Electrolux E13 washing machine: what it means & what to try

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 E13 actually means

The machine has had to keep topping itself up with water during the cycle, which tells the control board water is escaping somewhere — so it drains down and stops with the door locked.

Electrolux machines monitor the water level throughout the wash. If the level keeps dropping and the machine has to refill more times than it should during a wash or rinse, it treats that as a leak and raises E13. It then pumps out and keeps the door shut, which is deliberate — it is trying to avoid putting more water into a machine that is losing it.

What E13 looks like on a Electrolux washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Electrolux washing machine, E13 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

A leaking or split sump hose, tub-to-pump hose or pressure system connection inside the machine
A leaking or perished door seal letting water escape during the wash
A cracked outer tub or a leaking heater seal
Water siphoning away down the drain hose because it sits too low or is pushed too far into the standpipe
A faulty pressure sensor reading the level wrongly, so the machine refills when it does not need to

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 see whether the code returns on a short cycle — but only if there is no water on the floor.
Look under and behind the machine for damp patches or water tracking across the floor; if you find any, leave it off.
Check the drain hose is not shoved deep into the standpipe and that it rises to the correct height rather than lying low, as this can let water siphon out of the drum.
Wipe round the inside of the door seal and check for splits or trapped items holding it open.

Which Electrolux models show E13

E13 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.

ZWX9115XL

Common questions about Electrolux E13

What does E13 mean on a Electrolux washing machine?

The machine has had to keep topping itself up with water during the cycle, which tells the control board water is escaping somewhere — so it drains down and stops with the door locked. Electrolux machines monitor the water level throughout the wash. If the level keeps dropping and the machine has to refill more times than it should during a wash or rinse, it treats that as a leak and raises E13. It then pumps out and keeps the door shut, which is deliberate — it is trying to avoid putting more water into a machine that is losing it.

Can I fix Electrolux E13 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 up and see whether the code returns on a short cycle — but only if there is no water on the floor.
Look under and behind the machine for damp patches or water tracking across the floor; if you find any, leave it off.
Check the drain hose is not shoved deep into the standpipe and that it rises to the correct height rather than lying low, as this can let water siphon out of the drum.
Wipe round the inside of the door seal and check for splits or trapped items holding it open.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E13?

£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 E13?

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 Electrolux washing machine codes

All Electrolux 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.

Electrolux E13 error — washing machine