ElectriQ E31 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 E31 actually means

The machine has tried to release the door lock and failed, so it has given up and flagged the door as stuck shut.

On these ElectriQ machines the control board sends a release signal to the door interlock and waits for confirmation that it has unlatched. If it gets no confirmation after six attempts, it stops and shows E31. The drum may well have finished washing — the fault is with the lock releasing, not with the wash itself.

What E31 looks like on a ElectriQ washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a ElectriQ washing machine, E31 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

Door interlock (lock assembly) worn or failed and no longer releasing
Door not fully closed or latched in the first place, so the lock never engaged properly
Loose or damaged wire between the control board and the door lock
Main control board fault — genuinely uncommon on this code

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 on — the lock often releases on the retry
Push the door firmly shut and reclose it, then try the release again; a door sitting slightly proud stops the latch working correctly
If there is water in the drum, run a drain or spin cycle if the machine will accept one, as some locks will not release with water inside
Check nothing (a towel corner, a trapped item) is stopping the door from sitting flush in the frame

Which ElectriQ models show E31

E31 means the same thing on all 3 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.

EIQWMTL6 · EIQWMTL75C · EIQWMTL8A

Common questions about ElectriQ E31

What does E31 mean on a ElectriQ washing machine?

The machine has tried to release the door lock and failed, so it has given up and flagged the door as stuck shut. On these ElectriQ machines the control board sends a release signal to the door interlock and waits for confirmation that it has unlatched. If it gets no confirmation after six attempts, it stops and shows E31. The drum may well have finished washing — the fault is with the lock releasing, not with the wash itself.

Can I fix ElectriQ E31 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back on — the lock often releases on the retry.
Push the door firmly shut and reclose it, then try the release again; a door sitting slightly proud stops the latch working correctly.
If there is water in the drum, run a drain or spin cycle if the machine will accept one, as some locks will not release with water inside.
Check nothing (a towel corner, a trapped item) is stopping the door from sitting flush in the frame.

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

How much does it cost to repair ElectriQ E31?

£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 E31?

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 ElectriQ washing machine codes

All ElectriQ 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.

ElectriQ E31 error — washing machine