What E87 actually means
The control panel's own processor has failed an internal self-check, so the machine is flagging the user interface board as faulty.
The user interface (the board behind the buttons and display) runs a check on its own microcontroller memory. If that check fails, Electrolux logs E87 as a warning against the interface board. Electrolux's own notes point out that this one is normally not shown on the display at all — it usually turns up when the fault memory is read out in service mode, often alongside odd panel behaviour such as buttons not responding or a programme that won't select.
What usually causes it
- Damaged microcontroller memory on the user interface board
- A previous power surge or spike affecting the control panel
- Moisture or damp getting into the panel area
- Interface board reaching the end of its life after long service
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 socket for a minute, then power it back up — the fault clears on a reset and may not return
- Reset the current cycle with the programme selector, or press Start/Pause at the end of the cycle, to clear the stored warning
- If the panel is working, run a normal cycle and note whether buttons or the display misbehave — that detail helps an engineer
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.
Other Electrolux washing machine codes
- Electrolux C02 — The machine isn't getting water into the main wash compartme…
- Electrolux C11 — C11 isn't a fault at all — it's the engineer's diagnostic me…
- Electrolux E00 — E00 isn't a fault \u2014 it's the machine telling you no err…
- Electrolux E10 — The machine isn't getting water in fast enough, so it has pa…
- Electrolux E11 — The machine hasn't taken in enough water in the time allowed…
- Electrolux E12 — The machine tried to take in water during the drying part of…
- Electrolux E13 — The machine has had to keep topping itself up with water dur…
- Electrolux E20 — The machine can't get the water out, and Electrolux flags it…