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 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.
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.
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