The E13 error means your Electrolux washer has detected water in its bottom protection tray. To fix it, you must drain the water from the base and locate the source of the leak.
If you ignore this one, the washer just keeps running the drain pump 24/7 until you cut power, and whatever's leaking is still leaking the whole time. I show up to these calls and sometimes find a half inch of water sitting under the machine for days. Find the source first, dry the tray second. Don't just reset it and hope for the best.
This code is almost always a real, physical leak. Not a sensor glitch, not a wiring fault. Something wet got into that bottom tray and tripped the float switch. Repairs range from a $5 hose clamp to a $200 tub seal job depending on where the water's coming from. The good news is the most common cause, a torn door boot, runs about $70 in parts and a couple hours of your Saturday.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Leaking door seal35%
Detergent drawer overflow25%
Failed internal hose20%
Faulty float switch15%
Clogged drain filter5%
Symptoms You May Notice
The washer stops mid-cycle and the drain pump just keeps running and running, even after you power it off and back on again.
There's a puddle on the floor under the front of the machine, or you notice dried water stains on the tile that weren't there last week.
E13 flashes on the display and the door stays locked no matter what, won't release even after the cycle ends.
You can hear the pump motor humming constantly like it's stuck in a loop, which is exactly what's happening.
The machine won't start a new cycle at all, just sits there with the code showing.
Can you reset a Electrolux washer to clear the E13 code?
Once the base tray is completely dry and the foam float has dropped back to its resting position, unplug the washer for at least 60 seconds. Don't just flip the breaker, actually pull the plug from the wall so the control board fully clears. When you plug back in, the drain pump should stop running immediately if the float switch reset correctly. If E13 doesn't reappear, run a short rinse-only cycle and watch for any new drips before you trust it with a full load.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverShop vacuum with hose attachmentOld towels or ragsDigital multimeterNeedle-nose pliersFlashlight or headlampBucket (optional)
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just reset the E13 error without opening the washer?
You can unplug it for 10-15 minutes and it might clear temporarily, but it's coming right back. Here's the deal: E13 isn't a software glitch. There's a physical foam float sitting in water in the base tray right now. Until that float drops back down because the water's gone, the code returns the second you restore power. I've had customers call me after resetting it five times in a row, completely baffled why it won't stay gone. You have to physically remove the water from the base tray first. There's no software workaround for a wet float switch.
Why is my drain pump running constantly with the E13 code?
That's the washer doing exactly what it's programmed to do. When E13 triggers, the control board switches into emergency drain mode and locks the pump on to try to clear water from the tub before it can get on your floor. It'll run until you cut power because the board genuinely thinks there's an active flood situation. Don't worry too much about the motor burning out in the short term, these pumps can run for a while, but do unplug the machine sooner rather than later. Once you clear the water from the base tray and the float drops, it stops automatically.
Could using too much detergent cause an E13 error?
Yes, and honestly I see this way more than people expect. Especially when someone switches from an HE formula to regular Tide or another non-HE detergent in a front-loader. The suds build up, overflow out of the drum through the back vents, drip down behind the tub, and collect in the base tray. I had a customer last month who triggered E13 three times in two weeks and every single time it was her new detergent. Switch to HE only and use about half the amount the bottle says. Seriously, these machines need way less soap than you think.
Is the E13 code the same as an E11 or E14?
Not even close, don't let anyone tell you they're related. E11 is a fill timeout, the washer's trying to pull in water but can't get enough flow in time. E14 is usually the flow meter telling the board it can't accurately measure incoming water volume. E13 is specifically the leak detection float switch in the bottom base pan, completely separate circuit and completely different fix. Replacing a flow meter when you've got a dripping door boot won't do anything except waste your money. Make sure whoever's diagnosing this knows the difference.
How do I get the water out of the base tray easily?
Shop vac is the fastest by far. Pop the kick panel off, stick the hose right down into the tray, done in two minutes. No shop vac? Towels work but it takes a while and you'll go through a bunch of them. You can also carefully tilt the machine forward a few inches with someone helping (these things are 150+ pounds) and let it drain onto a big towel on the floor. Don't tip it far enough to stress the door or crack the control panel. In a pinch, a turkey baster actually works surprisingly well for getting the last bit out of the corners.
What does a door boot seal replacement cost on an Electrolux washer?
The part runs $60-90 depending on your specific model. If you're comfortable with basic appliance work, it's a doable DIY job. You'll pull the front panel, disconnect the wire retaining ring that holds the boot to the cabinet opening, work the old gasket off the tub lip, and seat the new one. Getting the new boot seated evenly all the way around and snapping the retaining wire back in is where most people struggle. If you hire it out, labor is typically $120-180, so all-in you're looking at $180-270. Still way cheaper than a new washer.
Models Known to Experience E13 Errors
This repair applies to most Electrolux washers with this error code. Common model numbers include: