Montpellier E51 tumble dryer: what it means & what to check

What E51 actually means

The machine's motor control board is running the wrong software, so the electronics refuse to drive the drum and the cycle stops.

These Montpellier washer dryers use a brushless (BLDC) motor with its own control card, and the main board checks that the card is running software it recognises. When it finds the wrong version — or a version it cannot match to the rest of the machine — it flags E51 and halts rather than spinning the drum blind. It is a mismatch inside the control electronics, not a mechanical fault with the drum, heater or drain.

What E51 looks like on a Montpellier tumble dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Montpellier tumble dryer, E51 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Not drying
Blowing cold air
Clothes still damp at the end
Takes hours to dry

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

The motor control card is running the wrong software version
A replacement main board or motor card fitted without the correct software for the model
A failed or interrupted software update to the control electronics
A corrupted control board that no longer reports a valid software version

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 back on and try the cycle again — an occasional one-off reading will clear
Take it off any extension lead or adaptor and use a wall socket directly
Note whether the code returns straight away or only on certain programmes; that is useful to the engineer

Which Montpellier models show E51

E51 means the same thing on all 6 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.

MWD8514W · MWM1014BLW · MWM814BLC · MWM814BLK · MWM814BLS · MWM814BLW

Common questions about Montpellier E51

What does E51 mean on a Montpellier tumble dryer?

The machine's motor control board is running the wrong software, so the electronics refuse to drive the drum and the cycle stops. These Montpellier washer dryers use a brushless (BLDC) motor with its own control card, and the main board checks that the card is running software it recognises. When it finds the wrong version — or a version it cannot match to the rest of the machine — it flags E51 and halts rather than spinning the drum blind. It is a mismatch inside the control electronics, not a mechanical fault with the drum, heater or drain.

Can I fix Montpellier E51 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and try the cycle again — an occasional one-off reading will clear.
Take it off any extension lead or adaptor and use a wall socket directly.
Note whether the code returns straight away or only on certain programmes; that is useful to the engineer.

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

How much does it cost to repair Montpellier E51?

£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 E51?

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 tumble dryer 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 tumble dryer 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 E51 error — tumble dryer