Electrolux E68 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 E68 actually means

The machine has detected electricity leaking to earth — usually through the water heating element — and has shut itself down as a safety measure.

Electrolux control boards monitor the voltage across the heater circuit. If that reading sits outside its normal limits for more than about ten seconds, the machine assumes current is escaping to earth through the heating element or another live part, sets E68 and stops. Depending on the cycle stage it may drain a hot load before releasing the door, and the alarm will only clear once the machine is switched off or the cycle reset.

What E68 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, E68 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

The wash heating element has broken down internally and is leaking to earth — by far the most common finding
Damp or corroded wiring connections at the heater
Water leaking onto electrical parts inside the machine
Another electrical component leaking to earth, such as the dryer heater on washer dryers
A fault on the control board's sensing circuit itself

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 back on and reset the cycle — if E68 returns straight away, it is a genuine leakage fault
Look underneath and around the machine for any sign of water on the floor
Check whether the machine trips your household RCD or fuse board when it starts heating — if it does, leave it unplugged

Which Electrolux models show E68

E68 means the same thing on all 4 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 · ZWX9115XL

Common questions about Electrolux E68

What does E68 mean on a Electrolux washing machine?

The machine has detected electricity leaking to earth — usually through the water heating element — and has shut itself down as a safety measure. Electrolux control boards monitor the voltage across the heater circuit. If that reading sits outside its normal limits for more than about ten seconds, the machine assumes current is escaping to earth through the heating element or another live part, sets E68 and stops. Depending on the cycle stage it may drain a hot load before releasing the door, and the alarm will only clear once the machine is switched off or the cycle reset.

Can I fix Electrolux E68 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and reset the cycle — if E68 returns straight away, it is a genuine leakage fault.
Look underneath and around the machine for any sign of water on the floor.
Check whether the machine trips your household RCD or fuse board when it starts heating — if it does, leave it unplugged.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E68?

£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 E68?

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 E68 error — washing machine