What E01 actually means
The machine can't confirm the door is shut and locked, so it won't run — or it decided the door came open part-way through a cycle.
Willow's control board checks the door lock before it will let the drum turn, and keeps checking while the programme runs. E01 covers both halves of that: the lock never engaged when you pressed start, or the board lost the locked signal mid-cycle and stopped everything. It's one of the few faults Willow shows the end user rather than keeping for service mode, because quite often it really is the door rather than the electronics.
What E01 looks like on a Willow tumble dryer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Willow tumble dryer, E01 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
- No function at all
- Dead — nothing lights up
- Lights flashing and nothing happening
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
- Laundry caught in the door seal so the door isn't fully closed
- A worn or sticking door catch that no longer engages the lock
- The door lock itself has failed electrically and never reports "locked"
- A loose or damaged connection between the door lock and the control board
- Control board fault, where the lock works but the signal isn't being read
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.
- Open the door and reload — pull any towels or bedding back clear of the seal, then close it firmly until you hear it latch.
- Wipe any fluff or grit off the catch and the striker plate it clicks into.
- Check nothing is stopping the door swinging fully shut, such as the machine sitting hard against a wall or unit.
- Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and restart the programme — that clears a one-off lock fault.
- If the code came up mid-cycle, watch whether it happens at the same point each time, and tell the engineer — it helps narrow it down.
Which Willow models show E01
E01 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.
W6120W · W7120W · WCD8W · WWM712BI · WWM814BI
Common questions about Willow E01
What does E01 mean on a Willow tumble dryer?
The machine can't confirm the door is shut and locked, so it won't run — or it decided the door came open part-way through a cycle. Willow's control board checks the door lock before it will let the drum turn, and keeps checking while the programme runs. E01 covers both halves of that: the lock never engaged when you pressed start, or the board lost the locked signal mid-cycle and stopped everything. It's one of the few faults Willow shows the end user rather than keeping for service mode, because quite often it really is the door rather than the electronics.
Can I fix Willow E01 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Open the door and reload — pull any towels or bedding back clear of the seal, then close it firmly until you hear it latch.
- Wipe any fluff or grit off the catch and the striker plate it clicks into.
- Check nothing is stopping the door swinging fully shut, such as the machine sitting hard against a wall or unit.
- Turn the dryer off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and restart the programme — that clears a one-off lock fault.
- If the code came up mid-cycle, watch whether it happens at the same point each time, and tell the engineer — it helps narrow it down.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair Willow E01?
£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 E01?
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 Willow tumble dryer codes
- Willow E02 — The machine has not taken in the water it was expecting, so …
- Willow E03 — The machine has tried to pump water out and the control boar…
- Willow E04 — The dryer has flagged a problem with its heating circuit — t…
- Willow E05 — The dryer has lost a sensible reading from the temperature s…
- Willow E06 — The control board has lost the speed signal from the motor, …
- Willow E07 — The control board has lost or does not recognise the setting…
- Willow E08 — The dryer has stopped because the electricity reaching its c…
- Willow E09 — The machine has decided the electricity reaching it is outsi…
All Willow fault codes and repairs →