Montpellier E17 washing machine: what it means & what to try

What E17 actually means

The machine has spotted too much foam in the drum repeatedly and has cut the wash short rather than carry on.

During a cycle the machine checks for excess suds. If it detects heavy foam five or more times it stops trying to rinse and spin properly and flags E17. It's a warning rather than a fault with a part — usually the machine is fine and the detergent or load is the problem.

What E17 looks like on a Montpellier washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Montpellier washing machine, E17 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle
E17 flashing on the display
Beeping and showing E17

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

Too much detergent for the load size or water hardness
Using hand-wash or non-HE detergent in an automatic machine
Very small load with a normal dose of detergent
Detergent left over from a previous overdose still in the drum
Washing items that hold a lot of soap, such as bedding or heavy towels

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.

Run a rinse and spin cycle with no detergent to clear the suds out
Next wash, halve the amount of detergent and use only detergent meant for automatic machines
Check the detergent drawer isn't clogged with old powder — rinse it out under the tap
Make sure the drum isn't overloaded, and turn the machine off at the wall for a minute to reset the warning

Which Montpellier models show E17

E17 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.

MWBI7012

Common questions about Montpellier E17

What does E17 mean on a Montpellier washing machine?

The machine has spotted too much foam in the drum repeatedly and has cut the wash short rather than carry on. During a cycle the machine checks for excess suds. If it detects heavy foam five or more times it stops trying to rinse and spin properly and flags E17. It's a warning rather than a fault with a part — usually the machine is fine and the detergent or load is the problem.

Can I fix Montpellier E17 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Run a rinse and spin cycle with no detergent to clear the suds out.
Next wash, halve the amount of detergent and use only detergent meant for automatic machines.
Check the detergent drawer isn't clogged with old powder — rinse it out under the tap.
Make sure the drum isn't overloaded, and turn the machine off at the wall for a minute to reset the warning.

This often clears with those checks, and rarely needs an engineer.

How much does it cost to repair Montpellier E17?

£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 E17?

This often clears with the checks above, and rarely needs an engineer. 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 Montpellier washing machine codes

All Montpellier 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.

Montpellier E17 error — washing machine