Blomberg E18 washing machine: what it means & what to check

What E18 actually means

The washing machine couldn't spin because the load inside was unevenly spread, so it finished the cycle without a proper spin.

Your machine constantly checks how the laundry is sitting in the drum before it spins. If the weight is bunched to one side, spinning at high speed would shake the machine violently and could damage it or your floor, so it repeatedly tries to redistribute the washing and, if it can't, ends the programme without spinning. E18 is a warning rather than a fault

What E18 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, E18 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

One bulky item like a duvet, towel or bath mat balled up on one side
Too 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.

Open the door, shake the washing out and spread it evenly around the drum, then run a spin cycle
Add a couple of towels if you're washing a single bulky item so it can balance
Avoid washing one large heavy item on its own
Clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine \u2014 poor draining also stops spinning
Check the machine sits level and doesn't rock, and that nothing is wedged under a foot

Which Blomberg models show E18

E18 means the same thing on all 9 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 · 7166382200 · 7170881500 · 7171884000 · 7173581400 · 7174182800 · 7174184000 · 7178381300

Common questions about Blomberg E18

What does E18 mean on a Blomberg washing machine?

The washing machine couldn't spin because the load inside was unevenly spread, so it finished the cycle without a proper spin. Your machine constantly checks how the laundry is sitting in the drum before it spins. If the weight is bunched to one side, spinning at high speed would shake the machine violently and could damage it or your floor, so it repeatedly tries to redistribute the washing and, if it can't, ends the programme without spinning. E18 is a warning rather than a fault

Can I fix Blomberg E18 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Open the door, shake the washing out and spread it evenly around the drum, then run a spin cycle.
Add a couple of towels if you're washing a single bulky item so it can balance.
Avoid washing one large heavy item on its own.
Clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine \u2014 poor draining also stops spinning.
Check the machine sits level and doesn't rock, and that nothing is wedged under a foot.

This often clears with those checks, and rarely needs an engineer.

How much does it cost to repair Blomberg E18?

£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 E18?

This often clears with the checks above, and rarely needs an engineer. 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 E18 error — washing machine