Montpellier E40 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 E40 actually means

The washing machine's control board has failed its own internal memory check, so it won't trust its settings enough to carry on.

Montpellier's service routine for the MW7142P includes a self-test of the EEPROM — the small block of memory on the main control board that holds the machine's programme data and settings. If that memory reads back correctly the board reports a pass; if it doesn't, it flags E40 (or the related E41). In plain terms the brain of the machine can't read its own stored information reliably, so it stops rather than run a cycle blind.

What E40 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, E40 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Leaking
Water on the floor
Puddle underneath
Shuts itself down and won't restart
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start

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 fault in the memory chip on the main control board
Corrupted stored data after a power cut or voltage spike
A control board that has been damaged by damp or a water leak inside the machine
A replacement or incorrectly programmed control board fitted previously

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 socket, leave it for a minute, then switch back on — an occasional one-off memory read error can clear on a full power-down
Check the plug and socket are sound and the machine isn't sharing an overloaded extension lead, as unstable supply can upset the board

Which Montpellier models show E40

E40 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.

MW7142P

Common questions about Montpellier E40

What does E40 mean on a Montpellier washing machine?

The washing machine's control board has failed its own internal memory check, so it won't trust its settings enough to carry on. Montpellier's service routine for the MW7142P includes a self-test of the EEPROM — the small block of memory on the main control board that holds the machine's programme data and settings. If that memory reads back correctly the board reports a pass; if it doesn't, it flags E40 (or the related E41). In plain terms the brain of the machine can't read its own stored information reliably, so it stops rather than run a cycle blind.

Can I fix Montpellier E40 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall socket, leave it for a minute, then switch back on — an occasional one-off memory read error can clear on a full power-down.
Check the plug and socket are sound and the machine isn't sharing an overloaded extension lead, as unstable supply can upset the board.

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

How much does it cost to repair Montpellier E40?

£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 E40?

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 E40 error — washing machine