Willow E05 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 E05 actually means

The machine can't get a sensible reading from the temperature sensor that watches the heater, so it stops rather than heat blind.

E05 is raised when the control board reads an impossible value from the heater NTC (temperature sensor) — the sort of reading you get when the sensor is disconnected, open circuit or shorted. Because the board has no way of knowing how hot the water or heater is getting, it shuts the cycle down as a safety measure. In practice the cycle either won't start heating or halts partway through with the code showing.

What E05 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, E05 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start
Machine tripping the electrics

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

The heater temperature sensor's plug has worked loose or come off
A failed (open or short circuit) heater NTC sensor
Damaged or chafed wiring in the loom to the sensor
Moisture or corrosion in the sensor connector
Less often, a control board fault misreading the sensor

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 back up and try a short cold wash — an occasional one-off reading can clear.
Try a cold programme with no heating; if that runs through and only heated cycles fail, it points firmly at the temperature sensor and is worth reporting when you book the repair.

Common questions about Willow E05

What does E05 mean on a Willow washing machine?

The machine can't get a sensible reading from the temperature sensor that watches the heater, so it stops rather than heat blind. E05 is raised when the control board reads an impossible value from the heater NTC (temperature sensor) — the sort of reading you get when the sensor is disconnected, open circuit or shorted. Because the board has no way of knowing how hot the water or heater is getting, it shuts the cycle down as a safety measure. In practice the cycle either won't start heating or halts partway through with the code showing.

Can I fix Willow E05 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power back up and try a short cold wash — an occasional one-off reading can clear.
Try a cold programme with no heating; if that runs through and only heated cycles fail, it points firmly at the temperature sensor and is worth reporting when you book the repair.

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

How much does it cost to repair Willow E05?

£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 E05?

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

All Willow 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.

Willow E05 error — washing machine