Altimo E12 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 E12 actually means

The machine's control boards have lost contact with one another, so it has stopped rather than run a cycle it can't oversee.

E12 is a "3D communication error" — the main control board is no longer getting a reply from one of the other electronic modules it talks to during a cycle. Because the machine can't confirm what that module is doing, it halts and flags the fault instead of carrying on. It's an internal electronics fault, not something caused by how the machine is loaded or used, and Altimo mark it as one that needs a service visit.

What E12 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, E12 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Very noisy on spin
Banging or knocking
Moving across the floor
Load left soaking wet because it won't spin up
Leaking
Water on the floor
Puddle underneath
Shuts itself down and won't restart

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 connector between the two control boards
A damaged or chafed ribbon/loom between modules
A failed secondary control module that has stopped responding
A fault on the main control board itself
Damp or condensation around the electronics 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, leave it for a few seconds and then reselect — Altimo's own reset procedure
Switch off at the wall socket for a minute, then power back up and try a short cycle
If the machine has recently been moved or knocked, let it stand and settle before retrying — vibration can unseat internal plugs

Which Altimo models show E12

E12 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 E12

What does E12 mean on a Altimo tumble dryer?

The machine's control boards have lost contact with one another, so it has stopped rather than run a cycle it can't oversee. E12 is a "3D communication error" — the main control board is no longer getting a reply from one of the other electronic modules it talks to during a cycle. Because the machine can't confirm what that module is doing, it halts and flags the fault instead of carrying on. It's an internal electronics fault, not something caused by how the machine is loaded or used, and Altimo mark it as one that needs a service visit.

Can I fix Altimo E12 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the programme knob to the off position, leave it for a few seconds and then reselect — Altimo's own reset procedure.
Switch off at the wall socket for a minute, then power back up and try a short cycle.
If the machine has recently been moved or knocked, let it stand and settle before retrying — vibration can unseat internal plugs.

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

How much does it cost to repair Altimo E12?

£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 E12?

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 →

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 E12 error — tumble dryer