Electrolux E40 washer dryer: what it means & what to check

What E40 actually means

The machine can't confirm the door is shut and locked, so it has paused rather than started filling.

Before a wash begins, the door lock has to send back a signal that it has engaged. On this Electrolux washer dryer the control board waits a set period for that confirmation and, if it doesn't arrive, it holds the machine in pause and shows E40 with the door light and red alarm light flashing. You'll also usually get three short beeps repeating roughly every twenty seconds. The code stays on screen for as long as the machine thinks the door is open.

What E40 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, E40 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
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill

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

Door not pushed hard enough to click the catch home
Laundry or a stray item trapped in the door seal, holding the door a fraction open
Worn or sticking door catch and striker that no longer engage cleanly
Failed door interlock, so the lock never reports back that it has closed
Wiring or connection fault between the door lock and the main 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.

Open the door fully, push any washing back inside clear of the seal, then close it firmly until you hear it click
Run a finger round the rubber seal for a sock, bra strap or coin wedged in the gap
Check the machine is level and not rocking — a tilted cabinet can pull the door out of line with the catch
Turn the appliance off at the wall for a minute and switch back on; a one-off lock timeout often clears
Look at the door catch and the plastic striker on the door for obvious damage or a missing piece

Which Electrolux models show E40

E40 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.

EA2F6820CF

Common questions about Electrolux E40

What does E40 mean on a Electrolux washer dryer?

The machine can't confirm the door is shut and locked, so it has paused rather than started filling. Before a wash begins, the door lock has to send back a signal that it has engaged. On this Electrolux washer dryer the control board waits a set period for that confirmation and, if it doesn't arrive, it holds the machine in pause and shows E40 with the door light and red alarm light flashing. You'll also usually get three short beeps repeating roughly every twenty seconds. The code stays on screen for as long as the machine thinks the door is open.

Can I fix Electrolux E40 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Open the door fully, push any washing back inside clear of the seal, then close it firmly until you hear it click.
Run a finger round the rubber seal for a sock, bra strap or coin wedged in the gap.
Check the machine is level and not rocking — a tilted cabinet can pull the door out of line with the catch.
Turn the appliance off at the wall for a minute and switch back on; a one-off lock timeout often clears.
Look at the door catch and the plastic striker on the door for obvious damage or a missing piece.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E40?

£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 E40?

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. 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 E40 error — washer dryer