What E73 actually means
The machine has lost faith in the temperature reading from the drying side and has shut the dryer down.
On AEG washer dryers this code points at the drying temperature circuit — the NTC sensor that sits with the heating assembly at the front of the dryer, along with its thermostats and wiring. The control board is either seeing no sensible reading or a reading it can't trust, so it cuts the heat rather than risk running the heater blind. Washing may still work, but the drying part of the cycle will stop or refuse to start.
What E73 looks like on a AEG washer dryer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a AEG washer dryer, E73 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Machine not draining
- Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
- Stops mid-cycle full of water
- Standing water in the bottom
- Not drying
- Blowing cold air
- Clothes still damp at the end
- Takes hours to dry
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 broken wire in the loom running to the temperature sensor at the front of the dryer — often a hairline break under the black tape that only fails once the heater is drawing current
- Faulty NTC temperature sensor reading out of range
- A tripped or failed thermostat on the dryer heating assembly
- Restricted airflow or a blockage in the drying path causing the heater area to overheat
- Control board fault (less common, and often blamed too early)
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 machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and try a drying cycle again — worth doing once to rule out a one-off
- Check the drain hose isn't kinked or trapped, as the condenser drying system needs to drain freely
- Try a smaller load — an overpacked drum restricts airflow through the drum and can push temperatures up
- Clean the filter at the bottom front of the machine if your model has one accessible without tools
- Make sure the machine has room to breathe and isn't boxed in tight against a wall or cupboard
Common questions about AEG E73
What does E73 mean on a AEG washer dryer?
The machine has lost faith in the temperature reading from the drying side and has shut the dryer down. On AEG washer dryers this code points at the drying temperature circuit — the NTC sensor that sits with the heating assembly at the front of the dryer, along with its thermostats and wiring. The control board is either seeing no sensible reading or a reading it can't trust, so it cuts the heat rather than risk running the heater blind. Washing may still work, but the drying part of the cycle will stop or refuse to start.
Can I fix AEG E73 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and try a drying cycle again — worth doing once to rule out a one-off.
- Check the drain hose isn't kinked or trapped, as the condenser drying system needs to drain freely.
- Try a smaller load — an overpacked drum restricts airflow through the drum and can push temperatures up.
- Clean the filter at the bottom front of the machine if your model has one accessible without tools.
- Make sure the machine has room to breathe and isn't boxed in tight against a wall or cupboard.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair AEG E73?
£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 E73?
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 washer 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.
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