Electrolux E44 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 E44 actually means

The machine can no longer trust the signal telling it whether the door is shut, so it has stopped the wash, drained the water and kept the door locked.

The control board watches a signal from the door interlock circuit that tells it the door is closed. On E44 that signal has gone outside the expected range for more than a second, so the board can't be sure the door is safely latched. For safety it abandons the cycle and runs a drain, holding the door locked until the water is out — which is why you may hear it pump and then sit there with the door shut.

What E44 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, E44 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 failing door interlock (the lock unit behind the door)
A wiring fault or loose connector between the lock and the control board
A fault in the sensing circuit on the main control board
Door not latching properly because of a worn or misaligned catch

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 machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch it back on and reset or restart the programme — the alarm needs the cycle resetting rather than a pause
Check nothing (a bra strap, a sock, a duvet edge) is trapped in the door seal stopping the door pulling fully shut
Close the door firmly and evenly, then try a short cycle
If the door stays locked, let the machine finish draining before expecting it to release

Which Electrolux models show E44

E44 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 E44

What does E44 mean on a Electrolux washing machine?

The machine can no longer trust the signal telling it whether the door is shut, so it has stopped the wash, drained the water and kept the door locked. The control board watches a signal from the door interlock circuit that tells it the door is closed. On E44 that signal has gone outside the expected range for more than a second, so the board can't be sure the door is safely latched. For safety it abandons the cycle and runs a drain, holding the door locked until the water is out — which is why you may hear it pump and then sit there with the door shut.

Can I fix Electrolux E44 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch it back on and reset or restart the programme — the alarm needs the cycle resetting rather than a pause.
Check nothing (a bra strap, a sock, a duvet edge) is trapped in the door seal stopping the door pulling fully shut.
Close the door firmly and evenly, then try a short cycle.
If the door stays locked, let the machine finish draining before expecting it to release.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E44?

£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 E44?

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 E44 error — washing machine