Zanussi washing machine error code E50
E50 on a Zanussi washing machine is a motor error group code. The underlying fault will be either E51 (motor power triac short circuit – likely a PCB fault) or E52 (no signal from the motor tachometric generator – likely a motor or drum jam fault). These can only be distinguished in engineer diagnostic mode. Do not replace parts speculatively – an engineer visit is required.
E50 is a customer-facing motor fault code. It is not a full diagnostic code – when an engineer accesses the service diagnostic mode, a more specific code (E51 or E52) will be displayed. E50 on its own tells you the fault is in the motor group, but not which specific component has failed. An engineer with diagnostic equipment is required to pinpoint the fault.
Which Machines Display E50?
E50 appears on Zanussi washing machines. John Lewis washing machines are manufactured by Electrolux/Zanussi and share the same platform, so John Lewis branded models can also display E50.
What E50 Actually Means
E50 is not listed in standard Zanussi error code documentation because it is a customer-facing display code rather than a full diagnostic code. It indicates a fault within the motor error group, but does not specify which fault. When an engineer accesses the machine’s service diagnostic mode, the display will show the full error – either E51 or E52:
| Full error code | Meaning | Most likely cause |
|---|---|---|
| E51 | Motor power triac short circuited | PCB fault – the triac is a component on the control board. It may have failed independently or been damaged by a short circuit elsewhere in the motor circuit. Do not assume the motor itself has failed without testing the PCB first. |
| E52 | No signal from motor tachometric generator | The tachometric generator (tacho) monitors motor speed. No signal can mean the tacho coil has failed, the wiring between tacho and PCB is broken, the motor has seized, or the drum is jammed. See our guide on Zanussi error E52. |
E51 involves a triac – a semiconductor component on the PCB responsible for controlling motor power. If the triac has short-circuited, it may have been caused by a fault elsewhere in the motor circuit (such as the motor itself) rather than being a primary PCB failure. Replacing the PCB without checking the motor and its wiring risks the new PCB being damaged by the same underlying fault. An engineer should check the motor circuit before ordering any parts. See our guide on washing machine motor faults and diagnosis.
An engineer with diagnostic equipment is needed to read the full error code and test the motor circuit.
Related Guides
Zanussi Error Code E52No signal from the motor tachometric generator – causes including jammed drum and motor faults.
Washing Machine Drum Not TurningFull diagnostic guide for motor, belt, and PCB faults that stop the drum from rotating.
Diagnosing Worn Carbon BrushesHow to test whether worn brushes are causing a motor fault before replacing them.
LG Error Code SEMotor fault diagnosis on LG machines – the same principle of testing before replacing applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does E50 mean on a Zanussi washing machine?
E50 is a customer-facing motor group error code. It indicates a fault within the motor system but does not specify which component has failed. In engineer diagnostic mode the machine will display either E51 (motor power triac short circuit) or E52 (no signal from the motor tachometric generator), each pointing to different components. E50 alone is not enough information to order replacement parts.
Can I fix Zanussi E50 myself?
Not without specialist diagnostic equipment to read the full underlying error code. Even once E51 or E52 is confirmed, the repair involves testing PCB components and motor circuits that require technical knowledge and a multimeter. Replacing the PCB or motor speculatively is expensive and may not resolve the fault. An engineer visit is the recommended approach.
Does E50 mean the motor has failed?
Not necessarily. E51 (the more likely underlying code when E50 is displayed) relates to the motor power triac on the PCB – a PCB component – not the motor itself. The motor may be entirely functional while the PCB has failed. Alternatively, a motor fault may have caused the triac to fail. Both possibilities need to be investigated before concluding which component requires replacement.
11 Comments
Grouped into 10 comment threads.
Hello! I have the error code E50 on my Zanussi and after that I have entered to diagnostic mode to show the full error code. But then it said that everything is fine and no error codes found. Do you know something to go on? :) 1 reply
More than seven years later, I found this article and specifically the comments from Pat and Hoanne and they saved me both a long wait for an available repairman and a huge bill - thank you all! Background: after the recent week plus long "big freeze", one morning it was suddenly a balmy 14C. Condensation dripping off walls of utility room and even the dehumidifier had packed up as too much condensation. Washing machine would start, expel some drain water, suck in a bit of fresh water, then within about 5 seconds just stop. Error code 54, which has to do with motor or wiring to motor or PCB. Rescued our venerable John Lewis JLWM1203 (~2009 vintage) - which is an Electrolux / Zanussi under the hood - by patiently mopping up, recovering the dehumidifier to a drier room to get it going and warmed up, running the dehumidifier for a couple of days next to the washing machine, using a hairdryer on high temperature and high fan to warm the motor, the wiring to it and the control panel PCB for several minutes. 0 replies
More than seven years later, I found this article and specifically the comments from Pat and Hoanne and they saved me both a long wait for an available repairman and a huge bill – thank you all!
