Samsung E05 washing machine: what it means & what to check

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 E05 actually means

The machine isn't heating the water properly, so it has stopped the wash rather than carry on cold.

Samsung's control board watches the water temperature while the heater is on. If the water hasn't climbed to around 50°C within about 20 minutes — or the sensor reports a nonsensically high reading above 100°C — the machine calls it a heating fault and halts. You'll usually notice it partway into the wash, with the drum full of cool water and the programme frozen.

What E05 looks like on a Samsung washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Samsung washing machine, E05 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 heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should

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

Failed heating element in the drum housing
Faulty temperature sensor giving the board a false reading
Wiring or connection to the heater broken
Control board fault (less common, and often blamed wrongly)

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 back on and restart a short cycle — occasionally the code clears if it was a one-off sensor glitch.
Note whether the door glass stays cold throughout the wash; that tells the engineer the heater genuinely isn't working, which saves time.

Common questions about Samsung E05

What does E05 mean on a Samsung washing machine?

The machine isn't heating the water properly, so it has stopped the wash rather than carry on cold. Samsung's control board watches the water temperature while the heater is on. If the water hasn't climbed to around 50°C within about 20 minutes — or the sensor reports a nonsensically high reading above 100°C — the machine calls it a heating fault and halts. You'll usually notice it partway into the wash, with the drum full of cool water and the programme frozen.

Can I fix Samsung E05 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on and restart a short cycle — occasionally the code clears if it was a one-off sensor glitch.
Note whether the door glass stays cold throughout the wash; that tells the engineer the heater genuinely isn't working, which saves time.

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

How much does it cost to repair Samsung E05?

£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 E05?

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 Samsung washing machine codes

All Samsung 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.

Samsung E05 error — washing machine