Hoover E04 washing machine: 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 E04 actually means

The machine has decided it's being overfilled with water and has shut itself down to stop a flood.

The pressure switch that monitors the water level in the drum has an anti-flood safety contact, and on Hoover and Candy machines the control board counts how often it trips. After three of those interventions it stops the cycle and shows this code rather than risk water on the floor. In other words, water has been getting into the drum when it shouldn't be, or the level sensing is telling lies.

What E04 looks like on a Hoover washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Hoover washing machine, E04 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
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

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

Water inlet valve stuck open, so the drum keeps filling
Faulty pressure switch giving a false high-level reading
Blocked or split pressure switch hose, so the level is misread
Wiring or connector fault between the switch and the control 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 machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch it back on and try a short cycle — if the code returns straight away, it needs looking at
Watch whether water keeps trickling into the drum while the machine is switched off; if it does, close the tap at the wall and leave it closed until an engineer attends
Check the drain hose isn't pushed too far down the standpipe or kinked, as poor draining can upset the level reading

Common questions about Hoover E04

What does E04 mean on a Hoover washing machine?

The machine has decided it's being overfilled with water and has shut itself down to stop a flood. The pressure switch that monitors the water level in the drum has an anti-flood safety contact, and on Hoover and Candy machines the control board counts how often it trips. After three of those interventions it stops the cycle and shows this code rather than risk water on the floor. In other words, water has been getting into the drum when it shouldn't be, or the level sensing is telling lies.

Can I fix Hoover E04 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch it back on and try a short cycle — if the code returns straight away, it needs looking at.
Watch whether water keeps trickling into the drum while the machine is switched off; if it does, close the tap at the wall and leave it closed until an engineer attends.
Check the drain hose isn't pushed too far down the standpipe or kinked, as poor draining can upset the level reading.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hoover E04?

£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 E04?

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 Hoover washing machine codes

All Hoover 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.

Hoover E04 error — washing machine