What E06 actually means
The control board has lost the speed signal from the motor, so it can no longer tell whether the drum is turning properly and shuts the cycle down.
E06 is "Motor Failure - 1", caused by an open or short circuit in the motor's tachometer or by the motor connector being disconnected. The tachometer is the small sensor that reports drum speed back to the board; with no believable signal the board will not run the motor, because it has no way of controlling or limiting the speed. In practice you see the drum sit still, or start and stop almost immediately, and the programme abandons itself.
What E06 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, E06 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Machine not draining
- Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
- Stops mid-cycle full of water
- Standing water in the bottom
- Drum not turning
- Won't spin
- Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
- Turns one way only
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
- A loose or dislodged motor plug, often after the machine has been moved or shaken about on a fast spin
- A failed tachometer coil on the motor
- Damaged or chafed wiring between the motor and the control board
- Worn motor brushes or a faulty motor itself
- A control board fault misreading the speed signal
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 programme selector to off, wait a few seconds, then select the programme again — the manual's own reset procedure. If it clears, the fault may have been a one-off.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute or two and switch back on before trying again.
- Take the load out and try an empty short cycle, so you can hear clearly whether the drum makes any attempt to turn.
Which Willow models show E06
E06 means the same thing on all 4 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 · WWM712BI · WWM814BI
Common questions about Willow E06
What does E06 mean on a Willow tumble dryer?
The control board has lost the speed signal from the motor, so it can no longer tell whether the drum is turning properly and shuts the cycle down. E06 is "Motor Failure - 1", caused by an open or short circuit in the motor's tachometer or by the motor connector being disconnected. The tachometer is the small sensor that reports drum speed back to the board; with no believable signal the board will not run the motor, because it has no way of controlling or limiting the speed. In practice you see the drum sit still, or start and stop almost immediately, and the programme abandons itself.
Can I fix Willow E06 myself?
There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the programme selector to off, wait a few seconds, then select the programme again — the manual's own reset procedure. If it clears, the fault may have been a one-off.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute or two and switch back on before trying again.
- Take the load out and try an empty short cycle, so you can hear clearly whether the drum makes any attempt to turn.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair Willow 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 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
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- Willow E12 — Two of the machine's internal electronic boards have stopped…
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