Willow E06 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 E06 actually means

The machine has lost the signal that tells it how fast the drum is turning, so it has stopped rather than spin blind.

Willow list E06 as Motor Failure 1 n the tachometer (the small speed sensor on the motor) reading open or short circuit, or the motor's plug having come adrift. Without that feedback the control board cannot regulate drum speed, so it halts the programme. In practice you'll see the drum refuse to turn or spin, often with water still in the machine, and the code is one of the ones intended for service rather than the owner.

What E06 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, E06 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
Turns one way only
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start

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

Loose or disconnected motor plug, often after the machine has been moved or has walked on spin
Failed tachometer coil on the motor
Damaged or chafed wiring between motor and control board
Worn motor brushes or a failing motor on older machines
Fault on the control board's motor circuit

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 switch back on and try a short programme \u2011 the code sometimes clears if the drum was jammed by a stray item
Turn the programme knob to off and leave it three seconds to reset the machine, as Willow specify
Check nothing heavy or bulky is wedged in the drum stopping it turning

Common questions about Willow E06

What does E06 mean on a Willow washing machine?

The machine has lost the signal that tells it how fast the drum is turning, so it has stopped rather than spin blind. Willow list E06 as Motor Failure 1 n the tachometer (the small speed sensor on the motor) reading open or short circuit, or the motor's plug having come adrift. Without that feedback the control board cannot regulate drum speed, so it halts the programme. In practice you'll see the drum refuse to turn or spin, often with water still in the machine, and the code is one of the ones intended for service rather than the owner.

Can I fix Willow E06 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and try a short programme \u2011 the code sometimes clears if the drum was jammed by a stray item.
Turn the programme knob to off and leave it three seconds to reset the machine, as Willow specify.
Check nothing heavy or bulky is wedged in the drum stopping it turning.

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 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 E06 error — washing machine