Candy E08 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 E08 actually means

The control board isn't getting a sensible speed signal back from the motor, so it shuts the cycle down rather than run the drum blind.

Candy machines use a small speed sensor on the motor — the tachometric dynamo — to tell the board how fast the drum is actually turning. If that signal disappears or reads short, the board has no way to control wash and spin speeds safely, so it stops and flags E08. In practice the drum usually either won't turn at all, or it turns briefly and then the machine halts, often part-filled with water.

What E08 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, E08 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

Worn motor carbon brushes — by far the most common finding on these machines
Faulty speed sensor (tachometric dynamo) on the motor
Damaged or loose wiring between the motor and the control board
Motor fault or a damaged control board driving the motor

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 power it back up and try a short cycle — an occasional one-off reading will clear.
With the machine unplugged, open the door and turn the drum by hand. It should spin freely; if it grinds or barely moves, mention that when you book the repair.
If the drum has water in it, run a drain or spin-only programme and note whether it drains but won't spin — that detail helps narrow it down.

Common questions about Candy E08

What does E08 mean on a Candy washing machine?

The control board isn't getting a sensible speed signal back from the motor, so it shuts the cycle down rather than run the drum blind. Candy machines use a small speed sensor on the motor — the tachometric dynamo — to tell the board how fast the drum is actually turning. If that signal disappears or reads short, the board has no way to control wash and spin speeds safely, so it stops and flags E08. In practice the drum usually either won't turn at all, or it turns briefly and then the machine halts, often part-filled with water.

Can I fix Candy E08 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and try a short cycle — an occasional one-off reading will clear.
With the machine unplugged, open the door and turn the drum by hand. It should spin freely; if it grinds or barely moves, mention that when you book the repair.
If the drum has water in it, run a drain or spin-only programme and note whether it drains but won't spin — that detail helps narrow it down.

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

How much does it cost to repair Candy E08?

£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 E08?

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 E08 error — washing machine