What E18 actually means
The machine has stopped because it can't drive the drum motor properly — the control system has flagged a fault with the brushless (BLDC) motor or the board that runs it.
Willow lists E18 as a BLDC failure. The control electronics send drive signals to the brushless drum motor and read back what the motor is actually doing; when those don't agree, or the drive circuit reports a problem, the wash is abandoned rather than risk damage. In practice the owner sees the drum sitting still or turning briefly and stopping, often with water still in the machine.
What usually causes it
- Fault in the motor control board that drives the drum
- Wiring plug to the motor loose, corroded or damaged
- Worn or failed brushless drum motor
- Something jamming the drum so the motor overloads (a trapped coin or underwire, a seized bearing)
- Mains supply disturbance that upset the drive electronics
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 — Willow's own reset. Then switch off at the wall for a minute before trying a short cycle.
- With the machine switched off at the wall, turn the drum by hand. It should spin freely; if it grinds, drags or won't move, stop and book an engineer.
- If there's water in the drum, drain it through the filter/drain hose at the front before moving the machine.
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. 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…