Sharp E06 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 E06 actually means

The machine has lost proper control or feedback from its drum motor, so it has stopped rather than risk running blind.

E06 is a motor fault. The control board expects a speed signal back from the motor (via its tachometer) and either isn't getting one or the motor's wiring connection has come loose. Without knowing how fast the drum is turning, the machine won't start or continue a wash, so it halts and shows the code.

What E06 looks like on a Sharp washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Sharp washing machine, E06 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
Turns one way only
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

Loose or disconnected motor plug behind the machine's casing
Faulty motor speed sensor (tachometer)
Worn motor brushes on older belt-driven models
Failed control board output to the motor
Something jamming the drum so the motor can't turn freely

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 power it back up and try a short cycle — this clears one-off glitches
With the power off at the socket, turn the drum by hand and check it moves freely and nothing is trapped inside
Make sure the machine isn't badly overloaded, and try again with a smaller load
Check it isn't standing somewhere very cold or damp, as the manufacturer advises against running it in poor conditions

Which Sharp models show E06

E06 means the same thing on all 7 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.

ES-FA6102W2-EN · ES-FA6122W2-EN · ES-FB7124W2-EN · ES-FB7144W3-EN · ES-FC8144W3-EN · ES-GFD9144W3-EN · KH-7I19CS00-EU

Common questions about Sharp E06

What does E06 mean on a Sharp washing machine?

The machine has lost proper control or feedback from its drum motor, so it has stopped rather than risk running blind. E06 is a motor fault. The control board expects a speed signal back from the motor (via its tachometer) and either isn't getting one or the motor's wiring connection has come loose. Without knowing how fast the drum is turning, the machine won't start or continue a wash, so it halts and shows the code.

Can I fix Sharp E06 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and try a short cycle — this clears one-off glitches.
With the power off at the socket, turn the drum by hand and check it moves freely and nothing is trapped inside.
Make sure the machine isn't badly overloaded, and try again with a smaller load.
Check it isn't standing somewhere very cold or damp, as the manufacturer advises against running it in poor conditions.

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

How much does it cost to repair Sharp E06?

£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 E06?

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 Sharp washing machine codes

All Sharp 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.

Sharp E06 error — washing machine