AEG E45 tumble dryer: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What E45 actually means

The dryer can't confirm the door is properly shut, so it won't run.

E45 is raised by the door closure sensor circuit. The control board expects a clear "door closed" signal from the door interlock before it will power the drum and heater, and when that signal doesn't arrive — or drops out partway through — the cycle is interrupted and the code is shown. From our side, the usual culprit is the interlock itself rather than the board, though faulty wiring to the switch and a board fault are both listed as possibilities.

What E45 looks like on a AEG tumble dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a AEG tumble dryer, E45 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Not drying
Blowing cold air
Clothes still damp at the end

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

Door not fully latched, or something caught in the seal holding it slightly open
Worn or failed door interlock switch — the door feels shut but the machine never registers it
Damaged or loose wiring between the door switch and the control board
Faulty electronic control board (the least common of the three)

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.

Open and close the door firmly and listen for the catch to click home, then try starting again.
Check nothing is trapped in the doorway — a stray sock, a corner of a duvet, or a build-up of fluff on the seal.
Look at the door catch and striker for obvious wear or a missing/cracked plastic tongue; if the door swings shut without resistance, the latch has gone.
Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and start a short cycle — this clears the fault if it was a one-off dropout.

Common questions about AEG E45

What does E45 mean on a AEG tumble dryer?

The dryer can't confirm the door is properly shut, so it won't run. E45 is raised by the door closure sensor circuit. The control board expects a clear "door closed" signal from the door interlock before it will power the drum and heater, and when that signal doesn't arrive — or drops out partway through — the cycle is interrupted and the code is shown. From our side, the usual culprit is the interlock itself rather than the board, though faulty wiring to the switch and a board fault are both listed as possibilities.

Can I fix AEG E45 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Open and close the door firmly and listen for the catch to click home, then try starting again.
Check nothing is trapped in the doorway — a stray sock, a corner of a duvet, or a build-up of fluff on the seal.
Look at the door catch and striker for obvious wear or a missing/cracked plastic tongue; if the door swings shut without resistance, the latch has gone.
Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and start a short cycle — this clears the fault if it was a one-off dropout.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair AEG E45?

£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 E45?

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 tumble dryer 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 tumble dryer codes

All AEG fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

AEG E45 error — tumble dryer