What this error means
Heating element fault — the washing machine is not reaching or maintaining the correct wash temperature.
The E60 error on an AEG washing machine means the machine has detected a problem with its heating circuit. The control board monitors how quickly the wash water temperature rises during a heated programme and will display E60 if the water does not reach the target temperature within the expected time, or if the temperature sensor returns a reading that is inconsistent with normal heating. The most common causes are a failed heating element, a faulty NTC temperature sensor, heavy limescale coating on the element surface reducing heat transfer, or a wiring fault to either component.
What you'll need first
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Step-by-step
Symptoms to look for
- E60 displayed partway through a Cotton or Synthetic wash programme
- Laundry coming out at the wrong temperature — noticeably too cold after a heated programme
- Machine takes significantly longer than the displayed time estimate on any programme above 40 degrees
- E60 appears consistently on high-temperature programmes but not on cold or 30-degree washes
Diagnostic steps
Add a proprietary washing machine descaler or citric acid equivalent to the drum and run a 90-degree empty cycle. In hard water areas limescale deposits build on the element surface over time, acting as an insulating layer. The element continues to draw full electrical power but transfers very little of it to the water — the control board detects slow or absent temperature rise and displays E60. Descaling is the most cost-effective first step and resolves many E60 faults without any part replacement.
Unplug the machine and hold the power button for 10 seconds. Leave unplugged for five minutes. Plug back in and run a 60-degree programme. Monitor whether E60 reappears.
With the machine completely unplugged from the mains, remove the rear access panel. The NTC thermistor is a small cylindrical or oval sensor clamped to or mounted very close to the heating element at the lower rear of the drum casing. It connects to the wiring harness via two thin wires and a small plug connector.
Disconnect the NTC sensor two-pin connector from the wiring harness. Set a multimeter to resistance mode. Touch one probe to each terminal of the sensor. At room temperature of approximately 20 degrees Celsius a healthy AEG NTC thermistor reads between 10,000 and 50,000 ohms depending on the specific model. A reading of zero indicates a short circuit inside the sensor. A reading of OL means the sensor has failed completely with an open internal circuit. Both readings will produce E60.
With the multimeter connected across the sensor terminals, gently flex the sensor body and its two lead wires while watching the resistance reading on the display. If the value fluctuates, momentarily drops to zero, or intermittently shows OL then recovers, there is a hairline break inside the sensor that expands and contracts with temperature change. Replace the sensor even if it reads correctly when held still.
With the machine unplugged, disconnect the wiring from both heating element terminals. Set a multimeter to resistance mode and test across the two terminals. A functional AEG washing machine heating element typically reads between 20 and 50 ohms depending on its wattage rating. OL indicates the element has failed with an open internal circuit. A reading of zero indicates a short circuit.
When to call an engineer
- Heating element reads open circuit or short circuit on a multimeter — element must be replaced
- Earth fault confirmed between an element terminal and the machine earth point — do not use the machine
- NTC thermistor reads outside the expected range or fluctuates when flexed — sensor must be replaced
- Element and sensor both test within normal range but E60 persists on every heated cycle — control board input circuit fault
Frequently asked questions
What is the NTC thermistor and what role does it play in E60?
Can limescale on the heating element cause E60 without the element itself being broken?
Is it the element or the sensor that has failed when E60 appears?
Can E60 appear even if the water is actually warming up?
🎯 What is likely causing this fault?
⚠️ Estimates based on common faults — not a guaranteed diagnosis. Always verify before ordering parts.
Parts you may need
Enter your model number to filter results to your exact machine
Usually found on a label inside the door frame or on the back panel of the machine.
| Part | Approx. UK Cost | Find it |
|---|---|---|
| Heating element / sensor | £30 - £80 | 🛒 Amazon UK → |
| Heating element / sensor | £15 - £20 | 🏷️ eBay UK → |
ℹ️ Prices are approximate. Always check the part number matches your model before ordering. Not sure of your model number? Find out how to locate it here.