Electrolux E85 washer 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 E85 actually means

The control board can't make sense of what's happening with the recirculation pump — the switching device that turns it on isn't behaving the way the board expects, so the machine drains and stops.

Electrolux washer dryers use a recirculation pump to spray water back over the load during washing, and it is switched by a triac on the main control board. The board watches the electrical signal at that triac while it commands it on and off; if the reading disagrees with what it has asked for — for two attempts about ten seconds apart, three seconds at a time — it raises this alarm. It then runs a safety drain and releases the door lock, so you'll typically find the drum emptied and the door free to open mid-cycle.

What E85 looks like on a Electrolux washer dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Electrolux washer dryer, E85 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

Failed triac on the main control board — often short-circuited, so the board sees the pump powered when it shouldn't be
Recirculation pump motor open circuit, or its internal thermal cut-out has tripped
Loose or disconnected wiring between the board and the recirculation pump
A board fault where the triac output isn't reaching the pump at all

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.

Switch the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back on and start a fresh cycle — the alarm can be cleared with Start/Pause, by resetting the cycle, or by switching off, so a one-off glitch will clear
Clear the drain filter and check the drain hose isn't kinked or trapped behind the machine — worth ruling out before an engineer visit, as it costs nothing

Which Electrolux models show E85

E85 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.

EA2F6820CF

Common questions about Electrolux E85

What does E85 mean on a Electrolux washer dryer?

The control board can't make sense of what's happening with the recirculation pump — the switching device that turns it on isn't behaving the way the board expects, so the machine drains and stops. Electrolux washer dryers use a recirculation pump to spray water back over the load during washing, and it is switched by a triac on the main control board. The board watches the electrical signal at that triac while it commands it on and off; if the reading disagrees with what it has asked for — for two attempts about ten seconds apart, three seconds at a time — it raises this alarm. It then runs a safety drain and releases the door lock, so you'll typically find the drum emptied and the door free to open mid-cycle.

Can I fix Electrolux E85 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Switch the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back on and start a fresh cycle — the alarm can be cleared with Start/Pause, by resetting the cycle, or by switching off, so a one-off glitch will clear.
Clear the drain filter and check the drain hose isn't kinked or trapped behind the machine — worth ruling out before an engineer visit, as it costs nothing.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E85?

£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 E85?

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 washer 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 washer dryer codes

All Electrolux fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

washer dryer not drying

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Electrolux E85 error — washer dryer