Electrolux E35 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 E35 actually means

The machine thinks there is too much water in the drum, so it has stopped the cycle, locked the door and run the drain pump.

Electrolux washers use an electronic pressure sensor to judge the water level. If that sensor reports the safety (overload) level for more than about 15 seconds, the control board sets E35, pauses the cycle and runs the drain pump until the level drops back down \u2014 or for five minutes if it never does. The door stays locked while this is happening, and the alarm won't clear by turning the machine off; the current programme has to be reset.

What E35 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, E35 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 water inlet valve leaking water through even when the machine isn't filling
The pressure sensor itself reading wrongly, so the water level looks higher than it is
A leaking or split air trap system \u2014 the small chamber and hose that let the sensor read the level
Blocked or restricted drain, so water genuinely isn't leaving the drum
Damaged wiring to the sensor, or a faulty main control board

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.

Reset the programme rather than only switching the machine off \u2014 E35 will not clear at the power switch.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped behind the machine or pushed too far into the standpipe.
Clean the pump filter and make sure the drum empties freely (drain any water off first via the filter drain, with a tray to hand).
Note whether water keeps trickling into the drum when the machine is idle \u2014 that points at an inlet valve and is worth telling the engineer.

Which Electrolux models show E35

E35 means the same thing on all 4 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 · ZWX9115XL

Common questions about Electrolux E35

What does E35 mean on a Electrolux washing machine?

The machine thinks there is too much water in the drum, so it has stopped the cycle, locked the door and run the drain pump. Electrolux washers use an electronic pressure sensor to judge the water level. If that sensor reports the safety (overload) level for more than about 15 seconds, the control board sets E35, pauses the cycle and runs the drain pump until the level drops back down \u2014 or for five minutes if it never does. The door stays locked while this is happening, and the alarm won't clear by turning the machine off; the current programme has to be reset.

Can I fix Electrolux E35 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Reset the programme rather than only switching the machine off \u2014 E35 will not clear at the power switch.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped behind the machine or pushed too far into the standpipe.
Clean the pump filter and make sure the drum empties freely (drain any water off first via the filter drain, with a tray to hand).
Note whether water keeps trickling into the drum when the machine is idle \u2014 that points at an inlet valve and is worth telling the engineer.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E35?

£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 E35?

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 E35 error — washing machine