Grundig E71 washing machine: what it means & what to check

What E71 actually means

The machine has lost a sensible signal from the sensor that watches the Aquatech water-flow paddle inside the drum, so it has stopped rather than carry on with the wash.

Grundig's Aquatech system uses a moving wing inside the drum with a magnet in it, and a reed sensor on the outside that picks up the magnet as it passes. The control board expects a regular pattern of movement, particularly during rinsing, and E71 is raised when the sensor circuit reads as faulty — either shorted out or dead — rather than giving that pattern. Because the machine can no longer confirm water is being distributed as it should, it halts the programme.

What E71 looks like on a Grundig washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Grundig washing machine, E71 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
Turns one way only

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

The reed sensor itself having failed
A chafed or shorted sensor cable running to the motor board
The plug at the motor board (KN4) loose or damaged
The magnet missing or dislodged from the Aquatech wing in the drum
A fault on the motor control board pins

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 for a minute, then power it back up and start a short cycle — occasional one-off readings do clear
Look inside the empty drum and check nothing (a coin, a bra wire, a sock) has lodged around the moving Aquatech paddle so it cannot swing freely

Which Grundig models show E71

E71 means the same thing on all 4 of these models. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

7129141100 · 7129141400 · 7134541300 · 7142641100

Common questions about Grundig E71

What does E71 mean on a Grundig washing machine?

The machine has lost a sensible signal from the sensor that watches the Aquatech water-flow paddle inside the drum, so it has stopped rather than carry on with the wash. Grundig's Aquatech system uses a moving wing inside the drum with a magnet in it, and a reed sensor on the outside that picks up the magnet as it passes. The control board expects a regular pattern of movement, particularly during rinsing, and E71 is raised when the sensor circuit reads as faulty — either shorted out or dead — rather than giving that pattern. Because the machine can no longer confirm water is being distributed as it should, it halts the programme.

Can I fix Grundig E71 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and start a short cycle — occasional one-off readings do clear.
Look inside the empty drum and check nothing (a coin, a bra wire, a sock) has lodged around the moving Aquatech paddle so it cannot swing freely.

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

How much does it cost to repair Grundig E71?

£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 E71?

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 washing machine 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 Grundig washing machine codes

All Grundig fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

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.

Grundig E71 error — washing machine