What Does Error Code E24 Mean on an Electrolux Washing Machine?
Clean the drain pump filter — remove the access panel at the bottom front of the machine, unscrew the filter cap, clear any debris or blockage, and refit it firmly, then restart the cycle to see if E24 clears (takes about 10 minutes).
Fault description
Error code E24 points to a fault in the electronic circuit that controls your washing machine's drain pump — specifically a component called a triac, which acts as an electronic switch on the main control board. When this triac fails or loses reliable contact, the machine can no longer properly command the drain pump to run.
When E24 appears, the wash cycle will typically stop mid-programme, often leaving water sitting in the drum. The machine may attempt to drain and fail, or it may halt before draining begins. You might also notice the drum is full of water when you open the door — or the machine simply refuses to progress past a certain point in the cycle.
While the fault description points firmly at the control board, it is worth ruling out simpler causes first — a blocked filter or a seized pump can place enough electrical stress on the triac circuit to trigger this error without the board itself being permanently damaged.
Causes
- Blocked or clogged drain pump filter — A heavily blocked filter forces the drain pump to work harder, drawing excess current through the triac circuit. Over time this electrical stress can cause the triac to trip or fail, triggering E24.
- Faulty or seized drain pump — If the drain pump motor has seized, is jammed by a foreign object (such as a coin or hair clip), or has failed internally, it will stall and overload the triac. The control board detects this abnormal load and logs E24.
- Failed triac on the main control board — The triac is a small electronic component soldered onto the PCB that switches power to the drain pump on and off. It can burn out due to age, power surges, or repeated overloading, and once failed it cannot be reset — the board will need repair or replacement.
- Wiring fault between control board and drain pump — Damaged, corroded, or loose wiring in the harness connecting the PCB to the drain pump can cause intermittent or absent signals, which the board may interpret as a triac fault. Vibration over time can loosen connectors at either end.
- Power surge or voltage spike — A sudden spike in mains voltage can damage sensitive components on the control board, including the drain pump triac. This type of fault often appears suddenly after a power cut or storm.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Reset the machine
Switch the washing machine off at the mains socket and leave it unplugged for at least 5 minutes. This allows the control board to fully discharge and may clear a temporary fault. Plug back in, select a short programme, and check whether E24 returns.
- 2
Clean the drain pump filter
Place a shallow tray and some towels on the floor in front of the machine. Open the small access panel at the bottom front, then slowly unscrew the filter cap anti-clockwise — water will flow out, so let it drain into the tray. Remove the filter completely, clear away any lint, coins, or debris, rinse it under a tap, and screw it back in firmly. Run a drain or spin cycle to test.
- 3
Check the pump impeller for obstructions
With the filter removed, shine a torch into the pump housing and look for any foreign objects lodged in the impeller. Use long-nose pliers or tweezers to carefully remove anything you can see. Try turning the impeller by hand — it should spin freely with slight resistance. If it is completely stiff or will not move, the pump itself may be seized.
- 4
Inspect the drain hose
Pull the machine forward slightly and check the drain hose at the back for kinks, crushing, or blockages. Disconnect the hose from the standpipe and blow through it to confirm it is clear. A restricted hose can cause the pump to overwork and stress the triac circuit.
- 5
Check wiring connections to the drain pump
With the machine unplugged, remove the back panel (usually held by a few screws). Locate the drain pump — typically at the bottom of the machine — and check that the wiring connector is firmly seated. Look for any signs of burning, corrosion, or broken wires. Reseat any loose connectors and retest.
- 6
Test the drain pump directly
If you have a multimeter, disconnect the pump wiring connector and measure the resistance across the pump terminals. A healthy pump motor typically reads between 100 and 200 ohms — consult your model's service data if available. A reading of zero (short circuit) or infinite resistance (open circuit) confirms the pump has failed and needs replacing.
- 7
Inspect the main control board for visible damage
With the machine unplugged, access the control board (usually behind the top or rear panel depending on your model). Look closely at the board for any burnt components, scorch marks, or a visibly damaged triac. If you can see clear burn damage near the pump relay or triac area, the board will need professional repair or replacement — do not attempt to run the machine in this state.
Affected models
Select your model to see its full troubleshooting page.
When to call a service technician
If you have cleaned the filter, confirmed the pump impeller spins freely, checked all wiring connections, and the E24 error still returns every time you run a cycle, the fault almost certainly lies with the triac or another component on the main control board. This is not a repair that can be safely carried out without specialist electronics knowledge and equipment.
You should also call a service technician immediately if you notice any burning smell coming from the machine, if you can see scorch marks on the control board, or if the machine trips your household circuit breaker when it tries to drain. These are signs of an active electrical fault that could be a safety risk if the machine is used further.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my Electrolux washing machine with an E24 error showing?
It is not advisable. When E24 is active, the machine cannot reliably control the drain pump, which means water may not drain properly and the cycle will not complete. Running the machine repeatedly in this state can cause further damage to the control board or pump, and in some cases may pose an electrical safety risk.
Is E24 always a control board fault, or can it be something simpler?
The error code specifically refers to the drain pump triac on the control board, but a blocked filter or seized pump can trigger the same code by overloading that circuit. Always start with the filter and pump checks before assuming the board is faulty — a significant number of E24 faults are resolved without touching the PCB at all.
How much does it cost to repair an Electrolux E24 fault?
If the drain pump needs replacing, parts typically cost between £25 and £60 depending on the model, plus labour if a technician fits it. A full control board replacement is more expensive, often £80 to £180 for the part alone. Some electronics repair specialists can replace just the triac for considerably less, so it is worth getting a quote for board-level repair before committing to a full PCB replacement.
Will unplugging the machine reset the E24 error permanently?
A power reset may clear the error temporarily if the fault was caused by a one-off electrical spike or a momentary overload. However, if the underlying cause — such as a blocked filter, failed pump, or damaged triac — has not been addressed, the error will return as soon as the machine tries to drain again.
How do I know if it is the pump or the control board that needs replacing?
If the pump impeller is seized or a multimeter test shows the pump motor is open or short circuit, replace the pump first — it is the cheaper part and may have been the root cause of the triac failure. If the pump tests fine and spins freely but E24 persists, the fault is most likely on the control board itself and a service technician should assess it.