What is actually happening
The noise and when it happens narrow it down quickly. A rhythmic knock at low speed is usually an object trapped between the inner and outer drum. A roar or grind that rises with spin speed, especially with black marks appearing on washing, is worn drum bearings — and that is the one that gets worse and eventually leaks.
The Willow fault codes that point at this
A Willow washing machine will usually tell you what it thinks is wrong before anyone opens it up. These are the codes we hold for this make that relate to making a loud noise:
- E01 — The machine can't confirm the door is locked, so it won't start filling or washing.
- E02 — The machine isn't getting enough water in, so it has stopped and shown E02.
- E03 — The machine can't get the water out of the drum, so it has stopped and flagged a drain pump fault.
- E04 — The machine thinks it has taken in more water than it should, so it has stopped the programme and gone into a protective drain.
- E06 — The machine has lost the signal that tells it how fast the drum is turning, so it has stopped rather than spin blind.
- E07 — The washing machine's control board has lost or mismatched its settings — it no longer knows which model it is supposed to be running as.
- E08 — The control board can't drive the drum motor properly, so the machine stops rather than carry on.
- E09 — The machine has stopped because the mains voltage reaching it is outside the range it will run on.
If yours is showing one of those, that is a much shorter conversation than a general fault — tell us the code when you book and the engineer can often carry the part.
The usual causes on a Willow washing machine
- A coin, underwire or screw trapped between the inner and outer drum
- Worn drum bearings — a grinding roar on spin, often with black or silver marks on clothes
- Transit bolts never removed after delivery, or the machine not sitting level on all four feet
- A worn shock absorber or broken suspension spring, letting the drum bang the casing
- A failing motor bearing or a worn belt slapping the pulley
What you can safely check yourself
- Empty the drum and rock the inner drum firmly by hand — noticeable play front to back points at bearings
- Spin the empty drum by hand and listen for grinding
- Check the machine is level and that all four feet are on the floor, and confirm the transit bolts were removed
- Check the filter for coins and underwires, which is where they usually end up
Still making a loud noise?
Most of these need an engineer once the checks above are done. £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 engineers work on Willow machines week in, week out, so they arrive knowing the machine rather than reading the back of it. Local engineers across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my Willow washing machine making a loud noise?
A new noise — grinding, banging or rumbling — usually means either something loose in the drum or worn drum bearings. The noise and when it happens narrow it down quickly. A rhythmic knock at low speed is usually an object trapped between the inner and outer drum. A roar or grind that rises with spin speed, especially with black marks appearing on washing, is worn drum bearings — and that is the one that gets worse and eventually leaks.
Can I fix a Willow washing machine making a loud noise myself?
Empty the drum and rock the inner drum firmly by hand — noticeable play front to back points at bearings. Spin the empty drum by hand and listen for grinding. Check the machine is level and that all four feet are on the floor, and confirm the transit bolts were removed. Check the filter for coins and underwires, which is where they usually end up. Beyond those checks this one normally needs an engineer.
What Willow error codes mean making a loud noise?
Willow washing machines report this through their own fault codes. The ones that point at making a loud noise are E01, E02, E03, E04, E06, E07. If your machine is showing one of those, that narrows it down considerably — each has its own guide on this site.
How much does a Willow washing machine repair cost?
£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.
Other Willow washing machine faults
- washing machine not draining
- washing machine not spinning
- washing machine leaking water
- washing machine not heating the water
- washing machine door will not open
- washing machine will not turn on