What Does Error Code E50 Mean on an Electrolux Washing Machine?
Check the drum for any trapped items — open the door, rotate the drum by hand to feel for resistance, remove any obstruction, then restart the cycle (takes about 5 minutes).
Fault description
Error code E50 is Electrolux's way of telling you that something has gone wrong with the motor system. The motor is responsible for spinning and tumbling the drum throughout every wash cycle, so when the machine's control board detects an abnormal signal from the motor — or can't get the drum moving at all — it stops the programme and displays E50 to prevent further damage.
When this error appears, the wash cycle will pause or fail to start, and the drum may be completely still or moving erratically. In some cases you may hear a humming or buzzing sound as the motor attempts to run but cannot. The machine will not continue until the underlying issue is resolved.
The good news is that a significant number of E50 faults are caused by simple mechanical obstructions rather than a failed motor, so it's always worth working through the basic checks before assuming the worst.
Causes
- Drum obstruction — A small item such as a coin, underwire, or button lodged between the drum and the door seal can physically prevent the drum from rotating. This is the most common trigger for E50 and is usually the easiest to resolve.
- Overloaded drum — Packing the drum too tightly puts excessive strain on the motor, causing it to draw too much current and triggering the fault. Heavy items like duvets or towels bunched together are frequent culprits.
- Worn or broken drive belt — The drive belt connects the motor to the drum pulley. If it has snapped, stretched, or slipped off, the motor will spin freely but the drum won't move, and the control board will register a motor fault.
- Faulty motor brushes — Many Electrolux washing machines use a brushed motor. The carbon brushes wear down over time and eventually lose contact with the motor's commutator, causing intermittent or complete loss of motor function.
- Motor wiring or connection fault — Vibration over years of use can loosen the electrical connectors between the motor and the control board. A poor connection can mimic a motor failure even when the motor itself is in good condition.
- Failed motor or motor control module — In less common cases, the motor windings themselves may have burned out, or the motor control board (sometimes called the inverter board on brushless models) may have developed a fault that prevents correct motor operation.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Power off and check for trapped items
Switch the machine off at the wall and unplug it. Open the door and carefully run your hand around the rubber door seal, feeling for any small objects caught between the seal and the drum. Rotate the drum slowly by hand — it should turn with moderate resistance but no grinding or hard stops.
- 2
Reduce the load and restart
If the drum was very full, remove roughly half the laundry and try the cycle again. An overloaded machine will repeatedly trigger E50 until the load is within the machine's rated capacity. Check your model's manual for the maximum load weight.
- 3
Perform a power reset
Unplug the machine from the wall socket and leave it unplugged for at least 5 minutes. This allows the control board to fully discharge and reset. Plug back in and run a short cycle to see if the error clears.
- 4
Inspect the drive belt
You will need to remove the back panel of the machine to access the belt — unplug the machine first. Look at the large drum pulley at the rear; the belt should sit firmly in the groove around it and connect down to the motor pulley. If the belt is snapped, loose, or has slipped off, it will need to be replaced or reseated.
- 5
Check motor brush condition
With the back panel removed and the machine unplugged, locate the motor at the base of the machine. The carbon brushes are housed in small plastic holders on either side of the motor body. Slide them out and measure their length — if they are shorter than approximately 10–12 mm, they are worn and should be replaced as a pair.
- 6
Inspect motor wiring connections
While you have access to the motor, check that all wiring connectors are firmly seated. Gently press each connector home and look for any signs of burning, corrosion, or damaged insulation on the wires. A loose connector can often be reseated without replacing any parts.
- 7
Clear the error and test
After completing any repair, plug the machine back in and run a short cotton cycle at 40°C with a small load. Monitor the machine through the first spin phase. If E50 does not reappear, the fault has been resolved. If it returns, the motor or motor control board likely needs professional assessment.
Affected models
Select your model to see its full troubleshooting page.
When to call a service technician
If you have worked through all the steps above — cleared any obstruction, replaced worn brushes, reseated wiring connections, and confirmed the belt is intact — and the E50 error still returns, the fault is likely inside the motor itself or within the motor control board. These components require specialist diagnostic equipment to test accurately and are not straightforward to replace without experience.
You should also call a service technician if you notice a burning smell coming from the machine, if the motor housing feels very hot to the touch, or if you can see any scorched wiring or components. These are signs of electrical damage that should not be ignored.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my Electrolux washing machine while it shows E50?
No — when E50 is active, the machine has stopped the cycle to protect the motor from further damage. Running it repeatedly in this state could worsen the fault. Work through the troubleshooting steps first, and only resume normal use once the error has cleared and a full test cycle has completed without issue.
How long do motor brushes last on an Electrolux washing machine?
Motor brushes typically last between 5 and 10 years depending on how frequently the machine is used and what programmes are run most often. High-spin cycles put more demand on the motor. If your machine is over 5 years old and showing E50, worn brushes are a very likely cause and are worth inspecting first.
Is error E50 the same as E51, E52, or E53 on Electrolux machines?
Not exactly. E50 is a general motor fault code, while E51, E52, and E53 point to more specific motor-related issues such as overcurrent, speed sensor problems, or communication errors between the motor and control board. The diagnostic steps overlap, but if you are seeing a different code in the E5x range, check your model's manual for the precise definition.
How much does it cost to replace motor brushes on an Electrolux washing machine?
A pair of carbon brushes typically costs between £5 and £20 depending on the motor type. If you are comfortable doing the job yourself, it is one of the more cost-effective washing machine repairs. A service technician call-out to replace brushes will add labour costs on top, but the total repair is still usually well below the cost of a new machine.
Why does E50 appear only sometimes and not every cycle?
Intermittent E50 faults are often caused by worn motor brushes that still make contact most of the time but lose connection under load or when hot. A loose wiring connector can also cause the same pattern. If the error comes and goes, inspect the brushes and all motor connections — consistent faults that appear every cycle are more likely to indicate a belt or mechanical obstruction issue.