What E04 actually means
The machine thinks it has taken in more water than it should, so it has stopped the programme and gone into a protective drain.
On Willow washers, E04 is the overflow warning. The water level sensing tells the control board the drum has filled past the safe level, and rather than risk water coming out of the door or detergent drawer the machine cuts the fill, runs the pump and halts the cycle. You'll usually see it part-way through a wash with more water in the drum than normal, and often the pump keeps running even after the programme has stopped.
What E04 looks like on a Willow washing machine
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Willow washing machine, E04 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
- Machine not draining
- Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
- Stops mid-cycle full of water
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
- Too much detergent, so a wall of foam fools the level sensing
- A water inlet valve that keeps passing water after it should have shut
- A blocked or split pressure hose to the level sensor, giving a false high reading
- A faulty electronic pressure sensor or level switch
- Drain hose pushed too far down the standpipe, siphoning water back in
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 start a short rinse and spin to see if it repeats.
- If the drum still has water, run a drain or spin programme first.
- Clean the pump filter at the bottom front and make sure the drain hose is not kinked or squashed behind the machine.
- Check the drain hose end sits at the correct height and is not pushed right down into the standpipe.
- Use a lot less detergent on the next wash — a full dose plus a small load causes a great deal of foam.
- Turn the water tap off and leave it a while; if water keeps trickling into the drum with the machine off, the inlet valve is at fault and needs an engineer.
Common questions about Willow E04
What does E04 mean on a Willow washing machine?
The machine thinks it has taken in more water than it should, so it has stopped the programme and gone into a protective drain. On Willow washers, E04 is the overflow warning. The water level sensing tells the control board the drum has filled past the safe level, and rather than risk water coming out of the door or detergent drawer the machine cuts the fill, runs the pump and halts the cycle. You'll usually see it part-way through a wash with more water in the drum than normal, and often the pump keeps running even after the programme has stopped.
Can I fix Willow E04 myself?
There are 6 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and start a short rinse and spin to see if it repeats.
- If the drum still has water, run a drain or spin programme first.
- Clean the pump filter at the bottom front and make sure the drain hose is not kinked or squashed behind the machine.
- Check the drain hose end sits at the correct height and is not pushed right down into the standpipe.
- Use a lot less detergent on the next wash — a full dose plus a small load causes a great deal of foam.
- Turn the water tap off and leave it a while; if water keeps trickling into the drum with the machine off, the inlet valve is at fault and needs an engineer.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair Willow E04?
£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 E04?
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 Willow washing machine codes
- Willow E05 — The machine can't get a sensible reading from the temperatur…
- Willow E06 — The machine has lost the signal that tells it how fast the d…
- Willow E07 — The washing machine's control board has lost or mismatched i…
- Willow E08 — The control board can't drive the drum motor properly, so th…
- Willow E09 — The machine has stopped because the mains voltage reaching i…
- Willow E10 — The machine can't get a sensible reading from the sensor tha…
- Willow E11 — The main control board has lost contact with the separate bo…
- Willow E12 — The machine's main control board has lost communication with…
All Willow fault codes and repairs →
What this looks like when it happens
- washing machine not draining
- washing machine making a loud noise
- washing machine door will not open
- washing machine will not turn on