Washing Machine
E30
The E30 error code on an AEG washing machine signals a flooding or water leak detected in the base of the machine — it’s a safety alert that stops the drum from filling further to prevent water damage to your home.
What does this error mean?
AEG washing machines are fitted with a flood protection system (sometimes called Aqua Control) that uses a float switch in the drip tray at the bottom of the machine. When water collects in that tray — whether from an internal leak or condensation build-up — the float rises, triggers the switch, and the machine displays E30 to halt the programme. The appliance will typically also activate a drain pump to remove excess water before shutting down.
Est. repair cost
£80–£150 professional repair; £15–£40 DIY (door seal or hose part only)
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Switch off and unplug the machine immediately — never work on a running appliance or one that is still connected to the mains.
Tilt the machine gently backwards (get help — washing machines are heavy) and look underneath for visible water or wet patches that indicate where the leak originated.
Remove the front kick panel (usually two screws or press-release clips at the bottom front) and use a torch to locate the drip tray float switch — if there is standing water in the tray, soak it up with an old towel and dry it thoroughly.
Inspect the door seal for visible tears, grit damage, or mould-related degradation — run your finger around the full circumference of the rubber gasket. A replacement door seal for most AEG models costs £15–£35 from UK parts suppliers (e.g. 4ourhouse, Ransom Spares) and is a straightforward DIY job.
Check all accessible hose connections inside the kick-panel area for looseness or cracking — re-seat any loose jubilee clips with a screwdriver. Do not open the main back panel or touch internal wiring.
Once dry and any visible issue resolved, restore the machine to upright, plug in, and run a short cotton cycle at 40°C while watching for drips. If E30 returns immediately or water reappears, stop and call an engineer.
📞 When to call a professional
If you cannot find an obvious external leak source, if the drum or pump housing itself is cracked, or if the error returns after you have dried the tray and resolved a visible issue, contact a qualified appliance repair engineer. Tell them the machine shows error code E30 (Aqua Control/flood protection fault) and describe any water you found and where — this saves diagnostic time and cost.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
A professional repair for an E30 fault — typically a door seal or pump replacement — costs £80–£150 including labour in the UK. If your AEG machine is under 7 years old and was bought for over £400, repair is almost always the better financial decision. Machines over 10 years old or bought for under £300 are borderline — factor in that a new mid-range AEG washing machine costs £500–£800, and one repair often leads to another on an ageing drum.