Montpellier E31 washing machine: what it means & what to try

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 E31 actually means

The machine has tried to release the door catch and failed, so it has given up and flagged that the door won't unlock.

On these Montpellier washers the control board makes six attempts to operate the door interlock. If the lock still hasn't responded after the sixth try, the machine stops and shows E31 rather than keep pulling on a catch that isn't moving. You'll usually see it at the end of a cycle, with the door held shut and your washing still inside.

What E31 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, E31 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
Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

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

Door interlock worn out or stuck — much the most common cause
Laundry caught in the door seal, holding the catch under load
Door not sitting square in the frame, so the catch is under strain
Loose or damaged internal wiring between the control board and the lock
Faulty main control board — the manual notes this is uncommon

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 switch it back on — the lock sometimes releases on the next power-up.
Give the machine a couple of minutes after the cycle ends; the interlock needs a short time to release and cannot be rushed.
Check nothing is trapped in the door seal or wedged against the catch, and that the drum has stopped spinning.
If the drum still has water in it, run a drain or spin programme — the door won't release with water above the door line.
Push the door firmly closed and try a cancel or reset on the programme dial, then wait again.

Which Montpellier models show E31

E31 means the same thing on all 2 of these models. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

MIWM65 · MW7142P

Common questions about Montpellier E31

What does E31 mean on a Montpellier washing machine?

The machine has tried to release the door catch and failed, so it has given up and flagged that the door won't unlock. On these Montpellier washers the control board makes six attempts to operate the door interlock. If the lock still hasn't responded after the sixth try, the machine stops and shows E31 rather than keep pulling on a catch that isn't moving. You'll usually see it at the end of a cycle, with the door held shut and your washing still inside.

Can I fix Montpellier E31 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch it back on — the lock sometimes releases on the next power-up.
Give the machine a couple of minutes after the cycle ends; the interlock needs a short time to release and cannot be rushed.
Check nothing is trapped in the door seal or wedged against the catch, and that the drum has stopped spinning.
If the drum still has water in it, run a drain or spin programme — the door won't release with water above the door line.
Push the door firmly closed and try a cancel or reset on the programme dial, then wait again.

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

How much does it cost to repair Montpellier E31?

£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 E31?

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 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 E31 error — washing machine