Why Is My Siemens Washing Machine Not Heating the Water?
Run a 60°C cotton cycle with no laundry and check whether the drum feels warm partway through — if it does not, reset the machine by switching it off at the wall for 5 minutes and restarting the programme, which clears temporary control board faults and restores normal heating in many cases (takes about 5 minutes).
Fault description
When a Siemens washing machine fails to heat water, the wash cycle still runs from start to finish, but the water inside the drum stays at or near room temperature regardless of the temperature setting you have chosen. Clothes may come out still smelling or looking unwashed, particularly on programmes that rely on heat to activate detergent and break down grease.
The heating system in a washing machine involves several components working together: a heating element submerged in the drum, a temperature sensor (NTC thermistor) that monitors water temperature, and a control board that decides when to switch heating on and off. A fault in any one of these can prevent heating entirely. Related error codes E60 through E69 may appear on the display, each pointing to a slightly different part of the heating circuit, but the visible symptom is the same — cold water throughout the wash.
This is classed as an advanced fault because it often requires electrical testing with a multimeter and, in some cases, partial disassembly of the machine. That said, some causes are straightforward and can be resolved without specialist tools.
Causes
- Failed heating element — The heating element is the most common reason a Siemens washing machine stops heating. Over time, the element burns out or develops a break in the resistance wire, preventing it from generating heat. Error codes E60 or E61 are often associated with this failure.
- Faulty NTC temperature sensor (thermistor) — The NTC sensor measures the water temperature and reports it back to the control board. If the sensor drifts out of calibration or fails completely, the board either never triggers heating or cuts it off too early. Codes E62, E63, or E65 may be displayed.
- Defective control board (PCB) — The main PCB controls the relay that switches power to the heating element. A burnt relay contact or software fault on the board can prevent the heating circuit from activating even when the element and sensor are both healthy. Codes E66, E67, or E68 can indicate a board-level issue.
- Wiring or connector fault — The wires connecting the heating element and thermistor to the control board can corrode, loosen, or break, especially near the back of the drum where vibration is high. A loose spade connector on the element terminals is a surprisingly common cause of intermittent or complete heating failure.
- Heavy limescale build-up on the element — In hard-water areas, limescale coats the element and acts as an insulator, reducing heating efficiency dramatically. In severe cases the element overheats locally and trips an internal thermal cut-out, which may not reset automatically. Error code E64 or E69 can appear in this scenario.
- Tripped thermal cut-out (safety thermostat) — Some Siemens models include a one-shot or resettable thermal cut-out on the heater assembly. If the element has previously overheated — often due to limescale — this safety device opens the circuit and stays open until it is manually reset or replaced.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Confirm the fault and note any error codes
Select a 60°C or 90°C cotton programme and start the machine with an empty drum. After 15–20 minutes, carefully open the detergent drawer and feel the water through the door glass — it should be noticeably warm. Note any error code shown on the display, as codes E60–E69 will help narrow down which component has failed before you start disassembling anything.
- 2
Power-cycle the machine to clear temporary faults
Switch the machine off at the wall socket and leave it unplugged for at least 5 minutes. This allows the control board capacitors to discharge fully and can clear a software glitch that is incorrectly blocking the heating circuit. Plug back in, select a hot programme, and retest. If heating is restored, monitor the machine over the next few washes to confirm the fix has held.
- 3
Inspect and clean the filter and check for error code recurrence
A blocked pump filter can cause the machine to abort or shorten the heating phase as a protective measure. Locate the filter behind the small panel at the bottom front of the machine, place a towel and shallow tray underneath, and unscrew the cap slowly to drain residual water. Remove any debris, refit the filter firmly, and run a hot cycle again to see whether the error code returns.
- 4
Test the heating element with a multimeter
Disconnect the machine from the mains. Remove the back panel (usually held by two or three screws) to access the heating element at the base of the drum. Disconnect the two spade connectors and set your multimeter to resistance (Ω). A healthy Siemens element typically reads between 20 and 30 ohms. A reading of zero (short circuit) or infinite resistance (open circuit) confirms the element has failed and needs replacing. Also check that both connectors are firmly seated and free from corrosion before reassembling.
