What the Defy washing machine codes mean
Defy uses the same code numbers for different faults on different models. Find your model number first, then read the codes for that model.
DTL 160: E1: Slow water intake
What it means: Water is filling too slowly.
What you can check: Check that the tap is on, the water supply is not cut off and the pressure is normal. Clean the inlet filter and check that the hot and cold hoses are on the right taps.
Read our guide: Why Is My Washing Machine Not Filling With Water?
DTL 160: E2: Slow draining
What it means: Water is pumping out too slowly.
What you can check: Check that the drain hose is not bent or placed too high, and that the hose and pump are not blocked. A recent power cut can also trigger it.
DTL 160: E3: Unbalanced load
What it means: The load is bunched to one side.
What you can check: Open the lid, spread the laundry evenly and check that the machine stands level.
Read our guide: Why Is My Washing Machine Making a Noise When Spinning?
DTL 160: E4: Overflow
What it means: There is too much water inside.
What you can check: There is no home check for this code. It needs a technician.
DTL 160: E5: Frequency out of range
What it means: An electrical supply fault.
What you can check: There is no home check for this code. It needs a technician.
DTL 160: E6: Lid open
What it means: The lid is not closed.
What you can check: Close the lid firmly, make sure nothing is in the way and check that the machine stands level.
DTL 153: E0: Lid open at start
What it means: The lid was open when the programme started.
What you can check: Close the lid and clear the alarm.
DTL 153: E1: Continuous draining alarm
What it means: The machine keeps draining.
What you can check: Check the drain hose is not hanging too low, then restart. If it continues, the water level sensor or drain pump needs testing.
DTL 153: E2: Lid opened during spin
What it means: The lid was opened while the drum was spinning.
What you can check: Close the lid and the cycle continues.
DTL 153: E3: Unbalanced spin
What it means: The load is uneven, so the spin stopped.
What you can check: Open the lid, spread the laundry evenly and close the lid.
Read our guide: Why Is My Washing Machine Making a Noise When Spinning?
DTL 153: E4: Water level not reached
What it means: The selected water level was not reached 40 minutes after filling started.
What you can check: Check that the supply is not cut off and the pressure is normal, clean the inlet valve filter, and make sure Start was pressed after switching on.
Read our guide: Why Is My Washing Machine Not Filling With Water?
DTL 153: E5: Lid opened with child lock on
What it means: The lid was opened after the child lock was set.
What you can check: Close the lid and clear the alarm.
DTL 153: F1: Water level sensor error
What it means: The sensor that measures the water level has failed.
What you can check: Switch off the power. This code needs a technician.
When to stop and call a technician
The machine shows an overflow, frequency or sensor code, the same code comes back after these checks, it trips the power, you smell burning or water is leaking onto the floor. Switch off at the wall before you check the hoses.
Still having trouble with your defy error codes?
Our technician comes to your home, usually the same day. The R450 call-out falls away if you go ahead, and you get a fixed price in writing before any work starts.
How a technician deals with the code
- Confirm the modelThe technician checks the model number, because Defy codes differ by model.
- Test the partThe part behind the code is tested, for example the inlet valve, drain pump, lid switch or water level sensor.
- Fixed priceYou get a fixed price in writing before any part is replaced.
Code meanings on this page come from Defy: Top Loader Error Codes Explained (DTL 160) and Defy: Top Loader Error Codes Explained (DTL 153). See also our Defy washing machine repairs page.