Candy E04 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 E04 actually means

The machine has taken on too much water and the anti-flood safety in the pressure switch has cut in three times, so it has locked itself out to avoid a flood.

The water level is monitored by a pressostat (pressure switch), which has a safety contact that trips if the drum fills past its maximum. Once that safety has intervened three times, the control board stops the cycle and shows the code rather than letting the machine keep filling. In practice the machine is telling you water is getting in when it shouldn't be, or the level sensing is lying to it.

What E04 looks like on a Candy washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Candy washing machine, E04 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
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

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

Water inlet valve stuck open, so the machine keeps filling even when the valve is switched off
Faulty pressure switch giving a false level reading
Blocked or split pressure switch hose or air trap, so the level is never sensed correctly
Wiring or connection fault between the pressure switch and the control board
Control board fault (less common than the valve or pressostat)

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 and close the water tap at the back — if water keeps trickling into the drum with the power off, the inlet valve is passing and it needs an engineer.
Leave it off at the wall for a minute, then power up and see whether the code returns straight away or only once it starts filling — useful information for whoever attends.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far down the standpipe, as poor draining can leave the drum sitting at a high level.

Common questions about Candy E04

What does E04 mean on a Candy washing machine?

The machine has taken on too much water and the anti-flood safety in the pressure switch has cut in three times, so it has locked itself out to avoid a flood. The water level is monitored by a pressostat (pressure switch), which has a safety contact that trips if the drum fills past its maximum. Once that safety has intervened three times, the control board stops the cycle and shows the code rather than letting the machine keep filling. In practice the machine is telling you water is getting in when it shouldn't be, or the level sensing is lying to it.

Can I fix Candy E04 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall and close the water tap at the back — if water keeps trickling into the drum with the power off, the inlet valve is passing and it needs an engineer.
Leave it off at the wall for a minute, then power up and see whether the code returns straight away or only once it starts filling — useful information for whoever attends.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far down the standpipe, as poor draining can leave the drum sitting at a high level.

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

How much does it cost to repair Candy E04?

£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 E04?

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 Candy washing machine codes

All Candy 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.

Candy E04 error — washing machine