AEG E71 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 E71 actually means

The dryer has lost a sensible reading from one of its temperature sensors (NTC1), so it abandons the drying programme and runs a cooling cycle instead.

NTC1 is one of the temperature sensors the control board relies on to judge how hot the air in the dryer is. When the signal from it goes out of range estfar off the mark, the board can't safely control the heater, so it forces a cooling cycle and flags E71. The drum may still turn and the machine may look like it's working, but the load comes out damp because there's no controlled heat behind it.

What E71 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, E71 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

The NTC1 temperature sensor itself has failed
A damaged or loose connection in the wiring to that sensor
A fault on the main electronic control board

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 the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then switch it back on and start a cycle again u2014 an occasional one-off reading will clear.
Clean the door filter and check the condenser/heat exchanger filters are clear, as poor airflow makes temperature faults more likely to reappear.

Common questions about AEG E71

What does E71 mean on a AEG tumble dryer?

The dryer has lost a sensible reading from one of its temperature sensors (NTC1), so it abandons the drying programme and runs a cooling cycle instead. NTC1 is one of the temperature sensors the control board relies on to judge how hot the air in the dryer is. When the signal from it goes out of range estfar off the mark, the board can't safely control the heater, so it forces a cooling cycle and flags E71. The drum may still turn and the machine may look like it's working, but the load comes out damp because there's no controlled heat behind it.

Can I fix AEG E71 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then switch it back on and start a cycle again u2014 an occasional one-off reading will clear.
Clean the door filter and check the condenser/heat exchanger filters are clear, as poor airflow makes temperature faults more likely to reappear.

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

How much does it cost to repair AEG E71?

£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 E71?

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 E71 error — tumble dryer