An Electrolux, Westinghouse, Simpson or AEG washing machine shows an error code when it hits a fault it can’t get past. The most common are E10 (not filling), E20 (not draining), E40 (door not locking) and EF0 (a leak, too much foam or an unbalanced load). Sydney Appliance Service repairs these machines across Sydney from our Blakehurst workshop and stocks genuine Electrolux group parts.
Westinghouse, Simpson and AEG are all made by Electrolux, so most of their washing machines share the same codes. Below is what each code means, what you can safely check yourself, and when it’s time to book a technician.
What does EF0 (EFO) mean on an Electrolux or Westinghouse washing machine?
EF0 means the machine has detected water where it shouldn’t be, too much foam, or a load that’s badly out of balance. The last character is a zero, which is why most people search for it as “EFO”.
On front loaders, EF0 is usually the anti flood system. A float switch in the base of the machine trips when water collects there, and the machine stops and pumps out to protect your floor. The water in the base has to come from somewhere, often a split door seal, a loose hose inside the machine or a leaking pump.
What you can check:
- Turn the machine off at the wall and look for water on the floor under and behind it.
- Check you’re using a low sudsing front loader detergent and not too much of it. Too much foam can trigger EF0 (and EF2 on some models).
- Open the door and spread the load out. One heavy item like a bath mat on its own can set off an imbalance.
- Check the inlet hoses at the back are tight and not dripping.
If the code comes straight back, or you find water under the machine, stop using it and book a repair. Leaks get worse and can damage floors and cabinetry quickly.
Electrolux, Westinghouse, Simpson and AEG washing machine error codes
Codes can vary slightly by model. If your code isn’t listed, or the meaning doesn’t match what the machine is doing, call us on (02) 9546 4444 with your model number.
| Code | What it means | What you can check | Call a technician if |
|---|---|---|---|
| E10, E11 | Not filling with water, or filling too slowly | Tap fully on, inlet hose not kinked, inlet filter not blocked, normal water pressure in the house | Water is flowing to the machine but the code stays (often the inlet valve) |
| E20, E21 | Not draining, or draining too slowly | Clean the pump filter at the bottom front, check the drain hose isn’t kinked or blocked at the sink spigot | The filter is clean and it still won’t drain (often the drain pump) |
| E30, E31 | Water level or pressure sensor fault. On some top loaders, a flood fault | Look for water under the machine, check the hoses are tight | There’s no leak and the code keeps coming back |
| E13 | Water leak detected in the base | Turn off at the wall and look for water | Always, the leak needs finding |
| E40, E41 | Door or lid not closed, or the door lock isn’t working | Close the door firmly, check nothing is caught in the seal | The door is shut properly and the code stays (often the door lock) |
| E50 family | Motor or motor control fault | Turn off at the wall for a few minutes, then restart | The code returns. This is an electrical fault |
| E60 family | Heating fault | Nothing safe to check at home | Always. Mention the code when you book |
| E70 family | Temperature sensor fault | Nothing safe to check at home | Always |
| E90, E91 | Electronics or communication fault between control boards | Turn off at the wall for a few minutes, then restart | The code returns |
| EF0 | Leak risk, too much foam or an unbalanced load (see above) | Floor, detergent amount, load spread | It comes straight back or there’s water in the base |
| EF2 | Too much foam | Use less detergent, and only front loader detergent in a front loader | It happens with the right detergent |
| EF3 | Anti flood system has activated because of a leak inside the machine | Turn off at the wall and look for water | Always, the leak needs finding |
| EF4 | Water isn’t flowing in even though the inlet valve is open | Tap fully on, hose not kinked | Water is flowing and the code stays (flow sensor) |
| EH0 | Mains power is unstable | Plug straight into the wall, not into an extension lead or power board | It’s plugged into the wall and the code returns |
| ECE | Fault with the AutoDose sensing on models that have it | Check the AutoDose drawer is closed and clean | The code returns |
| CLE | Not a fault. A reminder to run the machine clean cycle | Run the clean cycle with the drum empty | Not needed |
| ESI (Westinghouse) | Electronic communication fault | Turn off at the wall for a few minutes, then restart | The code returns |
Simpson front loader codes
Some Simpson front loaders use letter codes instead:
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| IE (or E10) | Not filling with water |
| OE (or E20) | Not draining, often the drain pump or a blocked filter |
| DE (or E40) | Door not closed, or a door lock fault |
| UE | Unbalanced load |
| FE | Overfilled, water above the safety level |
| HE (or E60) | Heating fault |
| SE | Motor sensor fault |
| E90 | Control board communication fault |
What we see most on Electrolux group washing machines in Sydney
We went through 44 recent Electrolux group washing machine repair requests from our own job records: 25 Westinghouse, 13 AEG and 6 Electrolux. Most customers didn’t have an error code at all. They had a symptom.
