AEG Washing Machine E10 Error: Meaning, Causes & Safe Checks

E10 Usually simple Safe checks first

Quick answer

AEG E10 (or E11, C1, or 1 beep or flash) is a water flow problem: the machine isn’t filling properly. Check the tap is fully open and the flow is good, clean the inlet filters, straighten the hoses, and check the drain hose isn’t siphoning water out. If no water enters at all, book AEG service.

Also shown as E11 C1

What E10 means on a AEG washing machine

The machine has a water flow problem: it isn’t filling as expected.

Applies to: AEG washing machines and washer dryers. Models without a display signal it with 1 beep or 1 flash.

About AEG E10

AEG washing machines group codes into families (E10, E20, E40 and so on), and models without a display signal the same fault with beeps or flashes. AEG asks you to note the full code before switching off, because a reset clears it. AEG dishwashers use i-codes such as i20.

This page follows AEG UK’s own article, Washing machine displays error code E10, E11, C1 or emits 1 beep / 1 flash. AEG shares this code family with Zanussi E10, but each page follows its own brand’s wording, figures and service route.

What you might notice

Likely causes

What you can safely check yourself

Stop and call a qualified engineer if:
  • The code or problem comes back after you’ve done the safe checks on this page.
  • A hose is split, bulging, cracked or leaking at the connection. Stop using the appliance until the hose is replaced.
  • Water flow at the tap is too low, or the tap or valve is seized. That is a plumbing job for a plumber or your water supplier, not the appliance.
  • The next step would mean removing a cover or panel, or working on the pump, valves, heater, motor, door lock or wiring. That is a job for a qualified engineer.
  • The appliance is still under warranty. Contact the manufacturer first, because DIY work can affect your cover.

Work through these in order. Stop as soon as one of the signs above applies.

Make sure the water tap is fully open

  1. Find the isolation tap or valve on the pipe feeding the appliance, usually under the sink or behind the machine.
  2. Check it is turned fully on. On lever valves, “on” is usually when the lever lines up with the pipe.
  3. If other taps in the house have low pressure too, the problem may be the mains supply rather than the appliance.

Don’t force a stiff or seized valve. It can break inside without opening.

Check the water flow with a bucket test Take care

Before you start
  • Turn off the water supply tap to the appliance before disconnecting any hose.
  1. With the tap off, disconnect the inlet hose from the tap end (or use a nearby tap on the same supply).
  2. Hold the hose end in a bucket, or put the bucket under the tap, and turn the water on fully for a timed period.
  3. Compare what you collect with the figure in your manual or in the brand note below. A weak flow points to the supply, not the appliance.
  4. Reconnect the hose hand-tight and check for drips when the water is back on.

For this fault: AEG: filling a bucket from the tap should take about a minute to collect roughly 10 litres.

Clean the inlet hose mesh filters Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  • Turn off the water supply tap to the appliance before disconnecting any hose.
  • Expect water to come out. Put towels and a shallow tray or baking dish down first.
Inlet hose mesh filter Inlet hose Connector unscrew by hand, tap off Mesh filter Rubber seal The filter may be at the tap end, the machine end, or both.
Inlet hose mesh filter. Positions vary by model — check your manual.
  1. With the tap off, unscrew the inlet hose. Depending on the model the small filter sits at the tap end, at the machine end, or both. Your manual shows where.
  2. Take out the small mesh filter (some lift out with fingers, others with tweezers) and rinse it under a tap to clear grit or limescale. A soft toothbrush helps.
  3. Refit the filter and any rubber seal exactly as they came out.
  4. Reconnect the hose hand-tight and turn the tap back on slowly. Check both ends for drips before you plug the machine back in.

Don’t run the machine without the filters fitted.

Don’t overtighten plastic connectors with tools.

Check the water inlet hose for kinks or damage Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  • The appliance is heavy. Pull it out slowly, ideally with help, and don’t strain the hoses or the cable.
  1. With the machine unplugged, ease it forward far enough to see the hose behind it.
  2. Follow the inlet hose from the tap to the machine and straighten any kinks, sharp bends or places where it is squashed against the wall.
  3. Look along the hose for splits, bulges or drips at either connection.

Don’t use the machine if the hose is damaged. Replace the hose first.

Check the drain hose position and for kinks Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  • The appliance is heavy. Pull it out slowly, ideally with help, and don’t strain the hoses or the cable.
Drain hose height and standpipe Outlet height min–max: see your manual Don’t push the hose in too far it can siphon or block No kinks or loops
Drain hose height and standpipe. Positions vary by model — check your manual.
  1. Check the drain hose behind the machine is not kinked, twisted or squashed against the wall.
  2. Check how far the hose goes into the standpipe or sink trap. Pushed in too far, it can siphon or block.
  3. Check the height of the hose outlet against your manual. Manufacturers give a minimum and maximum height above the floor or the machine base.
  4. If the hose has been extended, check the joint. Extensions narrow the flow and make blockages more likely.

For this fault: AEG: no more than 10 cm into the drain pipe, and the drain between 60 and 100 cm high.

Clear excess foam and use less detergent

  1. If you can see a lot of foam in the drum, too much detergent may be confusing the water-level system.
  2. Use the dose on the detergent pack for your load size and water hardness. Use less for small or lightly soiled loads and soft water, and use a detergent made for automatic machines.
  3. Let the foam settle, then run a hot rinse or empty wash without detergent to flush the residue out.

Switch off at the wall and let it rest

  1. If the display shows a code, write it down first.
  2. Switch the appliance off and turn it off at the wall socket.
  3. Leave it off for the time your manual or the manufacturer suggests (see the note below if there is one), then switch on and try again.

For this fault: AEG: unplug for at least 30 seconds, then restart the cycle.

Don’t repeat this over and over if the code keeps returning. That means there is a fault to diagnose.

When to call an engineer

If the checks above don’t clear E10, or any of the stop signs apply, contact AEG or a qualified appliance engineer. Have the model and serial number from the rating label ready, and start with AEG UK support.

Repair or replace?

Most E10 cases are cleared by the safe checks above. If they don’t help, the remaining causes are parts an engineer has to diagnose. We don’t publish repair prices because they vary by area, part and model.

Related problems

Related codes

Questions people ask

Should I write the code down before resetting?

Yes. AEG asks you to note the full code before switching the machine off, because a reset clears it from the display and the engineer will want to know it.

Can foam cause E10 on an AEG?

AEG lists too much detergent among the causes: foam can confuse the water level sensing. If you see a lot of foam, use less detergent. A foam or leak warning shows as EF0 instead.

Different code or symptom? Use the fault finder, see all AEG washing machine codes, or read how AEG codes work. Not sure it’s safe? Read our safety information.

Sources

Last checked against these sources: .

We write every page in our own words from manufacturer guidance and check it against the sources above. If your manual says something different, follow your manual. How we check.