Electrolux E59 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 E59 actually means

The control board told the drum motor to start turning, got no speed feedback back from it, and shut the machine down.

The motor has a tachometer that reports how fast it is spinning. When the machine asks for a new speed and no signal comes back for a few seconds, the motor control board limits the current, the motor crawls at very low speed, and the software cuts power. The machine tries again five times, a minute apart, before storing the fault, stopping the cycle and holding the door locked.

What E59 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, E59 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
Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves

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

Faulty tachometer on the motor, or its wiring loose or broken
Damaged or disconnected motor phase wiring
Failed motor control board (the inverter board)
Worn motor giving no usable speed feedback

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 power up and start a short cycle — this clears the stored alarm and tells you whether it returns straight away
Note whether the drum makes any attempt to turn, or turns very slowly, before it stops — useful information for the engineer

Which Electrolux models show E59

E59 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 E59

What does E59 mean on a Electrolux washing machine?

The control board told the drum motor to start turning, got no speed feedback back from it, and shut the machine down. The motor has a tachometer that reports how fast it is spinning. When the machine asks for a new speed and no signal comes back for a few seconds, the motor control board limits the current, the motor crawls at very low speed, and the software cuts power. The machine tries again five times, a minute apart, before storing the fault, stopping the cycle and holding the door locked.

Can I fix Electrolux E59 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power up and start a short cycle — this clears the stored alarm and tells you whether it returns straight away.
Note whether the drum makes any attempt to turn, or turns very slowly, before it stops — useful information for the engineer.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E59?

£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 E59?

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 E59 error — washing machine