The problems that came up most often:
- Noise on the spin cycle. Banging, clicking as the drum turns, squealing or a sharp noise like something caught in the drum. Common causes are worn drum bearings, a loose drum lifter, or a coin or bra underwire caught between the drum and tub.
- Stopping mid cycle or not starting. The machine powers on, then stops partway through or won’t let you choose a program. Common causes are the control board or the door lock.
- Leaking underneath. Water on the floor, sometimes from the front, sometimes the back. Door seals, internal hoses and the pump filter housing are the usual places.
- Not draining or not spinning, so clothes come out soaking wet. Often a blocked pump filter first, then the drain pump or motor.
- Door locked with clothes inside. The cycle finishes but the door won’t release. Usually the door lock, or water still sitting in the drum because it hasn’t drained.
When there was a code, it was usually EF3 as soon as the machine was switched on (water in the base), or E10 and E20 together mid cycle. A few customers also reported grey brown sludge building up in the door seal, which is detergent and fabric softener residue. Running the machine clean cycle each month and wiping the seal dry stops most of it.
No code on the display doesn’t mean nothing is wrong. If your machine is doing any of the above, a technician can usually find the fault in one visit.
How do I reset an Electrolux or Westinghouse washing machine?
Turn it off at the wall, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on and start a new cycle. This clears a code that was caused by a one off glitch, like a brief power drop.
If the code comes back, the machine is telling you about a real fault. Resetting it over and over won’t fix it, and with leak codes it can make the damage worse.
How do I drain an Electrolux front loader that won’t drain?
Most Electrolux, Westinghouse and AEG front loaders have a pump filter behind a small flap at the bottom front of the machine. Turn the machine off at the wall, put towels and a shallow tray down, and unscrew the filter slowly. A lot of water can come out, so let it drain in stages.
Clean out any lint, coins or hair pins and screw the filter back in firmly. If the filter was clean and the machine still won’t drain, the drain pump is the likely cause. We stock washing machine drain pumps and can fit one for you.
When should I call a technician?
Book a repair if the same code keeps coming back after a reset, if there’s any water under the machine, if you can smell burning, or if the code points to the motor, heater, sensors or electronics (E50, E60, E70, E90 families).
We repair Electrolux, Westinghouse, Simpson and AEG washing machines across Sydney and use genuine parts. Call (02) 9546 4444 or book a service online. Our service charges are listed upfront.
Need the part instead? Browse genuine Electrolux parts or our washing machine parts, or send your model number through the parts enquiry form and we’ll find the right one.
Related guides
- All appliance error code guides
- Why is my washing machine not draining?
- Why is my washing machine leaking from underneath?
- Why your washing machine does not spin
- Samsung washing machine error codes
Frequently asked questions
What does EF0 mean on a Westinghouse washing machine?
The same as on an Electrolux: the machine has detected a leak risk, too much foam or an unbalanced load. Check the floor, the detergent amount and the load, and book a repair if it comes straight back.
Is EFO the same as EF0?
Yes. The code is E, F, zero. It looks like the letter O on the display, so both spellings mean the same fault.
Can I keep using my washing machine with an error code?
It depends on the code. A filling or draining code is safe to leave until you can get it checked, but stop using the machine straight away for EF0, EF3, E13 or any water on the floor.
Why does my washing machine show an error code with no water on the floor?
The water may be sitting in the base tray inside the machine, where you can’t see it. That’s enough to trip the anti flood switch and show EF0 or EF3.
Do error codes mean I need a new washing machine?
No. Most codes point to one part, like the drain pump, door lock or inlet valve, which can be replaced with a genuine part for much less than a new machine.