Hoover E11 washing machine: what it means & what to check

What E11 actually means

The machine can't see a working drying heater circuit, so it stops rather than attempt the drying part of the cycle.

On Hoover washer-dryers, E11 is reported when the control finds an open circuit on the drying side — the drying heater itself, the NTC temperature probe that watches the drying air, the drying module, or the wiring between them. Washing usually still behaves normally; it's the moment the programme tries to switch over to drying that the fault is flagged. It halts at that point because running a drying cycle with no reliable heater or temperature feedback is not something it will risk.

What E11 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, E11 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 heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
Noisy fan

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

Failed drying heating element (open circuit)
Faulty NTC temperature probe for drying
Broken or corroded connection in the drying heater wiring
Fault on the drying electronic module
Blocked airflow causing the heater's thermal protection to cut out

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 see whether the code returns — sometimes it clears a one-off reading.
Clean out the pump filter at the bottom front and make sure the drain hose isn't kinked, as poor draining can upset a drying cycle.
Try a wash-only programme with no drying selected; if that finishes cleanly, it confirms the fault sits on the drying side.
Check the machine isn't jammed tight against a wall or cupboard, so air can get in and out at the back.

Common questions about Hoover E11

What does E11 mean on a Hoover washing machine?

The machine can't see a working drying heater circuit, so it stops rather than attempt the drying part of the cycle. On Hoover washer-dryers, E11 is reported when the control finds an open circuit on the drying side — the drying heater itself, the NTC temperature probe that watches the drying air, the drying module, or the wiring between them. Washing usually still behaves normally; it's the moment the programme tries to switch over to drying that the fault is flagged. It halts at that point because running a drying cycle with no reliable heater or temperature feedback is not something it will risk.

Can I fix Hoover E11 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and see whether the code returns — sometimes it clears a one-off reading.
Clean out the pump filter at the bottom front and make sure the drain hose isn't kinked, as poor draining can upset a drying cycle.
Try a wash-only programme with no drying selected; if that finishes cleanly, it confirms the fault sits on the drying side.
Check the machine isn't jammed tight against a wall or cupboard, so air can get in and out at the back.

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

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 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 E11 error — washing machine