Altimo E11 tumble dryer: what it means & what to check

What E11 actually means

The main control board has lost contact with the separate board that runs the drying side of the machine.

These Altimo machines use two electronic boards that talk to each other — the main washer control and a dedicated dryer card. E11 is logged when the main board sends instructions and gets no sensible reply back from the dryer card, so it stops rather than run a heated cycle blind. In practice you'll usually see the drying programme refuse to start or drop out part way, while washing may still behave normally.

What E11 looks like on a Altimo tumble dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Altimo tumble dryer, E11 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Leaking
Water on the floor
Puddle underneath
Shuts itself down and won't restart
Stops after a few minutes
Clothes still damp at the end
Finishes far too early
No function at all

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 loose or corroded plug between the main board and the dryer control card
Damage to the wiring loom running between the two boards
A failed dryer control card
A fault on the main control board's communication side
Moisture or damp getting into a connector after a leak

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 programme knob to the off position and leave it for a few seconds — the manual states this resets the machine, and a one-off communication glitch can clear this way
Switch off at the wall socket for a minute, then power back up and try a drying programme again
Check the machine isn't running damp or condensation-soaked in an unventilated cupboard, as moisture around the electronics can trigger board communication faults

Which Altimo models show E11

E11 means the same thing on all 4 of these models. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

AWM10142W · AWM6122W · AWM7122WG2 · AWM8142W

Common questions about Altimo E11

What does E11 mean on a Altimo tumble dryer?

The main control board has lost contact with the separate board that runs the drying side of the machine. These Altimo machines use two electronic boards that talk to each other — the main washer control and a dedicated dryer card. E11 is logged when the main board sends instructions and gets no sensible reply back from the dryer card, so it stops rather than run a heated cycle blind. In practice you'll usually see the drying programme refuse to start or drop out part way, while washing may still behave normally.

Can I fix Altimo E11 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the programme knob to the off position and leave it for a few seconds — the manual states this resets the machine, and a one-off communication glitch can clear this way.
Switch off at the wall socket for a minute, then power back up and try a drying programme again.
Check the machine isn't running damp or condensation-soaked in an unventilated cupboard, as moisture around the electronics can trigger board communication faults.

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

How much does it cost to repair Altimo E11?

£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 E11?

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 Altimo tumble dryer codes

All Altimo fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

tumble dryer not heating

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.

Altimo E11 error — tumble dryer