Electrolux E33 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 E33 actually means

The machine's two water-level detectors disagree with each other about how much water is in the drum, so it stops rather than risk overfilling or heating dry.

Electrolux washers monitor the water level with a pressure switch (or pressure sensor) plus a separate anti-boil level. E33 is logged when those two readings contradict each other for more than about a minute \u2014 one says there is water, the other says there isn't. The control board can no longer trust the level reading, so filling and heating are halted and the cycle stops, usually part way through with water still in the drum.

What E33 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, E33 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 filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

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 blocked or sludged-up air trap or pressure hose \u2014 the most common culprit by far, and often mistaken for a faulty sensor
A faulty pressure switch or pressure sensor
Damaged or loose wiring between the sensor and the main board
Heavy detergent scum or foam upsetting the level reading
Main control board fault (least common)

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 \u2014 occasionally a one-off reading clears.
Clean the pump filter/drain trap at the bottom front and remove any water still in the drum via the drain hose.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe.
Run a hot maintenance wash with no load and no detergent if the machine will accept a cycle \u2014 detergent sludge in the system is a frequent factor.
Cut back on detergent dose; excess foam can trigger level disagreements.

Which Electrolux models show E33

E33 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.

EWB105110W · EWB105205W · EWB136216W

Common questions about Electrolux E33

What does E33 mean on a Electrolux washing machine?

The machine's two water-level detectors disagree with each other about how much water is in the drum, so it stops rather than risk overfilling or heating dry. Electrolux washers monitor the water level with a pressure switch (or pressure sensor) plus a separate anti-boil level. E33 is logged when those two readings contradict each other for more than about a minute \u2014 one says there is water, the other says there isn't. The control board can no longer trust the level reading, so filling and heating are halted and the cycle stops, usually part way through with water still in the drum.

Can I fix Electrolux E33 myself?

There are 5 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 \u2014 occasionally a one-off reading clears.
Clean the pump filter/drain trap at the bottom front and remove any water still in the drum via the drain hose.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe.
Run a hot maintenance wash with no load and no detergent if the machine will accept a cycle \u2014 detergent sludge in the system is a frequent factor.
Cut back on detergent dose; excess foam can trigger level disagreements.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E33?

£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 E33?

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 E33 error — washing machine