Hoover E11 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 E11 actually means

The dryer has detected that it's getting too hot at the back of the condenser and has stopped the cycle to protect itself.

A sensor at the rear of the condenser is reading a temperature above what Hoover allows, which almost always means air isn't moving through the machine properly. The control board halts the programme rather than let the heat keep building. On a condenser or heat-pump dryer the air has to circulate continuously, so anything clogged with fluff or a fan that isn't turning will trigger this.

What E11 looks like on a Hoover tumble dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Hoover tumble dryer, E11 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
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill

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

Fluff-clogged filters or condenser blocking the airflow
Condenser unit dirty or not seated properly after cleaning
Fan blocked or jammed by fluff and debris
Failed fan motor, so no air is being drawn through
Dryer pushed tight against a wall or in a cupboard with no air to draw on

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.

Clean the door filter and any secondary fluff filter thoroughly — rinse and dry them if they're matted
If your model has a removable condenser behind the kick flap, take it out, rinse it under the tap and refit it firmly with the catches locked
Wipe fluff out of the condenser housing and its seals
Pull the dryer out a little so the vents at the back and base aren't against a wall, and make sure the room isn't sealed up
Switch off at the socket for a minute, then run a short cycle and see whether it gets further

Which Hoover models show E11

E11 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.

DMCD1013B

Common questions about Hoover E11

What does E11 mean on a Hoover tumble dryer?

The dryer has detected that it's getting too hot at the back of the condenser and has stopped the cycle to protect itself. A sensor at the rear of the condenser is reading a temperature above what Hoover allows, which almost always means air isn't moving through the machine properly. The control board halts the programme rather than let the heat keep building. On a condenser or heat-pump dryer the air has to circulate continuously, so anything clogged with fluff or a fan that isn't turning will trigger this.

Can I fix Hoover E11 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Clean the door filter and any secondary fluff filter thoroughly — rinse and dry them if they're matted.
If your model has a removable condenser behind the kick flap, take it out, rinse it under the tap and refit it firmly with the catches locked.
Wipe fluff out of the condenser housing and its seals.
Pull the dryer out a little so the vents at the back and base aren't against a wall, and make sure the room isn't sealed up.
Switch off at the socket for a minute, then run a short cycle and see whether it gets further.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair Hoover E11?

£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 E11?

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. 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 Hoover tumble dryer 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 E11 error — tumble dryer