Electrolux E40 washing machine: what it means & what to try

What E40 actually means

The machine doesn't believe the door is shut and locked, so it won't start or carry on filling.

E40 is the group code Electrolux uses on the display for door closure problems \u2014 the machine waited for confirmation that the porthole door was closed and locked, didn't get it, and paused the cycle. You'll usually hear three short beeps every 20 seconds or so and see the alarm light flashing alongside the door indicator. Internally the fault could be a genuinely open door (E41), a faulty door interlock (E42), or a main board/wiring problem (E43\u2013E45), all of which show as E40 to you.

What E40 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, 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

Laundry or a stray sock trapped in the door seal stopping it latching
Door pushed to but not clicked fully shut
Worn or sticking door catch so the lock never confirms
Failed door interlock (the lock that holds the door during the cycle)
Wiring or main control board fault behind the lock circuit

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, push the load back clear of the seal and close it firmly until it clicks
Look round the seal for anything caught in the catch area and clear it
Press Start/Pause to let the machine try again once the door is properly shut
Turn it off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and restart the programme

Which Electrolux models show E40

E40 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 E40

What does E40 mean on a Electrolux washing machine?

The machine doesn't believe the door is shut and locked, so it won't start or carry on filling. E40 is the group code Electrolux uses on the display for door closure problems \u2014 the machine waited for confirmation that the porthole door was closed and locked, didn't get it, and paused the cycle. You'll usually hear three short beeps every 20 seconds or so and see the alarm light flashing alongside the door indicator. Internally the fault could be a genuinely open door (E41), a faulty door interlock (E42), or a main board/wiring problem (E43\u2013E45), all of which show as E40 to you.

Can I fix Electrolux E40 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Open the door, push the load back clear of the seal and close it firmly until it clicks.
Look round the seal for anything caught in the catch area and clear it.
Press Start/Pause to let the machine try again once the door is properly shut.
Turn it off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and restart the programme.

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 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 E40 error — washing machine