Understanding Electrolux Dryer Error Codes

Dealing with error codes on your Electrolux dryer can be frustrating, but many common issues can be resolved with a little know-how. This guide will help you understand what these Electrolux dryer error codes mean and equip you with practical troubleshooting tips to get your dryer back in action.

Before You Start: Safety First!

Always unplug your Electrolux dryer from the power outlet before attempting any inspection or repair. This is crucial for your safety.

Electrolux Dryer Error Codes Explained and Solved

Here’s a breakdown of common Electrolux dryer error codes and how to address them:

E21: Water Draining Timeout

This code indicates the dryer isn’t draining water effectively.

• Related Code: E22 (Open or shorted condensation pump TRIAC)
• Possible Causes: Disconnected wiring, a blocked float micro-switch or reed switch, a damaged condensation pump, or a faulty main board.
• Solutions:
  • Check wiring: Inspect the wiring harness between the float switch and the main board and between the condensation pump and the main board.
  • Clear lint: Remove any lint from the tank sensing mechanism.
  • Test condensation pump: Use a multimeter to test the resistance of the condensation pump. It should read around 219Ω at 120 VAC or 764Ω at 220 VAC.
  • Main board: If the error persists, the main board might need to be replaced.

E31: High Moisture Sensor Value

This means the dryer’s moisture sensor detects the clothes are too wet.

• Related Code: E32 (Low moisture sensor value)
• Possible Causes: Faulty wiring, a malfunctioning moisture sensor, a faulty main board, or overloading the dryer with excessively wet clothes.
• Solutions:
  • Pre-dry clothes: Ensure your washing machine’s spin cycle is set between 600 and 900 RPM to remove as much water as possible before drying.
  • Check connections: Verify that the sensor connectors are secure and correctly attached.
  • Inspect moisture sensor: Confirm the moisture sensor is functioning properly.
  • Main board: Inspect the main board for any malfunctions.

E41: Door Opening Timeout

This code suggests an issue with the dryer door.

• Related Codes: E42 (Door closing timeout), E45 (Door lock problem)
• Possible Causes: Dryer overloading, damaged wiring harnesses, a faulty dryer door switch, or a faulty main board.
• Solutions:
  • Check wiring & switches: Inspect the wiring harness, door switch, and main board for issues.
  • Verify door switch power: Ensure the door switch is receiving +12 volts. If not, the main board may need replacement.

E51: Motor Relay Malfunction

These codes point to various issues with the dryer’s motor.

• Related Codes: E52 (Motor overheating), E53 (Motor start sensing malfunction), E54 (Jammed motor), E55 (Motor inverter board safety issue), E57 (Excessive current drawn by inverter), E58 (Excessive current drawn by inverter), E59 (No signal from tachometric generator for 3 seconds).
• Possible Causes: Overloading the dryer, mechanical blockages (bad drum bearings, broken belt, deformed drum), faulty wiring, a defective motor centrifugal switch, a motor short circuit to ground, electrical noise, issues with the line safety relay or motor relay, or a faulty main board.
• Solutions:
  • Clear drum: Remove laundry and check if the drum turns freely. If not, inspect and potentially replace components like the idler pulley, belt, motor shaft, tension arm, drum roller, or drum bearing.
  • Wiring harness: Inspect the wiring harness for damage.
  • Test centrifugal switch: Use a multimeter to test the centrifugal switch.
  • Motor/Capacitor Checks (Single-Phase Module): Use an ohmmeter to check the asynchronous motor resistance (main winding: ≈20Ω at 220 Vac, auxiliary winding: ≈23Ω at 220 Vac) and the capacitor (≈6μF).
  • BLDC motor resistance (inverter module): Use an ohmmeter to check the BLDC motor resistance between U, V, and W (≈20Ω).
  • Main board: If the error persists, the main board might need replacement.

E5A: IGBT Overheating

This indicates overheating of the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) within the dryer’s inverter.

• Related Codes: E5H (Input voltage lower than 175 V), E5C (Input voltage beyond 430 V), E5D (Data transfer malfunction between inverter and main board), E5E (Communication malfunction between inverter and main board), E5F (Inverter board unable to start motor).
• Possible Causes: Overloading the dryer, a faulty inverter board, or a faulty main board.
• Solutions:
  • Cool down: Allow the dryer to cool for at least 20 minutes.
  • Check wiring: Inspect the wiring harness between the inverter board and the main board.
  • Replace the inverter board: If the error continues, you may need to replace the inverter board.
  • Replace the main board: If the issue still persists after replacing the inverter board, consider replacing the main board.

