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 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
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
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 E01 — The machine can't confirm the door is locked, so it won't st…
- Willow E02 — The machine isn't getting enough water in, so it has stopped…
- Willow E03 — The machine can't get the water out of the drum, so it has s…
- Willow E04 — The machine thinks it has taken in more water than it should…
- Willow E05 — The machine can't get a sensible reading from the temperatur…
- 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…