Montpellier E18 washing machine: what it means & what to try

What E18 actually means

The wash finished but the machine couldn't spin the load because it was unevenly spread in the drum, so your washing is still very wet.

E18 is a warning rather than a fault. The machine tries to balance the load before spinning, and if the clothes stay bunched to one side it abandons the spin to avoid hammering the drum bearings and shaking the machine about. Everything else in the cycle has run normally.

What E18 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, E18 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

A single heavy item such as a duvet, towel or pair of jeans balled up on one side
Very small load, so there's nothing to balance it out
Overloaded drum leaving no room for clothes to redistribute
Machine not sitting level, or feet not firm on the floor
Occasionally a worn drum bearing or suspension leg that stops the drum settling

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.

Open the door, shake the washing out and spread it evenly around the drum, then run a rinse and spin
Add a couple of towels if you were washing one bulky item on its own
Don't fill the drum more than about three quarters full
Check the machine isn't rocking on an uneven floor and that nothing is wedged under it
Turn it off at the socket for a minute to clear the warning

Which Montpellier models show E18

E18 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 E18

What does E18 mean on a Montpellier washing machine?

The wash finished but the machine couldn't spin the load because it was unevenly spread in the drum, so your washing is still very wet. E18 is a warning rather than a fault. The machine tries to balance the load before spinning, and if the clothes stay bunched to one side it abandons the spin to avoid hammering the drum bearings and shaking the machine about. Everything else in the cycle has run normally.

Can I fix Montpellier E18 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Open the door, shake the washing out and spread it evenly around the drum, then run a rinse and spin.
Add a couple of towels if you were washing one bulky item on its own.
Don't fill the drum more than about three quarters full.
Check the machine isn't rocking on an uneven floor and that nothing is wedged under it.
Turn it off at the socket for a minute to clear the warning.

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

How much does it cost to repair Montpellier E18?

£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 E18?

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 E18 error — washing machine