Electrolux Washer E13 Error Code: Water Leak Detected
Quick Answer
The Electrolux E13 error code means the flood sensor in the machine's base has detected water where it should not be. This is a safety shutdown - the machine protects your floor by stopping immediately. The first step is to unplug the washer before doing anything else - water in the base near electrical components is a real safety risk.
In the field, I usually find that an E13 isn't a computer glitch but a physical puddle sitting in the plastic tray at the very bottom of your washer. This tray has a float switch that trips the moment water touches it. While a torn door boot is the most common culprit, don't overlook a simple loose drain filter or a cracked plastic pump housing. You must dry that tray completely before the code will even consider clearing.
Think of E13 as your washer's life jacket deploying. It stops the cycle and runs the drain pump to prevent a laundry room flood. I've seen homeowners ignore this by just resetting the power, but that's a mistake. If that water reaches the drive motor or the main board wiring, a simple leak repair turns into a total machine replacement.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Door boot seal (bellow) torn or cracked40%
Drain pump housing seal leaking24%
Inlet hose connection loose or cracked at back of machine14%
Tub seal failure (less common, more serious)12%
Sump hose or tub-to-pump connection cracked10%
Symptoms You May Notice
E13 flashing on the display and the machine stops dead mid-cycle with no warning, clothes still soaking wet inside
The drain pump kicks on and just keeps running after the machine stops, sometimes for a couple minutes straight
A slow puddle spreading out from under the front of the machine onto the laundry room floor
That musty mildew smell hits you when you walk into the laundry room, even before you see any visible water on the floor
Machine refuses to start a new cycle even after you close the door and press Start again, just keeps throwing E13
Can you reset a Electrolux washer to clear the E13 code?
You cannot reset this code with a button press. The physical float switch in the base must drop back down. After you unplug the unit, I recommend tilting the washer back 45 degrees to let the trapped water flow out of the base pan onto a towel. Once that sensor is bone dry, the error clears itself on the next power-up.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverTorx T20 bit driverFlathead screwdriver (for popping off panel clips)Flashlight or headlampDry towels (bring way more than you think you need)Bucket or shallow drain panMultimeter (for flood sensor continuity check)Small block of wood or 2x4 scrap for propping up the machine
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range0–5 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Replacement Parts
If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.
Part Name
OEM Number
Estimated Price
Door Boot Seal (Bellow)134515300 · $30–$65
134515300
$30 – $65
Drain Pump Assembly134051200 · $35–$70
134051200
$35 – $70
Frequently Asked Questions
Is E13 on an Electrolux washer dangerous?
It can be, yeah. The base pan has the drive motor and a bunch of wiring harnesses sitting right where the water pools. Standing water near those components creates a direct path for an electrical short. This is exactly why the machine forces a hard shutdown instead of just flashing a warning light and letting you keep going. Keep it unplugged until you've mopped up every drop from that bottom tray. I tell every customer the same thing: don't try to power through this error while there's still water in there.
My Electrolux washer shows E13 but I can't find any water under it. What happened?
This trips people up all the time. These machines have a recessed base pan that can hold a surprising amount of water before it ever spills out onto your floor. The float sensor is sensitive and will trip while the puddle is still contained inside the machine's frame. You have to tilt the machine back or pull the lower access panel to actually see the water that's hiding in there. Also worth checking: lint and debris can hold moisture in the base pan long after the initial leak stopped, which is enough to keep that float sensor tripped.
How much does it cost to fix an E13 error?
Totally depends on what's leaking. Loose inlet hose? Basically free, just tighten it. New hose is $8 at Home Depot. Door boot seal is probably the most common fix and runs $60 to $120 for the part depending on your model, plus an hour or two of your time. Drain pump replacement is $80 to $150 for the part. If it turns out to be the rear tub seal and bearing, that repair can run $300 to $500 in parts and labor, and honestly at that point you need to think hard about whether the machine is worth fixing versus replacing.
Can I reset E13 myself or do I need to call a tech?
You can absolutely handle this yourself as long as you actually find and fix the leak first. There's no magic button sequence that resets E13 on Electrolux washers. The code clears on its own once the base pan float sensor drops back to the normal position, which means the pan has to be completely dry. Unplug, find the leak, fix it, dry the base pan, then plug back in. If the code comes right back with no water visible anywhere, the sensor itself might be stuck, which is also a DIY fix for under $20.
How do I know if it's the door boot seal or the pump causing the leak?
Here's a quick way to narrow it down before you start pulling things apart. Run just a fill cycle and watch where water shows up in the base pan. If it leaks during fill with the drum barely moving, you're probably looking at an inlet hose or pump issue since the door boot only gets stressed during spinning. If it leaks during the spin cycle, that points at the boot seal. The drain pump usually leaves mineral deposit staining around the crack in the housing. The door boot, if it's torn, almost always shows a visible cut or puncture when you really dig your fingers into the folds.