Electrolux E20 tumble dryer: 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 E20 actually means

The dryer has stopped mid-cycle because the fan that cools the heat pump compressor isn't running.

On these heat pump dryers the compressor has its own cooling fan, and the control board watches it. If the fan stops turning, the board halts the drying cycle and shows this code rather than let the compressor overheat. Put the machine into diagnostic mode and the same fault usually reads as E23 \u2014 same problem, more detail.

What E20 looks like on a Electrolux tumble dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Electrolux tumble dryer, E20 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 drying
Blowing cold air
Clothes still damp at the end
Takes hours to dry

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

Failed compressor cooling fan
Damage to the fan's control circuit on the main electronic board (very common alongside the failed fan)
Fan obstructed or seized
Wiring or connection fault to the fan

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 dryer off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and start a cycle \u2014 if the fault is real it will return
Empty the water container and clean the fluff filter and the heat pump condenser filter, so heat isn't being trapped unnecessarily
Make sure the machine isn't boxed in tight against a wall or in a hot, unventilated cupboard

Which Electrolux models show E20

E20 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.

TWGLES7000

Common questions about Electrolux E20

What does E20 mean on a Electrolux tumble dryer?

The dryer has stopped mid-cycle because the fan that cools the heat pump compressor isn't running. On these heat pump dryers the compressor has its own cooling fan, and the control board watches it. If the fan stops turning, the board halts the drying cycle and shows this code rather than let the compressor overheat. Put the machine into diagnostic mode and the same fault usually reads as E23 \u2014 same problem, more detail.

Can I fix Electrolux E20 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and start a cycle \u2014 if the fault is real it will return.
Empty the water container and clean the fluff filter and the heat pump condenser filter, so heat isn't being trapped unnecessarily.
Make sure the machine isn't boxed in tight against a wall or in a hot, unventilated cupboard.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E20?

£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 E20?

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 tumble dryer 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 tumble dryer 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 E20 error — tumble dryer