E61: Stuck Heater/Compressor Relay

This indicates an issue with the relay controlling the heating element (condenser dryer) or compressor (heat pump dryer).

• Condenser Dryer Related Codes: E62 (Short-circuited heater), E63 (Open-circuited heating element), E64 (Faulty heating timeout).
• Heat Pump Dryer Related Codes: E61 (Stuck open or closed compressor relay), E62 (Short-circuited compressor), E63 (Open-circuited compressor), E64 (Faulty compressor timeout).
• Possible Causes: Clogged lint filter screen, damaged wiring harness, faulty high-limit thermostat, faulty heater assembly, broken blower wheel, or a faulty main board.
• Solutions for Condenser Dryers:
  • Clean filters: Clean the lint filter and the condenser filter.
  • Check wiring: Inspect the wiring harness connection.
  • Test components: Use a multimeter to check the resistance of the heating elements (≈27Ω at 220 Vac) and the high-limit thermostat (0.1−1.2Ω at 87°C/190°F).
  • Main board: If the error persists, consider replacing the main board.
• Solutions for Heat Pump Dryers:
  • Clean filters: Clean the lint filter, and the condenser and/or evaporator.
  • Check wiring: Inspect the wiring harness connection.
  • Check cooling fan: Verify the compressor cooling fan is working.
  • Test components: Use a multimeter to check the compressor resistance (main winding: ≈7Ω at 220 Vac, auxiliary winding: ≈6Ω at 220 Vac), capacitor (18μF), OLP (0.1−1.2Ω), and thermistor (6.2KΩ at 20°C/68°F).
  • Main board: If the error persists, consider replacing the main board.

E71: Malfunctioning Drying NTC 1

This code indicates an issue with a temperature sensor (NTC).

• Related Code: E72 (Malfunctioning NTC 2)
• Possible Causes: Bad wiring, a faulty NTC sensor, or a faulty main board.
• Solutions:
  • Check wiring: Inspect the wiring harness between the sensor and the main board.
  • Test sensor: Use a multimeter to check the sensor resistance. Both the inlet and outlet NTC sensors should read around 6.2KΩ at 20°C/68°F.
  • Main board: Check and replace the main board if necessary.

E83: Incorrect Selector Dial Position

This indicates a problem with the dryer’s selector dial or user interface.

• Related Codes: E86 (Incorrect selector configuration), E87 (Self-diagnosis malfunction in the user interface and main board).
• Cause: Faulty user interface board.
• Solution: Replace the UI board.

E91: Communication Malfunction with User Interface Board

These codes point to communication issues between the main board and the user interface.

• Related Codes: E92 (Inconsistent user interface board), E93 (MCF checksum malfunction), E94 (CCF checksum malfunction), E97 (Missing program on CTF), E98 (Inconsistent inverter board protocol), E9C (User interface checksum malfunction), E9E (Stuck buttons).
• Possible Causes: Faulty wiring, a faulty user interface board, or a faulty main board.
• Solutions:
  • Check wiring: Inspect the wiring between the main board and the user interface board.
  • Replace UI board: Check the user interface and replace it if needed.
  • Main board: If the error persists, consider replacing the main board.

EH1: Power Supply Frequency Out of Range

These codes indicate problems with the dryer’s power supply.

• Related Codes: EH2 (Power supply voltage out of range), EH3 (Power supply voltage out of range), EH4 (Problem with the zero-watt relay), EHD (Current leakage), EHE (Safety line malfunction), EHF (Safety line timeout), EF6 (Microprocessor safety reset malfunction).
• Possible Causes: Power supply problems, faulty wiring, or a faulty main board.
• Solutions:
  • Cool down: Allow the dryer to cool for 20 minutes.
  • Check power supply: Ensure the power supply is within the proper range for your dryer.
  • Check wiring: Inspect the wiring harness for damage.
  • Main board: If the error persists, the main board may need to be replaced.

Conclusion

By understanding these Electrolux dryer error codes and following these troubleshooting tips, you can often diagnose and resolve common issues yourself, saving time and money.