Hoover E12 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 E12 actually means

The machine has started a drying cycle but the air going into the drum isn't heating up, so it has stopped the programme.

This one only appears on Hoover washer-dryers, during the drying part of the cycle. The control board watches the temperature sensor (NTC probe) in the drying circuit and expects to see the air warming once the drying heater switches on. If the temperature doesn't climb, it assumes the heating has failed and halts with E12 — usually you'll find clothes tumbling but coming out cold and damp.

What E12 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, E12 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
Noisy fan
Not getting cold evenly
Cuts out after a few minutes
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up

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
Faulty NTC temperature probe in the drying circuit
Damaged or corroded wiring to the heater or probe
Fault on the drying control electronics

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 restart — an odd one-off reading will clear.
Check the wash side still works normally on a short cycle; if washing is fine, the fault is confined to the drying circuit.
Make sure the drum isn't overloaded for drying — a packed drum restricts airflow past the heater and sensor.

Common questions about Hoover E12

What does E12 mean on a Hoover washing machine?

The machine has started a drying cycle but the air going into the drum isn't heating up, so it has stopped the programme. This one only appears on Hoover washer-dryers, during the drying part of the cycle. The control board watches the temperature sensor (NTC probe) in the drying circuit and expects to see the air warming once the drying heater switches on. If the temperature doesn't climb, it assumes the heating has failed and halts with E12 — usually you'll find clothes tumbling but coming out cold and damp.

Can I fix Hoover E12 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then restart — an odd one-off reading will clear.
Check the wash side still works normally on a short cycle; if washing is fine, the fault is confined to the drying circuit.
Make sure the drum isn't overloaded for drying — a packed drum restricts airflow past the heater and sensor.

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

How much does it cost to repair Hoover E12?

£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 E12?

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 E12 error — washing machine