Blomberg E21 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 E21 actually means

The machine has decided there is more water in the drum than the pump can safely deal with, so it has stopped rather than carry on.

Blomberg's own service notes describe E21 as the water level sitting above the safe pumping level — the point beyond which the drain pump can no longer clear the tub properly. The control board sees that level, halts the programme and puts the code up rather than risk running the pump dry-loaded or letting water reach parts it shouldn't. In practice you'll usually find the drum still holding water when it stops.

What E21 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, E21 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Overfilling, or won't stop filling
Stops with water still inside
Fills and drains over and over
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

Blocked pump filter at the bottom front of the machine, so water goes in faster than it drains out
Kinked, trapped or badly routed drain hose
Blocked sink trap or standpipe the machine drains into, causing water to back up
Drain pump worn, jammed with debris or failed, so the level never comes down
Faulty pressure (water level) sensor or a blocked pressure chamber hose giving the board a false high reading

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 switch it back on — that clears the code and shows you whether it returns immediately or partway through a cycle.
Check the drain hose along its whole length for kinks, tight bends or anything resting on it.
If the hose runs into a sink waste or standpipe, check that isn't blocked or slow-draining — pour water down it and see how quickly it clears.
Clean the pump filter behind the small flap at the bottom front. Put a shallow tray and towels down first, as there will be water behind it.
Avoid overloading and heavy use of extra detergent, both of which can make levels and foaming worse.

Which Blomberg models show E21

E21 means the same thing on this model. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

7174184000

Common questions about Blomberg E21

What does E21 mean on a Blomberg washing machine?

The machine has decided there is more water in the drum than the pump can safely deal with, so it has stopped rather than carry on. Blomberg's own service notes describe E21 as the water level sitting above the safe pumping level — the point beyond which the drain pump can no longer clear the tub properly. The control board sees that level, halts the programme and puts the code up rather than risk running the pump dry-loaded or letting water reach parts it shouldn't. In practice you'll usually find the drum still holding water when it stops.

Can I fix Blomberg E21 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch it back on — that clears the code and shows you whether it returns immediately or partway through a cycle.
Check the drain hose along its whole length for kinks, tight bends or anything resting on it.
If the hose runs into a sink waste or standpipe, check that isn't blocked or slow-draining — pour water down it and see how quickly it clears.
Clean the pump filter behind the small flap at the bottom front. Put a shallow tray and towels down first, as there will be water behind it.
Avoid overloading and heavy use of extra detergent, both of which can make levels and foaming worse.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair Blomberg E21?

£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 E21?

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. 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 E21 error — washing machine