Willow E13 tumble dryer: what it means & what to check

What E13 actually means

The machine's main control board has stopped talking to the display panel, so the two halves of the controls are no longer in step.

On these Willow machines the display/LCD module and the main circuit board exchange messages constantly — the board reports what the cycle is doing, the display sends your programme selections back. E13 is logged when that conversation breaks down. Because the machine can no longer trust what it is being told to do, it halts rather than carrying on with a cycle, and you'll usually see a frozen or unresponsive panel, buttons that do nothing, or a programme that refuses to start.

What E13 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, E13 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
E13 flashing on the display
Beeping and showing E13

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 on the ribbon/connector between the display and the main board
A failed display (LCD) module
A fault on the main control board itself
Damp or steam getting into the control area behind the fascia
Software mismatch between the display and the main board after a board or display change

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 — the standard reset for these machines
Switch off at the wall socket for a minute, then power back up; a one-off communication glitch can clear this way
If the fault returns every time you power up, stop there — nothing else on this code is safe to check from the outside

Which Willow models show E13

E13 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 E13

What does E13 mean on a Willow tumble dryer?

The machine's main control board has stopped talking to the display panel, so the two halves of the controls are no longer in step. On these Willow machines the display/LCD module and the main circuit board exchange messages constantly — the board reports what the cycle is doing, the display sends your programme selections back. E13 is logged when that conversation breaks down. Because the machine can no longer trust what it is being told to do, it halts rather than carrying on with a cycle, and you'll usually see a frozen or unresponsive panel, buttons that do nothing, or a programme that refuses to start.

Can I fix Willow E13 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the programme knob to the off position and leave it there for a few seconds — the standard reset for these machines.
Switch off at the wall socket for a minute, then power back up; a one-off communication glitch can clear this way.
If the fault returns every time you power up, stop there — nothing else on this code is safe to check from the outside.

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

How much does it cost to repair Willow E13?

£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 E13?

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 E13 error — tumble dryer