What E09 actually means
The machine has stopped because the mains voltage reaching it is outside the range it will run on.
Willow lists E09 as a voltage error, and it's one of the few codes the machine is designed to show the user rather than keep for service. The control board constantly watches the incoming supply, and if it reads too high or too low oard halts the programme rather than risk running the motor and heater on a poor supply. Because it's a supply fault rather than a broken part, the wash often finishes normally once the electricity settles.
What usually causes it
- A dip or surge on the household mains supply
- Plugged into an extension lead, adaptor or travel/site supply that can't hold voltage
- A generator or inverter supply, common in caravans and outbuildings
- Loose or worn socket the machine is plugged into
- Fault on the control board's voltage sensing 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, switch back on and restart the programme
- Turn the programme knob to the off position and leave it three seconds \u2014 that's the reset Willow specify
- Plug the machine straight into a wall socket rather than an extension lead or multi-way adaptor
- Check whether other appliances or lights in the house are flickering or tripping, which points at the supply rather than the machine
- If it happens only when the shower, kettle or oven is on, run a wash on its own and see if the code stays away
When to call someone
This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. 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 E06 — The machine has lost the signal that tells it how fast the d…
- 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…