Electrolux E38 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 E38 actually means

The machine can't see the water level moving while the drum is turning, so it has stopped and skipped the heating.

Electrolux washers measure water level through a small air chamber (the air trap) connected to the pressure sensor by a thin pipe. If the drum is being driven but the level reading doesn't shift at all for around 30 seconds, the control board decides the sensing path is blocked and raises E38. Washing may carry on but the wash will not heat, and the code won't clear by switching off at the wall here be reset of the cycle itself.

What E38 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, E38 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

Sludge, detergent scum or fluff blocking the air trap chamber
Blocked or split pressure sensor pipe
Broken or slipped drum drive belt, so the drum isn't actually turning the water
Motor speed sensor wiring fault, making the board think the drum is moving when it isn't

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.

Cancel and reset the current programme rather than only switching the machine off — E38 won't clear at the wall
Clean the pump filter and check the drain hose isn't kinked
Run a hot maintenance wash with no load if the drum still fills and turns normally
Listen for the drum turning during wash — a rumbling motor with a still drum points to the belt

Which Electrolux models show E38

E38 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 E38

What does E38 mean on a Electrolux washing machine?

The machine can't see the water level moving while the drum is turning, so it has stopped and skipped the heating. Electrolux washers measure water level through a small air chamber (the air trap) connected to the pressure sensor by a thin pipe. If the drum is being driven but the level reading doesn't shift at all for around 30 seconds, the control board decides the sensing path is blocked and raises E38. Washing may carry on but the wash will not heat, and the code won't clear by switching off at the wall here be reset of the cycle itself.

Can I fix Electrolux E38 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Cancel and reset the current programme rather than only switching the machine off — E38 won't clear at the wall.
Clean the pump filter and check the drain hose isn't kinked.
Run a hot maintenance wash with no load if the drum still fills and turns normally.
Listen for the drum turning during wash — a rumbling motor with a still drum points to the belt.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E38?

£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 E38?

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 E38 error — washing machine