Electrolux E73 tumble dryer: what it means & what to check

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 E73 actually means

The dryer has lost a sensible reading from the temperature sensor on its steam generator, so it halts the cycle rather than run the steam function blind.

Models with a steam or refresh function have their own small water heater, and a sensor (an NTC thermistor) watches its temperature. When the control board sees a reading that is out of range or absent altogether, it stops the programme on the spot — usually part-way through, with the door still locked until it cools and releases. Without a trustworthy reading the machine has no safe way to control the steam heater, which is why it will not simply carry on.

What E73 looks like on a Electrolux tumble dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Electrolux tumble dryer, E73 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
Not drying
Blowing cold air
Clothes still damp at the end

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 steam generator temperature sensor
A loose or corroded plug on the sensor wiring
Damaged wiring in the loom to the steam unit
Scale or water damage around the steam heater
Control board fault misreading the sensor

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 dryer off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and try the cycle again — a one-off glitch can clear.
If your model has a removable water tank for the steam function, check it is fitted properly and seated fully home.
Try a plain drying programme with no steam or refresh option selected; if that runs through, it confirms the fault sits in the steam side.

Which Electrolux models show E73

E73 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.

EDH803J5WCR

Common questions about Electrolux E73

What does E73 mean on a Electrolux tumble dryer?

The dryer has lost a sensible reading from the temperature sensor on its steam generator, so it halts the cycle rather than run the steam function blind. Models with a steam or refresh function have their own small water heater, and a sensor (an NTC thermistor) watches its temperature. When the control board sees a reading that is out of range or absent altogether, it stops the programme on the spot — usually part-way through, with the door still locked until it cools and releases. Without a trustworthy reading the machine has no safe way to control the steam heater, which is why it will not simply carry on.

Can I fix Electrolux E73 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and try the cycle again — a one-off glitch can clear.
If your model has a removable water tank for the steam function, check it is fitted properly and seated fully home.
Try a plain drying programme with no steam or refresh option selected; if that runs through, it confirms the fault sits in the steam side.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E73?

£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 E73?

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 tumble dryer 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 tumble dryer codes

All Electrolux fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

tumble dryer not heating

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 E73 error — tumble dryer