What E55 actually means
The drum isn't spinning as fast as the machine has asked it to, so it gives up on the spin and carries on with the rest of the wash.
During the spin, the control board watches the drum speed reported back by the motor control. If that speed stays below the target for 30 seconds, and it happens again on a second attempt, the machine logs E55 and skips the spin rather than fighting it. The cycle itself still finishes, which is why the usual complaint is soaking wet washing at the end rather than a dead machine.
What usually causes it
- Heavily overloaded drum, or a single bulky item soaked with water
- Water not draining away, so the drum cannot get up to speed
- Worn motor brushes or a slipping or failed drive belt
- Fault in the motor control board or its wiring to the motor
- Tacho/speed feedback from the motor reading incorrectly
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.
- Take some of the load out and redistribute it - one wet duvet or a bundle of towels on one side is a common trigger.
- Clean the pump filter and check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe; poor draining often shows up as a failed spin.
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then run a short spin-only cycle with a light, evenly spread load to see whether it repeats.
- Listen during the spin - if the motor sounds like it's trying but the drum barely moves, stop and book an engineer.
When to call someone
This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
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.
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