- 5
Test the NTC temperature sensor
With the back panel still removed, locate the NTC thermistor — it is usually clipped into the heater housing or mounted nearby on the drum casing. Disconnect it and measure resistance with your multimeter. At room temperature (around 20°C) a standard NTC sensor should read approximately 10,000–12,000 ohms. A reading far outside this range, or an open circuit, means the sensor needs replacing. This is a relatively inexpensive part and straightforward to swap.
- 6
Check wiring and connectors throughout the heating circuit
Trace the wiring from the element and thermistor back towards the control board, looking for any wires that are burnt, pinched, or have pulled free from their connectors. Gently tug each spade connector to confirm it is secure. Repair or replace any damaged wiring using appropriately rated connectors — do not use standard household electrical tape on connections inside a washing machine.
- 7
Descale the machine if limescale is suspected
If you live in a hard-water area and the machine has not been descaled recently, run a dedicated washing machine descaler or a 90°C service wash with 500 ml of white vinegar and no laundry. Repeat if necessary. If the element has already failed due to limescale damage, descaling alone will not fix it — the element will need to be replaced — but descaling after fitting a new element will extend its life significantly.
When to call a service technician
If you have tested the heating element and NTC sensor with a multimeter and both components measure within normal ranges, the fault is most likely inside the control board itself — specifically a failed heating relay or a damaged PCB track. Diagnosing and replacing a control board requires specialist knowledge and access to Siemens wiring diagrams, and an incorrect repair can create a safety hazard. At this point, booking a service technician is the right course of action.
You should also call a service technician immediately if you notice any signs of burning smells, scorch marks around the element terminals, or if the machine trips your household circuit breaker when it attempts to heat. These symptoms suggest an electrical fault that goes beyond a simple component swap and must be assessed by a qualified professional before the machine is used again.
Prevention
The parts most commonly replaced when a Siemens washing machine stops heating are the heating element, the NTC temperature sensor (thermistor), and occasionally the thermal cut-out (safety thermostat). If you are already replacing the element, it is worth fitting a new thermistor at the same time, as both parts are accessible from the same location and the thermistor is inexpensive. Running a monthly 90°C maintenance wash and using a descaler every three to six months in hard-water areas will significantly extend the life of the heating element.
Use the parts finder below to locate the correct heating element, NTC sensor, or thermal cut-out for your specific Siemens model number.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do error codes E60 to E69 mean on a Siemens washing machine?
These codes all relate to the heating circuit. E60 and E61 typically indicate a problem with the heating element itself, E62 and E63 point to the NTC temperature sensor, and E64–E69 cover issues such as limescale overheating, wiring faults, and control board relay failures. Noting the exact code before you start investigating will save time by pointing you to the most likely faulty component.
Can I still use my washing machine if it is not heating the water?
You can continue using it for cold-water programmes (30°C or 'cold' settings) while you arrange a repair, but avoid selecting hot programmes because the machine may attempt to heat and draw current through a damaged element, which could cause further damage or trip your circuit breaker. Clothes washed in cold water will not be hygienically cleaned on programmes that rely on heat to kill bacteria.
How long does a Siemens washing machine heating element last?
In soft-water areas, a heating element can last the lifetime of the machine — often 10 to 15 years. In hard-water areas without regular descaling, elements can fail in as little as 3 to 5 years due to limescale build-up causing localised overheating. Using a water softener tablet with each wash and running a descaling cycle every three months will extend element life considerably.
Is replacing a washing machine heating element a DIY job?
For someone comfortable using a multimeter and basic hand tools, replacing the element is achievable. The back panel needs to be removed, the drum partially drained, and the element unbolted from its housing. However, it does involve working near mains-voltage components, so the machine must be fully unplugged before you start and must remain unplugged throughout. If you are not confident working with electrical appliances, ask a service technician to carry out the replacement.
Why does my Siemens washing machine sometimes heat and sometimes not?
Intermittent heating is often caused by a loose wiring connector on the element or thermistor that makes contact in some positions but not others, or by a control board relay that is beginning to fail. A hairline crack in the element can also cause intermittent faults, as the crack opens and closes with thermal expansion. Intermittent faults are harder to diagnose than permanent ones — a service technician with diagnostic equipment will be able to identify the root cause more reliably.