Montpellier E41 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 E41 actually means

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

When the machine powers up and runs its self-test, part of that test reads the memory chip on the main control board (the EEPROM) where the settings and programme data are stored. If what comes back doesn't match what it expects, the board reports E41 and stops rather than running a cycle on data it can't trust. It is a fault with the electronics themselves, not with water, draining or the door.

What E41 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, E41 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

A failed or corrupted memory chip on the main control board
A power surge or interruption that scrambled the stored data
A loose or corroded connection on the control board
Water or damp having reached the control board area
A control board that has failed outright and needs replacing

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.

Switch the machine off at the wall socket, leave it a full minute, then switch back on — occasionally the self-test passes on a clean restart
Check the plug and socket are dry and the machine isn't sharing an overloaded extension lead

Which Montpellier models show E41

E41 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 E41

What does E41 mean on a Montpellier washing machine?

The washing machine's control board has failed a check on its own internal memory, so it won't carry on. When the machine powers up and runs its self-test, part of that test reads the memory chip on the main control board (the EEPROM) where the settings and programme data are stored. If what comes back doesn't match what it expects, the board reports E41 and stops rather than running a cycle on data it can't trust. It is a fault with the electronics themselves, not with water, draining or the door.

Can I fix Montpellier E41 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Switch the machine off at the wall socket, leave it a full minute, then switch back on — occasionally the self-test passes on a clean restart.
Check the plug and socket are dry and the machine isn't sharing an overloaded extension lead.

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

How much does it cost to repair Montpellier E41?

£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 E41?

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 E41 error — washing machine