Electrolux E66 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 E66 actually means

The machine has spotted a mismatch in the switching that feeds the water heater, so it has shut the wash down rather than risk heating when it shouldn't.

On these Electrolux EWM1000 plus machines, the control board watches a relay (K3) that switches power to the heating element, and cross-checks it against an anti-boiling pressure switch that confirms there is enough water in the tub. If what the relay is doing doesn't agree with what that switch is reporting, the board flags E66, drains and blocks the cycle. It normally shows up around the point the wash should start heating, so the load comes out wet and cold.

What E66 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, E66 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Overfilling, or won't stop filling
Stops with water still inside
Fills and drains over and over
Not heating the 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

Faulty anti-boiling pressure switch
Damaged or loose wiring to the heater circuit
Failed heating relay on the main control board
Faulty heating element affecting the 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.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power up and try a short cold wash — if it clears, note whether it returns as soon as heating should begin.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe, as poor drainage can upset water level readings.

Which Electrolux models show E66

E66 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 E66

What does E66 mean on a Electrolux washing machine?

The machine has spotted a mismatch in the switching that feeds the water heater, so it has shut the wash down rather than risk heating when it shouldn't. On these Electrolux EWM1000 plus machines, the control board watches a relay (K3) that switches power to the heating element, and cross-checks it against an anti-boiling pressure switch that confirms there is enough water in the tub. If what the relay is doing doesn't agree with what that switch is reporting, the board flags E66, drains and blocks the cycle. It normally shows up around the point the wash should start heating, so the load comes out wet and cold.

Can I fix Electrolux E66 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 try a short cold wash — if it clears, note whether it returns as soon as heating should begin.
Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe, as poor drainage can upset water level readings.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E66?

£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 E66?

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 E66 error — washing machine