Dishwasher
E17
The E17 error code on an Electrolux dishwasher indicates that water is taking too long to heat up to the required temperature — it’s a moderately serious fault that will stop your machine mid-cycle, but it’s often fixable without a professional.
What does this error mean?
Your Electrolux dishwasher constantly monitors water temperature during a wash cycle. The E17 code is triggered when the water fails to reach the target temperature within the expected time window. This tells the dishwasher’s control board that either the heating element isn’t working properly, the temperature sensor (NTC thermistor) is giving a false reading, or there’s an underlying electrical fault preventing normal heating.
Est. repair cost
£10–£50 DIY (thermistor or element parts); £80–£150 for a professional repair including labour
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Reset the dishwasher: Switch the machine off at the wall, wait 5 minutes, then power it back on and run a short cycle. A temporary sensor glitch can trigger E17 and a reset may clear it.
Check and clean the filter and spray arms: Remove the bottom basket, unscrew the filter assembly, and rinse it under the tap. Blocked filters can restrict water flow, reducing heating efficiency.
Descale the dishwasher: Run an empty cycle using a proprietary dishwasher descaler (e.g. Finish Dishwasher Cleaner, ~£3–£5 from most UK supermarkets). This removes limescale from the heating element and is especially important if you live in a hard-water area.
Inspect the heating element for visible damage: Remove the lower basket and look at the circular element at the base of the tub. If it looks cracked, corroded, or has visible burn marks, it needs replacing. You can test it for continuity with a cheap multimeter (set to resistance/ohms) — a reading of infinity means it has failed.
Test or replace the NTC thermistor: The thermistor is a small sensor clipped near the heating element or sump. Disconnect the dishwasher from the mains, locate the sensor, and check its resistance with a multimeter — it should read around 5,000–10,000 ohms at room temperature. A wildly different or open-circuit reading confirms a faulty sensor. Replacement parts cost £10–£25 online.
Replace the heating element: If confirmed faulty, a compatible Electrolux heating element costs £20–£50 online. Disconnect the machine from the mains, remove the lower basket and spray arm, unclip the old element from the sump, disconnect its wiring terminals, and fit the new one in reverse order. Only attempt this if you are confident working safely with disconnected appliances — the machine must be fully unplugged throughout.
📞 When to call a professional
If you’ve descaled, reset, and tested the thermistor and element but the E17 error persists, call an appliance repair engineer — the fault likely lies with the wiring loom or the main control board (PCB), which are not DIY-safe repairs. When you call, tell them: ‘My Electrolux dishwasher is showing error code E17 — I’ve ruled out the heating element and thermistor and suspect a wiring or PCB fault.’ This saves diagnostic time and money.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
A professional repair for an E17 fault — typically a heating element or thermistor replacement — costs around £80–£150 including parts and labour in the UK. If your dishwasher is under 5 years old, repair is almost always the right call. If it’s over 8–10 years old and the repair quote exceeds £120, compare it against a new mid-range dishwasher (£300–£500) — replacing may be better value long-term.