What E04 actually means
The dishwasher has detected water where it shouldn't be — in the base of the machine — and has shut itself down to stop a flood.
There's a float sitting in the tray under the wash tub, with a switch above it. If water collects in the base the float rises, trips the switch and the machine refuses to start or fill. On the compact countertop dishwashers this code shows up on, that anti-flood trip is the whole story: the control board isn't reporting a pump or heater problem, it's reporting standing water. Worth knowing that the float can also be lifted by tipping or carrying the machine, so a recently moved or freshly delivered unit can throw the code with no leak at all.
What E04 looks like on a AEG dishwasher
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a AEG dishwasher, E04 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Dishwasher not draining
- Water left in the tub at the end of the cycle
- Stops mid-cycle full of water
- Standing water in the bottom
- Not filling with water
- No water going in
- Takes for ever to fill
- Stops right at the start of the cycle
Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.
What usually causes it
- A leak inside the machine dripping into the base tray — commonly a hose joint or the tub seal
- The machine having been tilted, carried or unpacked, lifting the float and giving a false trip
- Water carried over from a previous overfill sitting in the base
- A sticking or failed anti-flood float switch reporting water that isn't there
- Overflow caused by a blocked filter or a fill fault pushing water past the tub
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.
- Turn it off at the socket and leave it off for a minute, then power up again — if the float was lifted in transit and has settled back, the code can clear
- Make sure the dishwasher is standing level on a flat, dry worktop and hasn't been left leaning
- Look on the worktop and floor around and under the machine for any sign of water escaping
- Take out and rinse the filter, and check it's seated properly when it goes back in — a badly seated filter lets debris into the water system and can lead to overflowing
- Check the drain and fill hoses aren't kinked or trapped behind the machine
Common questions about AEG E04
What does E04 mean on a AEG dishwasher?
The dishwasher has detected water where it shouldn't be — in the base of the machine — and has shut itself down to stop a flood. There's a float sitting in the tray under the wash tub, with a switch above it. If water collects in the base the float rises, trips the switch and the machine refuses to start or fill. On the compact countertop dishwashers this code shows up on, that anti-flood trip is the whole story: the control board isn't reporting a pump or heater problem, it's reporting standing water. Worth knowing that the float can also be lifted by tipping or carrying the machine, so a recently moved or freshly delivered unit can throw the code with no leak at all.
Can I fix AEG E04 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn it off at the socket and leave it off for a minute, then power up again — if the float was lifted in transit and has settled back, the code can clear.
- Make sure the dishwasher is standing level on a flat, dry worktop and hasn't been left leaning.
- Look on the worktop and floor around and under the machine for any sign of water escaping.
- Take out and rinse the filter, and check it's seated properly when it goes back in — a badly seated filter lets debris into the water system and can lead to overflowing.
- Check the drain and fill hoses aren't kinked or trapped behind the machine.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair AEG E04?
£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Tried the checks and it's still showing E04?
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.
What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most dishwasher faults are seen same day or next day.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.
Other AEG dishwasher codes
All AEG fault codes and repairs →
What this looks like when it happens
- dishwasher not draining
- dishwasher not heating the water
- dishwasher lights flashing
- dishwasher door will not close