Guide
When to Call an Appliance Engineer
Signs that a washing machine, dishwasher, or other household appliance needs professional attention.
Guidance on recognising when simple checks have been exhausted and it is time to arrange a repair.
Last updated: 12 May 2026
If an appliance repeatedly shows the same fault code after basic safe checks, stops mid-cycle, leaks, smells of burning, or trips electrics, professional diagnosis is usually the safer next step.
Common escalation signs
- The same code returns immediately after a reset.
- There is water leakage or a smell of overheating.
- The appliance has no power or trips the electrical supply.
- You would need to remove panels or access internal components to continue.
Browse related appliance hubs
Washing Machine error codes
Browse the global washing machine hub for related brands, issue families, and priority code pages.
Dishwasher error codes
Browse the global dishwasher hub for related brands, issue families, and priority code pages.
Boiler fault codes
Browse the global boiler hub for related brands, issue families, and priority code pages.
Tumble Dryer error codes
Browse the global tumble dryer hub for related brands, issue families, and priority code pages.
Related brand and appliance hubs
Samsung Washing Machine hub
Open the full Samsung washing machine code list connected to this guide.
Hotpoint Washing Machine hub
Open the full Hotpoint washing machine code list connected to this guide.
Beko Washing Machine hub
Open the full Beko washing machine code list connected to this guide.
Bosch Dishwasher hub
Open the full Bosch dishwasher code list connected to this guide.
Ideal Boiler hub
Open the full Ideal boiler code list connected to this guide.
Vaillant Boiler hub
Open the full Vaillant boiler code list connected to this guide.
High-priority appliance fault codes
Bosch Washing Machine E30
Bosch washing machine E30 usually means leak or overflow protection has been triggered.
Samsung Washing Machine LC
Samsung UK lists LC as low water level detected.
Samsung Washing Machine LC1
Samsung UK lists LC1 as low water level detected.
Samsung Washing Machine LE
Samsung UK lists LE as low water level detected.
Samsung Washing Machine OE
Samsung UK lists OE as an overflow error.
Bosch Washing Machine F21
Bosch F21 usually means the washing machine has detected a drum movement or motor-drive problem.
Samsung Washing Machine OC
Samsung OC usually means the washer thinks the drum is overfilling or the water level is rising too high.
Samsung Washing Machine AC
The washer has detected an internal communication fault between electronic controls.
Leak and overflow fault codes
Bosch Washing Machine E30
Bosch washing machine E30 usually means leak or overflow protection has been triggered.
Samsung Washing Machine LC
Samsung UK lists LC as low water level detected.
Samsung Washing Machine LC1
Samsung UK lists LC1 as low water level detected.
Samsung Washing Machine LE
Samsung UK lists LE as low water level detected.
Samsung Washing Machine OE
Samsung UK lists OE as an overflow error.
Samsung Washing Machine OC
Samsung OC usually means the washer thinks the drum is overfilling or the water level is rising too high.
Samsung Washing Machine FE
Overflow or abnormal foam/water-level condition
Samsung Washing Machine 0C
The washer thinks the water level has risen too high or the drum is overfilling.
Persistent drainage fault codes
Hotpoint Washing Machine F05
Hotpoint F05 usually means the washer has not drained the water out properly before spin.
Samsung Washing Machine 5C
The washer cannot drain the water away properly.
Samsung Washing Machine ND
The machine is not draining water correctly
Hotpoint Washing Machine F11
The washer has a drain pump or drainage-circuit fault and cannot empty water properly.
Samsung Washing Machine SE
Drainage timeout or not-draining fault
Beko Washing Machine E18
The washer is not draining fast enough through the pump and hose system.
Indesit Washing Machine F11
The washer has a drain pump or drainage-circuit fault and is not emptying water properly.
Hotpoint Tumble Dryer F11
a pump circuit or condensate-water removal fault may be present.
Bosch dishwasher faults to compare
Bosch Dishwasher E03
Control electronics have detected an internal fault
Bosch Dishwasher E02
The dishwasher has detected an electronic control or relay fault.
Bosch Dishwasher E09
The dishwasher is not heating water properly.
Bosch Dishwasher E27
the dishwasher has detected low mains voltage.
Bosch Dishwasher E01
the dishwasher has detected an electronic control fault.
Bosch Dishwasher E15
The dishwasher anti-flood system has been triggered
Bosch Dishwasher E19
a dishwasher valve or heat-exchanger related component may not be operating correctly.
Bosch Dishwasher E29
the dishwasher has detected an internal power, control, or supply-related fault.
Hotpoint tumble dryer faults to compare
Frequently asked questions
Should I call an engineer for every error code?+
Not always. Many codes justify a safe first check, but repeated faults or anything involving electrical risk should be escalated.