinked and the inlet filter is clean. | Check at home |
Miele
| Code | What it means | What to do | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| F10 | Inlet blocked or restricted | Check the tap is fully on and the hose is not kinked. | Check at home |
| F11 | Drain restricted | The drain hose is too high or kinked, or the filter or pump is blocked. Clean the filter first. Checks → | Check at home |
| F20 | Heating | The heater or its circuit has failed its check. We test the element and the temperature sensor and replace the faulty part. | Needs an engineer |
| F34 / F35 | Door lock or door release | Check the door is closed properly. If it persists, it is a job for an engineer. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| F53 | Drum drive fault | The drum drive has a fault. We test the motor and the drive electronics and replace the faulty part. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
| Waterproof system activated | Leak protection has tripped | Turn off the tap. Water has been detected in the base of the machine. We find the leak, repair it and dry the base out. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
Beko
| Code | What it means | What to do | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| E01 | Door lock | Check the door is shut and nothing is caught. Otherwise it is a job for an engineer. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| E02 | Heating | The heater or its circuit has failed its check. We test the element and the temperature sensor and replace the faulty part. | Needs an engineer |
| E03 | Drain (usually the filter) | Clean the filter and check the drain hose. Checks → | Check at home |
| E04 | Fill | Check the tap is on, the fill hose is not kinked and the inlet filter is clean. | Check at home |
| E05 | Pressure switch | The pressure switch, which senses the water level, has failed its check. We test the switch and the hose to it, which can block, and clear or replace whichever is at fault. | Needs an engineer |
| E06 | Temperature sensor | The temperature sensor has failed its check. We test it and replace it if needed. It is an inexpensive part. | Needs an engineer |
| E07 | Motor (often worn brushes) | On models with a brushed motor this is often the carbon brushes, an inexpensive part. We test the brushes, the motor and the wiring and replace whichever has failed. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
| E08 | Motor speed sensor | The motor speed sensor has failed its check. We test the sensor and the motor and replace the faulty part. | Needs an engineer |
| E11 | Unbalanced load or motor | Redistribute the load and try again. If it persists, it is a job for an engineer. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| E13 | Internal leak | Switch off at the tap and at the wall. The machine has detected water inside its base. We find the leak, repair it and dry the base out. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
Haier
| Code | What it means | What to do | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| Err1 | Door | Check the door is shut. Otherwise it is a job for an engineer. Checks → | Check, then ring us |
| Err2 | Drain | Clean the filter and check the drain hose. Checks → | Check at home |
| Err3 | Temperature sensor | The temperature sensor has failed its check. We test it and replace it if needed. It is an inexpensive part. | Needs an engineer |
| Err4 | Overflow or foam | Use less detergent. If it comes back, it is a job for an engineer. | Check, then ring us |
| Err5 | Fill | Check the tap is on, the fill hose is not kinked and the inlet filter is clean. | Check at home |
| Err6 | Heat | The heater or its circuit has failed its check. We test the element and the temperature sensor and replace the faulty part. | Needs an engineer |
| Err7 | Motor | The motor circuit has failed its check. We test the motor, its carbon brushes and the wiring, and replace whichever part has failed. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
| Err8 | Water level too high | The water level is too high, which usually means the inlet valve is not closing or the level sensor has failed. We test both and replace the faulty part. | Needs an engineer |
| Err9 | Service | A general service code. We read the fault from the machine and repair it. | Needs an engineer |
| E10 | Board | The control board has failed its check. We test the board and its connections and replace it if needed. Checks → | Needs an engineer |
The most common codes
- Hotpoint F05: water left in the drum, usually a blocked filter or pump. Hotpoint list.
- Bosch E18: not pumping out. Clean the pump filter. Bosch list.
- Hotpoint F06: the door lock. This is also the code linked to the Hotpoint door-lock recall, so check your model first. Hotpoint list.
- Samsung 4C and 5C: not filling and not draining. Taps, hoses and filters. Samsung list.
- Beko E03, AEG E20, LG OE, Hoover E03: all "not draining". The not-draining checks.
- Hotpoint F08: the heater, which is a job for an engineer.
Questions people ask
How do I clear the error code on my washing machine?
Switch off at the wall, unplug it, wait two minutes and plug it back in. Then deal with whatever the code was about, which is usually a blocked filter or a door that is not shut. If the code comes straight back, the fault is still there.
What does E18 mean on my washing machine?
On a Bosch, Siemens or Neff machine, E18 means it cannot pump the water out, usually because the pump filter is blocked or the drain hose is kinked. Clean the filter at the bottom front and check the hose.
Can I fix an F05 error myself?
Often, yes. F05 on a Hotpoint or Indesit means water has been left in the drum, usually because the filter or waste pipe is blocked. Unplug the machine, drain it through the emergency tube, clean the filter and check the drain hose. If the code comes back, the pump needs testing.
Is an E03 error serious?
On a Beko or Hoover machine, E03 means it could not drain. It is one of the least serious codes. In most cases the filter is blocked. Clear it and run a rinse and spin.
My code isn't listed. What now?
Ring us and read it out, with the make and model, and we will tell you what it means.
If the code keeps coming back, ring us with the make and the code.
- 1
Ring or book online. A photo of any error code helps.
- 2
We tell you the likely fault and the price before anyone comes out.
- 3
We come the same or next working day, fix it and run a wash with you.
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