Zanussi E60 Washing Machine Error Code — What It Means & How To Fix It

Diagnosis

What this error means

Heating fault — the washing machine is not reaching or maintaining the correct wash temperature.

The E60 error on a Zanussi washing machine means the machine has detected a problem with its heating circuit. The control board monitors how quickly water temperature rises during a heated programme and displays E60 if the water does not reach the target temperature within the expected time, or if the temperature sensor returns a reading 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.

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For information purposes only. Always consult a qualified engineer before attempting repairs. 🔌 Unplug your appliance before any inspection or repair.

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What to try first

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Fix time

5–10 minutes

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Difficulty

Professional may be required

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Appliance

Washing Machine

What you'll need first

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Multimeter → · Amazon

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Citric Acid → · Amazon

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Washing Machine Cleaner → · Amazon

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Step-by-step

Unplug the machine for five minutes to allow the control board to fully reset, then plug back in and run a 60-degree Cotton programme

A one-off board error can trigger E60 without any component fault and will not reappear after a full power reset

After approximately 15 minutes of running, check whether the door glass feels warm to the touch

Warmth confirms the element is producing heat and the fault may be with the temperature sensor rather than the element itself

If you are in a hard water area, run an empty 90-degree service wash with a dedicated washing machine descaler tablet

Limescale coating on the element is a very common cause of E60 and a thorough descale frequently resolves it without any part replacement

Check that the machine is not overloaded

A very large, dense wet load creates temperature gradients near the sensor that can produce false E60 readings on some models

Diagnostic

Symptoms to look for

E60 displayed partway through a Cotton or Synthetic wash programme
Laundry coming out cold or at the wrong temperature after a heated programme
Machine takes significantly longer than the estimated time on any programme above 40 degrees
E60 appears consistently on high-temperature programmes but not on cold or 30-degree washes

Step-by-step repair guide

Diagnostic steps

Time 30–60 minutes

Skill Professional may be required

Descale the heating element first

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, insulating it from the water. The element continues to draw full electrical power but transfers very little heat — the control board detects slow temperature rise and displays E60. Descaling resolves many E60 faults without any part replacement.

Run the descale cycle with the drum completely empty. Some descalers produce foam that can overflow if mixed with detergent residue.

Perform a full power reset

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.

E60 caused by a temporary voltage spike will clear with a power discharge and not recur. If E60 clears but returns consistently on every heated programme, proceed to component testing.

Access the NTC temperature sensor

With the machine completely unplugged, remove the rear access panel. The NTC thermistor is a small 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.

The NTC sensor is mounted directly adjacent to the heating element. The element terminals carry 230 V during operation. Never touch the element terminal connections unless the machine is fully unplugged.

Test the NTC thermistor resistance

Disconnect the NTC sensor two-pin connector. Set a multimeter to resistance mode. Test across both sensor terminals. At room temperature of approximately 20 degrees Celsius a healthy Zanussi NTC thermistor reads between 10,000 and 50,000 ohms depending on the model. A reading of zero indicates a short circuit. A reading of OL means the sensor has failed completely. Either will produce E60.

Record the reading before ordering a replacement. Confirming it is outside the expected range avoids replacing a working sensor.

Test the NTC for intermittent failure

With the multimeter still connected across the sensor terminals, gently flex the sensor body and its two lead wires while watching the resistance on the display. If the value fluctuates, drops to zero momentarily, or intermittently shows OL then recovers, there is a hairline break inside the sensor. Replace it even if it reads correctly when held still.

This test identifies the most commonly missed cause of intermittent E60 — faults that appear only during hot programmes and clear once the machine cools.

Test the heating element

With the machine unplugged, disconnect the wiring from both element terminals. Set a multimeter to resistance mode and test across the two terminals. A functional Zanussi heating element typically reads between 20 and 50 ohms depending on its wattage. OL indicates an internal open circuit. A reading of zero indicates a short circuit.

After testing resistance, test from each element terminal to the machine earth point. Any reading other than OL indicates the element has developed an earth fault — live voltage is present on the machine body. Do not use the machine until the element is replaced.

Escalation

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 — do not use the machine
NTC thermistor reads outside the expected range or fluctuates when its leads are flexed — sensor must be replaced
Element and sensor both test within normal range but E60 persists on every heated cycle — control board heating input circuit fault

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the NTC thermistor and what role does it play in E60?

The NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistor is a temperature sensor that monitors wash water temperature in real time and reports to the control board. The board uses this data to manage the heating element. A faulty sensor causes incorrect temperature readings and triggers E60.

Can limescale on the element cause E60 without the element being broken?

Yes — this is the most common cause of gradual heating failure before E60 appears consistently. Limescale insulates the element surface from the water. The element draws full power but transfers very little heat. A thorough descale frequently resolves the fault completely.

Is it the element or the sensor that has failed when E60 appears?

Both must be tested individually with a multimeter to determine the cause. If the element reads within the expected resistance range and has no earth fault but E60 persists, the sensor or its wiring is the cause.

Can E60 appear even if the water is actually warming up?

Yes — if the NTC sensor is giving an inaccurate low reading, the control board believes heating is insufficient even when the element is working. The board compares measured temperature rise against its expected curve and generates E60 if the curve is wrong.

🎯 What is likely causing this fault?

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Heating element 80%

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NTC sensor 10%

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PCB relay 10%

⚠️ Estimates based on common faults — not a guaranteed diagnosis. Always verify before ordering parts.

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Parts you may need

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