Electrolux E34 washer dryer: what it means & what to check

What E34 actually means

The dryer's moisture-sensing circuit isn't giving a sensible reading, so the machine can't tell how wet your washing is.

On this heat pump washer dryer the drying time is worked out from a moisture sensor rather than a fixed timer. E34 is the failure result for the capacitive sensor when the control board checks it — in Electrolux's own diagnostic routine it appears if the sensor fails either the open-circuit or the short-circuit test. With no trustworthy reading, the machine can't judge when the load is dry, so it flags the fault instead of guessing.

What E34 looks like on a Electrolux washer dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Electrolux washer dryer, E34 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

Fabric or a stray item resting against the sensor bars in the drum, confusing the reading
Detergent scale, fluff or softener residue coating the sensor contacts
The sensor's wiring or connector to the control board having worked loose or corroded
A failed moisture sensor
A fault on the main control board reading the sensor

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.

Empty the drum completely and make sure nothing is lying across or touching the sensor strips, then start a short drying cycle and see if the code returns
Wipe the inside of the drum and the sensor strips with a damp cloth and dry them off — residue from softener or powder can upset the reading
Switch off at the wall for a minute and back on to clear a one-off reading
Check you aren't drying a very small or very wet unbalanced load, which can leave the sensors with nothing consistent to read

Which Electrolux models show E34

E34 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.

EDH803J5WCR

Common questions about Electrolux E34

What does E34 mean on a Electrolux washer dryer?

The dryer's moisture-sensing circuit isn't giving a sensible reading, so the machine can't tell how wet your washing is. On this heat pump washer dryer the drying time is worked out from a moisture sensor rather than a fixed timer. E34 is the failure result for the capacitive sensor when the control board checks it — in Electrolux's own diagnostic routine it appears if the sensor fails either the open-circuit or the short-circuit test. With no trustworthy reading, the machine can't judge when the load is dry, so it flags the fault instead of guessing.

Can I fix Electrolux E34 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Empty the drum completely and make sure nothing is lying across or touching the sensor strips, then start a short drying cycle and see if the code returns.
Wipe the inside of the drum and the sensor strips with a damp cloth and dry them off — residue from softener or powder can upset the reading.
Switch off at the wall for a minute and back on to clear a one-off reading.
Check you aren't drying a very small or very wet unbalanced load, which can leave the sensors with nothing consistent to read.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E34?

£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 E34?

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 washer 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 washer dryer codes

All Electrolux fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

washer dryer not drying

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Electrolux E34 error — washer dryer