Willow E08 tumble dryer: 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 E08 actually means

The dryer has stopped because the electricity reaching its control board is outside the range it will accept, or the board itself has decided something is wrong with the power side of the machine.

For this control panel the fault points straight to the mains supply: the voltage at the socket should sit between 170 and 265 V, and if it does not, the manual states the dryer itself is not faulty and the power line is at fault. If the supply checks out fine, the chart points to the main board being replaced. Worth knowing that the fault in the same manual labels E08 as a motor triac fault on the washing machine side of the range, and the triac is a switching device on that same main board oard is on that board too s so either route ends up at the control electronics.

What E08 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, E08 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

Poor or unstable mains supply at the socket \u2014 low voltage, a shared spur under load, or a long extension lead
Running the dryer through a multi-way adaptor or travel-style adaptor rather than a wall socket
A failed switching device or damaged track on the main control board
Loose or corroded wiring between the plug end and the board (engineer work only)
A generator, inverter or voltage-optimiser supply the machine will not tolerate

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 knob to the off position and leave it there for a few seconds \u2014 the manual states this resets the machine
Plug the dryer straight into a wall socket rather than an extension lead, multi-way block or adaptor
Try a different socket on a different circuit if one is within reach of the dryer
Note whether lights elsewhere in the house dim or flicker, and whether the fault appears at the same time of day \u2014 that points at the supply rather than the dryer, and it is useful information for whoever attends

Which Willow models show E08

E08 means the same thing on all 5 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 · WCD8W · WWM712BI · WWM814BI

Common questions about Willow E08

What does E08 mean on a Willow tumble dryer?

The dryer has stopped because the electricity reaching its control board is outside the range it will accept, or the board itself has decided something is wrong with the power side of the machine. For this control panel the fault points straight to the mains supply: the voltage at the socket should sit between 170 and 265 V, and if it does not, the manual states the dryer itself is not faulty and the power line is at fault. If the supply checks out fine, the chart points to the main board being replaced. Worth knowing that the fault in the same manual labels E08 as a motor triac fault on the washing machine side of the range, and the triac is a switching device on that same main board oard is on that board too s so either route ends up at the control electronics.

Can I fix Willow E08 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the programme knob to the off position and leave it there for a few seconds \u2014 the manual states this resets the machine.
Plug the dryer straight into a wall socket rather than an extension lead, multi-way block or adaptor.
Try a different socket on a different circuit if one is within reach of the dryer.
Note whether lights elsewhere in the house dim or flicker, and whether the fault appears at the same time of day \u2014 that points at the supply rather than the dryer, and it is useful information for whoever attends.

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

How much does it cost to repair Willow E08?

£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 E08?

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

All Willow fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

tumble dryer drum not turning

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 E08 error — tumble dryer