What E18 actually means
The temperature sensor that watches the drying air has given a reading the control board doesn't believe, so the dryer side shuts down.
On these Servis washer dryers the drying cycle relies on an NTC sensor to report how hot the air is. The board expects a plausible reading — the service autotest looks for something between 0°C and 50°C when the machine is cold — and if the resistance is out of range, open circuit or short, it decides the sensor cannot be trusted. Rather than run the dryer heaters blind, it abandons heating and flags E18. Washing usually still works; it is the drying part that stops.
What E18 looks like on a Servis washer dryer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Servis washer dryer, E18 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Not drying
- Blowing cold air
- Clothes still damp at the end
- Takes hours to dry
- 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
- Faulty dryer NTC temperature sensor
- Loose or corroded plug on the sensor or the dryer board
- Damaged or chafed wiring between the sensor and the control board
- Machine standing somewhere very cold, such as an unheated garage, giving an out-of-range reading
- Fault on the control board itself reading the sensor incorrectly
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 a short drying cycle — a one-off misread will clear
- If the machine lives in a garage or outhouse, let the room warm up before trying again; a very cold drum can push the reading outside the range the board accepts
- Use the wash-only programmes in the meantime and check whether they run normally, which tells the engineer the fault is confined to the drying side
Which Servis models show E18
E18 means the same thing on all 5 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.
LD752W · WD1496FGB · WD1496FGR · WD1496FGS · WD1496FGW
Common questions about Servis E18
What does E18 mean on a Servis washer dryer?
The temperature sensor that watches the drying air has given a reading the control board doesn't believe, so the dryer side shuts down. On these Servis washer dryers the drying cycle relies on an NTC sensor to report how hot the air is. The board expects a plausible reading — the service autotest looks for something between 0°C and 50°C when the machine is cold — and if the resistance is out of range, open circuit or short, it decides the sensor cannot be trusted. Rather than run the dryer heaters blind, it abandons heating and flags E18. Washing usually still works; it is the drying part that stops.
Can I fix Servis E18 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 a short drying cycle — a one-off misread will clear.
- If the machine lives in a garage or outhouse, let the room warm up before trying again; a very cold drum can push the reading outside the range the board accepts.
- Use the wash-only programmes in the meantime and check whether they run normally, which tells the engineer the fault is confined to the drying side.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair Servis E18?
£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 E18?
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 washer 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 Servis washer dryer codes
- Servis E01 — The machine can't confirm the door is locked, so it won't le…
- Servis E02 — The machine hasn't taken in the water it expected, so it has…
- Servis E03 — The machine has tried to pump the water out and hasn't manag…
- Servis E04 — The machine has found more water in the drum than the progra…
- Servis E05 — The machine can't get a sensible reading from the temperatur…
- Servis E06 — The control board has lost confidence in the drum motor ing …
- Servis E07 — The control board has lost — or never received — the setting…
- Servis E08 — The control board can't drive the drum motor properly — the …
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