Blomberg E13 washing machine: what it means & what to check

What E13 actually means

The control board has lost its communication link with the motor — the wiring between them has gone open circuit, so the machine can't drive the drum properly.

On these Blomberg machines the motor and the main electronic board talk to each other over a dedicated communication cable. When the board sends a signal and gets nothing back, it flags E13 and abandons the programme. The usual complaint before the code appears is that the wash is poor — the drum isn't turning as it should — and then the cycle ends early.

What E13 looks like on a Blomberg washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Blomberg washing machine, E13 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
Turns one way only
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start

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 communication plug at the motor has worked loose or is not fully seated
A broken or chafed wire in the motor communication harness
Corroded or damaged pins in the motor connector
A fault in the motor's own control/tacho circuit
A failed 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 machine off at the wall socket, leave it for a minute, then switch back on and start a short cycle — this clears a one-off communication glitch and shows whether the code returns straight away.
Note whether the drum turns at all when a cycle starts, and roughly when the code appears. That tells the engineer a lot before they arrive.

Which Blomberg models show E13

E13 means the same thing on all 5 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.

7100541100 · 7153341200 · 7170881500 · 7173581400 · 7174184000

Common questions about Blomberg E13

What does E13 mean on a Blomberg washing machine?

The control board has lost its communication link with the motor — the wiring between them has gone open circuit, so the machine can't drive the drum properly. On these Blomberg machines the motor and the main electronic board talk to each other over a dedicated communication cable. When the board sends a signal and gets nothing back, it flags E13 and abandons the programme. The usual complaint before the code appears is that the wash is poor — the drum isn't turning as it should — and then the cycle ends early.

Can I fix Blomberg E13 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall socket, leave it for a minute, then switch back on and start a short cycle — this clears a one-off communication glitch and shows whether the code returns straight away.
Note whether the drum turns at all when a cycle starts, and roughly when the code appears. That tells the engineer a lot before they arrive.

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

How much does it cost to repair Blomberg E13?

£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 E13?

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 Blomberg washing machine codes

All Blomberg 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.

Blomberg E13 error — washing machine