Electrolux E42 tumble dryer: what it means & what to check

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 E42 actually means

The dryer's main control board has spotted a fault in its own circuitry for the door lock, and has stopped the cycle rather than carry on.

The board doesn't only switch the door lock coil on and off, it also monitors that switching to confirm it worked. E42 means that monitoring ("sensing") circuit is reading back something impossible, so the board can no longer trust that it knows whether the door is locked. It halts the programme immediately, which is why the drum stops and the machine won't restart into a normal cycle.

What E42 looks like on a Electrolux tumble dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Electrolux tumble dryer, E42 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
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening

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 fault on the main electronic control board itself \u2014 by far the most common finding
Damp or corrosion on the board from long-term condensation
A power surge or supply disturbance that has damaged the board's switching circuit
Rarely, a wiring or connector fault to the door lock that confuses the sensing signal

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.

Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and try the programme again \u2014 occasionally the alarm clears if it was a one-off glitch
Close the door firmly and check nothing (a sleeve, a towel corner) is trapped in the catch

Which Electrolux models show E42

E42 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 E42

What does E42 mean on a Electrolux tumble dryer?

The dryer's main control board has spotted a fault in its own circuitry for the door lock, and has stopped the cycle rather than carry on. The board doesn't only switch the door lock coil on and off, it also monitors that switching to confirm it worked. E42 means that monitoring ("sensing") circuit is reading back something impossible, so the board can no longer trust that it knows whether the door is locked. It halts the programme immediately, which is why the drum stops and the machine won't restart into a normal cycle.

Can I fix Electrolux E42 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and try the programme again \u2014 occasionally the alarm clears if it was a one-off glitch.
Close the door firmly and check nothing (a sleeve, a towel corner) is trapped in the catch.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E42?

£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 E42?

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 tumble 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 tumble dryer codes

All Electrolux fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

tumble dryer drum not turning

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 E42 error — tumble dryer