ElectriQ E61 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 E61 actually means

The control board has lost the signal that tells it how fast the drum motor is turning, so it has stopped the wash.

The motor has a small speed sensor that constantly reports back to the main control board. If the board sees a reading under 15rpm for three seconds while the motor is meant to be running, and that happens five times, it gives up and shows this code. You'll usually notice it when the machine tries to agitate or work up to a spin and d dead still.

What E61 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, E61 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
Turns one way only
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start

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

Loose or dislodged plug on the motor's speed sensor
Faulty speed sensor on the motor
Worn or failed motor
Damaged control board or loose board connections

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 start a short cycle to see if the code returns
Check the drum turns freely by hand and nothing is jammed inside it (coins, wire from a bra, small items)
Make sure the machine isn't badly overloaded before restarting

Common questions about ElectriQ E61

What does E61 mean on a ElectriQ washing machine?

The control board has lost the signal that tells it how fast the drum motor is turning, so it has stopped the wash. The motor has a small speed sensor that constantly reports back to the main control board. If the board sees a reading under 15rpm for three seconds while the motor is meant to be running, and that happens five times, it gives up and shows this code. You'll usually notice it when the machine tries to agitate or work up to a spin and d dead still.

Can I fix ElectriQ E61 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 start a short cycle to see if the code returns.
Check the drum turns freely by hand and nothing is jammed inside it (coins, wire from a bra, small items).
Make sure the machine isn't badly overloaded before restarting.

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

How much does it cost to repair ElectriQ E61?

£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 E61?

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 E61 error — washing machine