Willow E13 washing machine: 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 E13 actually means

The washing machine's main control board has lost contact with the display board, so it stops rather than run a cycle it can't show or control.

Willow lists E13 as an LCD communication error. The two circuit boards inside the machine — the main control and the display/touch panel — talk to each other constantly, and if that link goes quiet or comes back garbled, the machine halts. Typically the panel goes blank, freezes, or lights up but won't accept a programme selection.

What E13 looks like on a Willow washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Willow washing machine, E13 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Leaking
Water on the floor
Puddle underneath
Shuts itself down and won't restart
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

A loose or corroded ribbon connector between the display and main board
A failed display (LCD) board
A failed main control board
Damp or a steam leak getting into the control area
Software mismatch between the boards after a part has been changed

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, wait a few seconds, then switch off at the wall for a minute and try again — the fault is sometimes a one-off glitch.
Check the machine is on a normal wall socket rather than an extension lead or adaptor.
If the panel is wet or you have been cleaning around it, let it dry fully before trying again.

Common questions about Willow E13

What does E13 mean on a Willow washing machine?

The washing machine's main control board has lost contact with the display board, so it stops rather than run a cycle it can't show or control. Willow lists E13 as an LCD communication error. The two circuit boards inside the machine — the main control and the display/touch panel — talk to each other constantly, and if that link goes quiet or comes back garbled, the machine halts. Typically the panel goes blank, freezes, or lights up but won't accept a programme selection.

Can I fix Willow E13 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the programme knob to the off position, wait a few seconds, then switch off at the wall for a minute and try again — the fault is sometimes a one-off glitch.
Check the machine is on a normal wall socket rather than an extension lead or adaptor.
If the panel is wet or you have been cleaning around it, let it dry fully before trying again.

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 washing machine 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 washing machine codes

All Willow fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

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 — washing machine