What Does Error Code E62 Mean on a Siemens Washing Machine?
Check and clean the filter at the bottom front of the machine to rule out any secondary drainage issue affecting the heating cycle, then power the machine off at the wall for 5 minutes and restart a wash programme to see if the error clears (takes about 10 minutes).
Fault description
Error code E62 signals a problem within the heating circuit of your Siemens washing machine. The heating circuit is responsible for warming the water to the temperature you select — whether that is a cool 30°C delicate wash or a hot 90°C cotton cycle. When the machine detects that the water temperature is outside the expected range, or that the heating system is not responding correctly, it stops the programme and displays E62 to prevent damage to your laundry or the appliance itself.
When this fault occurs, you will typically notice the wash cycle pausing or stopping partway through, often during the heating phase shortly after the drum begins to fill. The machine may display the error immediately or after several minutes of attempting to heat. In some cases the drum continues to turn but the water never warms up, leaving clothes washed in cold water without completing the cycle properly.
The fault can stem from a number of components — most commonly the heating element or the NTC temperature sensor — but wiring connections and the main control board can also be involved. Working through the checks below in order will help you identify the cause without unnecessary part replacements.
Causes
- Faulty NTC temperature sensor — The NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) sensor monitors water temperature throughout the wash. If it fails or drifts out of calibration, the machine receives incorrect temperature readings and triggers E62 even when the heating element itself is working fine.
- Failed or burnt-out heating element — The heating element is the most commonly replaced part for this fault. Over time, limescale build-up or electrical stress can cause the element to burn out, meaning the water never reaches the target temperature and the control board logs a heating circuit error.
- Limescale build-up on the heating element — In hard water areas, heavy limescale deposits coat the heating element and insulate it, reducing its efficiency dramatically. The element may still be electrically intact but unable to heat water quickly enough to satisfy the programme's timing requirements.
- Loose or corroded wiring connections — The wiring harness connecting the heating element and temperature sensor to the control board can develop loose terminals or corrosion, particularly in older machines. An intermittent connection can cause the E62 code to appear sporadically rather than every cycle.
- Faulty main control board (PCB) — If the PCB cannot correctly send power to the heating element or interpret the signal from the temperature sensor, it may generate a false E62 error. This is less common but should be considered if all other components test as healthy.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Reset the machine
Switch the washing machine off at the wall socket and leave it unplugged for at least 5 minutes. This allows the control board to fully discharge and can clear a temporary or spurious fault. Plug back in, select a programme, and observe whether E62 returns.
- 2
Clean the pump filter
Locate the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place a towel and shallow tray underneath, then unscrew the filter cap slowly to drain residual water. Remove the filter, rinse it under a tap, and check the filter housing for debris. A blocked filter can indirectly affect cycle completion and is worth ruling out early.
- 3
Run a hot maintenance wash with descaler
If you live in a hard water area, limescale on the heating element is a very likely contributor. Add a washing machine descaler product to the drum (not the detergent drawer) and run an empty 90°C cycle. This can dissolve deposits and restore heating efficiency without any dismantling.
- 4
Inspect the wiring connections to the heating element and NTC sensor
Unplug the machine and pull it away from the wall. Remove the rear panel (usually held by two or three screws). Locate the heating element at the bottom of the drum and the NTC sensor clipped nearby. Check that all wire connectors are firmly seated and show no signs of burning, corrosion, or melting. Reseat any loose connectors firmly by hand.
- 5
Test the NTC temperature sensor with a multimeter
Disconnect the NTC sensor's two-pin connector and set your multimeter to resistance (Ohms). At room temperature, a healthy NTC sensor typically reads between 20,000 and 30,000 Ohms — check your model's service data for the exact value. A reading of zero or infinite resistance indicates a failed sensor that needs replacing.
- 6
Test the heating element with a multimeter
With the machine still unplugged, disconnect the wires from the heating element terminals. Set your multimeter to resistance and place the probes on the two main terminals. A working element typically reads between 20 and 50 Ohms; an open circuit (infinite resistance) confirms the element has failed. Also test between each terminal and the element's earth tag — any reading other than infinite here indicates an earth fault and the element must be replaced.
- 7
Replace the faulty component
If your testing has identified either the NTC sensor or the heating element as faulty, replace the defective part with a genuine Siemens-compatible component matched to your model number. Both parts are accessible from the rear of the machine and can be swapped with basic tools. After fitting, reassemble, run a test cycle, and confirm the E62 error no longer appears.
Affected models
Select your model to see its full troubleshooting page.
When to call a service technician
If you have tested both the NTC sensor and the heating element and both components measure within their correct resistance ranges, the fault is likely within the main control board or the wiring loom itself. Diagnosing and replacing a PCB requires specialist equipment and carries a risk of further damage if handled incorrectly — this is the point at which a qualified service technician should take over.
You should also call a service technician immediately if you noticed any burning smell, visible scorch marks on wiring, or signs of water leakage near the heating element during your inspection. These symptoms suggest a more serious electrical fault that is not safe to operate the machine with under any circumstances.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my Siemens washing machine while it shows E62?
It is not advisable to continue using the machine with an active E62 fault. The machine will not heat the water correctly, meaning your laundry will not be properly cleaned or sanitised. More importantly, a faulty heating element can in some cases pose an electrical risk, so it is best to resolve the fault before running further cycles.
How do I know if it is the heating element or the NTC sensor causing E62?
Testing both components with a multimeter is the most reliable way to tell them apart. The NTC sensor should show a resistance reading in the range of 20,000–30,000 Ohms at room temperature; the heating element should show 20–50 Ohms between its main terminals. Whichever component reads outside its expected range — or shows an open circuit — is the faulty part.
Is E62 always a heating element fault on Siemens washing machines?
Not always. While the heating element is the most commonly replaced component for E62, the NTC temperature sensor fails almost as frequently and is a cheaper, easier fix. Loose wiring connections are also a surprisingly common cause, particularly on machines that are several years old. Always work through the checks in order rather than replacing the element as a first step.
How much does it typically cost to fix a Siemens E62 error?
If you replace the NTC sensor yourself, parts typically cost between £10 and £25. A replacement heating element usually costs between £20 and £50 depending on the model. If you call a service technician, expect to pay a call-out fee plus labour on top of the part cost, which can bring the total to £100–£180 for a heating element replacement.
Will E62 clear itself after the machine cools down?
In some cases the error may disappear after the machine is switched off and allowed to cool, particularly if the fault is caused by a marginal NTC sensor that behaves differently at different temperatures. However, the underlying fault will still be present and the code will return once the machine attempts to heat water again. A temporary clearance should not be taken as a sign that the problem has resolved itself.