Beko E38 washing machine: 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 E38 actually means

On your Beko washer-dryer, the drying side has got too hot and the machine has shut the drying stage down to protect itself.

This code appears on Beko washer-dryers rather than plain washing machines. One of the temperature sensors in the drying air path \u2014 drum inlet or the condenser inlet/outlet \u2014 is reporting a temperature above the safe limit, so the control board cuts the drying cycle. Typically the owner sees the programme finish early with the laundry still damp, and the door glass and surrounding trim noticeably hot.

What E38 looks like on a Beko washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Beko washing machine, E38 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
Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

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 blocked or scaled-up condenser, so hot air cannot be cooled
The process fan not moving enough air through the drying circuit (weak, seized or faulty fan)
A faulty temperature sensor giving a false high reading
Air heaters staying on when they should have switched off
Trying to run a drying programme with nothing, or very little, in the drum

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 back on, and see if the code returns on a fresh drying cycle
Clean the pump filter at the front and check the fluff trap area is clear of lint
Make sure the drying load is a sensible size \u2014 not overloaded, and not almost empty
Check the machine has clear space around it and is not boxed in tightly, so it can breathe

Common questions about Beko E38

What does E38 mean on a Beko washing machine?

On your Beko washer-dryer, the drying side has got too hot and the machine has shut the drying stage down to protect itself. This code appears on Beko washer-dryers rather than plain washing machines. One of the temperature sensors in the drying air path \u2014 drum inlet or the condenser inlet/outlet \u2014 is reporting a temperature above the safe limit, so the control board cuts the drying cycle. Typically the owner sees the programme finish early with the laundry still damp, and the door glass and surrounding trim noticeably hot.

Can I fix Beko E38 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on, and see if the code returns on a fresh drying cycle.
Clean the pump filter at the front and check the fluff trap area is clear of lint.
Make sure the drying load is a sensible size \u2014 not overloaded, and not almost empty.
Check the machine has clear space around it and is not boxed in tightly, so it can breathe.

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

How much does it cost to repair Beko E38?

£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 E38?

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 washing machine 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 Beko washing machine codes

All Beko 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.

Beko E38 error — washing machine