ANY MAKEWASHER

Any make · Washing machine

E1 error code on a washing machine

Not filling with water

The machine couldn't get water in, or couldn't reach the right level in the time it allows. It's nearly always a supply problem rather than a broken machine.

Also shown as E01

Worth repairing?

Worth fixing

The checks cost nothing, and even a new inlet valve is a small fraction of the price of a new machine.

Can you do it yourself?

Very easy

About 15 minutes

Before you start

  • Turn the tap off before you undo any hose or filter.

What to check, in order

  1. Open the tap fully

    The tap behind the machine.

  2. Check the fill hose

    It shouldn't be kinked or crushed behind the machine.

  3. Clean the inlet filter

    Turn the tap off, unscrew the fill hose and clean the small mesh filter inside the inlet. It clogs with grit and limescale.

  4. Clean the drain pump filter

    Behind the flap at the bottom front. On some machines a blocked drain upsets the level reading.

When to call an engineer

If all of that is clear, the water inlet valve or the pressure sensor is likely at fault.

Parts people end up buying

Only if the checks above point to a part. Match it to your model number first: it's on a label inside the door, around the door frame or on the back.

Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. It never changes a verdict.

About this code

Unbranded and less common appliances don't publish one shared code list, so this page gives the most common meaning across makers. Your manual is the final word, and the model number that finds it is on a label inside the door, around the door frame or on the back.

Last reviewed September 2026.

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