Electrolux E86 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 E86 actually means

The dryer's control board has lost or can't read the settings data that tells it which programme selector positions it should have, so it won't run a cycle.

Electrolux dryers store a configuration table that matches each position of the programme selector to an actual drying cycle. When the board reads that table and finds it missing, corrupted or not matching the model it thinks it is, it flags this fault rather than risk running the wrong programme. It is a data/electronics fault inside the machine, not a drum, filter or airflow problem.

What E86 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, E86 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not drying properly
Takes hours to dry a load
Getting hot but the clothes stay damp
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start
Machine tripping the electrics

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

Corrupted configuration data in the control board's memory
A control board fitted or replaced without being configured for that exact model
Wiring or connection fault between the user interface and the main board
Failed user interface (selector) board

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 socket, leave it a minute or two, then switch back on — an occasional read error will clear on a restart
Check the programme selector turns freely and is not sitting between two positions

Which Electrolux models show E86

E86 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 E86

What does E86 mean on a Electrolux tumble dryer?

The dryer's control board has lost or can't read the settings data that tells it which programme selector positions it should have, so it won't run a cycle. Electrolux dryers store a configuration table that matches each position of the programme selector to an actual drying cycle. When the board reads that table and finds it missing, corrupted or not matching the model it thinks it is, it flags this fault rather than risk running the wrong programme. It is a data/electronics fault inside the machine, not a drum, filter or airflow problem.

Can I fix Electrolux E86 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dryer off at the wall socket, leave it a minute or two, then switch back on — an occasional read error will clear on a restart.
Check the programme selector turns freely and is not sitting between two positions.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux E86?

£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 E86?

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 drum not turning

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 E86 error — tumble dryer