What E73 actually means
The temperature sensor in the drying duct isn't giving a sensible reading, so the machine has abandoned the drying part of the cycle.
This code only concerns the drying side of a washer-dryer. The control board watches a small temperature sensor (an NTC) in the drying air duct, and it has read a value outside the possible range — effectively an open circuit or a short. Rather than run a heater it can't monitor, the board skips the drying heating phase, which is why washing may still finish but the load comes out wet. Note the code won't clear by switching the machine off; the cycle has to be reset or start/pause pressed at the end.
What usually causes it
- Failed temperature sensor in the drying duct
- Broken, chafed or disconnected wiring to that sensor
- Corroded or loose connector at the sensor
- Fault on the main control board reading 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.
- Reset the cycle, or press start/pause once the cycle has ended, to clear the alarm — turning the machine off at the wall alone won't do it
- Run a wash-only programme with no drying selected; if that completes normally, it confirms the fault sits on the drying side
- Make sure the machine isn't packed against a wall and the air can move freely around it
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. 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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