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 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
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
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
- Sharp E01 — The machine can't confirm the door is shut and locked, so it…
- Sharp E02 — The machine isn't getting enough water in the time it expect…
- Sharp E05 — The machine can't read the water temperature properly, or th…
- Sharp E08 — The machine has spotted a fault in the electronics that cont…
- Sharp E10 — The machine can't get a sensible reading from the sensor tha…
- Sharp F02 — The machine has tried to pump the water out and it hasn't go…
- Sharp F09 — The machine can't tell where the water-diverter (the part th…