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.
High-priority appliance fault codes
Bosch Washing Machine E30
Overflow or leak protection has been triggered
Bosch Washing Machine F21
Motor drive or drum movement issue
Samsung Washing Machine AC
The washer has detected an internal communication fault between electronic controls.
Samsung Washing Machine LC
The washer has detected a leak risk or water where it should not be.
Samsung Washing Machine OC
The washer thinks the drum is overfilling or the water level is rising too high.
Vaillant Boiler F32
Fan, flue, or air pressure sensing problem
Hotpoint Washing Machine F01
Motor drive or drum movement issue
Hotpoint Washing Machine F02
Motor drive or drum movement issue
Leak and overflow fault codes
Bosch Washing Machine E30
Overflow or leak protection has been triggered
Samsung Washing Machine LC
The washer has detected a leak risk or water where it should not be.
Samsung Washing Machine OC
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 LE
Overflow or leak protection has been triggered
Samsung Washing Machine OE
Overflow or leak protection has been triggered
Samsung Washing Machine 0C
The washer thinks the water level has risen too high or the drum is overfilling.
Samsung Washing Machine 0E
The washer has detected an overfill or abnormal high-water condition.
Persistent drainage fault codes
Hotpoint Washing Machine F05
The washer has not drained properly before the spin stage.
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 5C
The washer cannot drain the water away
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.
Bosch Dishwasher E22
the filter or sump area is dirty, blocked, or restricting drainage.
Bosch dishwasher faults to compare
Bosch Dishwasher E01
the dishwasher has detected an electronic control fault.
Bosch Dishwasher E09
the dishwasher is not heating water properly.
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.
Bosch Dishwasher E30
the dishwasher has detected a water safety, leak, or overfill-style problem.
Bosch Dishwasher E22
the filter or sump area is dirty, blocked, or restricting drainage.
Bosch Dishwasher E24
the dishwasher is not draining properly.
Hotpoint tumble dryer faults to compare
Hotpoint Tumble Dryer F01
the dryer has detected an electronic control or motor-control fault.
Hotpoint Tumble Dryer F02
the dryer has detected a motor or drum movement fault.
Hotpoint Tumble Dryer F03
the dryer has detected a temperature sensor or heating feedback fault.
Hotpoint Tumble Dryer F06
the dryer cannot confirm the door switch or start signal correctly.
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.