Background: after the recent week plus long “big freeze”, one morning it was suddenly a balmy 14C. Condensation dripping off walls of utility room and even the dehumidifier had packed up as too much condensation.
Washing machine would start, expel some drain water, suck in a bit of fresh water, then within about 5 seconds just stop. Error code 54, which has to do with motor or wiring to motor or PCB.
Rescued our venerable John Lewis JLWM1203 (~2009 vintage) – which is an Electrolux / Zanussi under the hood – by patiently mopping up, recovering the dehumidifier to a drier room to get it going and warmed up, running the dehumidifier for a couple of days next to the washing machine, using a hairdryer on high temperature and high fan to warm the motor, the wiring to it and the control panel PCB for several minutes.
Brilliant advice giving here, I done as recommended and it came up with error code 51... Because my cellar is damp it causes problems with the washing machine... Took the lid off the washing machine and used a hairdryer to warm up the wires... Thank you for the good advice on here saved me another washing machine 0 replies
Brilliant advice giving here, I done as recommended and it came up with error code 51… Because my cellar is damp it causes problems with the washing machine… Took the lid off the washing machine and used a hairdryer to warm up the wires… Thank you for the good advice on here saved me another washing machine
Hello Harry, cheers. I've just written a new explanation of error E52 for you. 0 replies
Hello Harry, cheers. I’ve just written a new explanation of error E52 for you.
HI, thanks for this, it's quite helpful. Would you please explain how you derived error code e52 from the example you gave.( when led’s 2, 4 and 7 lit are error code E52) 0 replies
Ruthie: I don't have any error codes for (Zanussi/John Lewis) dryers but it could well be the same as for the washing machines, an unused code which needs checking out by an engineer. 0 replies
Hello I have a John Lewis Dryer and that too is showing E50. Any ideas anyone? 0 replies
brilliant - thanks so much not sure about the last bit but pressed all the buttons switched off and tried to run eventually the rinse kicked in and we are back to square one - a hunnerds of muddy tents down and a few still to go a million thanks 0 replies
Hi! Have had E50 code several times.Just switched off, then used same technique as Steve -got code E51. All leds workingOK. Used dehumidifier (as kitchen tends to have slight condensation), has worked every time for me. Code only occurs when I don't use machine every day. Hope this helps someone to avoid costly repairs! 0 replies
Hi!
Have had E50 code several times.Just switched off, then used same technique as Steve -got code E51. All leds workingOK. Used dehumidifier (as kitchen tends to have slight condensation), has worked every time for me. Code only occurs when I don’t use machine every day.
Hope this helps someone to avoid costly repairs!
Zanussi aquacycle 1400 fle1416w If you need to know the error code stored on your appliance, hopefully this will narrow down the fault for you. You need to press and hold the start/pause and skip buttons together and switch on whilst holding them. Continue holding till the machine beeps or flashes the display at you. Release the buttons and the leds will begin scrolling. Press and release the 2nd button to the right of the on/off switch until you light the 2nd bottom led of the 2nd column. If you now look at the column of 8 leds on the far right, some of these should be flashing. Number them with 1 at the top. Which ones are flashing? i know that led's 2, 4 and 7 lit are error code E52 (try the brushes in the motor) Thanks 0 replies
Zanussi aquacycle 1400 fle1416w
If you need to know the error code stored on your appliance, hopefully this will narrow down the fault for you.
You need to press and hold the start/pause and skip buttons together and switch on whilst holding them. Continue holding till the machine beeps or flashes the display at you. Release the buttons and the leds will begin scrolling.
Press and release the 2nd button to the right of the on/off switch until you light the 2nd bottom led of the 2nd column.
If you now look at the column of 8 leds on the far right, some of these should be flashing. Number them with 1 at the top. Which ones are flashing?
i know that led’s 2, 4 and 7 lit are error code E52 (try the brushes in the motor)
Thanks
Hello!
I have the error code E50 on my Zanussi and after that I have entered to diagnostic mode to show the full error code. But then it said that everything is fine and no error codes found.
Do you know something to go on? :)
Hi mate just try the brushes, really easy to change and cheap. it fixed mine