What Does Error Code E22 Mean on a Siemens Washing Machine?
Tilt the machine gently forward about 45 degrees to drain any pooled water from the base tray, then stand it upright and allow it to dry for at least one hour before restarting — this clears the float switch and resolves the error in the majority of minor leak cases (takes about 15 minutes of active effort, plus drying time).
Fault description
Error code E22 is a safety alert generated by Siemens' Aquastop system — a built-in flood protection feature fitted to most modern Siemens washing machines. When a small float switch inside the base tray rises due to accumulated water, it sends a signal to the control board, which immediately halts the wash programme and displays E22.
When this error appears, the machine will typically stop mid-cycle, lock the door, and refuse to start a new programme. You may also notice the drain pump running continuously as the machine attempts to remove water it has detected. The display may flash E22 or show it alongside a padlock icon.
The error does not always mean a serious internal failure. In some cases, a small amount of water from a loose hose connection or an overfilled drum is enough to trigger the sensor. However, it should never be ignored, as it exists specifically to protect your home from water damage.
Causes
- Water pooled in the base tray from a minor leak — Even a small amount of water collecting in the plastic base tray is enough to lift the float switch and trigger E22. This can happen after a single leak event, and the error may persist until the tray is fully dried out.
- Loose or damaged inlet hose connection — If the cold water inlet hose is not fully tightened at either the tap or the machine end, it can weep water slowly during a fill cycle. Over time this drips into the base tray and activates the Aquastop sensor.
- Leaking door seal or drum gasket — A cracked, torn, or debris-damaged door seal can allow water to escape the drum during a wash cycle and run down into the base. Inspect the rubber gasket carefully for splits, holes, or foreign objects lodged in the folds.
- Faulty or blocked detergent drawer and housing — A blocked detergent drawer can cause water to overflow the housing and run down the front or side of the machine into the base tray. This is more common when non-HE detergent or excessive amounts are used.
- Leaking pump or internal hose — Internal hoses connecting the drum, pump, and sump can develop cracks or loose clips over time. A leaking drain pump seal is another common source of water in the base tray that is not immediately visible from outside the machine.
- Faulty Aquastop float switch — In rare cases the float switch itself can stick in the raised position even after the water has dried, causing a persistent E22 error with no actual leak present. This is a less common cause but worth considering if all other checks pass.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Switch off and unplug the machine
Before doing anything else, turn the programme dial to off and unplug the washing machine from the mains socket. This is essential for safety before you tilt or move the appliance. Turn off the water supply tap at the wall as well.
- 2
Tilt the machine forward to drain the base tray
With a second person helping, carefully tilt the machine forward at roughly 45 degrees and hold it there for 30 to 60 seconds. This allows any water sitting in the base tray to drain out through the bottom. Place old towels on the floor beforehand to absorb the water.
- 3
Allow the base tray to dry completely
Stand the machine upright and leave it for at least one to two hours in a well-ventilated area. The float switch will only reset once the tray is dry. You can use a fan heater nearby to speed up drying, but do not use it while the machine is plugged in.
- 4
Inspect the inlet hose connections
Check both ends of the cold water inlet hose — at the tap and at the back of the machine. Hand-tighten any loose connections and look for signs of moisture or limescale residue around the fittings, which indicates a slow drip. Replace the hose if the rubber washer inside is cracked or flattened.
- 5
Examine the door seal for damage
Open the door and run your fingers around the full circumference of the rubber door gasket. Look for tears, holes, or hard debris such as coins or wire that may have punctured the seal. Pull back the folds of the gasket to check the hidden inner surface. A damaged seal will need replacing before the machine is used again.
- 6
Clean the detergent drawer and housing
Remove the detergent drawer completely and rinse it under warm water to clear any compacted detergent residue. Use a small brush to clean inside the housing recess in the machine. Blocked softener or pre-wash compartments are a common cause of overflow into the base.
- 7
Plug in and run a short test cycle
Once everything is dry and checked, plug the machine back in and run a short cotton cycle at 40°C. Watch the machine closely for the first few minutes, checking around the hose connections, door seal, and underneath the machine for any sign of dripping. If E22 does not return and no leak is visible, the fault has been resolved.
Affected models
Select your model to see its full troubleshooting page.
When to call a service technician
If the E22 error returns within one or two wash cycles after you have dried the base tray and checked all visible connections, there is an active leak somewhere inside the machine. Internal components such as the drum seal, sump hose, or drain pump body are not straightforward to access and require the machine to be partially dismantled. Attempting this without experience risks causing further damage.
You should also contact a service technician if you can see water actively dripping from underneath the machine during a cycle, if the error appears immediately on power-up without any water present, or if the door remains locked and will not release after the tray has dried. These symptoms point to a component failure rather than a simple residual moisture issue.
Spare parts and service
Visit our partners for spare parts and service
Spare parts
Book a repair
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset the E22 error without fixing the leak?
You can clear the error temporarily by tilting the machine to drain the base tray and allowing it to dry, but if the underlying leak is still present the error will return quickly. It is important to identify and fix the source of the water before using the machine again, otherwise you risk water damage to your floor or the machine's electrical components.
Is it safe to use the washing machine while E22 is showing?
No. The E22 error is a safety shutdown and the machine will not run a programme while it is active. Even if you found a way to override it, running the machine with an active leak could cause water damage to your home and create an electrical hazard. Always resolve the fault before resuming use.
How long does it take for the base tray to dry out after tilting?
In most cases, one to two hours is sufficient for the float switch to drop back to its resting position and allow the error to clear. In a cold or humid room it may take longer. If the error persists after two hours of drying, the float switch itself may be stuck or there may still be residual moisture in the tray.
Does E22 always mean there is a serious fault?
Not necessarily. In many cases E22 is triggered by a small, one-off leak — for example from a hose that was slightly loose during installation, or from overfilling with detergent. Once the tray is dried and the minor cause is corrected, the machine works normally. However, if the error recurs, a more significant internal fault should be investigated by a service technician.
What is the Aquastop system and can it be bypassed?
Aquastop is Siemens' proprietary flood protection system. It combines a safety valve on the inlet hose that shuts off the water supply if a leak is detected, with a float switch in the base tray that triggers the E22 error code. It should never be bypassed or disabled — it is a critical safety feature designed to prevent serious water damage to your home.