Willow E12 tumble dryer: what it means & what to check

What E12 actually means

Two of the machine's internal electronic boards have stopped talking to each other properly, so the control system halts rather than carry on blind.

Willow's own service table lists E12 as a "3D communication error" etween the machine's electronic modules. The main control board expects to exchange signals with another board during the cycle, and when those messages stop arriving or come back corrupted the machine flags E12 and refuses to continue. Notably, Willow class this as a code that is not normally put up on the display for the customer at all fault \u2014 if you are seeing it, it has usually been read out in a service or diagnostic state, and their table marks it as requiring an engineer.

What E12 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, E12 usually shows up as one or more of these:

No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start
Machine tripping the electrics
E12 flashing on the display
Beeping and showing E12

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 corroded plug between the control boards
A damaged or chafed wiring loom between the two boards
Damp getting into a board or connector
A failed control board or display/module board
Wrong or mismatched software on one of the boards

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 for a few seconds \u2014 Willow's own reset procedure \u2014 then try the cycle again
Switch the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up; a one-off communication glitch will sometimes clear

Which Willow models show E12

E12 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 E12

What does E12 mean on a Willow tumble dryer?

Two of the machine's internal electronic boards have stopped talking to each other properly, so the control system halts rather than carry on blind. Willow's own service table lists E12 as a "3D communication error" etween the machine's electronic modules. The main control board expects to exchange signals with another board during the cycle, and when those messages stop arriving or come back corrupted the machine flags E12 and refuses to continue. Notably, Willow class this as a code that is not normally put up on the display for the customer at all fault \u2014 if you are seeing it, it has usually been read out in a service or diagnostic state, and their table marks it as requiring an engineer.

Can I fix Willow E12 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the programme knob to the off position and leave it for a few seconds \u2014 Willow's own reset procedure \u2014 then try the cycle again.
Switch the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up; a one-off communication glitch will sometimes clear.

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

How much does it cost to repair Willow E12?

£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 E12?

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 →

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 E12 error — tumble dryer